Central Monitoring

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has expanded its Siemens Xcelerator partner ecosystem to include the TESSA® APM suite of transformer and switchgear condition monitoring and management applications from Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen. This addition marks a significant advancement in providing comprehensive solutions for grid management, empowering utilities with unparalleled visibility and condition monitoring of their asset fleets. Siemens Xcelerator portfolio Switchgear and transformer monitoring applications will be an integral part of Electrification X Asset Management, part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, an open digital business platform that enables customers to accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster, and at scale. The need for rapid digitalization to improve the resilience of distributed networks This latest addition comes at a pivotal time as utilities around the world grapple with the challenges of aging infrastructure, increasing loads, and the need for rapid digitalization to improve the resilience of their distributed networks against environmental and cybersecurity threats. APM suite from Machinenfabrik Reinhausen “The digitalization of energy distribution, automation systems, and networks brings many advantages. Not only does it lead to substantial savings in terms of time and money, it also significantly boosts efficiency and reliability,” says Stephan May, CEO of Electrification and Automation at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “By adding the TESSA® APM suite from Machinenfabrik Reinhausen to our open ecosystem, customers benefit from an expanded offering across their entire asset fleet with AI-enabled asset management. This latest move to integrate transformer and switchgear condition monitoring and management into Electrification X Asset Management demonstrates our continued commitment to sustainable innovation.” Power of SaaS and AI-enabled technologies By seamlessly integrating TESSA® APM with Electrification X Asset Management, customers gain a unified view of their entire substation, enabling proactive management and maintenance strategies. Leveraging the power of SaaS and AI-enabled technologies, Siemens’ solutions deliver actionable insights that help mitigate risk and optimize performance. Wilfried Breuer, CEO of Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH says: “The integration of TESSA® APM and Electrification X Asset Management allows customers to track the performance of the entire substation through a single glass cockpit, enabling early recognition of incipient faults and thus avoiding unplanned outages. The Siemens Xcelerator partner ecosystem offers customers the benefits of integrated, tested, and certified modularity that combines the best-in-class TESSA® APM functionality of Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen with Electrification X innovation from Siemens.”

Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division has announced the launch of PRESTO System – an innovative modular suite of automated robotic inspection cells revolutionizing the landscape of 3D measurement for automotive and aerospace manufacturing. PRESTO System builds on the foundation of its turnkey PRESTO quality inspection cell to provide manufacturers with a future-proof system that sets a new standard for scalable, versatile, and seamlessly integrated automated quality inspection. Integrated robotic system PRESTO System empowers manufacturers to become more agile with automated robotic programming that enables a single quality control specialist to create, test, and deploy robust robotic inspection in hours. The deployed cells are highly flexible and accessible to all levels of expertise – an operator can safely load and inspect one part and then another simply by selecting the correct part to inspect from the control panel.  The deployed cells are highly flexible and accessible to all levels of expertise At a time where skills shortages are impeding daily operations for many manufacturers, the integrated robotic system eliminates repetitive manual setup and calibration processes, enabling teams to work more effectively and focus on operational excellence and halving total inspection time compared to other modern inspection technologies. PRESTO System Scanning technologies PRESTO System brings together industry-pioneering scanning technologies into one turnkey solution for faster, easier, and more accurate automated inspection: Hexagon's best-in-class Absolute Scanner AS1 combined with absolute positioning from the Leica Absolute Tracker AT960 to provide unparalleled measurement efficiency and results – even in dynamic ambient light conditions near production lines. Blue laser line technology – PRESTO is the first Hexagon turnkey inspection cell to utilize the most advanced and intuitive method for capturing a rich and complete digital representation of both the key features and surfaces. SHINE technology ensures effortless measurement of reflective surfaces, eliminating the need for part preparation. Sophisticated robotic automation software that utilizes a digital twin to simulate and program complete inspection programs offline, and to coordinate the real-time execution of all processes for repeatable and uninterrupted operations. Full integration and coordination of all systems, from robotic actuation to metrology scanning, enabling near-line inspection at higher speeds, in total safety. Fundamental to smart manufacturing PRESTO System is agnostic so that works can easily blend it with the customer's living metrology Pioneering manufacturers are seeking pervasive quality inspection, sampling more parts and more frequently across production and assembly. The unequivocal and valuable metrology data produced is fundamental to smart manufacturing. PRESTO System is agnostic so that manufacturers can easily integrate it with customers' existing metrology and quality assurance software, acquiring rich, high-quality datasets that empower manufacturers to optimize quality and inform continuous process improvement.  Users can easily develop feedback loops that inform their operations, by identifying key trends, predicting more accurate Out-Of-Tolerance (OOT) results, or addressing the root cause of non-conformances in any major Quality Management System (QMS) on the market. Robotic quality inspection capabilities The first cell is deployed, more modules can be added with short lead times and rapid installation The modularity of the PRESTO System provides flexible deployment, enabling manufacturers to rapidly scale their quality inspection capacity in alignment with their business needs. Once the first cell is deployed, additional modules can be added with short lead times and rapid installation. This scalability not only enhances operational agility – but the standardized single-vendor solution also helps businesses to optimize their investment strategies by facilitating upgrades and enhancements rather than replacements. PRESTO's compliance with safety standards, like CE and UL, streamlines the replication process, allowing organizations to deploy the system rapidly and consistently across various regions. This ensures consistent performance and simplifies regulatory compliance for multinational corporations seeking to leverage robotic quality inspection capabilities on a global scale. Additionally, Hexagon's global presence with native-language support in every continent guarantees seamless deployment and ongoing success, regardless of location. Robotic inspection solutions Nicolas Lachaud-Bandres, Global Director at Hexagon said: "As industry demands for robotic inspection solutions continue to rise within a continuously and rapidly evolving market, PRESTO System presents a new benchmark in terms of flexibility and scalability." "Its modular design and intuitive interface enable manufacturers of all sizes to seamlessly integrate automated inspection into their workflows and adapt quickly to unexpected changes. By making advanced automation accessible, adaptable and cost-effective, PRESTO is a key stepping stone towards a future where manufacturers harness automation to its full potential, so their employees can enhance their productivity and the efficiency of manufacturing processes." Deployments of the PRESTO System PRESTO System comprises three 'base' models: the existing near-square 4.5 m PRESTO M that uses one fixed laser tracker and 3D laser scanner; the 10m x 5.5m PRESTO L, with a mobile tracker and mobile scanner; and the 10m x 7.5m PRESTO XL that employs two mobile trackers and two mobile scanners. Multiple options are offered to adjust inspection performance to user experience and component size, with larger models having increased capacity to inspect a wider range of parts. Experienced quality and metrology professionals can use their preferred metrology software from Hexagon (PC-DMIS, Inspire) or other vendors to work with programs and data. The metrology data produced by deployments of the PRESTO System can be easily analyzed and shared with other desktop software and cloud applications through Hexagon's open digital reality platform, Nexus. Launched globally at the Hannover Messe 2024, exhibitors can learn more about the Hexagon stand F26 in Hall 17.

Johnson Controls, the global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has announced the renewal of its reseller partnership with Everbridge. The collaboration aims to assist security pioneers with a centralized view of physical assets and external risk factors—such as geopolitical threats or natural disasters—that could impact organizational safety and resiliency. Partnership with Everbridge “Not only do today’s security pioneers face the challenge of staying ahead of new and emerging threats to their physical facilities and cyberinfrastructure, but they also need to consider how public safety events or extreme weather may affect their operations,” said Greg Parker, global vice president of Security and Fire Life Cycle Solutions at Johnson Controls. “Through our continued partnership with Everbridge, we’re helping customers navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape and protect their organizations’ assets.” Mass communication functionality Additionally, two-way and mass communication functionality helps to deliver instructions Data collected by Johnson Controls OpenBlue and Everbridge 360 provides security professionals with information to assess risk and initiate automated security workflow and emergency operating procedures. Additionally, two-way and mass communication functionality helps to deliver instructions and keep employees and company assets safe, regardless of their location. “Our collaboration with Johnson Controls improves the ability of customers to ensure business continuity, life safety, and security across a wider range of scenarios and be better prepared for the unexpected,” said Dominic Jones, SVP Business Development, Partnerships & Alliances, Everbridge. “Our combined technology offers security pioneers the ability to not only identify the security risks that they are facing—both internally and externally—but to also help mitigate or manage them effectively, reducing the impact of an event and protecting their operations from interruption, damage, or loss of life.” Technologies with AI capabilities In FY24, Johnson Controls expanded its security solution portfolio and partnerships to address the common goals faced by security professionals, including investing in technologies with AI capabilities and the need to move to service models to address staffing shortages. In addition to this renewed partnership with Everbridge, Johnson Controls launched its Security Operations Centers (SOC) service offering to the North American market. Building on 50 years of central monitoring and response services internationally, the SOC offering is available to North American customers seeking to improve business continuity and help reduce risk at a predictable as-a-service fee.

