Archive: August 2017
Freeus starts PERS University
August 30, 2017Spencer Ives
OGDEN, Utah—Freeus, an mPERS manufacturer based here, will be offering dealers education on how to enter and grow in the personal emergency response system space, called PERS University. Freeus will offer webinars, videos, one-on-one guidance and marketing materials.“There's so many people wanting to get into the medical alert business today. … Many people are looking at it—they're not sure where to start,” Arthur Von Ahnen, Freeus' new business account executive and PERS...
Central Monitoring Operators: training, empathy and thinking really fast
August 30, 2017Kenneth Z. Chutchian
YARMOUTH, Maine—A central monitoring station can be a cool place to work—if your idea of cool is not knowing what's going to happen from one minute to the next, or talking people through crises, real and perceived, or getting information fast and accurate while determining whether lives are at stake.Experts at four security firms weighed in recently on the stressors and satisfaction that operators experience—and the kinds of support these employees receive to keep fresh.“It...
Guest Commentary: Cloud computing tackles emerging cyber threats
August 30, 2017Paul DiPeso
OTTAWA—Cyber threats and ransomware attacks are no match for cloud computing design-built from the ground up for information technology security.In physical security, particularly access control, the history of hacking formerly focused solely on stopping unauthorized users from duplicating or cloning information housed on cards and other devices. Now, it's all about stopping criminals from gaining access to or attacking a customer's network and its data through vulnerabilities in their physical...
Eyewitness Surveillance merges with Watchdog Virtual Guard
August 30, 2017Spencer Ives
HANOVER, Md.—Eyewitness Surveillance, a provider of remote video monitoring and other security services based here, is merging security solution provider Watchdog Virtual Guard into its operations.Eyewitness and Watchdog will not be operating independently, they will be “merged as one synergistic platform,” Rush McCloy, CEO of Eyewitness Surveillance, told Security Systems News. “One of the things that the transaction helps us achieve is just an even deeper focus and knowledge...
Five Questions: Eric Thompson
August 30, 2017Paul Ragusa
Eric Thompson began working for Securitas Electronic Security in April as a talent acquisition specialist, where he focuses on staffing needs throughout every function of the organization. With Securitas growing, Thompson said he has the opportunity to “work with some exceptionally talented people,” onboarding sales professionals and service technicians. Security Systems News asked him five questions.Are you married, do you have kids?My wife Linda and I have been married four years this...
Surveillance Systems Inc. lands MGM, Wynn contracts
August 30, 2017Paul Ragusa
ROCKLIN, Calif.—Surveillance Systems Inc., a commercial integrator based here, recently announced its multi-million dollar contracts with Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International, which are both currently preparing to set up shop in Boston and Springfield, Mass., respectively. The Wynn Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield are both scheduled to open within the next two years.SSI president Todd Flowers said that SSI is excited to build on the relationship it has formed working with MGM and Wynn...
StoneLock announces CTO
August 30, 2017Spencer Ives
KANSAS CITY, Kan.—Earlier this week StoneLock, a biometrics company focused on designing and manufacturing access control and identity management solutions, announced that Jim Trani is the company's CTO.
"My job, basically, is to create that vision of what we need to do to take us out of our advanced startup mode into a full-blown, high-tech producer, and to implement that,” Trani told Security Systems News.
StoneLock's readers use near-infrared light to see multiple layers of a persons...
Security camera sales in US to grow
August 30, 2017Paul Ragusa
Demand for security cameras in the U.S. is projected to increase 7.2 percent annually through 2021 to $2.8 billion, according to a new report entitled Video Surveillance Equipment Market in the U.S. from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based research firm.
The company found that gains will result from a variety of factors that support replacement demand and sales of higher value, upgraded versions, including:• Ongoing product advancements in camera technology.• Increasing affordability...
The approach to false alarms
August 23, 2017Spencer Ives
Here at Security Systems News, we cover a variety of topics related to the physical security industry. As a result, we get to track trends in the industry; we see when they first come up and we see when they become more prevalent. The matter of false alarms is one that I can say I've been watching since I started with SSN.
Some municipalities have sought to fine alarm companies for users' false alarms. In late 2014, shortly after I joined the publication, I was speaking with the Security Industry...
Eagle Eye Networks adds video analytics
August 23, 2017Paul Ragusa
AUSTIN, Texas—Eagle Eye Networks Inc. today announced that it has launched its first phase of video analytics, which includes line crossing, intrusion detection, and object counting within the Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS. For the remainder of 2017, Eagle Eye customers can utilize these analytics at no cost, and beginning on Jan. 1, 2018, Eagle Eye Analytics will be available to the customer for $4 to $5 per camera, per month.
“Prior to this cloud-based solution, the cost of...