Archive: October 2010
UControl launches OpenSMA
October 28, 2010Martha Entwistle
AUSTIN, Texas—Interoperability and open standards are the keys to making the “connected home” a reality, say executives from uControl, a home security and automation provider. This week they announced the formation of “OpenSMA,” a consortium of service and product providers who are committed to “complete compatibility and integration across all products and services.”
“We want to give service providers the best of breed of everything, make it a free...
2GIG news abounds
October 28, 2010Martha Entwistle
I've had lots of news about 2GIG Technologies coming across my desk in the past week or so. In case you don't know 2GIG, they're a newish (about three years old now) manufacturer of residential and home management solutions, notably its GO!Control panel.
Just yesterday I spoke to Mary Miller at the Z-Wave Alliance, which is an open consortium of companies that wants to establish Z-Wave as the standard in wireless home control. Miller announced that 2GIG is its newest principal member.
2GIG president...
Embezzlement probe at association ongoing
October 28, 2010Daniel Gelinas
WEST ALLIS, Wis.—Marsha Kopan, former executive director of the Illinois Electronic Security Association, is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation that began when the West Allis Police arrested her on Sept. 24.
Police brought Kopan in on check fraud and forgery charges stemming from work she did with a non-security association. Upon further investigation into Kopan's business ties, authorities contacted the IESA, and suggested they take a look at their accounts. Kopan's...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Security and Election Day
October 28, 2010Tess Nacelewicz
I expected to learn lots of new things when I started writing about the security industry, but I didn't expect to start looking at mid-term elections from a security angle.
But a recent comment from Ackerman Security Systems CEO Jim Callahan about that Atlanta-based company's new branch in Beltsville, Md., which opened in May to serve customers in the Washington, D.C. area, has made me do just that.
Callahan said Washington's revolving election cycle is one reason that Ackerman, one of the nation's...
Brand Steward brings security to building controls company
October 28, 2010Martha Entwistle
ATLANTA—At a time when many security companies are branching out into energy management and other building controls, McKenney's, a major mechanical contracting company here, is doing the opposite—branching out into security.
McKenney's hired industry veteran Phil Mosley, who's worked in business development and sales roles for ADT, Security Link and Johnson Controls, to develop and run the company's security department in November of 2009. One year into his tenure with McKenney's, the...
New investment venture for two charged with fraud
October 28, 2010Tess Nacelewicz
ALBANY, N.Y.—Security alarm investors Timothy McGinn and David Smith—whom the SEC charged earlier this year with bilking investors of at least $80 million in a Ponzi scheme—are reportedly involved in a new investment venture. Their new business, Security Alarm Credit, has come under the SEC's radar.
“We are aware of it and have alerted the court to it,” Andrew Calamari, associate director of the SEC's New York Regional Office, said Oct. 27. “But at the...
Opgal acquires Vumii
October 27, 2010Martha Entwistle
ATLANTA—In a deal that brings detection and assessment capabilities together, night vision camera manufacturer Vumii announced Oct. 26 that it had been acquired by Israel-based Opgal Optronics, a maker of thermal imaging systems and infrared cameras.
The two privately held companies declined to release terms of the agreement.
Randall Foster, Vumii CEO, told Security Systems News the two companies have worked together for close to four years and the deal is the “result of working together....
Stanley enhances its On Fire initiative
October 27, 2010Tess Nacelewicz
NAPERVILLE, Ill.—Stanley Convergent Security Solutions this year took its innovative employee fire-training initiative and made it more employee-friendly and cost-effective, company executives told Security Systems News in October.
Stanley's On Fire initiative to provide in-house training for its employees in fire alarms and code safety made the news when it began in 2008. This year, enhancements made the program even better, according to Felix Gonzales, VP of strategic initiatives & business...
Dedicated Micros' reorg gives customers direct access
October 26, 2010Martha Entwistle
CHANTILLY, Va.—Among several re-organized companies at ASIS this year was CCTV solutions manufacturer Dedicated Micros, which was sporting a new executive line-up.
Company founder Mike Newton is now president of Dedicated Micros. Other newly named executives include: Pauline Norstrom, VP; Nigel Petric, chairman of the board; John Bonsee SVP sales; and, John Dolan, VP business development.
Newton told Security Systems News his new role is one he's been filling unofficially for the past 18...
Crime ring at ASIS, busted by Milestone
October 26, 2010Martha Entwistle
Jeez, you'd think all those cameras and the fact that it's a security show would dissuade would-be theives, but no. Milestone put out a press release this morning about thieves nabbed at ASIS.
When a laptop was stolen at the MoogQuickset booth during the show (Oct. 12-15), Moog employees asked those at the neighboring Milestone booth if they'd noticed anything missing. No, but they did happen to have footage of what went on after hours on the ASIS show floor that showed members of the cleaning crew...