Johnson Controls, the global pioneer in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, is pleased to announce the commercial availability of its Security Operations Centers (SOC) service offering in the North American market. Building on 50 years of central monitoring and response services internationally, the SOC offering is available to North American customers seeking to improve business continuity and help reduce risk at a predictable as-a-service fee.   State-of-the-art monitoring centers “Our extensive network of highly skilled engineers and state-of-the-art monitoring centers ensures our North American customers have the necessary resources and expertise to effectively and efficiently protect their facilities and assets,” said Julie Brandt, president of Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls. “Ultimately, our goal is to empower business pioneers in creating safer and more productive environments and this new service offering helps reach those goals through a scalable and proven offering.” SOC features Johnson Controls designed this service offering with flexible bundled service packages to meet every facility’s specific needs, delivered with complete onsite support or hybrid models. Common features provided by the SOC include: Standardized Protocols: Johnson Controls works directly with customers to develop standardized operating procedures to drive consistency and business efficiency. Thorough Assessments: A complete assessment of an organization's people, processes, and technologies to recommend best practices and implement uniform protocols to help reduce risks. Staffing Support: Guaranteed 24/7/365 support. Auditing and Reporting: A comprehensive Quality Assurance program ensures consistency and provides visibility into the accuracy of work being performed. AI and adopting service models Johnson Controls expanded its security solution portfolio to address common goals shared by professionals To gain insights into the current state of smart buildings, Johnson Controls collaborated with Forrester Consulting on a survey of more than 3,000 building pioneers. The survey showed that few organizations are operating smart buildings, as their systems and data are not fully integrated and they lack the expertise to leverage building systems insights.  In FY24, Johnson Controls expanded its security solution portfolio to address common goals shared by security professionals, including investing in technologies with AI capabilities and adopting service models to address staffing shortages. Security Lifecycle Management In addition to the SOC, Johnson Controls launched its Security Lifecycle Management with OpenBlue Services in 2024 which combines Johnson Controls OpenBlue suite of connected solutions, and the ability to monitor and manage security devices across vendors, with remote support services and meaningful insights from skilled engineers.

Elite Interactive Solutions, a remote video guarding pioneer using proprietary intelligence to achieve proven crime prevention, announces that company Founder and CEO Aria Kozak has been inducted into the Security Industry Hall of Fame. Considered the electronic security industry’s highest recognition for lifetime achievement and excellence, Kozak was among the five Class of 2024 recipients officially enshrined during a presentation on the main expo stage of the International Security Conference (ISC) in Las Vegas.   The Father of Remote Guarding Kozak is known as “The Father of Remote Guarding,” but was inducted for the totality of his impactful, nearly 50-year security career. Dedicating himself to the security industry after completing a distinguished tour of duty in the Israeli military, his success as a business maverick and technology innovator emanates from deep experience and a lifelong commitment to preventing crime.   Kozak’s milestones 1976-1990: Founded and built Universal Alarm Systems (UAS) into one of the nation’s largest and most successful burglar alarm and armed guard response companies. At that time, the industry relied solely on tape dialers and was hesitant to embrace new technology. As soon as digital technology became available, he implemented it by using Radionics. UAS also began incorporating two-way audio.  Early 1980s: UAS established a successful marketing program with telephone solicitation and direct mail to businesses. Kozak’s company charged $0 to install new, better-performing equipment than the competitors. UAS’ RMR average was a previously unheard-of $120+, with an amazing 4% attrition rate. Late 1980s: Recognizing the power of video monitoring, Kozak was the first early adopter when Radionics introduced OmegaVision. It marked the beginning of video verification for the industry. Throughout this time, he also oversaw the building of three UL-approved central monitoring stations. During that time, he also introduced groundbreaking financing for customer contracts by approaching TOPA Thrift and Loan, Imperial Thrift and Loan, and Inglewood Thrift and Loan. Previously, the industry had been unable to attract that type of monetary commitment from established financial institutions. 1990: Kozak sold UAS to ADT and remained as a consultant. At the time of the sale, the company included one of America’s most sophisticated UL-listed central stations. 1996: Kozak launched a high-end integration firm called IntelliSec that engineered, installed, monitored, and serviced a variety of highly complex projects.  1999: Kozak accepted a partnership investment by a New York-based venture capital group to lead its efforts to acquire and consolidate other integration companies, to grow IntelliSec into one of the U.S.’ largest Integrators. While retaining 33% of IntelliSec holdings, he left the company in 2002. 2007: Kozak founded Elite Interactive Solutions as a real-time crime-prevention provider incorporating leading-edge technologies, including custom-calibrated video analytics and AI, highly skilled command center agents, and trusted law-enforcement partnerships. It was the company he’d wanted to start since the beginning of his career, one focusing on crime and catastrophe prevention. Having prevented many thousands of crimes, Elite was the first to be UL-certified for remote guarding and the only monitoring center in the nation to report zero false alarms to law enforcement, while at the same time assisting police in thousands of arrests and detainments.  Security Industry Hall of Fame honorees In addition to Kozak, the other four distinguished new Security Industry Hall of Fame honorees are (in alphabetical order): Kelly Bond, Partner, Davis Mergers & Acquisitions Group; Andrew Lanning, Co-Founder, Integrated Security Technologies; Kirk MacDowell, President and CEO, MacGuard Security Advisors; and Jeffrey Zwirn, President, IDS Research and Development. Full coverage of the Hall’s Class of 2024 can be found in the April issue of Security Sales & Integration or at securitysales.com.

Vanta, the trust management platform launched support for the ISO 42001 standard, giving customers a framework for responsibly developing and using AI through an AI Management system (AIMS) certified by third-party auditors. Aligned with the launch, Vanta unveiled the agenda for VantaCon UK, bringing their annual user conference to London on 23 April to discuss global trends in security, compliance, and the future of trust in an AI world amongst a gathering of experts and Vanta customers. Data management concerns According to Vanta’s State of Trust Report, 54% of business and IT leaders globally are concerned that secure data management is becoming more challenging with AI adoption, with another 51% saying that using Generative AI technologies could erode customer trust. As a result, security teams are spending more time building trust in their AI-powered products through back-and-forth conversations with prospects and creating bespoke documentation with less time for strategic security initiatives. Demonstrating AI trust with ISO 42001 in Vanta ISO 42001 assists by outlining the requirements for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an AIMS Established by the International Standards Organization, ISO 42001 defines the requirements of an AIMS that helps organizations responsibly develop and use AI emphasizing ethical considerations, transparency, and the necessity of continuous improvement. Designed for organizations that provide AI-based technologies or use AI sub-processors in their systems, ISO 42001 assists these organizations by outlining the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an AIMS. Lifecycle approach Vanta’s ISO 42001 solution simplifies AI system management through a lifecycle approach, ensuring that ethical considerations and risk management are embedded throughout the product development, deployment, and operational stages. Vanta centralizes all the ISO 42001 requirements in one place and helps customers document their AI policies, including: Centralize and track requirements: Vanta’s ISO 42001 solution comes with 70 new controls to streamline the implementation of governance requirements Establish AI policies and process: Vanta’s included policy templates help customers define the scope of their AIMS, associated risks, impact, and more Build responsible AI practices: Vanta helps customers understand, build, and document their AI practices such as AI system development, usage, and data management within their AI system lifecycle Coming soon, Vanta will release enhanced documentation automation, which automatically generates an Artificial Intelligence Impact Assessment (AIIA) report based on a customer’s AI provider type, AI model algorithm, the intended use of their system, and more having an AIIA report is a fundamental requirement of ISO 42001, but also to comply with the EU AI Act. VantaCon UK, the future of trust in an AI world To dive into the future of trust in an AI world, VantaCon UK is coming to London on 23 April featuring executives, founders, futurists, security experts, and investors from Google DeepMind, Financial Times, Proofpoint, Sequoia Capital, Checkout.com, incident.io, Owkin, Evervault and more. The half-day event includes keynotes, panel discussions, and product announcements to explore where security and compliance are headed next, including: To Trust Management and Beyond: Introducing Vanta’s future product vision presented by Christina Cacioppo, CEO; Jeremy Epling, Chief Product Officer; Stevie Case, Chief Revenue Officer; and innovators from across Vanta. The Future of Trust in an AI World: Generative AI is transforming trust and what it means to be trustworthy. This panel of AI investors, innovators, and technology experts will discuss the obstacles and opportunities of building trust in an AI world. Featuring Christina Cacioppo, CEO, Vanta; Cristina Criddle, Technology Reporter, Financial Times; Pete Hamilton, Co-founder & CTO, incident.io; Luciana Lixandru, Partner, Sequoia Capital; and Tim Sadler, Group Vice President & General Manager, Tessian Group, Proofpoint. The Next Security Frontier: From Automated Compliance to AI: CISOs are in the business of instilling confidence, all while being confronted by more challenges than ever as we navigate an AI world. This panel of pioneering CISOs features Vijay Bolina, CISO, Head of Cybersecurity Research, Google DeepMind; Sean Catlett, former CISO, Reddit & Slack; Leo Cunningham, CISO, Owkin; and Jadee Hanson, CISO, Vanta. The State of Trust in an AI World: Vanta’s annual State of Trust industry report unveils the top barriers to improving and proving security and how AI and automation are transforming trust. Featuring insights and expert analysis from Colette Hanley, VP of Technology Risk, Checkout.com; John Hetherton, Head of Compliance, Evervault; and Jenny Thai, Head of Content, Vanta.

