Archive: August 2010
Two insiders to bring 'undefeatable' door contact to alarm industry
August 30, 2010SSN Staff
WAUKESHA, Wis.—Two former alarm company owners, Michael Keegan and Chris Utter, have teamed up with a company called Magnasphere to bring a new kind of door contact to the alarm industry, one that they believe will become the industry standard within five years.
“The reed switches are going to go the way of the photoelectric beam,” Keegan predicted.
Most alarm dealers know about the vulnerability of your garden-variety reed-switch door contact, Keegan said. “If you present...
Elmwood Park raising fines to help offset lost revenue
August 30, 2010SSN Staff
ELMWOOD PARK, Ill.—An Aug. 26 story from ElmwoodPark-Leaves.com reports fines have increased in Elmwood Park for some local ordinance violations.
The biggest increase is for false fire, burglary and intrusion alarms, which has increased to $100 from $15 for false alarm calls in excess of three per calendar year.
In putting together this fiscal year's budget, trustees in April noted any increases in fees would be based on covering administrative costs.
Guardian Protection nabs third-largest Brink's/Broadview dealer
August 30, 2010SSN Staff
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—In an indication that Guardian Protection Services is moving beyond its super-regional roots and is serious about becoming a national player, the company announced Aug. 26 that Southern Alarm, the third-largest Brink's/Broadview dealer, is now a Guardian dealer.
Southern Alarm “has ranked as the top second or third Brink's dealer for seven years now,” said owner Kelley Clements. Based in Richmond Hills Ga., the company has branch offices in Augusta, Ga. and Charleston,...
3M making biometrics play
August 30, 2010Martha Entwistle
3M announced this morning an agreement to by Cogent, a maker of biometrics products, for $943 million (the press release says when you back out what Cogent has in cash, it's really only a $430 million outlay, but I'm only seeing $272 million in cash and investments on the most recent 10k, so I'm not sure where that number is coming from).
Cogent does “finger, palm, face and iris biometric systems for governments, law enforcement agencies, and commercial enterprises,” though I'll admit...
False alarm reduction efforts tweeting your way?
August 30, 2010Daniel Gelinas
Just got an email (via my colleague Martha) from Shane Sumrow over at The Margulies Communications Group.
Looks like SIAC's stepping up its social media networking endeavors in its efforts to combat false dispatches.
I can vouch for the veracity of the stepped up LinkedIn presence, as I just got linked to SIAC's Stan Martin this morning. Well done guys.
From the SIAC release:
The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) is stepping up its efforts to reach law enforcement, citizens and companies in...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Which security/telco collaboration will work?
August 30, 2010Tess Nacelewicz
Here's a story I saw this morning from the Austin American-Statesman about uControl getting funding. The funding is something I reported on a couple weeks ago in a story I wrote called The telcos are coming!
This story included something interesting that my story didn't touch on, some quotes from ABI research about partnerships between home security providers and telcos. His story quotes an ABI analyst saying the company who partners first, will win the race. Further, he identifies uControl's rivals...
Updated alarm ordinance takes effect in Wichita
August 30, 2010SSN Staff
WICHITA, Kan.—An Aug. 25 posting on the official page for the city of Wichita reminds residents and businesses with alarm systems that the ordinance has changed, effective Aug. 1. Alarm owners have been receiving alarm permit renewal notices during the past week. The alarm renewal fee is $25.
The revised ordinance increased the alarm system registration fee from a one-time fee of $10 to the annual $25 fee. Most customers should have received a bill in August.
The fees will help offset administrative...
AMAG Technology hires Caroline O'Driscoll as graphic designer
August 29, 2010SSN Staff
TORRANCE, Calif.--AMAG Technology, a security management and digital video solution provider, on Aug. 30 announced the hiring of Caroline O'Driscoll as its new graphic designer.
In this new position, O'Driscoll is responsible for managing all aspects of graphic design including internal and external communications and developing sales and marketing tools that help to promote brand awareness and product marketing initiatives in the security marketplace. She reports to director of marketing, Lanya...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Back to school and back home again
August 27, 2010Tess Nacelewicz
Just in time for back to school, alarm.com has introduced a new “no show” feature.
Alarm.com, a provider of wireless and web-enabled security and activity-monitoring technology, says the new alert is perfect for parents who want to know if their kids didn't arrive home from school at the expected time.
The alerts (via email or text message) are sent to alarm.com customers and can also be useful for “monitoring the arrival of of housekeepers or pet sitters as well.”
Customers...
Fastest growing firms in security?
August 26, 2010SSN Staff
NEW YORK—Well, despite the economy, we know at least a few physical security players have grown in the last few years. The Inc. 500/5000, a list of “the fastest-growing small companies” as defined by rate of growth over the period from 2006 through 2009, was released this week and includes the likes of VMS-maker Exacq, integrators Security By Design and Intelligent Access Systems, residential firms like Defender Direct and Pinnacle Security, and online distributor Brickhouse Security.
Exacq...