Tyco Fire & Security Opens New IP Center of Excellence

April 6, 2006
Security leader makes significant R&D investment in American Dynamics video brand to lead emerging IP market

Las Vegas, NV.— April 5, 2006 —Tyco Fire & Security today announced that it has created a new R&D Center of Excellence in Belfast, Ireland to work with its existing centers in San Diego, CA and Boca Raton, FL to develop the security industry’s most advanced and reliable IP video solutions.

Drawing from the vast technology expertise in Belfast, Ireland where the company currently develops some of its leading access control solutions, Tyco Fire & Security has put a team in place to design forward-looking video solutions with a focus on IP technology. According to ICT, Northern Ireland’s main economic development organization, Northern Ireland commits nearly 90% of new investment in high-technology areas and is recognized for its globally recognized research centers across a range of disciplines and world-class universities which enroll more than 10,000 students annually in IT-related disciplines. Leveraging the powerful and innovative American Dynamics brand, Tyco Fire & Security will additionally transform its existing San Diego, Calif., and Boca Raton, Fla., facilities into cutting-edge, technical Centers of Excellence.

“The Tyco Fire & Security R&D Centers of Excellence showcase our commitment to bringing the world’s leading IP solutions to market faster and with uncompromised quality,” said Don Lyman, Vice President, Tyco Fire & Security’s Access Control and Video Systems. “Belfast, Ireland is known both as a center of video research and technological innovation, and a hub for extremely smart, promising talent specifically educated in emerging technologies. We are eager to combine the skills of the video technology leaders in Belfast with our established video expertise in North America.”

The three R&D centers of Excellence will continue to be managed by Paul J. Piccolomini, vice president of Research & Development for Tyco Fire & Security’s Access Control and Video Systems. Piccolomini has an extensive background in developing sophisticated software systems ranging from point-of-sale, scheduling, video distribution, and time and attendance applications, to integrated security systems.

“The age of IP is upon us,” said Piccolomini. “As a leader in the security industry, we have a responsibility to ensure that customers can count on us to provide them with the most advanced, reliable technology. These three Centers of Excellence ensure that Tyco Fire & Security will continue to lead the security industry and meet the latest customer needs for the most advanced video technology.”

About Tyco Fire & Security - American Dynamics Tyco Fire & Security, through its leading video brand American Dynamics, provides IP, digital and analog video based security and productivity solutions. Our innovative, reliable products are easy to install and use. We offer a comprehensive line of video products, including Intellex®, the most preferred digital video management system on the market today. Our solutions are the preferred choice for many of the world's leading commercial, government and educational organizations.