Archive: August 2012
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Attention shoppers! AT&T goes retail with its new security/home automation services
August 30, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
I reported in May that AT&T was entering the security space with summer trials in Dallas and in Atlanta of its home security/home automation services called Digital Life. The telecom also spoke then of its plans to transform that space through such innovations as letting customers try out its new Digital Life offering in its 2,000-plus retail stores around the country.
Now, the first demos of Digital Life are about to begin in AT&T's first flagship retail store on Chicago's famous Magnificent Mile,...
All eyes on Iris: Will DIY hurt RMR?
August 29, 2012Rich Miller
YARMOUTH, Maine—Is it a home security “game changer” whose time has come, a marketing annoyance that will confuse consumers, or a false-alarm nightmare waiting to happen?More than 200 Security Systems News readers weighed in on Iris, Lowe's new do-it-yourself home security/home automation system, for SSN's September News Poll. Amid the wide range of opinions was one consensus: Iris' price point will generate interest in the marketplace. But readers were clearly divided on whether...
Security Service Company acquires Pennsylvania neighbor
August 29, 2012Rich Miller
FLEETWOOD, Pa.—Security Service Company, based here, has acquired Four Star Electronic Security, a longtime provider of alarm monitoring, service and installation based in nearby Hamburg.The deal, announced on Aug. 17, brings SSC about 750 new customers and more than $17,000 in RMR, according to Jim Long, vice president of operations. Financial terms were not disclosed.“Part of the reason [the deal was attractive] is they're right in our backyard,” Long told Security Systems News....
Massachusetts installers battle Comcast, Verizon in court
August 29, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
SHARON, Mass.—A Massachusetts security systems installers' group has taken Comcast and Verizon to court, charging the cableco and telecom lack the required state licenses to do security alarm-related work in Massachusetts.The Massachusetts Systems Contractors Association (MSCA), a trade association based here, is asking a judge to find the two new security industry entrants are violating state law and ban them from selling, installing and monitoring security systems in the state. The MSCA contends...
Pro 1: 'We're excited to be part of the home automation space'
August 29, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
ROMEOVILLE, Ill.—Protection 1 announced this week that it has launched a new integrated home security/home automation service called P1 Life.
The introduction of P1 Life, which uses Honeywell's new LYNX Touch 5100, marks the first time that Protection 1—which bills itself as the nation's second-largest business and home security company—has fully embraced the new home automation trend in the security industry, according to Jamie Haenggi, Protection 1 CMO.
She told...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
VES-Afternoon tea and sushi
August 29, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
Four years ago, fire manufacturer VES was acquired by Kentec Electronics, a U.K.-based manufacturer of fire panels. At the time, an executive at VES (formerly Viking Electronic Services) said that “joining with Kentec brings us the international experience we didn't have previously.” The official cited India, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and other Arab countries as the markets the company would move into.
Now, it looks like VES' international experience may get even broader as its parent company,...
Mobile's the word at annual DICE conference
August 29, 2012Rich Miller
BAY CITY, Mich.—Participants set the agenda at DICE Corp.'s annual Users Group Conference, so the topics can shift to reflect what is actually happening in the field. And a lot of the buzz at this year's event focused on what everyone in the industry has been talking about lately: adapting to keep up with the Web.
The ninth annual DUG conference, held Aug. 6-8 in Frankenmuth, Mich., attracted nearly 80 participants from 75 companies, according to Melissa Courville, head of marketing...
Texas twist: N.Y. city outsourcing to collect alarm fines
August 29, 2012Rich Miller
A Long Island, N.Y., city frustrated by unpaid false-alarm fines is taking a familiar corporate path to change its fortunes: It's outsourcing the collection work.
Long Beach Police Commissioner Michael Tangney told CBS News that the city of 35,000 is the first on Long Island to hire an outside company to go door-to-door collecting the fines.
“I'm proud that we are innovative and the first ones doing this,” Tangney said. “And I think many municipalities will follow suit.”
The...
Notable politicians at ASIS
August 29, 2012Martha Entwistle
In case you haven't had enough of politicians this election year, you'll have a chance to hear some notable politicos at ASIS this year. ASIS yesterday announced that, as she did last year, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano will speak deliver a keynote address on the first day of the show, September 10, from 12 to 1:30.
Other keynote speakers include former defense secretary Robert Gates and former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (from 1997-2009) and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate...
Sonitrol of Evansville launches video company
August 29, 2012Martha Entwistle
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—After “dabbling” with different video verification products and services and seeing that grow into a profitable initiative, Sonitrol franchise owner Ken Krapf this month launched a new integration company called Action Security.Krapf estimated that video verification services currently account for 15 to 20 percent of his overall revenues. “Our goal is to continue to gain market share [with Action Security],” he said.Krapf, who has Sonitrol franchises...