MercTech 2020 Specifies Winning Content & Connections for Consultants
The industry’s leading open platform access control board supplier updated security pros on products and practices.
SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. ― Specifying and delivering optimal physical access control solutions (PACS) was top of mind for some 100 security industry professionals drawn to this lovely and temperate (especially in mid-winter) waterfront destination in the Fort Myers area for the sixth annual MercTech symposium Jan. 23-25.
Hosted by Mercury Security, the industry’s leading supplier of open platform access control boards that is now part of HID Global (an ASSA ABLOY company), more than half those in attendance were security consultants, with the balance being primarily associates and OEM partner representatives. The latter included folks from Avigilon, Feenics, Genetec, Honeywell, LenelS2, Open Options and RS2 Technologies.
The invitation-only event consisted of an opening reception; general session with executives providing company and product updates; cybersecurity keynote from author Valerie Thomas; expansive roundtable involving all the consultants; OEM partner breakouts with approximately six attendees per meeting; and several networking opportunities highlighted by a sunset boating cruise.
In opening the conference, Vice President – Global Accounts, Mercury, PIV for HID Global’s Physical Access Control Solutions Matthew Barnette wasted little time in addressing “the elephant in the room,” that being recent news of a firmware leap-year bug in some of Mercury’s control boards.
He assured the gathering that the glitch would be remediated with an update by March 1 and that there was a massive outreach underway to make sure integrators and end users are well aware of the issue and its remedy. “We understand there will be some blowback, but the most important thing is fixing it for the end user,” said Barnette. The issue affects all LP series boards not running in legacy mode.
Aside from that, the tenor of the event was positive, cordial and collaborative. In the end it was undeniably productive and time well spent. The symposium is expected to shift back to a West Coast location for 2021. Continue on to the slideshow for more info on this year’s event as well as sights from SSI on the scene.
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine, Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher
Scott Goldfine is Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher of Security Sales & Integration. Well-versed in the technical and business aspects of electronic security (video surveillance, access control, systems integration, intrusion detection, fire/life safety), Goldfine is nationally recognized as an industry expert and speaker. Goldfine is involved in several security events and organizations, including the Electronic Security Association (ESA), Security Industry Association (SIA), Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA), ASIS Int'l and more. Goldfine also serves on several boards, including the SIA Marketing Committee, CSAA Marketing and Communications Committee, PSA Cybersecurity Advisory Council and Robolliance. He is a certified alarm technician, former cable-TV tech, audio company entrepreneur, and lifelong electronics and computers enthusiast. Goldfine joined Security Sales & Integration in 1998.
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