From its humble beginnings in a Toyota Corolla, CPI Security — originally Crime Prevention Inc. — has operated with a singular focus.

If you want to see how far technology has come with emergency communication and notification capabilities, look no further than Virginia Tech, a university campus that experienced two shooting events.

While camera manufacturers continue to deliver products with higher and higher resolutions, that’s no longer the main goal of video surveillance, purports Laurent Villeneuve, product marketing manager, Genetec, Montreal. Instead, it’s more about expanding the use case for surveillance by increasing end users’ return on investment.

The wholesale central station business is a multi-faceted one, and companies in this business are keen on innovation, adding new capabilities every year. A few commonalities emerged as we spoke with central stations for this year’s annual roundup of wholesale monitoring.

The explosive growth in the installation of IP-enabled devices for both residential and commercial customers continues with no end in sight. From smart thermostats to “connected” exercise bikes, just about everything in a home or business is getting hooked up for monitoring and control

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

Over the past decades, the Cayman Islands has seen unprecedented economic and development growth that brought many benefits to the islands and the local population.

By the time you’re reading this, your company has completed its strategic planning — or, at least, planning is in discussion — and objectives are being defined for 2020. Business goals typically revolve around new opportunities, growth, revenue and profit.

I’ve been doing some marketing work for cannabis companies, including one that is considered a market leader. This company is the dominant player and set the benchmark against which all others are compared.

If you did not have a marketing plan for 2019, take a good hard look at the year’s results. Chances are pretty good that you did not achieve the business goals you had hoped you would. Why?

A recent action was filed in the United States District Court of Nevada where the plaintiff, owner of a building, entered into a contract with the defendant alarm company’s predecessor for security services at the building, including monitoring alarms and dispatching responses to alarms. The contract was apparently subsequently assigned to the defendant alarm company.

MedixSafe, a player in the access control cabinet market, launched a new website showcasing its diverse access and key control solutions.

Aiphone Corp., an international manufacturer of intercom and security communication products, now has a mobile app available to new and existing installations of the GT Series multi-tenant video intercom.

Viking Electronics, a manufacturer of security and communications products, has filled its YouTube channel with a variety of educational and training content for customers, distributors and installers of all experience levels.

Edwards, a provider of life safety and emergency communication solutions, has put out a video explaining the changes coming to commercial smoke detector tests — specifically UL 268, 7th edition.

The CamView IP Pro-X is an all-new touchscreen security camera tester.

System Sensor announced the availability of low frequency (520 Hz) sounder and sounder strobes.

Larson Electronics’ network IP camera is designed for use as a remote inspection and observation camera in hazardous locations.

NSCA, a not-for-profit association representing the commercial low-voltage electronic systems industry, announced the speakers for the 22nd annual Business & Leadership Conference (BLC), to be held Feb. 26-28, 2020, at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Irving, Texas.

The new Pakedge RT-3100 Gigabit router is designed to provide premium network performance, reliability and security for homes and small businesses.

Version 5.8 of Ocularis has put the user front and center.

Qolsys’ 2.4 software update has been released for the IQ Panel 2 Plus.

Codelocks Inc. announced a strategic partnership with Tether Technologies, a developer and manufacturer of digital tethering solutions for master keys and access cards.

The Chase Security CSLED series enclosures are designed to protect LED signs and other electronic displays from damage.

The Neeo remote for Control4 is a touchscreen remote that delivers control of home entertainment experiences through the Control4 smart home OS 3 platform.

SECO-Larm’s fingerprint reader and keypad (SK-2612-SFSQ) includes a 500DPI optical fingerprint reader. . .

Connected Technologies’ Access Expander handles up to 100,000 users. Connect ONE allows security dealers to easily offer home and commercial automation with integrated access control, security, video, energy management and critical environmental temperature monitoring, as well as smart phone credentials through ScanPass mobile credential.

Digital Watchdog’s latest version, the DW Spectrum IPVMS v4.0, delivers many new and important features, including virtual offline cameras, failover for storage and secure video export with updated user experience and an even more intuitive interface.

The new camera registry module for Genetec Clearance is a digital evidence management system that facilitates collaboration between public safety agencies, corporate security departments, businesses and the public.

COSEC VEGA FAX, an advanced door controller, has a 3.5-in. TFT display with capacitive touchscreen interface for events, news/messages and other information. It can store up to 9,600 fingerprint templates and 5,000,000 events.

Vaion vcore is equipped with integrated machine-learning capabilities that analyze all video feeds from all standards-based cameras in real time.

The pdqSMART-STP stand-alone smart locks operate by smart phone. With pdqSMART-STP, users aren’t limited to yesterday’s PIN code technology; they can have it their way with multi-credential options that deliver the choice and convenience today’s users demand.

BCDVideo’s new line of harsh environment, rail and in-vehicle servers delivers quality performance in diverse environments with a long product life for customers with complex requirements.

The SPP20T 5-in. 70V projection speaker is easy to mount and direct, combining the advantages of a horn with the sound quality of a cone speaker.

The Ethos line of multi-tech contactless access readers are equipped with a choice of credential technologies, enabling customers to choose migration paths to deploy secure credentials.

The Slimline touchpad offers in-home interactive control for the Connect+ Hub and the BAT-Connect Communicator.

To help dealers seeking a low-cost cell solution to update and safeguard countless Vista Panel accounts faced with sunsets and disappearing POTs, Napco just introduced new StarLink Connect-DL dual function cell/IP communicators.

In the latest product update of Milestone XProtect 2019 R3 video management software, Milestone Systems introduced several new capabilities. A new centralized search platform makes it possible for users to search for everything in one place.

STI’s polycarbonate covers help prevent theft and vandalism to larger keypads, access controls, volume and lighting controls and much more.

Powered by Intel Movidius Myriad X Vision Processing Unit (VPU), the new Genetec AutoVu SharpZ3 is a specialized in-vehicle ALPR system that uses Intel’s latest deep learning and computer vision technology.

VIVOTEK has launched three new panoramic and multi-sensor cameras: the CC9381-HV, MS9321-EHV and MA9322-EHTV.

Avigilon’s third generation high definition video appliance line is designed to reduce the cost and complexity of video security by simplifying deployment and maintenance.

The NetWay 802.3BT (4PPoE) series of managed midspan/injectors are capable of delivering up to 90W per port (480W total).

Kinetic by Camden is an advanced 900 MHz power harvesting wireless system that uses the energy created by the operation of the switch to power the wireless transmitter.

The Q1700-LE license plate camera ensures the required pixel density for license plate identification in one lane traffic at a range of up to 328 ft. during daytime and up to 164 ft. at night.

Businesses of all kinds depend on sensitive electronic systems to protect the safety and security of their customers, visitors, and staff. They depend on a variety of security systems including access control, video surveillance, identity and visitor management, and many more. It’s a proven fact that all these electronic systems last longer and are more reliable when they are protected against the damaging effects of power surges and spikes. Given that fact, why do only a tiny fraction of new installations — often less than 5 percent — incorporate this important protection?