SecurityWatch

April 12, 2010
Milestone ecosystem hits Hollywood hills, NJBFAA recognizes industry leaders, more...

Milestone Ecosystem Hits Hollywood Hills

Milestone Systems, the open platform company in IP video management software, held its 7th annual Milestone Integration Platform Symposium (MIPS). Several hundred gathered at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa in Hollywood, Calif., just steps from the Kodak theatre where the Academy Awards are held, with Milestone making their gathering a spectacular event to watch and be part of.

"At Milestone, we want to shine the spotlight on our ecosystem partners and make them the stars of the show," said Lars Thinggaard, chief executive officer. This MIPS was yet another great event featuring networking opportunities and important shared product information and updates, including the unveiling of XProtect(tm) Corporate 3.1 with Smart Client 5.0 with enhanced GUI. There were many partners or integrators at the event, and those participants including traditional security alarm companies delving into the IP space as well as IT and networking firms.

In a Webinar-broadcasted session for their partners and attended by some 700, Eric Fullerton, corporate chief sales and marketing director, introduced the company's XProtect Corporate v3.1 video management system and v5.0 of the Smart Client (the program that allows a computer user to access the video and functionality in the XProtect VMS. Fullerton also outlined a strategy to take the solution from the mid-market (which apparently has been Milestone's specialty) to the largest organizations. That strategy follows through on the 2007 release of XProtect Corporate, which is the company's full-featured VMS designed for the largest clients; XProtect Enterprise is chiefly used for mid-market businesses and organizations.

In addition to Milestone management, speakers of note included Martin Gren, founder of Axis Communications, who delivered an IP Update; Mike McCann, manager of Solutions Engineering at Sony Electronics, who presented Technology Trends in IP Video; and John Honovich, founder of IPVideoMarket.info, who shared Camera Test Results and How to Win Business. A city surveillance case study was discussed by Jo Stark, global director of Digital Video Surveillance at IBM Global Technology Services; a retail case by Alan Greggo, associate vice president of Loss Prevention at Luxottica Retail; an education case by Chief Barbara O'Connor, director of Public Safety at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana; and a transportation case by Steve Miller, Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) Project Manager at the Harris County Toll Road Authority in Texas.

At the Symposium Gala Dinner, special congratulations were given to Pro-Tec Design for the Most Explosive Growth for the year. Based in Minneapolis, the company has shown tremendous growth and helped pave the way for several Milestone Systems project wins in the State of Minnesota in the arenas of government, transportation, education, commercial and retail. Tom Hagen, president of Pro-Tec Design and Steve Washburn, vice president of Sales Operations accepted. In addition Partner of the Year accolades went to Digital Surveillance Solutions, Buffalo, N.Y. President, CTO and Founder, Michael Blumenson, believed so strongly in the future of Video over IP that he presented his business plan during a University at Buffalo entrepreneur academic program years ago and was awarded funding to help establish his company as a converged integrator. Most Spectacular Install of the Year went to SecureNet, a Certified Milestone Partner headquartered in Texas.

Other awards included: MAP of the Year: Axis Communications; MSP of the Year, Johnson Controls Inc.; and Distributor of the Year, Anixter. MilestoneSolution Partners and Manufacturer Alliance Partners exhibiting at the MIPS event included Arecont Vision, Axis, Basler, BVI Networks, Dot Hill, Firetide, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intransa, JVC Professional Products Co., Lextech Labs, Open Options Inc., Panasonic, Pelco by Schneider Electric, Pivot3, Rimage Corp., S2 Security Corp., Sony Electronics, Tri-Ed Distribution Inc., and Vidient Systems.

NJBFAA Recognizes Leadership in the Industry

During their 2010 annual symposium held January 27 to 29 at the Tropicana Hotel, Atlantic City, N.J., the New Jersey Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NJBFAA) awarded several deserving individuals for their leadership and dedication to the industry. The Alarm Dealer of the Year Award went to Ira Hosid, IRA Security Systems, Paramus, N.J., and the Associate Member of the Year Award to Joe Camarata of Mid-Atlantic Representatives. The NJBFAA Distinguished Public Service Award presented to Vincent Prieto, who represents the 32nd district, which encompasses Hudson County, serving as the deputy majority whip of the General Assembly and chairman of the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee. The President's Award presented to Chris Mosley, president of Complete Security Systems, Marlboro, N.J.

The NJBFAA Frank Smith Memorial Award for Public Safety was presented to Chief John Lightbody, who currently serves as Toms River Township Fire Prevention & Protection Officer and Fire Subcode Official.

