Heather Klotz-Young

Happy 4th of July!

July 4, 2012

Would you consider the security industry and the services it offers protecting lives and property a “service necessary for the public good?”

Special Report: Security & Crime

While no conclusive landmark study proves security prevents crime, maturing technologies and partnerships are proving security is a bona fide crime-fighting tool.

Heather Klotz-Young

June 20, 2012

In Greek mythology, Panacea was a goddess of universal remedy, using a single potion to heal the sick. Today the term is also used figuratively to describe something capable of completely solving a large, complex problem — like crime.

State of the Market: Fire Protection 2012

Benjamin Franklin was savvy enough to put his wisdom into words regarding the ROI of fire prevention.

Heather Klotz-Young

May 18, 2012

There are no flashy changes or broad shifts to be found in the fire alarm market in 2012. In fact, in a lot of ways, the 2012 fire alarm market looks very similar to the 2011 market. Despite a lack of healthy construction in the commercial space, the industry continues to move forward — supported by code requirements, mandatory inspections, insurance incentives, and the simple unremitting need for life safety.

The ‘Green’ Pillar of Sustainability

Heather Klotz-Young

April 26, 2012

‘Green’ is more than a word. It is good business. It is a journey. It is also one of three pillars of sustainability. Using the words “green” and “sustainability” is not a case of “You say ‘po-tay-toe,’ I say ‘po-tah-toe.’” Although the two terms are intricately related, they are not interchangeable.

State of the Market: Access Control 2012

Smart cards, especially the new PIV-I card, managed access, and NFC all stand out in the 2012 access control market.

Heather Klotz-Young

April 26, 2012

For years, the physical security industry has predicted the “tipping point” in the video surveillance market as the point in time when Internet protocol (IP) video will outsell analog video. But are you paying attention to the other tipping point? Yes, access control has a tipping point of its own — the point when smart cards will outsell legacy cards.

State of the Market: Video Surveillance 2012

The video surveillance market in 2012 shows a wide range of growth potential, in part due to disappearing barriers to adoption.

Heather Klotz-Young

March 22, 2012

Video surveillance, for all its clear benefits, comes with its equal share of barriers: storage limitations, image quality and resolution demands, price concerns, a painfully absent ease-of-use. There’s a whole list.

State of the Market: Alarm Systems 2012

This year the alarm industry is increasingly unshackled from landlines and high costs, buoyed by end user demand for remote/interactive services, and up against more competition.

Heather Klotz-Young

February 22, 2012

Every new year always starts off with speculation. The interpretation of several noticeable changes impacting the alarm industry in 2012 depends on whether one subscribes to the philosophy of “glass half empty” or “glass half full.” What do you think as you read through the following list?

Generic Image for Life Safety and Fire Alarm

Exploring New Dimensions at First Alert Convention

Heather Klotz-Young

February 22, 2012

From new products to new trends, the 2011 First Alert Professional Dealer Convention held in Scottsdale, Ariz., contained plenty of “new,” apt for its theme of “Exploring New Dimensions.”

The CAA Convention: Big and Small

Heather Klotz-Young

February 22, 2012

California is the most populous state — by far, and it is the third-largest by land area (after Alaska and Texas). That creates a vast territory and an incredible amount of end users for the California Alarm Association (CAA) to cover.

Exploring New Dimensions at First Alert Convention

Heather Klotz-Young

January 26, 2012

From new products to new trends, the 2011 First Alert Professional Dealer Convention held in Scottsdale, Ariz., contained plenty of “new,” apt for its theme of “Exploring New Dimensions.” Some 800 alarm dealers, integrators, central station companies, distributors, vendors and speakers from the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America attended the event.