In the realm of physical security, the distinction between being perceived as a security vendor and a security partner holds great importance. While both may seem interchangeable at first glance, how an organization is viewed by its clients can have a huge impact on the success of its security programs. At the heart of this differentiation is the concept of relationships and how they shape the dynamics between providers and their clients.  Time, care, and diligence For security vendors such as systems integrators, security dealers, monitored services providers or manufacturers that sell directly to the end user elevating from supplier to partner requires a greater investment of time, care, and diligence. However, the eventual payoff can be incalculably advantageous to the organization. Not only does this approach better serve the client but it also cultivates longer-term business and is more likely to generate referrals. Clients will change vendors often but stick with partners for the long haul.  Simple installation and/or service Security end-users should look to their security products and service providers to partner with them Security end-users should look to their security products and service providers to partner with them, be vested in their success, and be part of the solution. They should seek out and expect more than a simple installation and/or service in the absence of any real, tangible, and value-added relationship with stakeholders. That means looking deeper than the similar cameras or equipment most vendors provide. Doing so brings benefits from the partnership in solving problems and creating strategies for mitigation.  Vendors have short shelf lives  A security vendor is typically seen as a transactional company that offers products or services to address specific security needs or challenges. When an organization engages with a vendor, the focus is primarily on the exchange of goods and/or services for a fee. The relationship tends to be more transactional, with limited interaction beyond the scope of the security solution being provided.  Tools, technologies, or service offerings The relationship between a security vendor and a client is often short with a one-time purchase Security vendors often play a crucial role in the security industry by offering specialized tools, technologies, or services that can help organizations improve their defenses against threats. Examples would be video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, or fire/life-safety systems, as well as the monitoring of any of them from a central monitoring station or security operations command center. The thing about it is, however, that the relationship between a security vendor and a client is often short with a one-time purchase and limited ongoing engagement or consultation.  Partners prove their value  On the other hand, a security partner is viewed as a member of the team that works closely with an organization to address its security challenges. Unlike a vendor, a security partner is invested in the long-term success of their clients and is committed to building a strong relationship based on expertise, trust, and transparency.  Creating custom solutions Security partners go beyond offering products or services by engaging with companies and organizations Security partners go beyond offering products or services by engaging with companies and organizations to understand their unique security needs, goals, and challenges. They work concurrently with organizations to develop customized security solutions, provide support and guidance, and adapt to ever-changing threats and risks.  When this kind of scenario is developed, the potentially distracting and detracting focus on monetary cost moves to the back burner because the value and return on investment (ROI) are so thoroughly compelling.   Relationships bring real benefits  The core of the difference between being perceived as a security vendor and a security partner hinges on the crucial role of relationships. While vendors focus on transactions and sales, partners prioritize collaboration and a sense of being in it together. Building strong relationships based on trust, communication, and shared goals is essential for forging a successful security partnership.  Personalized approach Security partners navigate complex security challenges, drive innovation, and deliver incredible value over the long term Security partners are not just providers of security solutions; they are trusted advisors who are invested in the success and well-being of their clients. They can be reached easily when needed and emphasize a personalized approach with custom-tailored solutions. By building strong relationships based on respect and understanding, security partners navigate complex security challenges, drive innovation, and deliver incredible value over the long term.  Operational opportunities Businesses and facilities often encounter or face very specific security needs that can only truly be solved in concert with a vendor that essentially acts like an extension of the end-user organization. Furthermore, when communicating and collaborating on that level, additional security/safety and sometimes even operational opportunities for improvement come to light. This amplifies the value for both the end customer and their security vendor. Talk about a win-win!  Prosper with partner power  While vendors offer products or services, partners offer teamwork, expertise, and a shared commitment At the end of the day, the difference between being a security vendor and a security partner is not merely a matter of semantics. It is about the fundamental difference in approach and mindset toward physical (electronic and networked) security. While vendors offer products or services, partners offer teamwork, expertise, and a shared commitment to reducing losses and crime.   Quality of relationships Ultimately, it is the quality of relationships that separates providers in the security space and determines the success of security initiatives in the current rapidly changing security landscape. This unification of intent, practice, and purpose enables practitioners and the public alike to harness the full power of pioneering-edge technologies that support the security industry’s core mission of protecting people and property. Security partners are not just providers of security solutions; they are trusted advisors who are invested in the success and well-being of their clients. 

Changing customer needs can make specifying an alarm system that will continue to deliver in the long term a challenge. However, the latest modular alarm solutions provide the opportunity to build a more individualized system from the outset, as well as offering the ability to up-scale in the future without causing disruption. Martin Wilson, North EMEA Regional Director at Resideo, looks at how alarm specialists can use this style of solution to both benefit customers and build their own business opportunities. Holistic sense of home security An alarm system no longer needs to function on one level, alerting only to a break-in taking place In a survey of 1,000 homeowners undertaken by Resideo, the results revealed that, although deterring burglary was still a top priority, consumers were moving to a more holistic sense of home security, wanting to bring convenience, and property and life safety, into the mix.  Indeed, an alarm system no longer needs to function on one level, alerting only to a break-in taking place. The latest modular alarm systems offer the flexibility to create a scalable security and life safety platform for homes and small businesses, as well as giving installers the ability to suggest future update options that can be added as and when budget or requirement allows. Valuable up-scales Finding an alarm that can be scaled over time has the obvious business benefit of ensuring it is easy to revisit and add to as customers naturally expand their existing security. With many modular designs connected via WiFi, this not only means installers can opt for the right mix of sensor options from the get-go but also that any additions can be connected to the panel and system with ease. Many control hubs have winning features in their own right. The ProSeries security panel by Resideo, for instance, has an intuitive touchscreen, easy-to-read, full-color display to reduce false alarms, plus a built-in camera, speaker and microphone, intuitive icons, and even five-day weather alerts. The ProSeries security panel by Resideo has an intuitive touchscreen Natural up-scale opportunities For instance, for those in a property prone to flooding, a flood sensor may be a worthwhile addition For the installer, it has a plug-in power connection, trouble-shooting videos, and end-user-replaceable batteries to reduce unnecessary callouts. However, to build a scalable system, this needs to be coupled with the right, flexible solutions to tackle customer concerns. Taking the time to find out what is important to the end user is vital here and can lead to natural up-scale opportunities. For instance, for those in a property prone to flooding, a flood sensor may be a worthwhile addition. Similarly, a panic button and even medical transmitters may be of benefit to others. All this, as well as other options, such as glass break detectors, door and window sensors, and indoor and outdoor MotionViewers™, are available within the ProSeries range, and can be updated or added to an installation as needed or as a property grows with minimum disruption.  Adding life safety The ability to propose an alarm system that can bring together alerts for different threats – for both the home and life – under one platform, also has real appeal. Indeed, in a survey of 1,000 homeowners undertaken on behalf of Resideo, a system’s ability to alert to the dangers presented by fire and CO was mentioned as an important part of the decision-making process by 41% of participants. For many, this increased awareness may stem from the many regulation updates regarding smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms that took place in 2022. In Scotland, for instance, carbon monoxide detectors were required to be fitted in any room with a carbon-fueled appliance in all homes, rented or owned. Social housing properties In England, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were required in all social housing properties In England, from the 1st of October 2002, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were required in all social housing properties, with carbon monoxide alarms now mandatory in the private rented sector. Wales followed suit in December for rented accommodation.  The new guidance for England and Wales requires at least one smoke alarm to be installed on each storey of a property, to help alert to domestic fires more quickly, ensuring a quicker evacuation and reduced risk of fatality. For professionals, systems such as ProSeries, can be connected to a series of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, in a ‘one-go-all-go’ setup that means the alarm will go off if one of these threats are identified.  Smart and connected benefits The total Connect 2.0 app gives ProSeries end-users the ability to view and control the security platform remotely. The Resideo Pro app currently gives installers the ability to view the system and connect to the central monitoring system. The platform also supports home automation as it works with Zwave devices. The platform also supports home automation as it works with Z-wave devices. The platform also supports home automation as it works with Z-wave devices There are also extra benefits for alarm professionals too. The AlarmNet 360™platform on which ProSeries is configured gives greater insight to improve business operations, increase efficiency and deliver insights on accounts to identify additional upsell opportunities and ongoing services. Providing the ability to remotely diagnose brings valuable time-saving options and avoids unnecessary callouts. It also means the ProSeries panel and peripherals programming can be accessed anytime, anywhere, using the cloud, allowing ease of programming, troubleshooting and account management on the go. Needs and future possibilities Changing a complete alarm system to apply new functions is never going to feature highly with the end user, nor does it work where longevity and sustainability is concerned. Having the ability to build a modular system and add to this as needed, whether this is at a property or a small business, provides benefits for both customers and professionals when it comes to meeting immediate needs and future possibilities. Add connectivity and remote access to this and you have a platform that can help streamline business operations, putting professionals more in touch with customers, and helping to spot future opportunities.

