SDM 100 NEWS
Vector Secures $225M Credit Facility
Pittsburgh-based Vector Security Inc. may have completed a new credit facility valued at $225 million, which includes $75 million in new financing, but it is certainly not going to go spend it all in one place.
Jeffrey Hoffman, vice president of finance at Vector, commented the new capital will be used in three different ways to grow the company’s business. The company plans to make acquisitions, support and grow its dealer program, and foster organic, internal growth through development of new applications.
Hoffman said there aren’t any hard and fast changes coming, but that Vector’s goal is to continue its steady growth, which will include expanding through acquisitions. “We are looking to continue to expand our footprint as an East Coast super-regional company and will continue to explore options to expand in new areas if the right opportunity presents itself.”
Vector’s continued commitment to its multifaceted dealer programs will result in additional expansion as it continues providing services and technology which identifies Vector as an industry leader, Hoffman said. “The selective criteria required to become a Vector Dealer is the greatest asset the Authorized Dealer Program has as we increase our geographic footprint with a commitment to dealer support that is second to none,” Hoffman said. “This has always been the ‘Vector Way.’”
The applications development Vector will fund focuses on business management and making the most effective use of information. “We continue to look at different applications for our customers to help them manage their businesses better,” Hoffman explained. “We’ve developed certain tools internally that are Web-based for commercial customers to view their activity and support to help manage their business.” Specifically, the company is excited about opportunities with mobile technology. Hoffman said the company is investigating these opportunities and “keeping our options open.”
Hoffman also noted that Vector has consistently increased its credit, which isn’t necessarily the norm in a crippled economy. He attributed the company’s ability to be consistently and even increasingly attractive to lenders to equal consistency in its operations. “We’ve been successful over the years as far as making good decisions and adapting to the economy, being fully aware of things in our industry,” Hoffman believes. “We’re very selective with acquisitions and people we do business with. We’ve been very successful at not only growing but growing profitably. We’re recognized as a financially stable company with good leadership and strong focus on customer service to maintain a low attrition rate as compared to our industry. We see that continuing. Our bank group has been very supportive and we’ve shown them good returns and that we’re a solid company.”
In a prepared statement, Pamela Petrow, president of Vector Security, addressed how the company ensured it stayed on a path of intelligent, long-term growth during this recession, “Over the past few years, but especially throughout the recession, Vector Security has been wise about the choices we’ve made pertaining to our position in emerging and declining markets, especially those that were tied directly to the new home construction market,” Petrow explained. “We analyzed the level of declining business opportunities we were expected to receive from these markets and made adjustments as early as spring of 2008 to redirect our energies elsewhere. That included both our branch offices that served custom and tract home builders, as well as our National Accounts Division, which also has a lot of business dealings in the home improvement industry.”
It follows that — though historically this is the largest credit facility the company has had and it does open doors for expansion — the business plan that served Vector so well isn’t expected to change anytime soon. “This is the type of company we’ve always been. It’s always been the base for how we ran and grew our business: through acquisitions, our dealer program and internally,” Hoffman commented. “We’ve always worked to grow that and make sure we’re well-positioned to continue to grow our business.” — By Sabrina Gasulla, Associate Editor.
ESA Standard Up for Public Review
The Electronic Security Association (ESA) is seeking standard change proposals. In 2007, the ESA received approval for its first standard, ANSI/ESA SRSS-01-2007, for remote supervising station. This standard, developed by ESA, provided a guide for the monitoring of fire alarm systems at a remote station as identified in NFPA 72.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requires that all approved guidelines undergo periodic review. ESA’s remote supervising station standard began that review process on August 1 of this year. The first step in this process is the solicitation of proposals from industry stakeholders for proposed changes, additions or modifications to the existing standard. During a two-month period, concluding at 5:00 pm CDT on Sept. 30, 2011, ESA will be accepting these proposed changes to the standard.
The second step in the review process consists of the ESA Standards Committee reviewing all proposed changes and then seeking industry comments on the proposed changes received. This comment period will occur during the fourth quarter of 2011.
