Is the smart home market maturing and stabilizing, showing a clear path forward for security dealers wanting to capitalize on the new desires of homeowners to interact with many areas of their home life, including security? Not exactly. But there are definitely signs that it has moved to another level of adoption and interest, making the time ripe for action on the part of those who want to adjust their business model to capture opportunities and revenue in this fast-growing space.

Today’s intercom solutions are not the same as in the past. With technological advances including IP, PoE, networking and mobile, these technologies are truly part of a fully integrated security solution and should be presented, sold and installed accordingly.

There was a time when power and transmission were delivered by distinct solutions, but power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions have changed that dynamic considerably by delivering power and video surveillance signals over a single cable.

Since 2006, The Monitoring Association (TMA) has been recognizing the top performers in monitoring with its TMA Monitoring Center Excellence Awards (previously called the Central Station Awards). The Excellence Awards, hosted by TMA and co-sponsored by SDM Magazine, recognize exceptional personnel and monitoring centers in the industry (both TMA members and non-members) that are certified by an approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

An interesting case in the state of Ohio occurred when a deputy sheriff, while responding to an activated burglar alarm (alarm drop) without lights or sirens so as to not alert any intruder in the home, collided with a stopped car.

Columnist Roy Pollack challenges professionals to test their knowledge in the latest 5 Minute Tech quiz.

Allied Universal announced the launch of HELIAUS, an advanced artificial intelligence platform designed to improve safety and reduce risk by enhancing on-site guarding services. 

American Alarm released a five-year study, “Regional Security Report: Five-Year Study of Verified Alarms, 2014-2018,” examining verified alarms in greater Boston and central New England.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to take surveillance to a whole new level.

Each year, the federal government makes investments in critical capabilities to meet security requirements, which the security industry strives to provide.

There is an art form that unfortunately is vanishing from our culture: the stubborn fortitude that causes people to attempt to fix just about anything around the house or office.

Look around and you will see a plethora of brands offering smart devices.

“What would I need to do to double my win rate?” I was asked that question by the owner of a commercial integrator. His company sells large systems with sales cycles that could last months.

When measuring the effectiveness of your security business’s marketing, you need to remove the blinders and get out of the dark.

When my daughter was in sixth grade, the dad of one of her classmates asked what we had done as parents to give our daughter so much confidence.

Every security or fire alarm installation comes with its own set of challenges; but one Chattanooga, Tenn.-based security dealer found himself faced with an actual castle — complete with 12-foot thick stone walls and an owner who was meticulous about details.

LifeSafety Power Inc. continues to expand its popular rack mount solutions, now adding the integration of Honeywell ProWatch to the FlexPower Gemini line.

Johnson Controls’ flagship access control and event management system Tyco Software House C•CURE 9000 is supported on infrastructure as a service (IaaS), enabling customers to take advantage of the many benefits of cloud computing with the choice of best-suited service providers.

SimpleSENCE is a feature-rich Wi-Fi sensor for detecting water leaks and freeze conditions.

KOHLER is now offering a new enclosure option for its popular 14kW and 20kW residential generators.

With the 120SOCKET, users get a motion receiver with integrated socket for direct connection to the wall, allowing them to automate lights, fans or irrigation, and turn them on with the transmitter.

With the LDR hands-free system, users can open all doors without having to press any buttons.

Speco Technologies announced a major update to the SecureGuard Client app for iOS. SecureGuard Client app is one unified app for all current Speco devices: servers, IP cameras, DVR, NVR and Hybrid.

To meet increasing integrator demand, Nortek Security & Control (NSC), a global provider of wireless security, home automation, access control and health and wellness technology, today announced the opening of the ELAN Training Center at its Carlsbad, Calif. headquarters. The company also operates a facility in Dallas, Texas. 

The Simon XTi-5i is a self-contained, wireless security system for heightened residential security and convenience.

SecureNet Technologies, an international provider of security-centric IoT solutions, announced a partnership with GHS Interactive Security LLC., (No. 30 on the SDM 100) a provider of interactive home and business security systems across the United States. 

The Monitoring Association (TMA) has released a statement about a popular video doorbell manufacturer’s sales and distribution strategy which leverages the resources of local U.S. law enforcement to sell and distribute its product and to encourage homeowner enrollment in its proprietary mobile app. 

EntraPass v8.10 users can run audit reports based on cards, components and operators, including a detailed report of who made changes to a card or component and when the changes were made.

Pivot3, a provider of intelligent infrastructure solutions, announced that its large-scale surveillance solution is the recipient of the 2019 Campus Safety Best Award, which recognizes the most innovative solutions designed to enhance security and safety in campus environments.

Reitman was selected for his long-term service to TBFAA and his industry involvement with a multitude of industry associations. He will formally receive the award at the Roast & Toast Dinner as a part of the TBFAA Convention to be held in Rockwall in October.

uniVerse Series single-door controllers, from Continental Access, a division of Napco Security Technologies Inc., feature EZ-learn networking and are available in a surface mount version, model CICP2100S.

Neutron is an economical single-door mini controller created for smaller systems.

DMP now offers new AT&T modems for its XTLplus, XT Series and XR Series panels.

