Archive: August 2008
Even broadband has its limits
August 29, 2008Martha Entwistle
Interesting news coming from cable/broadband provider Comcast today: It will begin placing a bandwidth limit on its subscribers.
Of course, that limit is extremely high. 250GB. For any normal consumer, that means:
Send 50 million e-mails (at 0.05 KB/e-mail)
Download 62,500 songs (at 4 MB/song)
Download 125 standard-definition movies (at 2 GB/movie)
Upload 25,000 hi-resolution digital photos (at 10 MB/photo).
But what if you're a small business and you're monitoring your 5 megapixel surveillance...
When distributors get funny
August 28, 2008Martha Entwistle
I'm a little bit frightened. ScanSource is trying to get all viral with its promotion of its ImpactNow event, coming Nov. 10 to Orlando, and the videos are actually kind of funny.
Find the latest one here. I'd embed it, but I can't figure out how at the moment. So go watch it.
...
Done yet?
Okay, good. I wanted to think it was inane and unfunny, because I like my security companies like I like my music - no funny involved - but I was sort of smirking despite myself. The whole "punch you in the...
SIA releases foundational document for its OSIPS standards
August 28, 2008Leischen Stelter
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--The Security Industry Association on Aug. 25 released its foundational document, ANSI/SIA OSIPS-01:2008 SIA OSIPS - Framework,which defines the language and communication standards for its Open Systems Integration and Performance Standards (OSIPS) family of standards.
"We set out six or seven years ago to develop a family of standards that would enable the easy integration of basically, at least conceptually, products, components and software," said Hunter Knight, chair of Standards...
Select Security closes $8m credit facility
August 28, 2008Martha Entwistle
LANCASTER, Pa.--Select Security president Pat Egan told Security Systems News on Aug. 26 that he decided to announce the closing of an $8 million credit facility so that sellers know he's in the market.
"It's a small deal, the beginning of a larger facility," he said. "We want to let people in the Mid-Atlantic region know that we are an active buyer in this marketplace," he said.
The housing downturn has been especially tough on the smaller dealer, he said, and many of those dealers who've been contemplating...
Safeguard acquires Aztec, moves to new offices
August 28, 2008Martha Entwistle
PHOENIX--Safeguard Security acquired Phoenix-based Aztec Home Systems on Aug. 4 and is making plans to move into a new corporate headquarters this fall.
"October 23 is the day we're shooting for," said John Jennings, CEO of Safeguard. The 20,000-square-foot new headquarters, located at 8454 North 90th St., is about 6,000 square feet larger than its current corporate offices.
The Aztec accounts will be transitioned to Safeguard's monitoring facility on Sept. 1. Terms of the deal, which brings with...
Johnson Controls, Carter Bros. ally
August 28, 2008SSN Staff
MILWAUKEE--Johnson Controls announced Aug. 21 that it had entered into a strategic alliance with Carter Brothers of Atlanta, a security and fire integrator and a minority business enterprise.
The alliance will make it easy for customers to meet their minority business enterprise participation goals and requirements. It also extends both companies' network of local branch offices.
"The alliance will help both Johnson Controls and Carter Brothers reach customers in new and creative ways," said Carolyn...
ADI teams with CEDIA for ops training
August 28, 2008L. Samuel Pfeifle
MELVILLE, N.Y.--In September, ADI will team with low-voltage industry group CEDIA to test a new business operations training program. The five full-day seminars will be led by Leslie Shiner, M.B.A., owner and principal of The ShinerGroup, and Sam Cavitt, founder and president of Media Environment Design (MED), focusing on "practical and established methods for business owners and managers including project, resource and financial management. Attendees will be given the tools to develop a clearly...
Most aggressive no-response policy ever?
August 28, 2008Leischen Stelter
FONTANA, Calif.--What is being deemed the most aggressive verified response ordinance in the United States passed the Fontana City Council Tuesday night. Morgan Hertel, president of The Command Center, attended the city council meeting and said the ordinance mandated that police not respond to alarms without audio, video or eyewitness verification of a break-in. The ordinance also specifies that forced entry must have occurred.
The most aggressive element of Fontana's ordinance is its fine structure....
Axis grabs Steve Surfaro
August 26, 2008Martha Entwistle
If you've been to an industry show in the past 10 years, you likely know Steve Surfaro, Panasonic's long-time technical liaison, who has led countless training spots and seminars, all of them informative and entertaining. The guy's got a smile three feet wide.
So, good for Axis in grabbing him to be their new strategic channel manager and security industry liaison. I don't have a link, but here's the press release:
Axis Communications Names Steve Surfaro Strategic Channel Manager and Security...
Newest Atlanta celebrity
August 26, 2008Daniel Gelinas
So in a few weeks I'll be heading down to Atlanta to attend ASIS International. I had a great time in Atlanta when I went for a preview visit in February (partially because there wasn't four feet of snow on the ground like there was here in Maine). One of the highlights was the Georgia Aquarium, which is an awesome venue (minus the hoards of children) with its three beluga whales, massive whale sharks and many intriguing exhibits.
I read an article today from CNN about the latest addition to the...