Amidst the challenges of a prevailing economic downturn, the retail sector finds itself grappling with an unparalleled rise in incidents of shoplifting, theft, and burglaries. The disconcerting scenes witnessed on London’s Oxford Street in August 2023,​ where crowds gathered, looting as many stores as possible, sent shockwaves across the nation’s retailers. This alarming surge in retail crime has put retailers on high alert, as they contend with a rising tide of security concerns.  Shoplifting concerns Recent data from the Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), has raised alarming concerns: shoplifting rates have surged by an unprecedented 24%.​ In the first half of 2023 alone, there were approximately 8 million reported shoplifting incidents. With the ongoing burden of the cost of living crisis and the approaching festive season, it is expected that these figures will keep surging.  Implementing robust security measures Theft and prevention strategies cost retailers approximately £2 billion in 2021/2022 While more help from the Government to support retail workers and the businesses shoplifters target is certainly needed, the implementation of robust security measures will significantly contribute to deterring these crimes from occurring in the first place. British retailers spend millions on tools to deter and catch shoplifters inside stores, from CCTV and security guards to electronic tagging and alarms. The Grocer reported that theft and prevention strategies cost retailers approximately £2 billion in 2021/2022. Despite these initial costs, other threats are at play beyond the shop floor. Break-ins by criminal gangs For many large town center stores and supermarkets, and units in retail parks, the rear doors and delivery areas are commonly targeted by criminal gangs. It’s not uncommon for thefts to occur from pallets or cages that have been unloaded from lorries and sit waiting to be moved into the building. After-hours break-ins are a risk for all store owners too, particularly over the festive season when a lot of high-value stock has been delivered to shops and supermarkets. Addressing anti-social behaviour  The additional fencing was deemed an essential measure to safeguard the community Anti-social behavior also poses a challenge for retailers. In 2022, an Aldi based in Derby​ invested in security fencing to protect staff and deter loitering groups. The additional fencing was deemed an essential measure to safeguard the community, as dangerous items were frequently found outside the store, including weapons and hypodermic needles.  So how do physical security solutions such as fencing and gates help better protect retail establishments such as supermarkets and edge-of-town retail park shops? Fencing and gates: a critical component of retail security  1. Risk assessment and target hardening  A thorough risk assessment will identify potential weak spots that require protection. ‘Target hardening’ involves implementing physical security measures that become more robust as they approach the target. This helps deter intruders while ensuring ease of access for customers and staff.  2. Effective perimeter security  Opt for difficult-to-climb security fencing that provides a robust obstacle against thieves, vandals, and intruders Selecting fencing solutions according to the potential threats, site characteristics, and topography is crucial. It is important to specify fencing that strikes a balance and maintains a welcoming appearance while safeguarding external areas of the store or warehouse from potential harm and unauthorized access. Solid fencing which provides concealment can help to conceal expensive goods and remove them as a target for opportunistic theft.  Opt for difficult-to-climb security fencing that provides a robust obstacle against thieves, vandals, and intruders. I recommend selecting a sufficiently tall and robust fence such as an acoustic barrier. Its noise-reducing properties are often beneficial for these types of sites too.  3. Controlling vehicular speeds and access  To enhance security, consider controlling vehicular speeds and access. One effective approach is the installation of bollards at the ends of traditional high streets. This practice is already commonplace as a means of safeguarding against hostile vehicle attacks, but it can also play a pivotal role in preventing quick getaways of vehicles involved in potential heists. Additionally, employing road blockers and sliding gates at the rear entrances of delivery areas would serve to fortify security further. These measures can help in delaying vehicles, allowing for necessary checks to be conducted.  4. Balancing security with aesthetics  The presence of high-security fencing can also make a site more of a target for vandals and burglars Another challenge is avoiding creating an imposing presence, especially important for areas situated near residential communities. The presence of high-security fencing can also make a site more of a target for vandals and burglars. To minimize this risk consider specifying timber fencing and traffic barriers to secure car parks, providing both security and a welcoming atmosphere for shoppers.  Taking an integrated approach Combine secure perimeter fencing with effective lighting in places with shaded areas and at doors, gates, and shop windows, alongside Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS), and strategically placed CCTV. These measures will hinder unauthorized entry and escape, increasing the likelihood of detection and apprehension.  Prioritising employee wellbeing  Installing robust security fencing, complemented by CCTV, good lighting, and guarding, creates a safe environment Installing robust security fencing, complemented by CCTV, good lighting, and guarding, creates a safe environment for employees. This not only safeguards their well-being but also provides peace of mind that they are protected effectively in the case of a burglary or crime.  When selecting security products for retail sites, it is advisable to opt for items that have undergone rigorous testing and carry relevant certifications for their security level. Each component should meet industry-specific standards for its intended purpose and originate from manufacturers accredited under ISO 9001:2015. This ensures a high standard of quality and reliability in safeguarding the premises.  High-quality security fencing As the cost-of-living crisis continues, crime rates increase, and the festive season approaches, the time to act and implement on-site security is now. By investing in comprehensive security measures, retailers can protect their assets, employees, and customers, ensuring a safer and more secure shopping environment for all. High-quality security fencing is also a sound investment, that requires little or no maintenance once installed. The best fencing solutions are extremely weather-resistant, and won’t suffer from rust or corrosion. With all sectors preparing to ride the rapids of recession in the coming year, improving on-site security while selecting cost-effective measures, is one surefire way to protect your people, your property, and your profits from harm. 

Companies at GSX 2023 emphasized new ways that technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud can address long-standing issues in the security market. Among the exhibitors at the event in Dallas were companies seeking creative ways to apply technology, lower costs, and make the world a safer place. Reflecting on the exhibition, here are some additional takeaways. Expanding AI at the edge  i-PRO is a company reflecting the continued expansion of edge AI capability in the security market. Today, more than half of the company’s lineup supports AI at the edge so the customer has a wide choice of form factors when seeking to leverage the feature set.  AI processing relay, extended warranty i-PRO is increasing their warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases I-PRO also has an “AI processing relay” device that accepts non-AI video streams and applies edge analytics. AI has progressed from a high-end technology to a feature available in a variety of cameras at different price points. i-PRO is also increasing its warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases depending on a customer’s refresh schedule and lifecycle management. Active Guard, MonitorCast The company’s video management system (Video Insight) is continuing to build new features including “Active Guard,” an integrated metadata sorter. Their access control platform, MonitorCast, is a Mercury-based solution that is tightly integrated with Video Insight. Their embedded recorders now have PoE built in.  “We can move at a faster pace to fill out our product line since leaving Panasonic,” says Adam Lowenstein, Director of Product Management. “We can focus our business on adapting to the market.” Emphasis on retail and other verticals  Shoplifting is a timely issue, and retail is a vertical market that got a lot of attention at GSX 2023. “We see a lot of retailers who are primarily interested in protecting employee safety, but also assets,” says Brandon Davito, Verkada’s SVP of Product and Operations. “Shrinkage is a CEO-level priority.”  “Retailers are getting more engaged with security posture, instead of letting perpetrators walk,” Davito adds. Intrusion detection Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm On the alarm side, Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm, and operators can review videos to confirm the alarm. Other capabilities seeking to discourage trespassers include sirens, strobes, and “talkdown” capabilities.  International expansion Verkada continues to expand internationally with 16 offices in all, including Sydney, Tokyo, and London. The core value proposition is to enable customers to manage their onsite infrastructure more simply, including new elements such as PTZ cameras, intercoms, and visitor management. Verkada emphasizes ease of use, including a mobile application to allow access to be managed across the user base. Forging partnerships “We are committed to the channel and industry, and we continue to build relationships and expand our reach,” says Davito. Among the industry relationships is a new partnership with Convergint, which was hinted at during the show and announced later the same day. They are also expanding their partnerships with Schlage, Allegion, and ASSA ABLOY.  Working with other verticals They offer new features for K -12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage Verkada has also found success across multiple other verticals, notably healthcare, where they integrate with an electronic medical records system. They offer new features for K-12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage. They are integrating wireless locks to secure interior doors in schools, looking to secure the perimeter, and installing guest management systems. Transitioning the Mid-Market to the Cloud  Salient is squarely focused on the “mid-market,” a large swath of systems somewhere between small businesses and enterprise-level systems. Pure cloud systems are not as attractive to this market, which has a built-out infrastructure of on-premise systems. Adding a camera to an existing system is easier and less expensive than tying it to the cloud. Benefits of cloud It’s a market that may not be ready for pure cloud, but there are benefits to be realized from adding a cloud element to existing systems. “We are continuing to augment our premise-based solutions with added cloud capabilities and flexibility,” says Sanjay Challa, Salient’s Chief Product Officer.  The feedback Salient hears from their customers is “I want to own my data.” The hybrid cloud approach offers the right mix of control, flexibility, and unit economics. Cloud add-on capabilities We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive" Cloud add-on capabilities include bringing more intelligence about system operation to the user via the cloud. Over time, Salient expects to sell more cloud-centric offerings based on feedback from integrators and customers. “We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive over time,” says Challa.  Vaidio AI technology Salient seeks to be a transition pioneer to help customers realize the path to the cloud. Their approach is “crawl, walk, run,” and helping customers make the transition at each stage. Salient has added AI to its product offering, incorporating Vaidio AI technology from IronYun into a powerful suite and broad array of on-premise analytics, which are gaining traction. The seamless approach makes it easy for customers to embrace AI analytics, although Salient remains broadly committed to open systems. Addressing ‘Soft’ Features for Integrators AMAG is in the process of enhancing its product line with the next generation of access control panels. However, “product” is just part of the new developments at AMAG. In addition to “hard” features (such as products), the company is looking to improve its “soft” features, too; that is, how they work with the integrator channel. Integrator channel Rebuilding a process to make your organization more efficient, is relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence" “We have the depth of our legacy customer base we can learn from, we just need to close the feedback loop quicker,” says Kyle Gordon, AMAG’s Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and commercial Excellence, who acknowledges the value of reinstating face-to-face meetings after COVID. “We are laser-focused on nurturing our integrator channel,” he says.  “Developing new features takes time, but rebuilding a process to make your organization more efficient, that’s relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence,” says Gordon. More cohesive internal communication is another useful tool, he says.  Disrupting the cloud based on price  Wasabi is working to make cloud applications less expensive by offering a “disruptive” price on cloud storage, $6.99 per terabyte per month (80% less than hyperscalers). Contending “hyperscalers” like AWS are charging too much for cloud storage, Wasabi is using its own intellectual property and server equipment co-located in data centers around the world. Wasabi sells “hot cloud storage,” which refers to the fact that they only have one tier of storage and data is always accessible. In contrast, a company such as AWS might charge an “egress fee” for access to data stored in a “colder” tier.  Cloud storage “We saw that several video surveillance companies had not yet adopted cloud storage, and we saw an opportunity to make it easy to use,” said Drew Schlussel, Wasabi’s Senior Director of Product Marketing. “We just install a little bit of software that allows them to store data in the cloud and bring it back from the cloud.” Performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies such as Genetec and Milestone. Emphasizing performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price, their data centers are certified to SOC 2 and ISO 27001 standards.  Faster throughput for weapons detection Xtract One is a young company focusing on weapons detection in a time of accelerated concern about gun issues post-COVID. Founded in Canada and based on technology developed at McMaster University, Xtract One has found a niche in providing weapons detection at stadiums and arenas. These customers already have budgets, and it is easy to shift the money to a newer, faster technology. Madison Square Garden in New York City is among its customers.  Cost savings solution Xtract One can increase throughput to 30 to 50 people per entrance per minute (compared to 5 to 6 people per minute when using metal detectors). The solution doesn’t require anyone to empty their pockets and the system alarms on items beyond guns and knives. Using Xtract One allows customers to reduce the number of screening lanes and security staff, providing additional cost savings, all while getting fans through the screening process in half the time. Purpose-built sensors The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties In addition to stadiums and arenas, Xtract One, formerly Patriot One, is also getting “inbound” interest from schools, hospitals, manufacturers, and other verticals that makeup 50% of their business. “We’re on a rocket ride, mainly because the weapons issues are not going away,” says Peter Evans, CEO and Director at Xtract One. The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties, all correlated by an AI engine.  Providing early warning of violence ZeroEyes is another company focused on weapons detection. Their AI gun detection system works with video images to identify if someone is “brandishing” (carrying) a weapon. In other words, the system does not detect concealed weapons. Identifying someone carrying a weapon provides early warning of a possible violent act. Increased response with AI-enables images Images are identified by AI and sent to a monitoring center where a human confirms the image before contacting first responders. Knowing the location of a shooter enables staff to lock entry points, move people to safety, and direct first responders. The company was founded to leverage existing camera views to stop mass shootings and gun violence by reducing response times. 

