Tech update

Dec. 14, 2009
A look at new innovations and applications

Enhanced touchscreen provides added features…Notifier, Northford, Conn., manufacturer of engineered fire alarm systems and part of the Honeywell Fire Systems Group, enhanced its ONYX FirstVision interactive touch screen display to provide first responders more conclusive, real-time information on emergency events. ONYX FirstVision is an emergency scene assessment tool used by first responders to determine the origin and migration of a fire, location of emergency alerts, potential hazards or areas of refuge within the affected areas. A new “campus view” feature can display critical information from multiple fire alarm systems throughout a facility, campus and across the globe. Evolving beyond its original single-building monitoring capabilities, ONYX FirstVision can now survey multiple buildings and fire alarm networks.

Consolidation with the latest software…The Consolidator 3.0 is the latest version software from Avocado Security, Fairfax, Va., provider of an On-Demand Security and BI Optimization Platform. As organizations expand security operations their needs are ever increasing for a unifying security platform to consolidate all of their DVRs, Analog and IP cameras. Avocado’s agnostic suite is an interoperability platform which enables clients to retain their existing security investment, and extract more life out of their pre-existing or legacy CCTV security systems.

“With numerous Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) we are delivering an agnostic platform which helps our clients to enhance their security and response time, and to unify their alarm management systems,” explained Kevin Shahbazi, CEO of Avocado Security.

iControl launches energy management solutions…iControl Networks, Palo Alto, Calif., a provider of broadband home management solutions, launched ConnectedLife Energy Management. Available for broadband, telecommunications and home security companies to offer as a standalone service or layered with interactive home security offerings, it provides consumers: monitored energy usage; remote management and control of devices from the Web, iPhone or other mobile device; and automation of home tools. Driven by an in-home, industry accepted, ZigBee-based gateway that wirelessly communicates with two-way smart meters and controls thermostats, lights, appliances, it allows utilities to implement demand response and energy efficiency services to control peak energy usage, optimize existing infrastructure and minimize future investment.

Connected on the go…NAPCO Security Technologies, Amityville, N.Y., launched a new application for Blackberry users that want to stay connected to their homes and/or businesses while on the go. Available with Napco’s iSee Video Pan & Tilt Kits, the free, downloadable Blackberry application enables users to control more of what they see. Client’s can access live streaming or archived video with time-/date-stamp on their Blackberries with full screen pan and tilt control. The application provides end-users with high resolution, full motion video and triggered e-mail video alerts that are directly sent to their mobile device.