SDM Magazine

2021 January

In January 2021 issue, SDM is celebrating its 50th anniversary, "Despite Pandemic, Security Industry Seen as Financially Sound", and much more.

Check back throughout the month for new content!

ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

Reminiscing on 50 Years

The past 50 years have brought a world of change, both for the security industry and SDM.

Courtney Wolfe

January 11, 2021

One Comment

When SDM put out its inaugural issue in January, 1971, the security industry as we know it today did not exist. There were no trade shows, no systems integrators, no DIY systems and no reliable publications to turn to for information.

FINANCING

Despite Pandemic, Security Industry Seen as Financially Sound

Some large borrowers continue to face challenges, but acquisitions have resumed. How are values holding up? That depends who you talk to.

Joan Engebretson

December 21, 2020

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Even before the COVID-19 pandemic drove widespread stay-at-home orders, 2020 was shaping up to be a challenging year for larger security dealers. As SDM reported last year at this time, at least two banks that had been major lenders to those dealers had either stopped making new loans or had begun imposing terms that were less favorable to the dealers

SDM's 2021 Industry Forecast Shows Hope Ahead

While 2020 didn’t live up to expectations and 2021 Industry Forecast respondents reported a topsy-turvy year, the majority remain hopeful for a strong 2021, with the COVID-19 vaccine in sight and pent-up demand for security products and services.

Karyn Hodgson

January 5, 2021

One Comment

To say 2020 was a bit of a roller coaster ride is perhaps an understatement. At this time last year, most security integrators anticipated a strong 2020, only to be thrown into turmoil late in the first quarter by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ASSA ABLOY - Touchless Fully Automated Openings

SECURITY LOCKS & DOOR HARDWARE

How to Create a Touch-Free Environment in Uncertain Times

Security locks and door hardware have an important role to play in the changed access control landscape caused by the pandemic.

Allan Colombo

December 28, 2020

No Comments

Thomas Paine, an early American philosopher, once said, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Although these insightful words were written in reference to the American Revolution, they embody the sufferings of so many people today, due to the proliferation of COVID-19.

Sales Stars

10 Things to Never Do on a Sales Call

THE SALES PITCH

Brian Offenberger

January 4, 2021

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As we celebrate our 50th anniversary this month, we thought it would be fitting to look back at the first Sales Stars column Brian Offenberger wrote for SDM back in 2015.

Integration Spotlight

Secure What You Sell

INTERNET OF THINGS

Dan Dunkel

January 4, 2021

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There are two unshakeable facts that determine the direction of the security industry. The first is that digital communications have redefined the concept of business risk.

Marketing Madmen

The Secret to a Great Catch: Account-Based Marketing

Security marketing

David Morgan

Alex Chavez

January 4, 2021

No Comments

Marketing in the security industry is hard. The buyer's journey is beset by a range of shiny objects, competing offers, fear, uncertainty, doubt, budget shifts and cuts, priority shifts, urgent and important fires to extinguish, as well as various other threats to goals and timelines that disrupt the process.

Security & The Law

Revisiting an Old Case -- Was Insurance Company Entitled to Sue?

INSURANCE LAWSUIT

Lessing E. Gold

January 4, 2021

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Many years ago I reported on a case decided in California. Fireman’s Fund had paid various claims for burglary or fire losses and filed a lawsuit against alarm companies that had contracts with the plaintiff`s insureds, claiming subrogation to losses arising from property damage incidents sustained by insureds.

Products

Aiphone Video Door Station Is Weather Resistant

January 13, 2021

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The IX-EA is a surface mount, weather-resistant IP video door station equipped with a 1.23-MP fixed-color camera that can be programmed to call up to 20 different stations with three different call level selections.

Monitoring Today

Communication Trends in Central Stations

Courtney Wolfe

January 1, 2021

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Communication — both with end users and emergency personnel — has always been an essential part of any monitoring business. The methods through which monitoring centers communicate, though, have become incredibly varied.