A pioneer in the access control sector since 1971, AMAG Technology is looking to the future and the next generation of products that will expand its services to customers. “In our vision, we have advanced approaches that will not only provide our partners with advanced technologies but also ones that are easier to install with tools to expand their services,” says David Sullivan, who was appointed President of the venerable access control company in September 2022. New challenges at AMAG Sullivan brings a new outlook to the AMAG business, a part of Allied Universal, and a new vision to lead the company into the future. We caught up with David Sullivan to discuss his new challenges at AMAG and the journey ahead as the company looks to the future. Q: How does your background inform your approach to leading AMAG? I believe that it helps me to define a vision for AMAG that will be unique and on the leading edge of our industry David Sullivan: With the exception of only a few short years, my career has been in access control. I have experience with several systems and have had the privilege to manage several successful access control companies. As a result, I bring a great deal of experience into my role at AMAG. I believe that it helps me to define a vision for AMAG that will be unique and on the leading edge of our industry. Q: How would you describe AMAG’s journey over the last several years and how do you see the future? Sullivan: Prior presidents of AMAG always shared their leadership vision and direction with senior leaders located in the United Kingdom. This had an impact on the full direction of the business, sometimes limiting its ultimate success. Before I became a part of AMAG, these senior leaders that were located in the UK retired, placing for the first time the full management responsibilities of the president. This has allowed me to integrate the business into a single team, with single objectives, and a single vision. We expect to begin to reveal this new vision in the coming weeks. We are excited about the future of AMAG and believe we will surprise the industry with our new products and approach in the coming months and years. Q: How important is it that a manufacturer provides both hardware and software solutions? How does AMAG’s approach (in general) differentiate it in the market? We can design the complete solution, providing functionality that others may find more difficult to accomplish Sullivan: Regardless of the manufacturer, we all provide hardware and software. An access control solution is not complete without both. Some of us choose to make our panels, and others do not. Those who are dependent on third-party suppliers are restricted to the developments and direction of that company, and while it might be perceived to be an open technology, it still is proprietary to the hardware manufacturer. AMAG has controlled its manufacturing of panels from day one. The result means that we can design the complete solution, providing functionality that others may find more difficult to accomplish. Q: How does the breadth of AMAG’s product suite provide advantages to customers and/or integrators? Sullivan: AMAG’s product portfolio is unique and provides the end user with an end-to-end identity management solution from one company. Our Control Room PSIM, Symmetry CONNECT Identity Management Solution, Symmetry Access Control, and Symmetry GUEST solutions all integrate to provide the user with a broad set of features and capabilities from a single provider. There is no finger-pointing when we come to support your system. We hold full responsibility for making it work and can quickly provide a resolution to any application difficulties the user may be experiencing. Q: How does AMAG address the divide between on-prem and cloud systems? How do you help customers make the transition and/or plan for the future? We are in the early stages of developing our next generation of access control in which we intend to provide on-prem Sullivan: In our current product portfolio, we have three products that are cloud-based. Our mobile credential platform (Symmetry Mobile), our visitor management solution (Symmetry GUEST), and our physical identity and access management solution (Symmetry CONNECT) are all offerings that operate in the cloud. We are in the early stages of developing our next generation of access control in which we intend to provide on-prem, web client, and cloud-based offerings. One of the primary objectives is to ensure that the large installed base of systems that are out there today will be able to migrate not only to our next generation but as well to the cloud if the client so desires. Q: What is AMAG’s approach to mobile credentialing? Sullivan: As an access control provider, adding Symmetry Mobile credentialing to our portfolio just made sense. We want our customers to have a forward-thinking solution with the opportunity to save money not only on the physical badges but the cost of printing and distributing badges. Mobile credentials can be easily issued and revoked remotely, reducing administrative overhead, and eliminating the need for physical inventory management. Organizations can centrally configure what devices are used and the read range for each type of device and operating system, thus providing flexibility. Symmetry Mobile offers a customized questionnaire that controls access and reduces liabilities. Q: What has surprised you the most in your first year or so leading AMAG? Not many companies are blessed with such a broad portfolio that is supported by a resource-rich company Sullivan: I wouldn’t say I was surprised by this as much as happy to see, but I would say that the quality of our people was a pleasant surprise. As well, the AMAG product offering is broad and has some unique elements. When coupled with the depth of the resources that we have in AMAG, I know that we are second to none. Not many companies are blessed with such a broad portfolio that is supported by a resource-rich company that has so many talented people. Q: Please describe your dealer channel, and how you are seeking to expand it. Sullivan: The AMAG products are sophisticated and typically are installed for higher-end applications. With this sophistication comes a need to be well able to install such a solution. We have a strong group of certified and loyal partners who help us to deliver these enterprise solutions. We desire to provide our existing partners with updated and competitive systems to offer to their end users. Q: What is the security industry’s (and/or AMAG’s) biggest challenge in the next five years? We need to find ways to provide both our channel partners and the customers with solutions that are easily integrated Sullivan: I believe that the advancements that we are seeing in technology provide our industry with the opportunity to truly change how security is provided to our collective customers. As we advance these solutions, we will need to do so responsibly and in a way that helps the channel’s abilities. We need to find ways to train our partners to both install and support these more complex solutions. At the same time, we need to find ways to provide both our channel partners and the customers with solutions that are easily integrated, moving away from proprietary closed systems to open and cohesive solutions. This will ensure that the users get the best, and most complete solutions. Q: What does the industry as a whole misunderstand about AMAG -- time to set the record straight! Sullivan: Well, I am not ready to openly share where we are heading. We are in the process of putting together some advanced approaches to how we will do business with our partners. We are focused on providing tools that will enhance their services to their customers, and with products that are leading edge. I can only state that all should keep their eyes on AMAG, because over the next few years, we are going to surprise some people, and more importantly make our loyal partners quite powerful.

