Archive: October 2014
Infinova gets into DIY
October 29, 2014Martha Entwistle
MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J.—Video surveillance provider Infinova is getting into the DIY market, with planned acquisition of Swann Communications, an Australian company that has offices in the United States.Founded in 1987, Swann provides bundled video surveillance systems that include video cameras, infrared cameras, DVRs, NVRs and video monitors. Its products are sold through big box retail stores.The deal also brings with it 100 employees who have expertise in the DIY market, the connected home...
American Alarm's N.H. move promotes its growth plan
October 29, 2014Amy Canfield
ARLINGTON, Mass.—In keeping with its plan for aggressive growth, New England security provider American Alarm and Communications expects to increase its customer service capabilities and add jobs with a new and bigger New Hampshire office.The residential and commercial provider of security and life-safety systems across New England, with corporate offices based here, has relocated its New Hampshire headquarters to a 4,500 square-foot office and service center in Manchester.The former New Hampshire...
Rains in Africa: Northland Challenge Day 4
October 29, 2014Martha Entwistle
Our collective alarm clock this morning felt like a sonic boom. It was just thunder, but it had to be directly overhead because it shook all of the challengers awake at about 5:45 a.m. Next came the downpour. As we all scrambled to pack our bags and take down our tents, a silly 80s song is running through my mind.
Then I realized I was actually hearing “Africa.” Seems Joseph had hooked up a makeshift sound system in his Rav4.
The only challenger who missed part of “the rains of...
The Great Conversation, East Coast version
October 29, 2014Martha Entwistle
I'm on my way back to Maine from Chantilly, Va., where I attended most of day 2 of The Great Conversation's inaugural East Coast event.
Sponsored by Aronson Security Group, The Great Conversation brings together end users and selected integrators for discussions, case studies and panel discussions. It takes place annually in March in Seattle, where ASG is based.
The new East Coast event is co-sponsored by Kratos and the Security Executive Council.
Yesterday I attended a talk by Steve Goodman, the...
CSG buys two in Texas
October 29, 2014Amy Canfield
TULSA, Okla.—Central Security Group has added nearly 4,000 customers and RMR of $120,000 with its recent acquisition of two security and home automation providers, Dallas-based Fort Knox Security Services and SW Security Services.
The purchases substantially increase CSG's footprint in the Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin markets.
About 90 percent of the acquired accounts are residential, according to Richard Ginsburg, CSG president and CEO.
A critical component of CSG's...
Tech Systems goes ESOP route
October 29, 2014Martha Entwistle
ATLANTA—Darryl Keeler, CEO of Tech Systems, announced this week that his privately held company will transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The process will take a while, but ultimately Tech Systems employees will have full ownership of the systems integration company, a PSA Security owner which is based here.“When you talk to ESOP experts and look at all of the historical data, you see that these companies tend to be more profitable and retain employees and clients much...
Two new accolades for Genetec
October 28, 2014SSN Staff
MONTREAL—Genetec, a provider of unified IP security solutions, has recently received two honors.
President Pierre Racz was named EY's 2014 Quebec Entrepreneur of the Year in the Technology and Communications Category. (EY was formerly known as Ernst and Young.)
The award program, in its 21st year, honors Canada's “most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business,” according to a prepared statement. Finalists are chosen based on their vision, leadership, financial...
New resi dealer eyes Southern California market for growth
October 27, 2014Amy Canfield
LONGVIEW, Wash.—Aaron Wenner, the owner of Universal Security and Alarm Inc., which got up and running here in April as an authorized Monitronics dealer, is looking to the Southern California market to expand, primarily because of “its nice, big retirement community.”
“Those door-knocking companies only work four to five months out of the year, but we need to work year round, especially when it gets darker earlier; these (retirees) are home during the day,” he said during...
United Systems buys test-inspection company
October 27, 2014Amy Canfield
DENVER—Full-service security company United Systems, based here, has acquired Absolute Fire and Safety to expand commercial fire and safety services throughout Colorado.Absolute Fire and Safety brings its test and inspection work to the company, Williamson said. The addition of Absolute's five employees “and their expertise allows us to tell the story that we are the total solution for (our customers.) It allows us to present a really great package,” Jeff Williamson, United Systems'...
Hungry hippos: Northland Challenge Day 3
October 26, 2014Martha Entwistle
Day 3 of the Northland Challenge is over and I'm in my tent listening to a discordant chorus of hippos barking and roaring. We're at a campsite in a wilderness park on the shores of the Ishasha River, which is the narrow divider between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The river is loaded with hippos, which can stay underwater for 20 minutes or more, so if you see 5 or 6, there are likely at least 5 or 6 more underwater.
And they're not exactly friendly. As one of the guards at our camp...