August 1, 2011
The August issue of SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION features an exclusive integrator roundtable in which four of the industry's sharpest CEOs discuss a variety of important operational and industry topics. I was fortunate enough to have some additional time with two participants, Safeguard Security President Mike Bradley and Contava President Curtis Nikel. Following is what transpired when we talked about the state of physical-logical security convergence.
July 27, 2011
In the 2011 Law Enforcement Security Industry Study, police and sheriffs provided tips on how alarm companies can strengthen their relationships with law enforcement. Read on to see the responses.
June 10, 2011
The June issue of SSI features Provo, Utah-based Vivint (formerly APX Alarm) profiled for winning this year’s SAMMY (Sales & Marketing) Award for Best Community Outreach Program. As part of the process, I spoke at length with Kristi Knight, Vivint vice president of corporate communications, not only about the rapidly rising company’s marketing but also about its success, recent name change and controversial tactics.
June 3, 2011
A new report filed by CNN indicates the nation's pharmacies are subject of widespread rising thefts and robberies. This story got me fired up thinking about the solutions the security industry could offer these businesses and the associated opportunities for installing contractors and monitoring providers.
March 23, 2011
Everywhere I go instructors, educators and fire authorities seem intent on having cable pullers remove all unused wire in retrofit situations. I got to thinking, “Wonder if one day an inspector tells one of my own installers to remove some unused cable without any regard to the building owner. What will happen if he had plans to use it sometime in the future?”
March 22, 2011
In the aftermath of the earthquake/tsunami disaster that has devastated Japan SSI has busily attempted to get a handle on what the specific impacts might be on the electronic security industry. It will inevitably adversely affect some of the products and technology that ordinarily originates in Japan, as well as some of the basic operational needs and subsequent supply/demand costs of North American-based businesses ...
March 7, 2011
Milestone, a leading developer of open platform software for managing IP network-based video surveillance, hosted the 6th annual Milestone Integration Platform Symposium (MIPS) in San Antonio March 2-4. More than 150 attendees were joined by in excess of 80 Milestone representatives and those from the many hardware and software providers the company partners with to deliver comprehensive and advanced video solutions ...
March 2, 2011
In Part 2 to the "ComTec Transfers Its Telecom/IT Success Into Security " Under Surveillance blog, ComTec Systems CEO Mike Vertolli elaborates on effective service and maintenance practices. Here, he discusses how he is extending what he learned in telecommunications and IT fields into security and the great opportunities he sees ...
February 23, 2011
The February issue of SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION includes the feature article "Service With a Recurring Revenue Smile," which addresses how to successfully incorporate service and maintenance agreements into an installing company's portfolio. One of the sources cited in the piece was Matthew Ladd, president of Exton, Pa.-based The Protection Bureau.
February 16, 2011
Having been introduced to the security industry little more than a year ago, awareness remains relatively low and understanding even lower about HDcctv. Developed from technology pioneered for broadcast television, HDcctv is transmitted uncompressed and without being encapsulated in TCP/IP since data is sent over coax. The result is a system in which a camera can be plugged into a receiving device and video can be displayed without latency. As a point-to-point system, HDcctv was designed to be a
February 9, 2011
The February issue of SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION includes the feature article "Service With a Recurring Revenue Smile," which addresses how to successfully incorporate service and maintenance agreements into an installing company's portfolio. One of the sources cited in the piece was Mike Vertolli, CEO of Vineland, N.J.-based ComTec Systems.
February 2, 2011
The February issue of SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION includes the feature article "Service With a Recurring Revenue Smile," which addresses how to successfully incorporate service and maintenance agreements into an installing company's portfolio. One of the sources cited in the piece was Matthew Ladd, president of Exton, Pa.-based The Protection Bureau.
January 26, 2011
January's SSI feature “Video Continues to Enhance Its Security Image” has a dozen top technology providers identifying the latest and greatest video surveillance technologies. Among the participants was Pelco by Schneider Electric Sr. Product Marketing Manager for Imaging and Storage Systems Sara Scroggins, who addressed the topic of megapixel/high definition (HD) recording and how it is overcoming technical challenges and misperceptions.
January 21, 2011
January's SSI feature “Video Continues to Enhance Its Security Image” has a dozen top technology providers identifying the latest and greatest video surveillance technologies. Among the participants was Panasonic System Networks Co. of America President Bill Taylor, who addressed the topic of recording technology and how it is being implemented in DVRs, NVRs and other devices.
December 20, 2010
During my recent trip to Boca Raton, Fla., to attend the First Alert Professional Convention I conducted a 90-minute roundtable interview featuring Mike Ash, president of Garden State Fire & Security Alarm Co. in Aberdeen, N.J.; Larry and Mike Matson, principals of Matson Alarm, Fresno, Calif.; Mike Miller, vice president of Moon Security Services in Pasco, Wash.; and Bill Zeller, CEO of Mellon Security & Sound Systems in Lantana, Fla. ...
December 8, 2010
As many of us have seen for some time, many types of electronic security systems are morphing into computer systems. Sure, it takes experience to know how and where to place cameras, monitor systems effectively, ensure smooth traffic flow for access control systems, and myriad other skills we’ve had to learn through the years. But the physical interconnection of the equipment is essentially identical to an IT systems deployment, and there’s a danger there — or is there?
December 7, 2010
As it turns out that forgetfulness and concentration issues many of us increasingly encounter especially as we get older may be the result of a source much more surprising than age. And no, I am not talking about too much experimenting with illicit substances in college either. According to new research by psychologists at the University of Berkeley, California, the root of your dilemma may be a consequence of too much air travel.
November 30, 2010
Rising theft of copper from construction sites, unoccupied, and even inhabited, buildings has been spotlighted for a few years as an opportunity for installing security companies. Today, lingering recession effects combined with the conductive, noncorrosive metal expected to hit an all-time high of more than $5 per pound in 2011 ...
November 17, 2010
SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION Editor-in-Chief Scott Goldfine discusses three educational seminars featured at the First Alert Professional (FAP) Convention for Honeywell’s authorized dealer program. The seminars offered tips on Web marketing, managed video and government business.
October 28, 2010
The topic of “overbuying” comes up so many times in our practice that I can’t limit this to just one blog entry — this could easily become a recurring theme. I’m not talking about paying too much, where the competitive process breaks down and the end user pays more than they should have (easily another few blog topics). Instead, I am referring here to where the equipment purchased is more expensive, feature rich, durable, or otherwise overkill for the intended application ...