ComNet’s 12-port gigabit managed layer two-switch includes two 10GigE uplink ports

The Dahua StereoVision camera is a 3MP dual-sensor, people counting camera that incorporates artificial intelligence.

STI’s newly redesigned exit stopper door alarm flashes while it emits an audible alarm — helping to further attract attention and deter wrongful use of a protected door.

DW’s 5MP complete universal HD over coax (UHDoC) surveillance solution includes 5MP Star-Light Plus color in ultra-low-light UHDoC cameras, VMAX A1 Plus UHDoC DVRs and C3 CMS, a brand new remote management software for DW’s VMAX A1 Plus DVRs and VMAX IP Plus NVRs.

The new Avigilon H4 Thermal camera models will combine patented Avigilon technology with heat-sensing capabilities to improve perimeter security in areas with poor visibility, difficult lighting conditions and absolute darkness.

Founded in 1999, Advanced Wiring Solutions (AWS), an Alsip, Ill.-based low voltage systems/solutions provider, started with only Mike Sanfratello. Today, it has grown in its 20 years as a specialized resource offering extensive cabling solutions to hundreds of clients every year.

CEDIA announced the educational conference lineup for this year's CEDIA Expo show. There will be over 125 classes, 50 percent of them brand new and covering 17 different areas of expertise. CEDIA Expo will be held September 10-14 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

Security Funding Associates announced their affiliation with InfoSafe, an Invisus cyber security compliance and certification program. SFA will have the rights to market the InfoSafe program to alarm dealers and central stations nationally, and then roll out specialized cyber security solutions to alarm subscribers.

Defendify, an all-in-one SaaS-delivered cyber security platform developer, announced it has raised $1.6 million in pre-seed funding led by private investors with participation from Maine Technology Institute (MTI) and early stage cyber security industry investor 3dot6 Ventures. 

Allied Universal, a security and facility services company in North America, recently announced the expanded capabilities to deliver risk mitigation solutions through its new Allied Universal Risk Advisory and Consulting Services division.

The Vistacom team is celebrating its 65th year in business in 2019. Originally named the Daveland Company, Vistacom was founded in Allentown, Penn. in 1954 with a staff of six people, led by founder Jack Ferlino. 

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.) as the 2019 recipients of the SIA Legislator of the Year Award. The awardees will be honored at the upcoming SIA GovSummit, taking place June 26-27 in Washington, D.C.

IDIS announced the launch of its IDIS Dynamic Privacy Masking (IDPM) solution, a quick and efficient privacy tool, provided free of charge to its users. IDPM offers a quick and efficient solution to the previously labor-intensive, and at time prohibitively expensive, problem of obscuring or “de-identifying” persons in surveillance footage who are incidental, irrelevant, or protected by law when footage is to be reviewed by, shared with, or provided to a third party (such as for evidence in a legal proceeding).

Guardian Protection, a security solutions provider, today announced a new partnership with Minor League Baseball (MiLB) to become the “Official Smart Home Security Partner of MiLB” and the “Preferred Partner” of targeted Minor League Baseball teams across the country.

Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2019, taking place September 8-12 in Chicago, is where industry professionals can learn about the latest new technologies, see those technologies on display and network with industry colleagues.

B Safe Inc., a regional provider of security and fire alarms to Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has continued to expand with the acquisition of Securitech Inc. of Wilmington, Del. and DC Security Systems of Toms River, N.J.

Banner Solutions, a national wholesaler of security opening hardware products, announced the acquisition of Berg Wholesale, an Oregon-based distributor of door and bath hardware.

Resideo Technologies Inc. has acquired Pittsburgh-based LifeWhere. The newly acquired company uses machine learning and analytics to predict potential failure on critical home appliances, such as water heaters, furnaces and air conditioners. 

Alarm Financial Services Inc. (AFS) provided a senior debt facility to Sentinel Security Solutions of Grover Beach, Calif. Sentinel will use the $750,000 credit facility to consolidate existing debt under more favorable terms, as well as to provide capital to meet the growth demands of the company. The credit facility includes both term loan and revolving line of credit components with increased borrowing ability as Sentinel’s business grows.

The 2019 Electronic Security EXPO Public Safety and Networking Luncheon in Baltimore featured the awarding of the William N. Moody Award to Douglas Bassett. Started in 2004 by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), the Moody Award is given annually to an individual who demonstrates a passion for advancing positive alarm management and best industry practices.

ADS Security, a regional security and automation company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., has acquired the customer accounts of Duncan Security Systems of Nashville. ADS will service and monitor the new customer accounts out of its local branch and monitoring center in Nashville. 

The Honeywell Home SiXCOMBO detector is easy for dealers to install; it utilizes the encrypted SiX two-way wireless technology for an increased level of security.

Envoy announced five new integrations with its visitor management solution: Openpath, C-CURE, Ubiquiti UniFi, Mist and Visual Compliance are all launching new integrations with Envoy that highlight the importance and need for better, smarter workplace security.

ABLOY USA has entered into a national distributor partnership with leading global distributor Anixter Inc. to expand brand awareness in the critical infrastructure market. The agreement means more attention from a wider audience for mechanical and electromechanical high security products such as the intelligent key system ABLOY PROTEC² and PROTEC² CLIQ.