Solutions from New York’s ISC

The show is downsized but the message super-sized: all types of solutions are needed for the end user to migrate to new technologies or address the morphing communications landscape. Even the show directory was a pamphlet rather than a large guide, encouraging show-goers to go mobile with a smartphone application listing of booth numbers and other events. The first day was busy, and the opening ceremonies kicked off by kilted bagpipers from the New York City Fire Department. Here’s a briefing of some of the news coming out of the show: • Telular announced the first self-install cellular communicator for personal emergency response systems. It’s compatible with virtually all Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) panels. Shawn Welsh, vice president of marketing and business development for Telular, Atlanta, said it works with any device based on Contact ID data reporting. “Landlines are disappearing,” he said. “This is universally compatible with all PERS panels. For the central stations, there’s no additional equipment required.” • Honeywell Fire Systems, Northford, Conn., also addressed the move away from landlines with product. Beth Welch, manager of Public Relations, cited that many new low-rise and condominiums are being built without landlines. Honeywell released a fire alarm communicator that offers a choice of either IP or GSM cellular as its dual path, dual primary communications pathway. Honeywell also offers free as well as paid training classes for installers. Visit www.silentknight.com. • Honeywell and Andersen Corp. collaborated to provide a first-of-its-kind system that allows security alarms to alert homeowners if their windows or doors are unlocked. The VeriLock™ sensor technology embeds Honeywell’s 5800 series of wireless sensors inside the locking mechanisms of a select group of windows and patio doors manufactured by Eagle Window & Door Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of Andersen Corporation. Similar technology can only detect if a window or door is open or closed. VeriLock sensors are the first that can detect whether they are actually locked or unlocked, in addition to open or closed. “Statistics show a large number of home invasions are the result of an intruder simply walking in, and not ‘breaking in,’” said John Kovach, Honeywell’s global director of marketing for sensor products. “Whether it’s people rushing out of the house or simply going to bed forgetting to lock up, it’s easy to leave a door or window unlocked and easily accessible. This is the only technology to offer another layer of home protection.” • Bosch’s Willem Ryan, senior product marketing manager, Video Systems, Lancaster, Pa., demonstrated the Advantage Line of IP and analog cameras and digital storage. “It’s a cost effective line for the mid market,” he said. Digital storage offers 16 channels for IP with 16 free software licenses for those channels as well as analog channels. “There’s also 32GB of storage in the IP cameras, all ONVIF conformant.” Ryan said Bosch has a range of online tools that make it easy for the installer to put together a complete specification. Visit www.boschsecurity.us/advantageline. --Deborah L. O’Mara, editor, SD&I magazine