Individuals interested in submitting a proposal can find a copy of the current standard and the approved submission form on the ESA Codes and Standards webpage at www.esaweb.org. All proposals must be submitted on the prescribed form and prior to the published submission deadline to ESA, 2300 Valley View Lane, Suite 230, Irving, Texas 75062.
Contact ESA/NTS at 1-866-636-1687.
Ackerman Outgrows Headquarters
Ackerman Security Systems, Atlanta, moved from its 11,000-square-foot headquarters into a new 32,000-square-foot facility to accommodate its rapid expansion and provide new jobs for the city.
The building, which previously housed a telemarketing company, was a simple shell that Ackerman built out according to its own specifications. The expanded space will accommodate the company’s recent growth. In 2009, for instance, Ackerman grew 40 percent over the previous year.
One of the most challenging aspects of the move may have been relocating Ackerman’s UL and CSAA Five Diamond Certified monitoring center. Moving the central station was accomplished over a two-week time frame. “We took half of the existing central station and moved it to the new building with a VPN tunnel between the two,” said Jim Callahan, chief operating officer. “We operated that way for a week to make sure everything ran smoothly at the new central station. Once we were satisfied, we brought the other half over to the new building. Moving the rest of the company happened in a three-day time frame.”
The new facility includes a state-of-the-art demonstration center. “The purpose of the demo center is for commercial prospects to come in and see how the latest technology works as part of the process of making a decision,” Callahan explains. “We want to show all of the various functionalities of new technologies. Instead of going to the manufacturer’s websites to do a demo, we can bring customers to our offices and demonstrate functionalities of the systems they’re contemplating buying in different lighting conditions, or show them how to enroll cards into a system.”
Ackerman, which serves approximately 70,000 customers in Atlanta, currently has 258 employees and expects to increase its workforce by 25 percent in the coming year. “Some of that will be sales and also customer service and service technicians,” Callahan said. “From 2007 to 2011 we will have doubled our RMR base.” There are also plans to open additional branches in 2012 and beyond.
“We’ve made a concentrated effort to grow the size of the company,” he said. “We have 65 residential sales representatives in our Atlanta office. Nobody else I’ve heard of has that in one office.”
Ackerman was ranked No. 27 in the 2011 SDM 100. Callahan said, “We have aspirations to be in the top 15 in the next five to seven years.” — By Sabrina Gasulla, Associate Editor.
Monitronics Expects Reduced Response Time, Error & No. of Calls With Automated Dispatch Program
Monitronics International, Dallas, an alarm monitoring company that works through a network of nationwide, independent authorized dealers, began participating in a program aimed at reducing emergency response time and saving lives.
As part of the program, Monitronics now monitors emergency calls in Richmond, Va. The company also began on Aug. 8 monitoring calls to the Houston Emergency Center (HEC), which is the fourth-largest public security access point (PSAP) facility in the United States.
Monitronics was one of the first central stations chosen for the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) pilot program. The program has three important goals that could save lives: reduce the number of telephone calls in emergencies, eliminate miscommunication, and reduce processing and response time. By transmitting emergency data electronically, Monitronics can do just this.
The Central Station Alarm Association and Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International developed the protocol that reduces the two- to three-minute relay that currently exists, in part by allowing data to be processed by a computer at the dispatch center.
“This program replaces the telephone calls between the alarm company and the 911 PSAP call-takers,” said Mary Jensby, Monitronics central station director. “Central stations will gain an immediate communication from the PSAP, eliminating hold times sometimes experienced when making a dispatch. The program will not only reduce the amount of phone calls that are received by an agency on a daily basis, but will also eliminate the potential for human error.”
The ASAP pilot program took place over the last several months in Richmond. Now, the full implementation has the potential to benefit even more monitoring customers. In addition to being the fourth-largest PSAP in the U.S., HEC is also the largest public safety communications agency in the country and the first in Texas to implement ASAP. In addition to the safety benefits of the program, it is also expected to save the city of Houston $1 million to $2 million annually, according to HEC director David Cutler.
