By Ashley Willis
LAS VEGAS — The long months of anticipation are over as the 43rd annual ISC West finally takes the stage on Wednesday at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. Now that the big event is here, SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION provides a first-day preview for the action-packed show to help attendees manage their schedules.
Before ISC West officially opens its gates at 10 a.m. attendees can stop by room 502 at 9 a.m. for the State of the Industry Panel. Manufacturers, installing security contractors and end users will discuss current and future industry trends during this roundtable event.
Additionally, two education tracks will be available for dealers and installers — Business and Technology. The business courses will focus on sales, marketing and ways to increase revenue.
One of the highlighted sessions in the Business track will be presented by SSI columnist and blogger Bob Grossman, president of R. Grossman & Associates Inc., a consulting group specializing in electronic security products and projects. From 10:15-11:15 a.m. in room 202, Grossman will host "Developing, Influencing and Responding to Request for Proposals (RFPs)," where he will discuss how to effectively issue and respond to an RFP.
In the Technology track, dealers and installers will review strategies for effectively implementing the industry's newest technologies. Topics discussed include cloud computing, IP and mobile video and key control.
In addition, the Central Station track for monitoring station operators will feature sessions that focus on new legislation, technology, training, fire alarms and more.
For those interested in the latest technology innovations, the Security Industry Association (SIA) has got you covered. At 3:30 p.m. at Booth No. 10074, SIA will host the 32nd annual New Product Showcase (NPS), which honors the most groundbreaking products of the year. Roughly 80 new products and technologies will compete for top honors in various categories.
The Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) will host its "Demonstration of Security Systems Platform" in Room 302 at the Sands Expo at 2 p.m. During the demo, Arecont Vision, Hikvision, Honeywell, IQinVision, ObjectVideo, Tyco and UTC Fire & Security show how their products comply with PSIA specifications.
So that's the first day in a nutshell. Be sure to visit SSI on the show floor at Booth No. 2055!
Ashley Willis is associate editor for SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION.