News: September

Oct. 27, 2008
Educating FBI-LEEDA The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) has been invited to provide educational information components on alarm management to FBI-LEEDA, one of the most prestigious advanced police management and administration programs in the United States. LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association) develops and disseminates improved administrative and technical practices to meet the needs of law enforcement executives throughout the free world. SIAC's John Wurner, a former chief of police who provides ongoing workshops, presentations and serves as a resource to law enforcement agencies throughout North America, participated in a FBI-LEEDA seminar in July. The partnership to develop and participate in future training was developed following discussions with SIAC Executive Director Stan Martin and FBI-LEEDA Executive Director Tom Stone. ?It is critically important for law enforcement executives to have an understanding of the role that alarm systems play in promoting public safety in their communities,? states Wurner. ?This is an opportunity to ensure that the benefit from this public-private partnership is maximized to the benefit of the citizens we serve.? SIAC is scheduled to participate in 12 workshops through the end of 2004 involving representatives from 300-500 law enforcement agencies. SIAC is a nonprofit organization formed in December 2002 to represent one-voice for the alarm industry on alarm management issues. SIAC's primary charter is to significantly reduce calls for service and improve the lines of communication with law enforcement and end users to ensure the safety and security of over 30 million alarm system users in homes and businesses throughout North America. The purpose of FBI-LEEDA is to advance the Science and Art of Police Management and Administration, develop and disseminate improved administrative and technical practices to meet the needs of law enforcement executives throughout the free world and promote the exchange of information and training for executives of law enforcement. For general information about LEEDA-FBI, e-mail [email protected] or call 877-772-7712.Frost & Sullivan Award
Frost & Sullivan has presented SAFLINK Corporation, a developer, marketer, and integrator of biometric security solutions, with its 2004 Biometrics Customer Value Enhancement Award. This award is given annually to the company voted by Frost & Sullivan analysts to have best demonstrated an ability to expand its customer base with more innovative value creation and enhancement strategies than its competition.


Support For The U.S. Government Smart Card Interoperability Spec HID announces support for the United States Government Smart Card Interoperability Specification (GSC-IS) Version 2.1 (V2.1) based on the company's iCLASS 13.56 MHz contactless smart card technology. These GSC-IS V2.1 compliant readers output the Federal Agency Smart Credential Number (FASC-N) in multiple configurations that meet the U.S. Government's standard communication protocol (which was established to create an open system environment enabling all cards and readers to communicate regardless of the manufacturer and support existing and new access control systems.)Dealers go to Disney
NACC recently hosted its annual Dealer Appreciation Day at Disney's Grand Californian hotel in Anaheim, CA. Dealers attended a presentation during the day, wherein new programs and services were unveiled, including enhanced IVM services, a GPS mobile monitoring alliance with Guardian, and a new dynamic voice messaging service program. The company hosted an exclusive dinner that night at the hotel's Napa Rose restaurant. Acquisition Expands Gas Detection Line Aerion Technologies Inc. dba Macurco, announces its acquisition of IST-Aim. The acquisition further diversifies and strengthens Macurco's gas detection product line as well as expands its offerings of other environmental monitoring instruments. IST-Aim offers over 30 products in its line ranging from gas detection to heat stress monitoring. These products will be added to Macurco's complete line of carbon monoxide, ammonia, refrigerant, hydrogen and heating gas detection and air quality control technology for the commercial, light industrial and residential markets. ?The IST-Aim product line is well recognized in the safety marketplace,? states Mike Strandell, Macurco president and CEO. For more information call 303-781-4062 or visit www.macurco.comMajor Building Contractor To Enter Security Field
Founded in the 1950s to clear land and dredge waterways for South Florida builders, Devcon International Corp., Deerfield Beach, FL, is now looking to shift focus into security services such as electronic alarms for homes and businesses. The company feels profit margins for a security services division will be higher and earnings steadier than construction.

Shareholders were asked to approve a plan that involves an investment of an initial $15 million to $18 million to develop a security services division to be run by Stephen J. Ruzika, former president of ADT Security Services Inc. and now chief of his own security business.

Leading the investment group is Richard C. Rochon, who spent 14 years as president of Huizenga Holdings Inc., which managed private investments for billionaire Wayne Huizenga, including holdings in security services. He now heads his own investment firm in Boca Raton, Royal Palm Capital Partners. Devcon executives expect the plan to gain approval, based partly on Rochon and Ruzika's track records.

?We put a great value on Rochon and Ruzika being in the deal,? comments Devcon chief financial officer Jan A. Norelid. ?And, it's been good for the shareholders so far,? he continues, noting the stock price has climbed from about $8.50 a share when the investment plan was unveiled in April to close at is now at $11.50.

Devcon plans to use the initial capital to buy security service companies. Top on the list is Ruzika's own firm, Security Equipment Co. Inc., for about $ 4.6 million. All the security firms likely would produce an initial $25 million to $30 million in annual revenues, the company feels.

At first, the new securities division would focus on alarm installation and monitoring, mainly on the U.S. east coast and some western states. As its brand became better known, it could branch out domestically, according to Rochon.

Later, Devcon might sell more stock on Wall Street to raise extra cash and further expand its security business. Eventually, sales of security services could surpass Devcon's roughly $ 55 million in annual revenues from its existing materials and construction business, says Rochon.

?Clearly, we aim to grow the security services business as quickly as possible, staying profitable,? he states.






Geographical Expansion Select Security, headquartered in Lancaster, PA has acquired Dynamark Security Center of State College. The acquisition was finalized just six months after the company's purchase of Alsenco Security of Altoona. ?Dynamark brings us an established customer base and has excellent name recognition in the State College region,? says Select Security President Patrick Egan. ?We're excited about the opportunity to expand our geographic footprint within the Commonwealth.? Select Security provides residential and commercial installation and after-sales service of security, fire detection, access control and video surveillance systems in Central Pennsylvania.


