Blog Archives
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Day 1 at ASIS
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Tuesday September 22, 2009Traffic at ASIS the first day of the show seemed a little light at times, but many companies weren't complaining, instead focusing on the quality of the attendee--and there were buyers there. As far as technologies, HD cameras are making inroads, coming from the consumer market to security surveillance. Another biggie: mobile surveillance from companies such as NICE systems and that ever-cool mantrap controller from Dortronics, perfect for money counting areas and safe and lock down locations within facilities. Manufacturers such as March Networks talked about vertical customers and their importance in the market, and again, many others such as Johnson Controls pointed to continued growth in the education vertical market, with grants and... -
Your Connection to ASIS
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Friday September 18, 2009If you're not heading to ASIS in Anaheim, fear not! I'm going to blog to you every day about what's happening, what I've discovered, all kinds of rich stuff. If you are going to be there, be sure to drop by booth 2357 and leave a note for me so I can find you, because I've got tons of visits with manufacturers and I'll be going to some cool events so I'll keep you posted. -
The Truth about Analytics
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Monday September 14, 2009If you say that video analytics don’t work, are racked with false alarms and are quirky and unmanageable—then be sure to read the September issue of SD&I magazine, which will hit your mailbox any day now. If you really want to know the truth about analytics, from your peers in the field, then please read this story on page 54 of the printed magazine, or look for it posted on the SD&I page on SIW. There’s tons of cool info in the September issue—we’re got stories on video management at the University of Rhode Island and tips for really working the education vertical market. Also scope out the story on video recording at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza, and you’ll get even more from that story when you see the end-user angle... -
Tradesmen Wanted!
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Thursday August 20, 2009There’s a resurgence of interest in hands-on or blue collar jobs, and many colleges are seeing this trend and expanding their offerings, according to a recent report in The Chicago Tribune . The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA), is on the cusp of this trend, too, and is working through its members and charter chapters on establishing an apprenticeship training program for the industry. (Read what I wrote about it following the announcement at the ESX Show in Baltimore recently: http://www.securityinfowatch.com/root+level/next-an-apprenticeship-program-security-industry .) It will most likely be implemented through the chapters of the organization and individual states, because rules for developing... -
Check it Out!
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Thursday August 13, 2009August Security Dealer & Integrator magazine will be arriving at your place of business in the next couple days and there’s all kinds of good info inside to help you grow your business. The story on environmental monitoring by Caroline McGowan of Winland Environmental Security, handled by integrator Advantech, is a perfect example of how sensors can go the extra mile and fit many applications. It’s a fantastic niche to watch and participate in. Read about it starting on page 44. Our good friend Steve Surfaro of Axis gives us the inside scoop on the lingo of the IP/IT technician, and there’s lots of good stuff to glean from that story, pages 26-27. Fire expert Greg Kessinger gives you the skinny on NFPA 72, 2010, pages 28-31... -
Now That's Progress!
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Tuesday August 11, 2009Great news in the security industry is that despite the larger and growing base of installed alarms, dispatch rates have been reduced by as much as 70 percent.That’s important for the systems installers and integrators who want the public to know that alarms are reliable and effective security and life safety devices. Stan Martin is one of the industry’s great crusaders on the virtues of alarm systems. He has a take-charge attitude and does whatever is necessary to curb false alarms. Martin is the executive director of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), based in Frisco, Texas. (SIAC has one of the coolest web sites out there, with lots of good info. Check it out at www.siacinc.org. ) Martin spoke with me frankly about... -
SBT—All the Right Moves
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Wednesday June 17, 2009Siemens Building Technologies (SBT) certainly has all the right moves going when it comes to embracing the integrator and end-user communities as a thought leader. The Buffalo Grove, Ill., based technology and systems integration company recently hosted a gathering of select media properties ( SD&I was the only strictly dealer publication represented) at its LEED Commercial Interiors (CI) Certified (pending) Executive Briefing Center. The Center is magnificent and includes an impressive Demonstration Room with Command and Control Center with SBT’s vendor partners featured. SBT uses the Demonstration Room and Command and Control Center to educate end-users and their integrator-partners on integrated systems solutions. Neil... -
SD&I magazine is on its Way to Your Mailbox
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Monday May 18, 2009We've got some fantastic content headed your way in the May issue of Security Dealer & Integrator magazine. We've got the advance copies already, but look for it at your place of business soon. There's so much there--the story Operation Security Blanket which got off the ground and resulted in a new security system for the children of a Guatemala orphanage; or the story on Web-based access control. There's also a cool story how your peers in the field are dealing with attrition; and another in which integrators tell us how they think manufacturers can make their lives easier. Look for a special contribution by Lee Caswell from Pivot3 on why IT integrators haven't taken over physical security; and another on new IFC and IBC fire alarm... -
See you at ESX!
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Monday May 4, 2009If you haven’t signed up for ESX yet, June 22 through 26 in Baltimore, you owe it to yourself and your technicians to do so. It was a kick butt event last year and this year’s is slated to be even better. There are tons of cool and innovative educational tracks for every part of your organization—from central station operators to installing technicians to middle management. Plus, the ESX web site is a dream to navigate and so easy to find everything you want. Check it out at www.esxweb.com. Don’t miss the keynote address on Wednesday June 24. SD&I publisher Carol Enman will introduce GE’s Francis X. Taylor, Chief Security Officer, General Electric Co. Enman is well-known in the industry and has been... -
Free Money!
By Deborah L. O'Mara - Thursday April 23, 2009Sorry, there's nothing free, especially money, but we want to remind you to complete the Electronic Security Industry Wage Survey. Security Dealer & Integrator magazine is co-sponsoring the research with the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association so we can get a better idea of how much money people make and for what jobs. You might be surprised at the results and an industry with strong wages is more attractive overall. Anyway, it's really easy to complete and anyone can fill it out. This survey is the first of its kind ever and it's completely confidential--and covers some 35 industry jobs so suffice to say it's going to be some of the most comprehensive prevailing wage information ever gathered to date. Once we're done...