Acre is a company built on mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Since its founding in 2012, Acre acquired several familiar access control companies, from Vanderbilt to RS2 Technologies, Open Options to Feenics, and several others. Acre itself was acquired in 2021 by UK-based private equity firm Triton, thus launching a new chapter in the company's history. Don Joos was named the new CEO in 2022 and set about transforming Acre from a collection of acquired companies into a coherent whole (representing various brands). A year later, we recently caught up with Don Joos to discuss the "new Acre" and what's ahead. Q: How does your background inform your approach to leading Acre Security? In physical security, there is a shift to more of a software-centric versus hardware approach Joos: This is my fourth company as CEO. What I’ve found along the way is that no matter the size or type of business, there’s a common theme, the business is going through some form of evolution or transformation because the industry they're in is going through an evolution. And today, in physical security, there is a shift to more of a software-centric versus hardware approach, and there’s a shift occurring that’s pulling us to the cloud. I think a key thing here is that while the industry is evolving, we must keep a careful eye on the evolution of the customer because the customer is the one who will dictate the pace of change, and I think that is what a lot of people sometimes lose sight of. Q: It seems Acre is on the path from being a “collection of small companies” to “a collection of brands within a single company.” Joos: I think most people think of Acre as a federation of companies. Acre Security was seen more as a holding company. For me, I think the biggest misconception is just that: “This is just a federation of companies” versus “This is a business.” Acre Security is a business that has a range of portfolios to address key verticals and pivotal business problems for customers. Because of what’s happening now and the market dynamics that are occurring, it ties back to “Who is Acre Security?” We have a clear answer as to where we want to be from cloud access control versus on-premise access control. We have clear answers regarding market segments, visitor management, and intrusion. When you think about it, those are the core areas of our business. Q: What has surprised you the most in your first year or so at Acre? Joos: I think the thing that surprised me the most was how similar the problems are because I was coming into a new industry. It’s surprising how strong a correlation [security has] to other industry transformations that I’ve been a part of. Q: What are the points of differentiation among the various Acre Security brands? Joos: I think if you go back to the history of the company, it was designed to compete. That is, that's how it was set up under the logic of, “If we have three bids in a deal, it increases the odds that we're going to win one of them.” As we evolve, to have sustained scalable growth, it is not just about going shallow and casting a wide net. It’s about creating a concentrated focus. Some of the technology is just inherently older technology. And so for me, it’s about creating migration paths for the customers to move to more modern technology, such as the cloud. I love our installed base. When you think about the cost of acquisition to get a new cloud customer, it costs a lot less when you have an installed base that you can migrate to the more modern solution versus having to spend the money and the sales energy to hunt for that next opportunity. Q: Where has Acre positioned itself in the marketplace? We can take care of your current needs, but we also have a clear migration path to take care of your future needs Joos: If you're ready to go to the cloud, we have an answer for you. If you're not ready to go to the cloud, but you're ready to take more cloud-based applications to continue to evolve, we have an answer for you. If you're not quite ready yet and you're still looking for a market-leading premises solution, we have an answer for you, and we have a migration path when you're ready down the road. So, you have a safe bet with Acre because we can take care of your current needs, but we also have a clear migration path to take care of your future needs. Q: How are you building up your team? Joos: In 2023, we’re getting a lot of core building blocks in place and making investments in people who have experience in this space or aligned industries. It is a balance. I think we need a group that understands the industry and a group that's going to come into it and challenge why we do things the way we do. I think that makes us unique: we have fresh eyes looking at things from a different perspective. With that, you’re naturally going to end up with a better answer to problems because people are comfortable challenging the status quo. Q: How are you seeking to expand your dealer channel and/or transition it from the various dealers “inherited” in previous acquisitions? Joos: The channel invests in Acre Security. Our success is their success, and so what we're proposing to them is a range of solutions that supports their longevity and their financial success. But we also continue to build out our portfolio through organic technology innovation or M&A.  We're continuing to make investments in our channel strategy and how our partners interact with us We're continuing to expand their addressable market if they want to make investments with us. We're continuing to make investments in our channel strategy and how our partners interact with us. The design of our upcoming technology right now is built with the channel in mind. We want to ensure that we are not creating any channel conflict or any perceived channel conflict. I think that's usually the worst kind: when it's perceived but not real. You need to be very upfront and clear with communications. Q: What is the biggest challenge in the industry right now? Joos: Companies and customers are looking to embed security into their workflows. What I mean is these are not just standalone solutions anymore. They’re integrating with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and human resource (HR) software systems. In property management, they want it integrated into the fitness center, they want it integrated into the cafeteria areas and the dry cleaners, and so forth. So, this is about an ecosystem, and there are times when we are going to be the core, and there is going to be a lot of technology that is adjacent to us. There are times when we are the adjacency to someone else's core in a smart city or a smart building. This gets to why having an open application programming interface (API) is going to be an important part of the technology evolution. It cannot be a closed environment anymore; that is part of the past. Q: What’s next for Acre? We're constantly evolving our cloud access control as well as our on-premise access control Joos: There is a lot of work going on with integrating the business into a single Acre Security company. This is an investment year for us, we are adding people to our team. We are making a lot of investments from a systems and technology perspective. We have a lot of work right now going into integrating the business from an IT infrastructure perspective and all the tools that we use from an employee perspective. We are making a lot of investment as it relates to the commercial side. You're going to see some next-gen technology coming out from an intrusion perspective. We're constantly evolving our cloud access control as well as our on-premise access control. We're also bringing software applications, too. Q: What is Acre’s “message” going forward? Joos: One of the takeaways for me is this is not the Acre of the past. We are making some bold changes. New things are happening here; you better pay attention because clearly, something is different. I think that's one. I think the second is that as they spend time within us, they're going to realize the wide range of solutions and use cases that we can address, whether you're in access control or cloud, whether you're in intrusion, whether you are in visitor management, or whether you're looking at some network connectivity solutions. The third thing that I think people are going to see is a whole lot of energy as they talk to our people and the passion that you see from the team. If I wrap those three points up in one kind of statement there, I think my goal is that people walk away saying “Something is going on at Acre Security. We better pay attention.”

As the UAE's economy progressed, its territory became the world's experimental zone for pioneering construction technologies. The continuous rise of the construction industry has introduced a large number of laborers to stations on construction sites.  How to systematically manage workers under regulations, while ensuring the rights and interests of both workers and enterprises is the main problem currently faced by NGC on its way forward. The customer Nael General Contracting (NGC), founded in 1998, is one of the UAE's premier construction companies. Its core areas of expertise include the Design and Execution of Turnkey Construction Projects, Steel Structures, Aluminum & Glassworks, Interior Fit-out, Hard & Soft landscapes, MEP infrastructure, and Facilities Management. Based on 25 years of safe working life, NGC currently has more than 9,000 employees and has successfully contracted not limited to 250 projects. “NGC is seeking the best intelligent attendance solution for one of its construction sites with nearly a thousand workers.” To this end, NGC consulted Anviz's long-term partner Xedos.  The challenge Workers' attendance management on and off work is bitterly chaotic without intelligent attendance Workers' attendance management on and off work is bitterly chaotic without intelligent attendance equipment. Workers' shifts are unreasonable and shift coordination is formidable.  There are even abundant irregularities such as punching in on behalf of others and tampering with attendance data without permission. So laborers take the fairness of wage calculations with a grain of salt.  Need for an intelligent and complete attendance solution “At the same time, the human resources department spends at least 10 hours per month sorting out the clock data of nearly a thousand employees to output monthly results reports." "The financial department also demands to settle workers' compensation based on attendance reports. It leads to continuous delays in salary payments. It is urgent to seek an intelligent and complete attendance solution."  The solution Simplify attendance while outputting cloud reports  FaceDeep 3 & CrossChex Cloud can cover the above needs and submit a satisfactory solution to NGC Based on ensuring the attendance management of nearly a thousand laborers, while also meeting the output of centralized visual reports and reducing labor costs, FaceDeep 3 & CrossChex Cloud can cover the above needs and submit a satisfactory solution to NGC.  NGC's site manager said, "Attendance at the construction site is not transparent, and most workers are often worried about whether their salary for the next month will be recorded in their accounts. There has even been chaos in paid attendance, which has brought a lot of trouble to the normal operation of construction." FaceDeep 3, CrossChex Cloud Based on high-precision liveness face detection and dual-camera lenses, FaceDeep 3 can accurately identify workers and complete personal attendance verification under any environmental conditions,  preventing the use of fake faces such as videos and pictures to check in. The CrossChex Cloud implements hierarchical management and designs administrator operation logs to record their action lines, effectively eliminating the unhealthy trend of tampering with records for personal gain. Attendance visualization reports Integrate through CrosssChex Cloud and SQL DATABASE to synchronize each employee's attendance records NGC's Finance Minister said, "Every month some workers appeal against errors in attendance records, but there is nothing we can do about the large amount of confusing data records."  Integrate through CrosssChex Cloud and SQL DATABASE to synchronize each employee's attendance records, and automatically generate attendance visualization reports. Real-time updates Administrators and employees can make attendance management transparent by viewing reports at any time.  The cloud system is equipped with shift and schedule management functions that administrators can adjust in real time according to the construction progress. Workers can apply for make-up attendance to achieve flexible management.  Key benefits Convenient and worry-free attendance experience  The efficient attendance system ensures a quick clock-in experience and simplifies the attendance process. Cloud visual reports make it easy to calculate workers' salaries.  Reduced human resource costs  Cloud visual reports make it easy to calculate workers' salaries. For the HR department, there's no longer a need to manually sort out large amounts of attendance data.  Client's quote “The person in charge of NGC said, "The attendance plan tailored by Anviz for us has received unanimous praise from all employees." "It reduced more than 85% of the labor costs spent on worker attendance management and saved the company nearly 60,000 dirhams per month."