Makin' The Move
Brivo Systems has moved its corporate headquarters to larger offices in Bethesda, Maryland. Located at 4350 East West Highway in Bethesda, the new
headquarters will incorporate Brivo's administrative, marketing, engineering and customer service groups. Security Systems integrator MAC Systems, Inc, also made a move to a new and larger corporate headquarters to accommodate the company's consistent growth. The new 20,000 square foot facility is located at 40 Shawmut Road in Canton, MA. It offers state-of-the-art training facilities, larger panel production and system staging areas, expanded testing and quality control lab space, custom engineering and design areas and an executive presentation center. Three Year Sponsorship Deal Struck ADT Security Services, Inc., a unit of Tyco Fire & Security, strikes a strategic alliance with Annika Sorenstam, an icon in the world of professional golf and inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame. ADT will receive global name, likeness and image rights through December of 2006 and premier placement of ADT's logo on her golf bag. Another highlight of the deal includes Sorenstam's participation in the ADT Golf Skills Challenge through 2006, making her the first woman since the inception of the event to play in this unique, made-for-television golf tournament. The 2004 ADT Skills Challenge will be taped on November 15, 2004 at the Trump International Golf Course in Palm Beach, FL and is scheduled to air on NBC Sports in December. ADT will also receive several personal appearances for customer entertainment, hospitality, marketing and advertising.
ADT has forged an alliance with golf icon Annika Sorenstam, who will participate in ADT's Golf Skills Challenge through 2006.Name Change The Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) announces that its North American Monitoring Technology Symposium & Exhibition (NAMTSE) meeting will now be known as the North American Security Symposium and Exposition (NASS-EX). The meeting will take place on May 12-15, 2005 at the Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal, Canada. The name change reflects the growth and transformation of the meeting, which now encompasses a three-day educational program, tailored not only for monitoring company operations, but for their installation operations as well.A Facility Upgrade and Global Development Bosch Security Systems recently hired 40 people and completed a 6-month expansion and upgrade of its 90,000 square foot facility in Fairport, NY, a suburb of Rochester, NY. Bosch Security Systems, Ottobrunn, Germany has acquired Video Communication Systems (VCS) of Nuremberg, Germany. VCS develops and produces network-based closed circuit TV (CCTV) surveillance products, including video servers, digital video recorders, networked video recorders and video management systems. ?The acquisition of VCS is important as we expand our business worldwide,? says Dan Reese, Director of CCTV Product Management. ?Their technology will help us transition proprietary analog-based CCTV products rapidly into digital, network systems.?
L to R: Kurt Liedtke, Member of the Board of Management for Robert Bosch Corporation responsible for the Security Systems business worldwide with Peter Ribinski, president and CEO, Bosch Security Systems.Homeland Security Roundtable Extreme CCTV, Inc. Vice President of Sales and Director, Larry Doan, joined J. Paul, founder of www.HomelandSecurityStocks.com, as he moderated the Focus on Homeland Security Stocks Roundtable hosted by The Wall Street Reporter in July. Other panelists included the CEOs of publicly listed companies involved in providing Homeland Security and Global Security products and services, as well as
Thomas Reilly, Director of The Office of Threat Assessment and Risk Management, US Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, and Michael Hoffman Deputy Director of Research and Homeland Security analyst from Friedman, Billings and Ramsey, a leading Wall Street investment firm. At the upcoming American Society of Industry Security (ASIS) International 2004 Seminar & Exhibits, Extreme will also be showcasing a highly specialized range-gated laser device, a game-changing technology engineered specifically for defense and Homeland Security applications. ?The global demand for advanced security continues to grow from the highest levels of government,? says Jack Gin, President and CEO of Extreme CCTV. ?We will continue to advance our leadership in the areas of active-infrared night vision for important defense and Homeland Security applications.? For more information, visit www.ExtremeCCTV.comExtending High End Protection Offerings
Honeywell has acquired Vindicator Technologies, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of integrated electronic security systems for government, corrections and industrial applications. ?Vindicator has very specialized technology, strong expertise, and products that protect many of the world's most critical assets,? states Ben Cornett, president of Honeywell Security. ?This will extend Honeywell's broad range of offerings in high-end protection and homeland security.? Committee Forming To Advance Building Standards International standards consortium, OASIS, plans to advance oBIX (Open Building Information Xchange), a Web services implementation for the building management and controls industry. The new committee, made up of users and vendors from all sectors of the building controls market, will define a standard method to enable mechanical and electrical systems in facilities and buildings to communicate with enterprise applications. oBIX exemplifies the growing trend of vertical industries organizing within OASIS to develop standards that leverage Web services methods for their specific industry needs. oBIX will be applicable to a wide variety of smart systems embedded in facilities, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), elevators, laboratory equipment, life/safety systems, access control, intruder detection, audio visual event management, closed circuit television, monitoring, and many others. oBIX will also provide access to information from sensing devices that are not typically part of control systems, delivering real-time access to sensors that measure or monitor the physical space in a facility, including environmental sensing, electrical panels, and power meters. ?Currently, there is no easy way for IT departments to integrate their enterprise systems with those that run their buildings. Yet, facilities represent the largest physical asset most companies have. Using Web services to enhance the effectiveness of building control systems promises to have an enormous impact on an organization's bottom line,? comments Ron Zimmer, president and CEO of the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA). oBIX was originally established as a working group within CABA, which will continue its involvement through participation in OASIS. For more information, visit www.oasis-open.org





Gulf Coast Office Opens
SST, a provider of integrated electronic security systems in North America is opening a Gulfport, MS, office that will be linked under their most recent partners, Jin Fairbanks and Tim Palmer. Both are excited about the opportunities that are available in the Gulf Coast area. Tim Palmer says, ?This certainly helps fill the gap geographically between our existing offices in Florida and Texas.? Jim Fairbanks adds, ?This additional office aligns us well with the business strategy to market to petro-chemical companies.?