Archive: April 2007
HS3 Technologies to buy Tech America
April 26, 2007SSN Staff
DENVER, Colo.--HS3 Technologies, a provider of security solutions that include biometrics and remote surveillance, announced April 19 it has signed a letter of intent to purchase Tech America, a so-called "one-stop-shop" company that provides technology solutions to the fast food restaurant industry. Terms of the deal have not been released.
Tech America is a supplier of technology to restaurants, including headset systems, drive-through video and DVR surveillance. "The acquisition of Tech America...
ADT's Koch reaffirms dedication to AMPS extension
April 26, 2007Martha Entwistle
BOCA RATON, Fla.--Despite last week's USA Today report that the Federal Communications Commission chief is preparing to deny the security industry's request that the AMPS sunset be extended, ADT president John Koch said April 24 that ADT remains intent on pursuing an extension.
"Discussions are continuing as we speak," he said. If a "two-year extension is not acceptable, we should look at something less than two years."
Koch said ADT "firmly believes that [an extension] is necessary because of the...
Hewlett-Packard discontinues piece of home automation puzzle
April 26, 2007L. Samuel Pfeifle
PALO ALTO, Calif.--Hewlett-Packard announced in late March that it is discontinuing the manufacture of its Digital Entertainment Center, which is part of the home automation package DSC unveiled at ISC West along with Exceptional Innovation, a manufacturer of the Life|ware home automation software (see "DSC unveils home automation partnership" at www.securitysystemsnews.com). The company intends to focus its home automation efforts on standard PCs that run the Microsoft Vista Media Center software...
Photon and Salvador partner to enter security market
April 26, 2007SSN Staff
SAN JOSE, Calif., and COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--Photon Dynamics, a supplier of integrated yield-management solutions for the flat-panel display market, and Salvador Imaging, a manufacturer of high performance digital cameras, announced this week a new venture that will address emerging low-light imaging markets, including the security surveillance space.
The venture will be called Salvador Systems LLC, a Photon Dynamics Company, and combine the companies' technologies to create highly sensitive color...
CentrAlert releases new emergency notification system, aims to expand dealer program
April 26, 2007SSN Staff
ISSAQUAH, Wash.--CentrAlert, a privately held emergency communications company, announced April 23 the addition of a new product in its line-up of emergency evacuation systems, called "Notifier." The company has also recently hired vice president of sales and business management Rod Schrader, partly to focus on development of the dealer program.
The company is billing the Notifier as a "secure messaging system able to reach thousands of people at one time." In a provided release, company president...
Bank of America to continue LaSalle's commitment to security industry?
April 26, 2007L. Samuel Pfeifle
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Bank of America has entered into an agreement to purchase ABN AMRO North America Holding Company, which owns LaSalle Bank, from ABN AMRO Holding NV, the largest bank in the Netherlands. ABN AMRO on April 23 announced the sale price at $21 billion, though there will be a 14-day period where other suitors can offer a higher bid for LaSalle, which Bank of America has the option to match. Bank of America issued a statement April 25 that it "has a legal contract to acquire ABN AMRO North...
Wright Hennepin International to add video monitoring
April 19, 2007SSN Staff
ROCKFORD, Minn.--WH International Response Center, a national provider of central station monitoring and security dealer support services, announced in late March that it had signed a letter of intent with American Monitoring Services of Denver and HS3 Technologies to distribute AMS and HS3 security products and services, which include remote video, virtual guard tours and biometric access control, to WHIRC's network of 250 dealers and 40,000 monitoring customers. (Update as of April 25: AMS will...
FCC extension request denied?
April 19, 2007Martha Entwistle
WASHINGTON, D.C.--There's no official word yet, but rumors are circulating that the alarm industry request to extend the AMPS sunset may be denied.
USA Today on April 16 reported Federal Communications Chairman Kevin Martin is "recommending that the agency deny a petition by the alarm industry to delay the shutdown for two years." The report cited sources who requested anonymity "because commissioners have not voted on the matter."
Calls to the FCC were not immediately returned. John Prendergast...
Monitronics reaches into Canada with new dealer program
April 19, 2007SSN Staff
DALLAS--"Dealers can sign up today" for a new Canadian dealer program being offered by Monitronics, according to president and chief executive officer Michael Haislip. Although Monitronics has been talking about migrating north of the U.S. border for a couple years, it hadn't been able to focus on the expansion, according to Haislip. Then Patrick Soo, a former Monitronics dealer with connections in Canada, became available and the move began in earnest. Soo is now the director of Canadian operations...
Bullzi has new name, leadership, technology acquisition
April 19, 2007L. Samuel Pfeifle
LAKE MARY, Fla.--Bullzi Security, the "converged" security integrator formerly known as 21st Century Corp., announced April 18 the acquisition of Creative Forecast, an international graphic design firm headquartered in Longwood, Fla., that specializes in Flash animation, 3-D rendering and simulation technologies. Terms of the deal were not released, but Bullzi will add 25 Creative Forecast employees along with its technology, nearly tripling its workforce.
Earlier this year, 21st Century changed...