Archive: November 2009
The bolt-on acquisition primer
November 30, 2009Martha Entwistle
Since my first day here, I've been hearing about these wonderful "bolt-on" acquisitions being conducted by alarm companies the world over. So, my interest was piqued by this article, which talks about the difference between primary acquisitions and bolt-ons, from the perspective of private equity.
Not apples and apples, I understand, but some food for thought.
Federal Signal sells off industrial lighting business
November 30, 2009SSN Staff
OAK BROOK, Ill.—Federal Signal, a manufacturer and integrator of security and life-safety products, today announced it has completed the sale of its industrial lighting manufacturer subsidiary, Pauluhn, to the Cooper Crouse-Hinds division of Cooper Industries for $35 million.
William Osborne, president and chief executive officer, in a release stated, “We are pleased to have completed the sale of Pauluhn to Cooper Industries. This transaction is part of our ongoing efforts to streamline...
The false alarm fine in this case should be a pound of flesh
November 30, 2009Daniel Gelinas
I was reading through my Google Alerts this morning and came across this somewhat humorous story out of the Outback. Not the steakhouse, but the Land Down Under.
Usually I'm all for doing whatever it takes to curtail false alarms since they cost time and money, and strain resources and industry/emergency responder relations. I've certainly touched on the problem before. However, this story is just too funny and seems to be causing no outcry.
Seems the false alarm culprit, the bogus bell-ringer...
DGA Security celebrates 40 years with awards, new headquarters
November 25, 2009Daniel Gelinas
NEW YORK—DGA Security Systems, a provider of security and fire systems based here since 1969, is improving operations in 2010 with a move into a new, larger facility and fulfilling the expectations of the awards it won in late 2009.
According to DGA's release, during its 40th anniversary year, DGA became the first company to be honored with both of the security industry's highest awards in the same year. On Oct. 21 at the CSAA Annual Meeting in Athens, Greece, DGA president Stanley Oppenheim...
One man's anti-door-knocking solution
November 25, 2009Martha Entwistle
Normally, this would be Martha's beat, as she handles our residential security reporting and she's been covering the door-knocking revolution all summer, but she's on vacation and then traveling for the next two weeks and this is just too good to pass up for that long.
I received yesterday this letter in the mail:
It's from Marty Mayo at the Alarm Store, and the text reads:
One alarm company owner's answer to the "door knockers" is enclosed. I mailed one to every client.
But those aren't just...
Security Networks partners with InfoArmor for first total protection solution
November 25, 2009Daniel Gelinas
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—Identity protection services provider InfoArmor has announced a partnership with Security Networks, a nationwide commercial and residential provider of security monitoring and related services, to offer what it says is the first complete physical and identity security solution bundle. Additionally, Security Networks on Nov. 19 announced it would begin offering Xanboo's Security Enhanced solution for security and energy related broadband interactive...
Real-time video to the smartphone for $49.95 a month?
November 24, 2009Daniel Gelinas
DETROIT--MIST Innovations, a developer of network monitoring devices and security products, has released MISTonDemand II (MoD II), its latest security solution, and what it's calling "another revenue opportunity for integrators." According to the announcement, the system allows security firms to provide businesses with complete, convenient, secure and vendor-neutral access to their video surveillance system via their smart phone or PDA for as little as $49.95 a month.
MIST president and CEO Larry...
G4S monitoring and data center goes Five Diamond
November 24, 2009Daniel Gelinas
BURLINGTON, Mass.--G4S, with over 500,000 employees worldwide, announced on Nov. 23 that its new video monitoring and data center, located here, is the latest central station to achieve CSAA Five Diamond status.
Five Diamond Certification is only the latest certification for the center, the opening of which Security Systems News reported on in January. According to Jerry Cordasco, vice president of operations for the Boston-area, video-centric center, the accreditations, including UL's highest listing...
The mainstream sex appeal of surveillance footage
November 24, 2009Martha Entwistle
Hey, if you think my headlines are a little inflammatory sometimes, check out this one from the Orlando Sentinel:
Laundromat cameras capture Sanford girl fight
Not "Fight breaks out at Sanford Laundromat"; not "Violence erupts during spin cycle"; not "Wash your step: It's dangerous in Sanford."
Instead, the story is first that the cameras captured the fight. And since this is online, you've got to think they did that because, well, people are probably hoping there's video of a girl fight behind...
What does the Orsus buy say about the PSIM market?
November 24, 2009L. Samuel Pfeifle
YARMOUTH, Maine--As the first major acquisition of a pure-play PSIM (physical security information management) software manufacturer, NICE Systems' announced intent to acquire Orsus has many in the industry commenting on what it says about the state of the PSIM marketplace.
John Honovich, for example, writing on his www.ipvideomarket.info, said while "this acquisition signals that a major player believes that PSIM products can be financially profitable," the $22 million price-tag does little to...