Dealer programs are offered by manufacturers, financial firms, monitoring centers and other dealers. Some buy and sell accounts, while others focus on back-end support, marketing and sales support, financial assistance, training help, or product volume commitments. Some require you to sign a contract, while others don’t. What is in or not in that contract matters, of course, but there are some greater considerations that industry experts suggest dealers look into before ever signing on the dotted line.

Securing New Ground® (SNG^TM), the executive conference presented by the Security Industry Association (SIA), connects you with the most influential security practioners and supplier partners in the industry. SNGTM is where you learn about strategies to help you achieve future success for your customers.

The shooting death of a young, unarmed African-American in Ferguson, Missouri has polarized racial tensions in the country more than any event since the Trayvon Martin shooting death in Sanford, Florida over two years ago. Some argue that in Ferguson it was a case of self-defense on the part of the police officer, others that it was a clear cut case of someone gunned down because of their skin color, and related to that the perceived, rather than real, danger he posed to the officer. What is missing in all this is any video evidence of what happened between the two individuals.

 The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is beginning to make its rounds through the security industry. It is very touching to watch the videos of security professionals who have accepted the challenge, as they acknowledge their own personal ties to the disease.  

Yale Locks & Hardware has partnered with Habitat for Humanity on a 90-day program to donate 10 percent of purchases on its shopping site www.yale2you.com to help Habitat create affordable housing, while also offering homeowners a 10 percent discount on purchases.

SDMwishes the very best to Frank De Fina, executive vice president of Samsung Techwin, Ridgefield Park, N.J., who is leaving the company at the end of this week for personal reasons. 

 The split is “amicable,” according to De Fina, who has more than 30 years industry experience, including a 26-year run at Panasonic, where he eventually became president of Panasonic System Solutions.  

 Kudos to Kevin Lehan of the Illinois Electronic Security Association for being featured on WGN-TV Chicago on May 9, on one of its Midday News Segments.