Netscape founder enters security space

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.—Jim Clark, serial entrepreneur and founder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape, WebMD, MyCFO and Shutterfly, yesterday announced the launch of his latest business venture, CommandScape, an integrated building management system for commercial and premium residential properties.

CommandScape will provide physical security, lighting, shade control, video surveillance and the ability to incorporate motion detection for automation and notification purposes all wrapped in a cybersecure envelope, the press release read. Additional building management capabilities, including network monitoring, climate control, energy monitoring, access control, home entertainment and multimedia are on the product roadmap for the future.

“There has been limited building management innovation over the last several years and in turn, there remains a need for a highly secure and integrated control system suitable for commercial properties and large homes,” Clark, founder of CommandScape, said in the announcement. “CommandScape solves that problem with the next generation of security and control that allows users to connect and manage their property though an intuitive application anywhere and anytime. Our world class leadership and engineering teams have worked to perfect the system for anyone who is authorized to interact with it.”

CommandScape introduces a building management system that features a customized floor plan represented on a simple and intuitive mobile interface. The CommandScape Navigator app opens instantly and users can easily find and interact with multiple properties from anywhere in the world, delivering “the highest level of cybersecurity while accessing and managing properties using the same highly secure certificate process invented by NetScape,” according to the release. “Instead of relying on username/password combinations, the solution uses device-based encryption to create instant connectivity and prevent unauthorized access.”

The platform allows users to authorize individuals and specify access to properties via individual certificates, assign different levels of permission and limit or grant access to specific areas, rooms or functionality.

“In addition to being accessible and easy to install for an integrator, it's easily transferrable to a property manager or any authorized user of the system. With CommandScape Editor, it is easy to customize schedules, presets, automations and alerts based on each user's personal preferences. Integrators can also remotely troubleshoot client systems saving time and money,” the release read.

Don Boerema, who was appointed president and CEO, joins CommandScape from The ADT Corporation, where his latest role was senior vice president and chief corporate development officer. He also has had leadership roles with Fortune 100 Proctor & Gamble, PepsiCo, and AT&T Wireless and privately held FDN Communications.

“CommandScape's highly skilled and accomplished team is bringing a compelling experience to customers and integrators alike,” Boerema said in the announcement. “CommandScape provides property owners an integrated experience that offers flexibility, customization and peace of mind through a sophisticated combination of hardware and software. We built this solution with very clear customer needs in mind and are committed to deliver secure solutions that delight our customers with every aspect of our system.”

Boerema told Security Systems News, “Our go-to-market strategy will be focused on commercial buildings and large residential homes around the country. For the long term, CommandScape will aim to represent the standard of building management, with certificate-based authentication that enables a cyber secure environment.”