Archive: February 2008
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Redesigning the master suite?
February 29, 2008Tess Nacelewicz
Have you been wondering where to pack your heat at night? Worried about how long it'll take you to leap out of bed and grab yer gun? I got this press release about the "latest in home security." Turns out this guy's idea of home security is a new fangled gun rack that you install over your bed.
Remember, you saw it here way before it was featured in Metropolitan Home.
TechSec Day 2
February 29, 2008Martha Entwistle
Why am I just getting around to summing up Day 2 of TechSec Solutions, though it ended roughly 48 hours ago? Well, you can thank JFK airport in some small part - due to an absurd amount of traffic going through there, it took me roughly 24 hours to make it home (partly, this is because every air traffic controller on the face of the earth hates Jet Blue and they always get the short straw coming in and going out). Then, today, since I got it at 4 a.m., I kind of slouched around with the kids, playing...
Video analytics attracts crowds at TechSec
February 28, 2008L. Samuel Pfeifle
DALLAS--Here at TechSec Solutions, a conference dedicated to how IP technology affects all aspects of the security industry, no topic drew crowds like that of video analytics.
In a session Wednesday morning, for example, Alan Lipton, chief technical officer at ObjectVideo, and Doug Marman, chief technical officer at VideoIQ, packed a room with talk of video analytics in the real world.
"It's changed from a lab curiosity to something that can be applied in the real world," Lipton assured us. Essentially,...
Apx and Brink's settle lawsuit
February 28, 2008Martha Entwistle
HOUSTON--Brink's Home Security, based in Irving, Texas, and ApxAlarm of Provo, Utah, settled a lawsuit on Feb. 25, according to Dave Simon, spokesman for Brink's Home Security.
"Details are confidential," Simon said.
The original lawsuit, which was filed by Brink's in August of 2006, alleged that Apx used improper and unlawful sales practices to steal 47 accounts. Brink's sought $900,000 in damages. Apx in September 2007 filed a countersuit alleging that Brink's engaged in improper sales practices/tactics...
TechSec attendees hear call to arms for standards
February 28, 2008L. Samuel Pfeifle
DALLAS--Here at the fourth annual TechSec Solutions, designed to explore the impact of IP technology on the security industry, attendees were treated from the outset to a call to arms for standards development. From keynote speaker David Bunzel, managing partner at industry analyst Santa Clara Consulting, through to closing speaker David Morrow, chief security officer for software maker EDS, the message was clear: integrators and installers want plug-and-play systems where they can use best-of-breed...
HID Global nearly doubles in size; merges with Assa Abloy's ITG
February 28, 2008SSN Staff
IRVINE, Calif.--HID Global announced last week a merger with fellow Assa Abloy company Identifications Technologies, known as ITG. This nearly doubles HID Global's size and adds a number of RFID tracking capabilities to the access control giant's capabilities.
According to a release, customers can expect to see an increase in converged and vertical market solutions for secure identity-related applications. The Sokymat and OmniKey brands will remain market facing.
"The merger of ITG and HID makes...
Manufacturers discuss the future of IP at TechSec
February 28, 2008Leischen Stelter
DALLAS--With TechSec Solutions attendees here thirsty for educational opportunities and a roadmap to the future, it's no surprise one of the best attended presentations featured four leading manufacturers of IP technology discussing the future of IP technology in the security industry. The discussion was wide-ranging, covering issues from how security integrators can educate themselves about IP by utilizing a variety of resources to what kinds of IP products they can expect in the future.
"The traditional...
Brink's to spin-off BHS
February 28, 2008Martha Entwistle
RICHMOND, Va.--The Brink's Company's spin-off of Brink's Home Security into its own publicly traded entity, announced Feb. 25, will mean a more "focused investment" for current shareholders and will "create opportunities for [Brink's Home Security] employees," said Ed Cunningham, spokesman for The Brink's Company.
"Any time you have the opportunity to become an independent company, there's new opportunity for growth," he said.
Brink's Home Security is one division of The Brink's Company. The other,...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
ADT target of lawsuit
February 27, 2008Tess Nacelewicz
Irate over rate hikes, the Contra Costa County (Calif.) District Attorney's Office filed a lawsuit on Monday against ADT, saying in some cases when ADT's raises its monthly monitoring fees and/or charges contract-termination, the company is in violation of California law.
ADT customers sign two- or three-year contracts. ADT reserves the right to raise fees after the first year. They lawsuit says ADT should have to advise customers how much the rate increase will be. Thisstory from The Mercury News...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Brink's stock up; TechSec kicks off
February 26, 2008Tess Nacelewicz
Brink's stock is trading at a 52-week high today (the last trade I saw was 68.47. Guess investors like the news yesterday that Brink's Home Security will be spun off to become its own publicly traded company. (See yesterday's post below for more info)
Meanwhile, I'm here in Dallas at TechSec Solutions, which in case you didn't know, is a conference that's all about IP-ready security technology, and sponsored by my paper Security Systems News and our sister publication, Security Director News.
At...