“BCD’s solution perfectly fit our scenario. All I needed to hear was ‘we have storage and scalability for the future’. As Suffolk is growing fast and is very land rich, we’re predicting a lot of growth and definitely need scalability,” Tim Forbes, Physical Security Administrator, City of Suffolk, Virginia. Customer overview When a mass shooting in which 12 people died occurred at a municipal building in Virginia Beach in 2019, it served as a wake-up call for nearby Suffolk, a city of around 95,000 people and the largest city in land area in the state of Virginia. As a result, a "crime prevention through environmental design" (CPTED) committee was immediately formed. One of the committee’s key recommendations was to hire a physical security administrator to act as a single point of contact for all security issues. In addition to being tasked with being liaison with Suffolk police, public safety, and city leadership, the administrator would be responsible for overseeing security technology, including access control, alarming, and cameras. These systems had been installed when the towers went up but were left fully unmanaged After a hire was made, a needs assessment was conducted which quickly determined that the existing security technology infrastructure was poorly functioning or, in some cases, not functioning at all. Many of these systems had been installed when the buildings went up but have been left completely unmanaged since. The number one priority became to construct a security “foundation” at the data center in Suffolk City Hall. In terms of a video management system, a new backbone was needed to ensure the ability to view all cameras from this central location. The approach Suffolk determined it needed an integration partner that could provide unified technologies and common knowledge around its security parameters. It initiated an RFP process to which it considered four responses. Based upon credentials, years of experience, and other qualifications (including expertise in ticketing and records management), the city selected Integrated Security and Communications (ISC). ISC had, in turn, been partnering with BCD for IP video data infrastructure solutions for several years. In particular, they had jointly worked on several server environment deployments using the company’s high availability, purpose-built appliances and trusted BCD to be the right partner for the city of Suffolk. After extensive evaluation of site requirements and recommendations provided by BCD, the REVOLV Hybrid Hyperconverged Infrastructure (hHCI), DEEPSTOR Lite was determined by all parties to be the optimal solution. The solution Video must be captured and stored at the set frame rate and key, to be admissible in legal proceedings Most video management systems can achieve the video retention requirements and anticipated camera counts for a given application. Yet, each application has city, state, and federal requirements that govern the amount of time the video must be retained, the required frame rate, and the required quality of video. Video must be captured and stored at the specified frame rate and resolution, to be admissible in legal proceedings. With a traditional bare metal implementation of a video management system, the archiver or recorder is a physical server. If that server experiences diffculties, or goes offline for an extended period, not only do the cameras stop recording, but the municipality also loses access to all the archived footage on that archiver. The city of Suffolk could not afford to experience a loss of recording, or not have access to the archived footage. The REVOLV DEEPSTOR Lite solution addressed these needs and ensured that cameras were always recording, and the customer always had access to its archived video. DEEPSTOR Lite is ideal for customers new to virtualized environments, providing a scalable solution that can support roughly 1,500 Mbps during a failed node scenario and up to 2,000 Mbps when all nodes are online. REVOLV is a hybrid HCI solution that leverages VMWare technologies to create a cluster of resources and virtualize the archivers to operate within that cluster. The server resources reside within a vSAN implementation on the cluster that acts as a shared resource pool for the servers. In the event of a node failure, the virtual machines that reside on that node will redistribute (vMotion) to the remaining nodes and continue operation. The Process REVOLV provides high availability, regardless of the capabilities of the VMS, or access control software The process occurs completely unattended, and in the case of the city of Suffolk, ensured that it would never lose recorded video or be unable to record resources. REVOLV provides high availability, regardless of the capabilities of the VMS, or access control software. Suffolk’s REVOLV installation also utilized powerful GPUs. These GPUs enabled BCD to shift processing power off the appliance CPU, for a smoother display of live and recorded video and the ability to display more HD cameras at the command center. “We got it all virtualized and it’s down to less than a quarter of a rack between servers, storage and all the networking that was required for it. Now Suffolk is in a high availability, high resiliency environment that eliminates all the pain points it had with five and seven-year-old servers,” Jim Cooper, Vice President of Technology, Integrated Security and Communications (ISC). Implementation The REVOLV system for Suffolk, including the vSAN cluster and all virtual machines, was built and pre-staged in the engineering lab at BCD’s facility in Fresno, CA. Once tested, it was shipped to the Suffolk city hall. BCD’s professional services team made an onsite visit to complete the installation with ISC. By pre-staging, BCD can ensure that the solution is ready for deployment, thus reducing the time spent on-site. Cut-over configuration and stand-up of the new environment were completed in a couple weeks’ time. Thanks to BCD’s expertise and the REVOLV solution, the city of Suffolk now has over 25 site managers and department directors who have a purpose-built, high-availability system that delivers video at their site and at multiple sites in their organizations for years to come. Says Tim Forbes, Physical Security Administrator for the city, “BCD and ISC have been great partners for us. I am 100% happy with everything.” And the scalability that the platform provides? It will be needed sooner rather than later. Three new large sites and three new small sites are already on tap to be integrated into the system.

i-PRO Co., Ltd. (formerly Panasonic Security), a global pioneer in professional security solutions for surveillance and public safety announced that the Murietta Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) in Riverside County, CA, has undertaken a project to modernize its first-generation surveillance system to new high-resolution i-PRO network cameras, and the i-PRO Video Insight video management system (VMS). MVUSD serves 23,000 students and has nearly 4,000 employees. It comprises 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools, one virtual, independent, and homeschool academy, and one adult transition school. Surveillance camera system Following the establishment of a stakeholder team and the development of a Prime Directive identifying the needs and expectations for a surveillance camera system, the District conducted extensive research and chose to standardize its security cameras system on i-PRO high-resolution network cameras and Video Insight VMS. The MVUSD video security system is centralized, with a network operations center (NOC) at the district office and local monitoring at each school. Five servers move footage between the schools and the NOC. Additionally, MVUSD has established a collaboration with local police departments, which can connect to their camera system. Importance of high-resolution Pratt and the team placed critical importance on high resolution to help them address key challenges In choosing their next-generation cameras, Pratt and the team placed critical importance on high resolution to help them address key challenges such as fights, altercations, and vandalism. MVUSD Chief Technology Officer Jon Pratt explained, “Graffiti is a common example." "It happens when no one is around, and usually, the camera is the only witness. If the footage is poor quality you can’t rely on it to stand by itself as evidence. Starting with high-resolution cameras like i-PROs is one of the best decisions you can make.” Real-time searches and deep forensic analysis He added, “Having more resolution, more information to use, is a universal utility, whether it’s humans interacting with footage, for analytics, or any future technology.” While the district hasn’t yet deployed analytics in its camera system, Pratt notes that they’re investigating the Smart Search capability included in i-PRO’s Active Guard analytics plug-in to their Video Insight VMS, which enables real-time searches and deep forensic analysis of their surveillance video, and other use cases where analytics can provide insight into anomalies and alerts.

