Security Watch

Aug. 8, 2011
CEDIA's Future Technology Pavilion, fire/life safety briefs, more

CEDIA 2011 Showcases the Homes of Tomorrow

The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), which targets the design and installation of electronic home systems, is making way for a number of new expo features for this year's show, set for September 7 through 10 at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. Home technologies are getting smarter and more integrated and for attendees, the show floor boasts a playground of innovative solutions at their fingertips. Check out these highlight briefs of what you can expect to see at the show:

The CEDIA 2011 Future Technology Pavilion is getting a new look. Open during tradeshow hours, the 2011 pavilion will simulate a future home environment with rooms focused on technologies for the kitchen, bath, bedroom, game room, office, living room and garage. Must-sees include a video wall, smart appliances, wireless power for cooking and charging and fully integrated home health and wellness products.

Don't miss the annual keynote breakfast on Friday, September 9. Free for attendees and located in the 500 Ballroom, Tim Costello, chairman and chief executive officer of Builder Homesite Inc., and New Home Technologies, both in Austin, Texas, will speak on the topic of what electronic systems contractors (ESCs) can learn about drivers of the current economy and how to capitalize on the changing home technologies market.

A new initiative, the "Old School versus New School" battle and panel discussion debate will feature a Twitter-based discourse between CEDIA members on the merits of both new and established business practices. Topics of discussion are slated to include control, financials, retrofit and marketing.

CEDIA Education Tool

Dealers and integrators can take advantage of the free Course Selection Tool to target the best classes for their needs at the show. Some 30 new courses were added to this year's roster, some of which include:

- ESCR029 Selling Design & Engineering Services
- ESD028 Smart Appliances-The Path to a Smart Grid Enabled Home
- ESD062 Network Remote Monitoring and Maintenance
- ESD065 Fundamentals of Power over Ethernet (PoE)
- ESPM001-T PM Skills for the Technician
- ESPM301 Principles of Project Management
- EST017 Now New Wires: Using New Retrofit Technologies to Increase Efficiency

Quarterly Video Launch

A series of videos on emerging trends from CEDIA'S Technology Advisory Group continue to be rolled out and are available for anyone to view on CEDIA Crosspoint. The videos, released quarterly, address multiple topics including connected TV, tablet computing and home health. CEDIA's next video, set to debut this month, will focus on cloud-based services and wireless technology and how these trends will impact the electronic systems industry and home security. Visit www.cediacrosspoint.com.

Fire/Life Safety News Briefs

AES Corp.'s, Peabody, Mass., UL 864/Edition 9-Listed AES-7794 IntelliPro Fire full data module installs in an AES Smart Subscriber transceiver to transmit full alarm zone data from an alarm panel to a central station over an AES-IntelliNet network.

Alertus Technologies, Beltsville, Md. and Gamewell FCI (by Honeywell) Northford, Conn., now integrate fire alarm and mass notification systems. Alertus' wall-mounted Alert Beacons, text-to-speech interface modules, digital signage and computer desktop alerts integrate seamlessly with Gamewell FCI's E3 Series of fire alarm and other Emergency Communications Systems (ECS).

Apollo Fire Detectors, United Kingdom, launched a dedicated Apollo America Web site to provide information on its commercial and industrial fire detection solutions, customized for North American customers.

Cooper Notification's, Bradenton, Fla., WAVES High Power Speaker Array (HPSA) 7100 series provides highly intelligible voice and tone announcements and can be integrated with an organization's voice-capable Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP).

Digitize Inc., Lake Hopatcong, N.J. and Security Information System Inc., Orlando, debuted their Digitize Automated Alarm Management and Response System (DAAMRS) at NFPA. The system features integrated hardware and software.

Fire Fighting Enterprises' (FFE), Erlanger, Ky., FIRERAY 3000 end-to-end infrared (IR) optical beam smoke detector, launched at NFPA, is ideal when line of sight for the IR beam path is narrow or where the building structure has reflective surfaces which may cause complications for reflective beam system installation.

Fire-Lite Alarms' (by Honeywell), Northford, Conn., version 3 of the MS-9200UDLS and (pictured) MS-9050UD panels support more notification and ancillary devices; allow for longer wire runs using virtually any wire; and feature simplified system programming, robust surge protection, color-coded diagnostic lights and removable chassis.

Napco Security's, Amityville, N.Y., Gemini Commercial 24V Fire/Burg Combo Panel, awarded this year's "Best in Fire/Life Safety" by the Security Industry Association's (SIA) New Product Showcase, supports analog, addressable, commercial wireless and conventional 12V devices and is scalable from 32 to 255 points.

