Archive: December 2008
False Alarm freebies...?
December 31, 2008Daniel Gelinas
As many of you know, one of the big problems faced by everyone involved in selling, installing, monitoring, owning and responding to security systems is false alarms. I produce a regular column for every issue of SSN called False Alarm Ordinance Watch in which various new false alarm ordinances from around the country are highlighted. This morning I came across a column from newsok.com that discussed the new ordinance in Yukon, Okla. It's fun and lighthearted and has a few funny ideas for how to...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Have some fun in 2009
December 31, 2008Tess Nacelewicz
So I'm changing things up this year. Normally I'm either in New York or on my way there about now...getting ready to celebrate the New Year with a group of college friends (which now includes spouses and kids) whom I've been celebrating with for, oh, well, since "The Big Chill" was a new movie.
It's a tradition to eat a fantastic home-cooked meal, have a dance party with the kids, watch the ball drop and then stay up even later.
This year, work schedules and one family's relo to the West Coast...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Congratulations Nick!
December 30, 2008Tess Nacelewicz
I learned yesterday that one of my best sources—an expert on all things fire—went and retired on me! ( And before I could talk to him for a story I'm writing this week about IP technology and fire installations. Not happy about this, Nick.)
Guess who? It's Fire-Lite director of marketing Nick Martello. In case any of you can't place the name, here's his photo.
Recognize him now? Probably.
Nick spent 25 years in fire and integrated systems and besides working for the Honeywell Fire...
ASG completes $190 million credit facility
December 30, 2008Martha Entwistle
BELTSVILLE, Md.--It may be the toughest credit environment in a long time, but ASG will greet 2009 with a new financial partner and an expanded $190 million credit facility, Ralph Masino, ASG CFO told Security Systems News on Dec. 30.
"We had an opportunity to add to our existing credit at attractive terms and we decided to do it," Masino said. "We now have several years of growth capital and ample dry powder to look at larger properties or opportunities as they come to market."
At the end of 2007,...
Alarm.com launches new standalone IP video monitoring offering
December 30, 2008Daniel Gelinas
MCCLEAN, Va.â€â€Alarm.com, a provider of wireless and web-enabled security system technology for residential and light commercial use, this week will launch its newest standalone advanced IP video monitoring offering.
The Web-based, wireless video product, dubbed Alarm.com Video, was soft launched in the first quarter of 2008 as an integrated part of a larger security solution and has since been running in a pre-launch program comprising 250 test users.
Mary Knebel, Alarm.com vice president...
New law mandates CO detectors
December 30, 2008SSN Staff
PHILADELPHIA--The city of Philadelphia has become the latest municipality to mandate the use of carbon monoxide detectors. On Dec. 17, the Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and city councilwoman Donna Reed Miller announced the enactment of the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Law, which will require all new home constructions and current multifamily homes to have CO detectors.
A number of companies and entities are donating alarms and money, as well as participating in discount...
NBFAA looking for First Line of Defense Award entrants
December 30, 2008Daniel Gelinas
IRVING, Texas--The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association wants to know if your company's electronic security system helped save a life, avert property damage, or prevent a crime. The NBFAA is soliciting entries for its 2009 First Line of Defense Award, which recognizes a security company's actions in a specific incident in which the right response saved a life, prevented property damage or loss, or otherwise prevented a crime.
If your story is selected, you and your customer will win a free trip...
APX donates $113K to Sub for Santa
December 30, 2008SSN Staff
PROVO, Utah--In mid-December APX Alarm sent 210 volunteers out to shop for 4,100 gifts for families in the Provo area. In several other cities around the country, Apx volunteers did the same thing.
Apx, based here, teamed up with United Way to support its Sub for Santa program, which provides Christmas gifts for children in needy families. "We had a goal of raising $25,000," said Josh Houser, APX vice president of service and inside sales. The company raised $113,000--$88,000 from employee donations...
IQinVision announces educational IQsummits for 2009
December 30, 2008Daniel Gelinas
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., and LANCASTER, Pa.--IQinVision, a producer of megapixel network cameras, smart IP cameras, and network video recording systems, announced Dec. 29 that it would hold a series of educational summits in 2009.
IQinVision chief marketing officer Paul Bodell said these summits aim to educate the industry on the power of IP video. "About five or six years ago, we realized that we needed to educate the market on IP video, that no one else was doing that. So we created these events,"...
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year, etc
December 24, 2008Martha Entwistle
opefully, no one's wasting time today reading this blog, but I'm just posting a quick message to say I'll be on vacation through Jan. 5, and you shouldn't expect a post before then unless something truly monumental happens (or I get really bored with the family - not impossible).
Enjoy some time off and your families, and I'll talk to you again in the new year.