The Dutch powerhouse Kramp is one of the biggest suppliers of parts and accessories for Europe’s agricultural sector. Founded in 1951, focusing on simplifying life for those who work the land, Kramp boasts a staggering 590,000+ products, from tractor gears to stable shovels. Kramp’s success hinges on its robust infrastructure. A strategically located network of 11 distribution centers across Europe ensures prompt deliveries, while 24 sales offices provide localized customer support. Localised customer support Challenge- Balancing reliability and installation speed in a temporary warehouse security upgrade. Kramp rented a warehouse covering an area of over 5,000 m2 for approximately three years with a security system installed. However, it needed to be updated to fulfill the Grade 2 insurance requirements. Therefore, the client decided to replace a security system and, at the same time, wanted to install a fire alarm system.  Since Kramp is known for the speed of the company’s business processes, the warehouse security system had to be updated and launched as fast as possible to prevent any disruption to the operation. This demanded a solution that could be installed quickly and with minimal costs, yet maintaining quality and reliability. Central monitoring station Ajax wireless security system with third-party device integration for intrusion and fire detection in a large facility Solution - Lankhof Beveiliging proposed Ajax wireless systems for a client’s temporary warehouse to address the requirements for a convenient and flexible solution. Ajax products are quick and easy to install, which is particularly valuable in this case, as everything can be easily moved and reconfigured when needed. For the expansive 5,000 m2 space, Lankhof Beveiliging’s chosen solution involved the implementation of the Hub 2 Plus Jeweller control panel. It has four communication channels (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and two SIM cards) and supports LTE and photo verification. With such a configuration, up to 200 devices can be added to the hub, making it a perfect fit for a large facility. Integration with the client’s LAN network ensured compliant reporting to the central monitoring station. ReX 2 Jeweller radio signal range extender The ReX 2 Jeweller radio signal range extender was installed to ensure stable communication between Ajax detectors and the hub. The hub’s communication range was sufficient to cover a given perimeter, but the warehouse presented some challenges. Significant radio interference was expected due to its metal walls and many metallic goods stored within. However, the professional installer efficiently designed the system to maintain stable communication throughout the facility, successfully implementing just one range extender. DoorProtect Jeweller Third-party contacts on the overhead doors for vehicles were seamlessly integrated into the Ajax system In terms of intrusion prevention, pedestrian doors were equipped with DoorProtect Jeweller opening detectors for reliable monitoring. Furthermore, third-party contacts on the overhead doors for vehicles were seamlessly integrated into the Ajax system. MotionCam Jeweller detectors were placed around the warehouse to detect movement and capture any possible intrusion, providing additional false alarm verification with a series of pictures available in the Ajax app. KeyPad Plus Jeweller To make the system convenient and easy for the client but also protected from unauthorized access, Lankhof Beveiliging installed KeyPad Plus Jeweller and distributed contactless Pass cards to employees for access to the facility. At the same time, the administration and installation company used straightforward Ajax apps to monitor the system status and implement additional settings. StreetSiren, FireProtect 2 RB and MultiTransmitter Jeweller The module features 18 wired zones for device connection and five contact types of support Installed on all sides of the building, StreetSiren Jeweller sirens provided both deterrence and audible notifications. Fourteen FireProtect 2 RB (Heat/Smoke) Jeweller fire detectors were installed within the business premises to address fire safety. Larger spaces were equipped with new third-party long-beam fire detectors, connected to MultiTransmitter Jeweller. The module, featuring 18 wired zones for device connection and five contact types of support, made it easy to connect the third-party fire detectors. Why Ajax Complex protection against intrusion and fire: An Ajax system offers complete intrusion protection, video surveillance, fire detection, water leak prevention, and automation solutions that can be integrated with wired and wireless detectors. In this case, the solution covered the client’s need for a single intrusion and fire protection system with quick and easy configuration and management in one app. Flexible and quick-to-install wireless solutions: Since the warehouse is temporarily at the company’s disposal, and the client needed to put the warehouse into operation as soon as possible, Ajax wireless devices were the most effective solution to meet these security demands. They are quick, easy to install and configure in the app, and comply with the Grade 2 insurance requirements. In case of a relocation, the entire system can be easily removed and installed at another facility. Large-scale capability with the Jeweller radio protocol: Thanks to the Jeweller proprietary radio protocol, the chosen security solution facilitated a swift and hassle-free implementation in a 5,000 m2 industrial hall. The Jeweller protocol offers reliable two-way communication between a hub and detectors, covering distances of up to 2,000 meters and transmitting alarm signals in less than 0.15 seconds. Products Hub 2 Plus Jeweller: Security system control panel ReX 2 Jeweller: Radio signal range extender that boosts the range of Ajax security system devices MultiTransmitter: Module for connecting wired alarm to Ajax FireProtect 2 RB (Heat/Smoke) Jeweller: Wireless fire detector with heat and smoke sensors MotionCam: Motion detector with a photo camera to verify alarms DoorProtect Jeweller: Wireless opening detector StreetSiren: Wireless outdoor siren with vandalism resistance KeyPad Plus: Wireless touch keypad supporting encrypted contactless cards and key fobs Pass: Encrypted contactless card for keypad

Motorola Solutions announced its deployment of 4,000 VB400 body cameras to police forces in Austria. The nationwide rollout will help front-line teams to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations, capture evidence during operations and improve safety and transparency in all interactions. The latest Global Peace Report stated that Austria is one of the safest countries in the world, but according to the Ministry of the Interior, extremism, smuggling, and cybercrime continue to be threats to Austria's security. To meet these challenges, the Austrian government decided to invest in a number of initiatives to increase safety and security in the country, including the deployment of body cameras for the national police. VB400 body cameras They offer a pre-and post-recording ability to help ensure incidents are seized from the start “Body cameras have proven to play a crucial role in helping to improve safety at the front line, while also serving as a valuable source of evidence in criminal cases,” said Michael Kaae, corporate vice president at Motorola Solutions. “We see an increasing demand for video technology, including body cameras, in-car video, and fixed video solutions to help first responders keep their communities safe.”  The VB400 body cameras will be provided with VideoManager evidence management software, enabling the secure handling and storage of evidential footage. Officers can easily upload and manage video footage, organized by time, date, and location as part of their existing daily workflows. They offer a pre-and post-recording capability to help ensure incidents are captured from the start.  TETRA digital radio technology Motorola Solutions has been a trusted partner of public safety organizations in Austria for over 20 years. All public safety organizations including police, fire brigades, and emergency services rely on the reliable and secure Tetron network, which uses TETRA digital radio technology from Motorola Solutions.

Established in 1952, a cluster of educational institutions situated in Meenambakkam near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, holds a prestigious position as one of the nation's oldest and most esteemed establishments. Throughout its history, it has developed primary and secondary schools alongside colleges in Chennai, providing an extensive selection of courses spanning science, arts, commerce, and business management. By 2016, it had transformed into a prominent research and post-graduate institution, featuring specialized research divisions in physics, mathematics, and economics.  Business scenario Spread across a vast 40+ acre campus, the educational institutions accommodate over 9000 students and employ a dedicated faculty of more than 350 staff members. With over 100 classrooms, indoor and outdoor stadiums, auditoriums, seminar halls, libraries, labs, and hostel facilities, the infrastructure is extensive.  Ensuring premises safety and security Institution identified the need for a comprehensive solution capable of effectively monitoring all areas Given the size of the campus and the significant student population, ensuring the safety and security of the premises became a primary concern. Despite having previously installed a competitor's video surveillance system, the coverage proved inadequate. Consequently, they identified the need for a comprehensive solution capable of effectively monitoring all areas, including schools, colleges, and hostel facilities. Their requirement was not only for thorough coverage but also for the ability to conduct both local and centralized monitoring from a single location.  Challenges faced by the institution  Securing over 9000 students and staff across the premises presented a significant challenge.  A centralized video surveillance solution was needed to monitor both school and college premises from one location.  The widespread infrastructure, including classrooms, auditoriums, playgrounds, and hostel premises, made centralized surveillance challenging due to its scattered nature.  Previous installations of competitor video surveillance systems failed to provide extensive coverage in all necessary locations on the premises.  A large number of cameras and recording servers with higher RAM were required for scalability.  Concerns were raised about the reliability of competitor brands' servers, especially those based in China, as they could be vulnerable to hacking attempts, posing a threat to the security of the educational environment.  Matrix solution Matrix proposed its professional series of 2MP Dome IP cameras to secure indoor premises such as classrooms, libraries, auditoriums, seminar halls, and administrative offices, ensuring comprehensive coverage.  Additionally, 5MP Bullet IP cameras were recommended to safeguard outdoor facilities and infrastructure across the campus.  Over 600 cameras were deployed throughout the school and college premises to provide extensive coverage.  For recording and viewing the footage, Matrix experts suggested the Matrix ENVR - SATATYA NVR12808XCTS - 128 Channel Enterprise ENVR.  Matrix ENVR features an in-built Video Management Software - Matrix SATATYA SAMAS, eliminating the need for separate software installation and providing a user-friendly GUI.  Furthermore, Matrix's ENVR is seamlessly integrated with third-party IP Cameras already installed on the premises.  Matrix ENVR offers centralized system management with well-defined user roles and rights, along with a distributed architecture enabling centralized configuration, user-based login roles and rights, and an Audit Trail of user activities and IP addresses.  Products Offered SATATYA MIBR20FL36CWS (470 Nos.): 2MP IR Bullet Camera with 3.6mm Fixed Lens   SATATYA MIDR50FL28CWS (142 Nos.): 2MP IR Dome Camera with 2.8mm Fixed Lens   SATATYA NVR12808XCTS (5 Nos.): 128 Channel Enterprise NVR with 8 SATA Port  SATATYA SAMAS USER10: 10 Concurrent User License  for Smart Client and Mobile Client Solution benefits Matrix IP Cameras ensured comprehensive coverage across the premises.  Matrix ENVRs feature an in-built server and software - Matrix SATATYA SAMAS, eliminating the need for separate software investments and simplifying centralized video surveillance.  Users could access any camera installed at any location from any remote location.  Matrix Server-grade ENVRs, based in India, offer greater reliability compared to competitors' servers in China, reducing the risk of hacking attempts.  With four levels of redundancies, Matrix ENVRs minimize system downtime even in the event of network and power failures.

In today's interconnected world, the lines between physical and digital security are blurring. This means that threats can easily exploit vulnerabilities in both realms, potentially causing significant damage. That's why the convergence of cyber- and physical security systems is becoming increasingly important. It has already been a topic of discussion in the security market for more than a decade. To get a reality check, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Has convergence been achieved in security systems? Why or why not?   

There is a bright outlook for trade shows in 2024. In particular, ISC West has recently become the must-see event in the security marketplace. ISC West will take place April 9-12 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. In addition to providing access to a wide range of technological innovations, the show also serves as a platform to introduce new products and services. As the industry counts down to the big exhibition, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What will be the big news at ISC West 2024?   

There is safety in numbers, or so the expression goes. Generally speaking, several employees working together tend to be safer than a single employee working alone. Even so, some environments require that workers complete their jobs alone, thus presenting a unique combination of security vulnerabilities. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a lone worker as “an employee working alone, such as in a confined space or isolated location.” We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can security technologies help to protect "lone workers?"