Archive: May 2017

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. and SANTA ANA, Calif.—Allied Universal continues to diversify with the acquisition of ALERT Protective Services, a residential community security firm based in Sarasota, Fla. “This is a company that does most of the high-end residential communities in South Florida,” Allied Universal CEO Steve Jones told Security Systems News. “Not only are they providing the security guard services but they do it differently where they use technology to help augment that,...

I've been hearing a lot about PERS and mPERS lately. Specifically, I've been interested to hear views on how older PERS users feel about technology. When discussing Essence's [email protected] Active offering, which uses a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone, company head of marketing Rafi Zauer said, “The obvious question is: How many seniors have smartphones now-a-days? There's ample evidence … [smartphone use] is going to become almost ubiquitous over the next few years with seniors for several...

JUPITER, Fla.—G4S, a global, full-service security company with North America headquarters based here, continues to reestablish itself as more than just one of the largest security guard providers in the world, according to G4S North America CEO John Kenning.“We have a very strong brand recognition and awareness in the marketplace as being one of the largest and leading security providers in the world, but when people think of us, they think security officers,” Kenning told Security...

PORTLAND, Maine—Security Systems News' “20 under 40” winner from the integrator class of 2015, Rob Simopoulos, along with company partner Andrew Rinaldi, formed Launch Security here last month with the idea of helping organizations improve their overall cybersecurity posture.Simopoulos, who prior to starting Launch Security was president of Advance Technology, told Security Systems News that the focus for the new company is to provide a cybersecurity program tailored to small businesses,...

What is your role at the company?My role is all things business development. We are small, so in addition to being a principal and managing client relationships, I manage sales, marketing (with outside help), and building strategic business relationships.What kinds of systems do you design/specify and what services does the company provide?We provide consulting, design, and project management services to architects, engineers, property management firms and facility owners. Our areas of expertise...

Jeff Kesterson, owner of Nightwatch Security & Telephone, based in Sedalia, Mo., likes that he can access his home security system from his Tesla. In mid-April, Security Systems News talked with Kesterson about his home security system and how he has it set up.What kind of system do you have?A DMP system, a DMP security command. … I have security and fire protection, perimeter, and I have a little bit of home automation, but not a lot—pretty typical. I can control the garage door and unlock...

Mike Wells, who has been with Midwest Alarm Services for 13 years, was recently promoted to business development manager. He is responsible for managing the direct sales staff in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Nebraska for life safety products and services. Wells holds a NICET level II in fire alarm. Security Systems News asked him five questions.Are you married? Any kids? Pets?I've been married for 13 years and we have one son. We have two dogs, a Rat Terrier and a Min Pin [Miniature Pinscher].What...

CARMEL, Ind.—Allegion, with Wakefield Research, recently surveyed about 1,000 U.S. adults to learn more about their experiences with security.The survey questions, and responses, helped Allegion in “understanding security issues that happen and how [we can] have products that solve those issues,” Ann Matheis, marketing leader, multi-family, for Allegion, told Security Systems News. The survey asked about whether survey takers worry about leaving their door unlocked, lost the key...

The Security Industry Association (SIA) recently announced its establishment of the SIA Public Safety Working Group, which will be chaired by Steve Surfaro, industry liaison, Axis Communications. “This working group has been in the works for quite some time,” Surfaro told Security Systems News. “SIA began working on public safety through some work with the Homeland Security Science and Technology group, and it was thought that one of the best ways to really serve the security industry...

FLIR Systems Inc. announced yesterday that James J. Cannon has been appointed president and CEO, effective June 19, 2017. Cannon will succeed Andy Teich, whose retirement after 33 years of service was previously announced on February 14. "The opportunity to join this outstanding leadership team and serve alongside over 3,000 talented FLIR employees worldwide as the company's next CEO is a great honor," Cannon said in a prepared statement. "The FLIR brand is synonymous with continuous innovation and...