Archive: March 2018
Five Questions: Ronald Virden
March 28, 2018Paul Ragusa
Ronald Virden was recently appointed COO for ACRE, a global provider of security products and solutions for the access control, intrusion, smart traffic and video surveillance markets. Virden is a seasoned global executive with extensive experience with Fortune 50 organizations, including most recently at UTC. Security Systems News asked him five questions.Are you married? Kids?I have been married to my wife Eileen for 26 years. We have two kids. My daughter, Kate, just got married a month ago, and...
Parks announces keynotes for connected home conference
March 28, 2018Paul Ragusa
DALLAS—Parks Associates, an IoT research firm based here, recently announced the full keynote lineup for its 22nd annual CONNECTIONS: The Premier Connected Home Conference, May 22-24 in San Francisco, which features executives from Comcast, Google, Intel, Samsung and T-Mobile.In conjunction with the conference, Parks will delve into newly published research around the smart home, including home security.“It's going to be a great event and we have new research to share about consumer adoption...
AI and smart homes: We may not notice the future
March 28, 2018Kenneth Z. Chutchian
The Jetsons are not walking through your front door anytime soon. Or perhaps they're already here and you don't remember life without them. That's the way technology blends into our lives, often without a formal invitation. The security industry knows this.Industry experts interviewed by Security Systems News agree that most of us take for granted the ways in which artificial intelligence has changed our lives at home. They don't necessarily agree on the speed of change over the last five to 20 years,...
A security company's three keys to compete
March 28, 2018Gretchen Gordon
What does it take to be successful in the noisy, competitive security market? Based on the data we have on over 4,000 security salespeople, it takes three key competences, “Hunter,” “Qualifier,” and “Consultative Seller.” I thought it would be fun to dive into that data further for more insights.Where Are the Hunters? Security company owners frequently seek our help because they are frustrated their salespeople just don't hunt. After analyzing the data, I am not...
DICE announces new mass notification system
March 28, 2018Spencer Ives
BAY CITY, Mich.—DICE on March 21 formally announced its new mass notification service, Matrix SMS Check-In, which is now available.“This allows you to mass notify groups of people or your entire company,” Cliff Dice, company president and CEO, told Security Systems News. “This is our first venture into mass notification.”The company initially developed the system for an oil company and other Fortune 500 companies. Beta testing ran for about six months, according to Dice,...
SentryNet to host 23rd SentryCon
March 28, 2018Spencer Ives
BILOXI, Miss.—As SentryNet is preparing to host its 23rd annual SentryCon, in Biloxi, Miss., from April 23-26, I thought it would be a good time to hear more about the event, its history and what the company is planning for this year. Peggy Page, marketing manager for SentryNet, and Julie Beach, STANLEY Security's vice president of Sonitrol and SentryNet dealers sales, each shared their perspective on the upcoming conference.
Speakers come from both in- and outside of the industry, according...
Spending bill provides funding for school safety
March 28, 2018Paul Ragusa
School safety grants administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)—a major policy priority for the Security Industry Association (SIA) since 2008—will provide $25 million immediately, and $33 million annually, as provisioned in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, which was officially signed into law by the president earlier this week.
The new law provides $25 million immediately for school security technology and equipment in addition to emergency communications systems...
Bold adds a new data center
March 26, 2018Spencer Ives
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Bold Technologies recently announced that it is adding a second data center in Los Angeles to support its Manitou Cloud Service.Having a second data center will essentially double the company's footprint and “allow us to offer different things like being a large center's secondary location. … A lot of these large central stations are purchasing—or they're going to have to purchase—a second facility to meet the new UL spec. We can actually act as that...
SIA establishes Women in Security Forum
March 22, 2018SSN Staff
SILVER SPRING, Md.—SIA announced on International Women's Day, March 8, the establishment of the SIA Women in Security Forum to support the participation of women in the security industry. Through programs, professional development and networking events, the committee will engage members, both men and women, who share this goal.
The inaugural steering committee for the SIA Women in Security Forum includes: Elaine Palome, Axis Communications; Chelsea Render, Bosch; Kelly Bond, Brivo;...
ASSA ABLOY Academy launches to help security professionals
March 22, 2018SSN Staff
NEW HAVEN, Conn.—ASSA ABLOY recently announced the launch of ASSA ABLOY Academy, a consolidation of its robust training programs that enable security professionals to be more effective at their job of protecting both people and places.
The program offerings are highlighted on a new website at www.assaabloyacademy.com/americas, which features an upgraded learning management system to streamline coursework through an enhanced user interface.
The Academy features all of the existing content from...