SD&I-PREMIER MEDIA SPONSOR OF ESX

Where do we begin to talk about the Electronic Security Expo? Probably by blocking out the dates from June 14 through 18, because you'll want to be in Pittsburgh to soak in all the educational and social offerings at the ESX show.

Owned and sponsored by the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), and designed by your peers in the industry, ESX is a networking and educational event for security integration and monitoring companies. In addition, SD&I magazine is the premier media sponsor of the event.

You'll hear from your peers on educational sessions ranging from business development and management; central station operations; installation management; recurring monthly revenue; sales and marketing; and technology. You'll become motivated from fun social events, such as the ESX Big Bash. Best of all, you'll come away energized and with ways to boost your business.

For those involved or planning to delve into the home systems market, the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) will host a mini-track of technical courses worth continuing education credits.

"CEDIA accreditation of a number of ESX courses means added value for ESX attendees, enabling them to earn credit toward maintaining their certifications," said George De Marco, ESX chair. CEDIA courses will focus on residential lighting control; multi-room audio sensors; and home theater design. Registration and event information is available at www.esxweb.com or by calling (877) 628-9558.

Migrating to IP Technology

Sign up now for SD&I's session on Migrating to IP Technology, scheduled for Tuesday, June 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. in Room 306. You'll hear from a panel of your peers-integrators, on how they made or are making the move to IP. There will be lots of time for the questions portion of the session, so start making a list of what you want to ask.

Reseller Awards from AMAG

AMAG Technology, an innovator of security management and video solutions, announced its 2009 Eagle Awards for its Top Certified Resellers.

"These crŠme of the crop resellers work hard to sell and support AMAG Technology's Symmetry Solution to a myriad of end users around the continent," said Bob Sawyer, president of AMAG Technology. "We are thankful for their loyalty and dedication and are delighted to recognize them for their achievements."

AMAG will present the following awards during a private ceremony to be conducted at ISC West in March 2010.

Overall Awards--Entrance Controls Inc.; Symmetric Interconnect Systems; DRS Technologies; Stanley Security; PSA Security; Johnson Controls Inc; and Infotec Systems Corp. Top Reseller Awards--ASSI Security Inc.; Allied Fire & Security; Infrastruct Security Inc.; Galaxy Integrated Technologies; Zenith Systems LLC; S3 Integration LLC; and Norment Security Group.

Oh Canada, Oh Stanley

Stanley Security Solutions Canada Corp., Mississauga, Ontario announced its name change to Stanley Canada Corporation. Stanley Security Solutions and Stanley Security Solutions Canada will remain as divisional and operating names. Stanley Security Solutions is a business division of The Stanley Works, a provider of integrated access control and security solutions for institutional, commercial and industrial businesses and organizations.

Honeywell Creates Open Technology Alliance

The Honeywell Open Technology Alliance is a group of global security manufacturers that will collaborate to increase interoperability between third-party IP systems and help businesses more easily secure and protect their facilities. As part of the initiative, Honeywell, Morris Township, N.J., a technology developer and manufacturer of aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry and more, will work with security manufacturers to integrate their IP cameras and systems with its flagship MAXPRO(r) VMS video management system, as well as make its own devices more-easily compatible with other vendorsT management platforms.

"Because security needs are becoming more complex and unique, we're seeing more companies and organizations today using technology from multiple manufacturers to create the solutions they require," said Don Roberts, strategic corporate accounts, Honeywell Security Group. "The goal of the Honeywell Open Technology Alliance is to give these companies and their integrators more choices when designing their security systems, and to make the process easier."

The Honeywell Open Technology Alliance includes North America and European-based manufacturers such as Milestone Systems, OnSSI, Heitel and IproNet Sistemas S.A.

Let the Games Begin!

In an effort to show its continued customer appreciation, Tri-Ed Vancouver, an independent wholesale distributor of security and low voltage products, together with several of its vendor partners, held four weekly drawings for tickets to the 2010 Olympics. Customers who purchased $500 worth of participating vendor products were entered to win two tickets to a 2010 Winter Game event.

So Many Ways to Get SD&I

SD&I has a brand new look, launched in January, and now there are so many different ways to get the content from the magazine. Of course there's the venerable print publication and you can sign up to receive it www.securityinfowatch.com or on our landing site--http://www.securityinfowatch.com/magazine/sdi/.

But the latest news is that we now have a true digital edition. That means that you can digitally scroll through each entire issue online at: http://sdi.epubxpress.com. This is not a pdf presentation by any means and again, shows how SD&I is changing all the time to meet your needs too. Let me know what you [email protected].