NOTIFIER (by Honeywell), Northford, Conn., earned International Building Code (IBC) seismic certification on its entire portfolio of fire alarm and emergency communications systems...The Farenhyt IFP-FFT high-capacity firefighter telephone system from Silent Knight (by Honeywell), Northford, Conn., supports up to 72 telephone connections with as many as 10 phones in use at one time.

Uplink Security's, Atlanta, GSM communicators for commercial burglary and fire applications are now UL-listed. Uplink's 2550-CF communicator complies with UL 864 (Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems). The 2550-CB communicator complies with UL 1610 (Standard for Central Station Burglar Alarm Units).

VES Fire Detection Systems,' King of Prussia, Pa., Elite XT three-zone, single hazard releasing panel, now UL-listed, and the Elite CP range of two, four, and eight zone conventional fire detection panels are the newest editions to the VES product line launched at NFPA.

Xtralis, Norwell, Mass., acquired Germany-based HeiTel Digital Video GmbH, a central monitoring solutions and video monitoring technology provider.

Intertek Online Portal Simplifies Certification Process

Intertek, Chicago, a provider of quality and safety solutions which tests, inspects and certifies products, made available its AlarmDirect service to alarm dealers, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), central stations and systems integrators. The Web-based system provides 24/7 access to intrusion and fire alarm certificate information.

In talking to these industry professionals about their needs, it became very apparent that there was a technology and service gap in that space, according to Tom Connaughton, global director, Life Safety & Security Services, Intertek. He confirmed the concept for the AlarmDirect program was quite simple-to use modern-day technology to speed up and increase the accuracy of the certificated process.

"The previous process, if an integrator or installer went out and did an installation, consisted of them having to hand-populate an application form, then send that out to a testing laboratory, and four to eight weeks later, they would receive that official document," confirmed Connaughton. "That posed a significant problem for the industry because a delay in the receipt of the alarm system description certificate could mean a delay in the ability to occupy the building. The fire marshal or the insurance underwriter might not issue a certificate of occupancy until there was evidence that a robust alarm system had been installed and was under the surveillance of an independent third-party."

With Intertek's AlarmDirect, there is no challenge with manual processes. The need for human interaction and potential typos in deciphering information from a handwritten fax and transferring that data into a certificate is eliminated.

"With our system, the information is there for the installer to populate themselves in an automatic digital format," Connaughton continued. "There are no more interpretation or translation concerns-they've been completely removed. Essentially, whatever that dealer or integrator installs into that certificate online is just routed through the system automatically."

AlarmDirect features additional reporting and tracking into the Alarm System Description Certificates, enhanced data storage for quick access to and visibility into prior work completed. Real-time interaction of the system is evident during the communication process between AHJs, the customer and the legacy service provider. Installers can produce and deliver certificates to each AHJ within 24 hours. Via an active AHJ portal, AHJs, including fire marshals and insurers, receive electronic notification of certificate completion and can check status of all certificated properties in their territory at all times, once registered in the system. In turn, if a certificate is canceled, a confirmation is sent to both the AHJ and to the customer electronically. The system also features quick-click selection tabs to speed the data entry process, save and print preview options, along with automated email notifications for requests and reminders. Intertek performs its investigations according to industry standards. The system is available across the country and will be available worldwide. For more information, visit www.intertek.com.

For the Cause

Irene Tellez, branch manager, Tri-Ed/Northern Video, Sacramento, Calif., honored cancer survivors at its recent "Purple Pancake Breakfast" and The American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" event in Citrus Heights, Calif. The events raised over $30,000 in contributions. Image courtesy Tri-Ed/Northern Video.

Newsmakers

3VR Inc., San Francisco, appointed Charlie Ryan chief financial officer and Tony Craythorne senior vice president of Global Channels...Bosch Security Systems, Fairport, N.Y., appointed Sheree Usiatynski to manage the Bosch Security & Communications Training Academy...Brightstar Corp., Miami, appointed Mark Shockley company president for the U.S. and Canada...Brivo Systems, Bethesda, Md., appointed Rajeev Dubey as director of Product Management...Honeywell Systems, a division of Honeywell Security Group, Melville, N.Y. promoted Norma Schiller to global accounts manager for its Western U.S. region...Inovonics, Louisville, Colo., appointed Don Commare director of Product Management...Pelco (by Schneider Electric), Clovis, Calif., promoted Sam Belbina to leader of its Security Center of Excellence (COE) and Video Organization...Pivot3, Palo Alto, Calif., appointed Olivier Thierry chief marketing officer, assuming the role from company co-founder Lee Caswell, who now is chief strategy officer...Samsung Techwin America, Ridgefield Park, N.J., appointed Soon Hong Ahn president. Ahn was promoted from his former role as vice president of Global Sales and Marketing for the security division of Samsung Techwin Co. Ltd., Korea...Tri-Ed /Northern Video Distribution, Woodbury, N.Y., appointed Shannon Vaughan business development manager.