Between Us Pros: Reading Between the Headlines
Well, glad that’s over with — 2009 that is, at least from an economic and business standpoint. Aside from celebrating this publication’s 30th anniversary (I had to work that in), it certainly was a year most electronic security professionals would like to forget. Unless you toiled primarily in newer, network-based technologies you probably, to at least some degree, took it on the chin.
Absent the benefit of recurring revenues and stuck with production overruns and inventory backlogs, suppliers absorbed the brunt of the recession’s wrath. However, the plight of residentially focused installing companies continued and it was tough sledding for most dealers and integrators lacking an RMR base.
It certainly could be worse. Overall, according to SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION‘s annual Installation Business Report, security resellers averaged a modest 3-percent gain in 2009. If the deepest recesses of the slowdown are behind us, physical security will be well back on its way to reclaiming its place as one of the top growth industries. Like most, I am cautiously optimistic.
Regular readers of the magazine and my column may be familiar with the annual month-by-month recap I do each December of my picks for the most significant news stories of the year. This time, I thought I would do something a bit different and instead share with you the top 20 most viewed news items from January through the end of November (press time).
The list speaks volumes for the type of year it was, with several stories reflective of financial and other turmoil. Of course good news seldom makes the headlines and, in some cases, one organization’s loss was another’s gain. The net results may very well end up working out for the better good of the entire industry; only time will tell.
For now, let’s look onward and upward. That’s what SSI‘s Technology Issue is all about. Taking a good, hard look at the products and services presented in our annual Top Technology Innovations of the and roundtable discussion with six of the industry’s foremost technologists can’t help but stimulate strategies for your business in 2010. Plus, see how to leverage new technology to better serve the gaming and banking markets.
From me and the entire SSI staff, we wish you and yours the very best for the holidays, and vibrant, robust business success throughout the New Year.
Top 20 Most Viewed News Stories of 2009
1. United Technologies Acquires GE Security
2. Pelco Quits Access Control Business, Shutters Indianapolis Facility
3. Virginia Senate Passes Bill to Tax Alarm Company Accounts
4. Stanley CSS Acquires 4 More Sonitrol Franchises
5. GVI Security to Be Purchased by Private Equity Firm for $11.6M
6. ASIS: Down in Attendance, But Not Down and Out
7. Pelco Restructures Global Sales Operations; Trims 7 Jobs
8. NJBFAA Considers Cutting Ties With NBFAA
9. U.S. Court Sides With ADT on Infringed Patents
10. NBFAA Approves ESA Name Change
11. Brink’s Home Security Rebrands as Broadview Security
12. Report: Bosch Intruder Alarms Gain Market Share
13. GE Sells Stake in SAFE Security
14. Pelco Asks 2,000 Employees to Take 2 Weeks Off
15. Video Surveillance Market Battles Though Economic Downturn
16. Residential Fire Sprinkler Debate Heats Up
17. Report: Monitoring Makes Up 75% of Home Security Revenues
18. Smith & Wesson Enters Perimeter Security Market
19. Moog Acquires Videolarm for $45M
20. SIA Makes Significant Revisions to Control Panel Standard
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine
Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].
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