Call it analytics, big data, business intelligence, machine learning, AI, or something else — these terms are not interchangeable, but in today’s security landscape they are often used to mean approximately the same thing: the idea that you can take traditional security technology (video, access control, intrusion, etc.) and expand its use to benefit the business side of whatever customer you are applying it to.

Distributors play a key role in the security business, offering not only products but also training and other resources to security dealers. Here is what’s new in this area.

Smart home capabilities are the sizzle that can help sell the security system steak. And smart locks are among the most sizzling smart home options. Here are six key developments in this area — and seven more that could be coming over the horizon.

As anyone who operates in the enterprise space already knows, enterprise-level access control is not just a bigger version of the SMB market.

Arecont Vision Costar, a provider of network-based video surveillance solutions, marked its first anniversary with the launch of a new public website.

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

At an ADI Expo recently, Len Friedman, Hikvision executive and long-time industry guy, told me he is disappointed with the aging process. Well, me too.

In the late 1880s to 1890s there was a battle going on known as the “War of the Currents.” The fight was impassioned, as it would set the stage for the electrical grid in the U.S.

This month I have two tips to help you sell more camera systems. I have a tip for residential sellers and one for commercial sellers. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken our industry to a whole new level, becoming a force multiplier for video monitoring by filtering out false alarms.

An interesting case in Georgia arose when a brother brought an action against a home security company for failing to properly notify.

If you don’t think business intelligence should be part of your plan because your customers aren’t yet asking about it, you’d better rethink that so you can get on top of the trend.

Dallas-based Securadyne (SDM’s 2016 Systems Integrator of the Year) was established in 2011 by CEO Carey Boethel. By 2018, it had more than 300 staff, 17 U.S. branch locations and had achieved more than $73 million in annual revenue prior to its acquisition this year by Allied Universal.

Allied Universal, a security and facility services company in North America, has acquired Shetler Security Services, a Phoenix, Ariz.-based company offering security solutions on a national level. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

American Defense Systems has acquired Point Security, a fellow Brinks Home Security authorized dealer in Austin, Texas. While the transaction officially closed July 17, both companies have been working together, installing smart security systems for Brinks Home Security. 

Mitchell Klein has been chosen as this year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Klein will be honored at the CEDIA Expo Opening Keynote hosted at the Colorado Convention Center on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019.

Integrated Fire and Security Solutions Inc., a provider of integrated security, IT and fire technologies and services, has received a private equity investment to drive strategic growth and further build its presence in the southeastern U.S. market. The sizable investment will be used to expand sales operations, acquire similarly aligned service providers and boost service offerings focused on recurring revenue services.

The Monitoring Association (TMA) announced its keynote speakers for the upcoming TMA 2019 Annual Meeting. 

Sargent and Greenleaf Inc. (S&G), a global manufacturer of high-security locks and locking systems for safes, vaults and high-security cabinets, has appointed Mark LeMire as chief executive officer of the company. 

Potter Electric Signal Company, a provider of mission-critical products to the fire and life safety industry, has appointed Gerald Connolly as CEO. As had been planned since Gryphon Investors made a majority investment in the company in 2017, Connolly succeeds Bernie Lears, who has elected to retire after almost 40 years with the company and who will continue to serve on Potter’s board of directors as a vice chairman.

Pelco Inc. announced that Jean-Marc Theolier, CEO, will be leaving the organization, effective immediately. As part of this change, Brian McClain, COO, will take the role of president, leading the recently independent company while the search for a new CEO is finalized. 

Yesterday, congress announced legislation that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with the goal of protecting tenants from “biased surveillance technology.” 

Alarm Detection Systems wants to make sure Aurora police officers have tools that can help protect them if an incident occurs like the one they faced on Feb. 15, 2019, at the Henry Pratt Company at 401 S. Highland Ave. on Aurora’s West side.

A-Com Protection Services Inc. (ranked No. 57 on the SDM 100) announced a new trade name and logo in an internal launch event at its corporate headquarters in Columbus, Georgia. 

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved ANSI/SIA CP-01-2019, a security systems standard for false alarm reduction features. The standard leverages technology, industry experience and common knowledge to pinpoint the causes of and decrease the frequency of false alarm dispatches, detailing recommended design features applicable to both residential and commercial properties protected by electronic security systems.

Today, ADT, a provider of monitored security and interactive home and business automation solutions in the United States and Canada, announced it settled a deceptive sales practices lawsuit filed against NorthStar Alarm Services, a Utah-based company, for $3 million.  

Digital Ally was the winner of the 2019 Golden Eagle Award, presented last week at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition, in New Orleans, La. The company was one of three finalists, whose case studies were presented to conference attendees who then voted for the winner. 

Jade Alarm Company, the only independent, locally owned, UL Certified installation and central station monitoring company in the Kansas City region, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. 

In what is becoming an annual tradition looked forward to by many members of the security industry press (this writer included), Genetec hosted a good number of the world’s trade press representatives in July at their Montreal headquarters.

Security-Net Inc., a network of security system integrators, welcomed two new members, providing the organization with geographic reach in the New York, New Jersey and Illinois areas. These two new additions increase Security-Net’s membership to 20.

Mel Mahler, a prominent figure in the security industry, passed away from complications of a stroke on Sunday, July 21.

ASIS International, the world's largest membership organization for security management professionals, announced the recipients of its 2019 Innovative Product Awards (IPA) for Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2019, to be held Sept. 8-12 in Chicago.

Exacq announced its integration with the highly rated monitoring station software, MASterMind. These technologies combined utilize video verification services to receive live video from the exacq Network Video Recorder when an event occurs, and sends a call to the monitoring station call center.

Renova Technology announced added capabilities to its after-market commercial security repair menu. Recognized in 2017 as a “Top Company to Know” by SDM Magazine, Renova continues to open doors, this time expanding access control infrastructure repair.

Open Options, a leading provider of access control solutions, launched a new Learning Management System (LMS), “ConnectEd”, for integrators, installers and system users to easily obtain certification in DNA Fusion.   

ONVIF, the global standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products, announced that its Export File Format, the ONVIF specification for the export of video from security surveillance recording platforms, is the new standard recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the exporting and playback of video surveillance recordings.

 

DroneShield, a drone detection and mitigation company, and Bosch, a provider of security and safety solutions, have entered into a partnership in the counterdrone space under the Bosch Integration Partner Program (IPP).

Eagle Eye Networks and DMP announced the integration of DMP’s Virtual Keypad app with Eagle Eye Network’s Cloud VMS. The secure integration between these two products serves as a unified platform that provides access to Eagle Eye Camera feeds from the same Virtual Keypad environment that DMP users are already utilizing to control their security, access, and home automation systems. 

Johnson Controls announced that its 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.