Archive: February 2002
Johnson Controls scoops up Scientech
February 1, 2002Chelsie Woods
MILWAUKEE-Johnson Controls increased its expertise in the systems integration market with the purchase of Scientech Security Services.
The acquisition provides Johnson Controls Government Systems division with a design-build security firm that specializes in government applications. The purchase price for the privately held company was not released.
"We already have Johnson Controls Government Systems as a huge part of the business," said Darryl Fortune, director of public relations for Johnson...
Triangle Fire finds its niche in school, government work
February 1, 2002Chelsie Woods
CARLISLE, Pa..-Eight years after first going into business, Triangle Fire Protection Inc. has made a niche in designing and building sprinkler systems in government facilities and schools.
The benefit, according to Mark Potteiger, president of Triangle, is that these larger contracts enable the company to pay its 20Â workers well. "We are a union contractor, so we go after jobs that are the prevailing rate because it works in with our pay schedule," said Potteiger, who owns the company with business...
Move into digital video benefits Universal Atlantic
February 1, 2002Chelsie Woods
UPPER DARBY, Pa.-Nearly three years after first introducing remote management of digital video systems, the service has grown to represent 30 percent of Universal Atlantic Systems' business.
The full-service alarm company made a greater push with this commercial application after the company relocated its headquarters and central station to a 12,000 square foot building in 1999. Company officials wanted to tap into the digital video and national accounts market, which work well together.
"The goal...
Vogel exits alarm biz to Safetron
February 1, 2002Chelsie Woods
ORANGE CITY, Fla.-Safetron Security Services picked up some new accounts in December, thanks to its purchase of the alarm division of Vogel Investigative and Protective Services.
Paul Casassa, president of Safetron, characterized the purchase as small, but one that integrates well with his company because both used the same products and central station. The purchase price and number of accounts from Vogel were not released.
"Everything melded in perfectly because he's a Security Pro Dealer and...
Newspoll Results
February 1, 2002SSN Staff
We sent a newspoll to our Security Systems News Newswire subscribers asking them what they think about Tyco's plan to purchase DSC. Here's the question we asked, how people responded and comments some of you made.
Question: What type of an impact do you think Tyco's planned purchase of security product manufacturer DSC will have on the security industry if approved by federal regulators?
51% - Very Significant
39% - Significant
7% - No impact
3% - No opinion
Â
"Frankly, I'm very concerned...
Vicon debuts biometric system
February 1, 2002SSN Staff
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.-Through a partnership with an Israeli image recognition developer, Vicon Industries introduced an integrated facial recognition and area surveillance system that can monitor abnormal behavior, perform object detection and other functions, company officials said.
The Facematch system was developed and manufactured by Mate-CCTV, who will be working with QSR, Ltd., Vicon's Israeli development subsidiary, to incorporate the biometric technology into Vicon's proprietary digital video...
Safeguard expands with two firms
February 1, 2002Andrea Gura
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-A regional player in the central Arizona market has expanded both its account base and geographic reach with the acquisition of two security firms in the Southwest.
With the acquisition of Santa Fe, N.M.-based Tech 2 and Phoenix-based Regal Electronics, Safeguard Security gained about 3,600 accounts. The company now monitors about 11,000 of its own accounts in a central station in Scottsdale. The bulk of accounts came from low-voltage security and communication company Royal, about...
It's a learning curve
February 1, 2002SSN Staff
Last month you saw the debut of our Fire Installation Section. It's our newest editorial addition and one that we hope provides more comprehensive coverage of the life safety market.
You may be wondering why we've added this new section. The reason is simple.
In today's market, security and life safety systems go hand-in-hand. People are looking for an integrated system, and that's not just access control and video integrated with an alarm system anymore.
Fire is such an important part of our market...
Centex exits security installation market
February 1, 2002Chelsie Woods
DALLAS-Centex HomeTeam Security exited the security installation business in December, selling the majority of its branches to Ranger American based in San Antonio.
The sale of the installation division comes more than six years after parent company Centex Corp. first entered the security market. The transaction, however, did not include the company's 75,000 customers or its central station here. The purchase price was not released.
"We decided to focus more specifically on our pest management...
Custom Alarm scoops up Premier
February 1, 2002Chelsie Woods
ROCHESTER, Minn.-Security and sound company Custom Alarm picked up 450 additional accounts for its central station by buying neighboring firm Premier Alarm & Security.
The transaction included all the assets of Premier, such as product inventory, existing installation projects and monitored customers. The purchase price was not released.
"The owner just felt it was time that he moved on," said Leigh Johnson, owner and chief executive officer of Custom Alarm/Custom Communications Inc., a full-service,...