Newsmakers

Middle Atlantic Products, Fairfield, N.J., promoted Mike Baker to president. Company founder Bob Schluter will continue as chief engineer and chief executive officer...Communication Networks (ComNet) Danbury, Conn., appointed Andrew Acquarulo Jr., president and chief operating officer... Vicon Industries, Hauppauge, N.Y., appointed Mark S. Provinsal vice president of Marketing and Product Management and Frank Jacovino vice president of Corporate Engineering...DVTel appointed Igal Dvir president of the Product Group...Honeywell, Morris Township, N.J., promoted Ron Rothman president of the Honeywell Security Group. Since 2002, Rothman was president of Honeywell Security & Communications...Integrated Biometrics, Greenville, S.C., announced the addition of Mike Grimes as president...Dr. Bob Banerjee joined NICE Systems' Security Division, Rutherford N.J., where he will develop programs and initiatives to educate, train and support NICE's extensive network of security system integrators and dealers and provide thought leadership for outreach efforts. Banerjee comes to NICE Systems from Bosch Security Systems, where he served as product marketing manager for IP Video since 2004...Tony Pelura joined Video Mount Products, Stevensville, Md. as director of Marketing & Business Development...Scott Law joined Lumenera, Ottawa, Ontario, as director of Worldwide Sales for Security Markets.

Former Panasonic President Rejoins the Security Industry

Frank Defina rejoined the security industry as the senior vice president of Sales at Samsung Techwin America. Defina previously served as president of Panasonic System Solutions Company (the company which encompasses the security business unit) until 2008. Following his time at Panasonic, Defina worked in the music industry heading up global sales & marketing for Paul Reed Smith Guitars.

As senior vice president of sales for Samsung America, he will report direct to the Samsung U.S. President/CEO JW Ahn at the U.S. corporate headquarters in Ridgefield Park, N.J., and will be responsible for growing the organization going forward.

Frank said he is "excited" to be with Samsung Techwin America and that it was their product quality and management vision that drew him to the company.

"I found that they have world-class products at compelling pricing," said Defina.

Frank will develop and organize a series of sales initiatives and partner programs for the security group including integrator programs and end user sales initiatives for their integrators, along with vendor partnership to ensure seamless integration of their analog and IP products with other vendor's technology.

"The overall objective is to ensure that Samsung products are specified by the major integrators in the U.S. and that our products connect seamlessly with the major VMS partners in the industry," explained Defina. "The two programs we're developing are geared specifically toward our partnering with the top tier integrators in the U.S. and the major VMS providers in the U.S."

At the beginning of 2010, the Samsung security divisions here in the U.S. began the process of merging into one brand; it was a global move driven from Korea. Prior to the global consolidation of Samsung Electronics' security unit with Samsung Techwin, the Samsung brand was represented by two product lines in North America: Samsung Techwin America and Samsung GVI Security Solutions. GVI Security Solutions (which formerly represented the Samsung Electronics business and products) is now Samsung Techwin's master distributor and is still operated by CEO Steve Walin. (Check out our blogs at securityinfowatch.com for more information.)

DISTRIBUTION Briefs

DVTel, Ridgefield Park, N.J., a developer of intelligent security solutions over IP networks, and Rontal Applications Ltd., Modi'in, Israel, a provider of innovative incident management and operational continuity systems, collaborated to market a unique joint integration suite of DVTel's intelligent Security Operations Center (iSOC) and Rontal's SimGuard to provide a comprehensive PSIM solution for Command and Control Centers.

Numerex Corp, Atlanta, provider of secure machine-to-machine (M2M) products and services, entered into an agreement with Rogers Wireless, a wireless provider and subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc., to further enable the expansion of Numerex's M2M business in Canada.

Graybar, St. Louis, Mo., selected Fluidmesh Networks, Boston, Mass., to help meet the needs of the wireless infrastructure market, focusing primarily on critical infrastructure and physical security such as wireless IP surveillance, voice, data and more.

UTC closes on GE Security acquisition

Industrial firm United Technologies Corp., Hartford, Conn., announced that it closed on its purchase of GE Security from General Electric. The two companies had announced the agreement in November 2009, and the deal is said to be worth $1.82 billion.

"This strategic acquisition enhances the scale, market reach and product offerings of our existing UTC Fire & Security (UTCFS) business," UTC Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Louis Chenevert said in a prepared statement. "It demonstrates our disciplined approach to acquisitions and capital redeployment that focuses on delivering shareholder value."

In a written statement issued to SecurityInfoWatch.com, UTC said it has no immediate plans to end-of-life GE Security systems or to leave current GE Security dealers without the products they are trained on and know how to sell. For the full report from SIW Editor Geoff Kohl, visit www.securityinfowatch.com.