Only three monitoring companies nationwide currently participate in ASAP: Monitronics, Vector Security and United Central Controls.
Illinois Court Sides With ADT Against Fire District Monitoring Monopolies
A federal court decided in late July that a fire protection district in Illinois had no legal authority to establish its own non-competitive monitoring station and take over more than 300 accounts from private companies, including ADT and Alarm Detection Systems (ADS). The court’s decision permanently banned the district from entering the fire monitoring business. However, according to a report in the Northwest Herald, a local newspaper, the municipalities took this ruling as confirmation that they, as bound by different legislation than the fire district, do have the authority to dictate the “who” and “how” of fire alarm monitoring. IESA member companies worry that notion could spread to other states like poorly monitored wildfire.
In September 2009, The Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District’s board of trustees issued an ordinance mandating that all fire alarm signals in the district were to be transmitted directly to the district through a “direct-connect wireless fire alarm monitoring network,” eliminating the need for central stations.
The district informed fire alarm subscribers in the area that their fire alarm contracts with any private fire alarm company were immediately terminated — the district amended this notice a month later, saying current contracts would be allowed to expire before customers were obligated to switch. By June 2010, ADT had reportedly lost all of its commercial accounts in the Lisle-Woodridge District. ADS also reported losing “several” accounts. In July 2010, D.M.C. Security Services Inc., Illinois Alarm Services Inc. and SMG Security systems joined ADT and ADS in a lawsuit against the Lisle-Woodridge Fire district.
The court’s decision may mark the end of fire alarm monitoring for this fire district, but certainly not the end of the battle against government-imposed monitoring. One of the key determinants in the district’s right to implement its own monitoring program was the Illinois Fire Protection District Act and the specific tasks it appoints to fire districts — among which fire monitoring is “conspicuously absent,” according to the ruling. Municipalities, on the other hand, are governed by the Illinois Municipal Code, and they are citing precedent that would indicate their authority over monitoring.
Judge Shadur pointed out that in Alarm Detection Sys. v. Vill. Of Hinsdale, the court “held that a village had the authority to enact an ordinance requiring that all commercial buildings connect their fire alarm systems directly to the village’s fire board.” The reason the Hinsdale case was deemed irrelevant in the ADT v. Lisle-Woodridge decision was only cited as the fact that municipalities and fire districts are separate legal entities.
The IESA’s executive director, Kevin Lehan, noted that even though the ruling clearly states fire districts in Illinois are not to enter the fire monitoring business — that is being violated in practice. Local municipalities seem to think they can get away with ignoring this ruling by purchasing the equipment and writing the ordinances themselves while allowing fire districts to still participate and essentially operate the services and receive revenues from them through intergovernmental agreements, Lehan explained. The next step will likely involve the IESA challenging those intergovernmental agreements, he added. For more of Lehan’s commentary, listen to SDM’s podcast at www.SDMmag.com/media/podcasts/2672. — By Sabrina Gasulla, Associate Editor.
Stanley Advances in Plans to Acquire Niscayah
Stanley Black & Decker Inc., New Britain, Conn., announced on July 18 the expiration of the mandatory waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act for its previously announced offer to acquire all of the class A and class B shares and warrants of Niscayah Group AB, Stockholm, Sweden, for SEK 18 per share and SEK 0.05 per warrant in cash. All U.S. antitrust conditions to the offer were satisfied. EU approval was still pending at the time of writing.
In addition, the Independent Committee of the board of directors of Niscayah unanimously recommended that shareholders do not accept Securitas’ public takeover offer. The board previously made a positive recommendation for Stanley Black & Decker Inc.’s offer.
The committee’s statement is based on an assessment of a number of factors that the committee considered relevant to the evaluation of Securitas’ offer. These factors include, but are not limited to, the company’s present position, the expected future development of the company and thereto related possibilities and risks.
A recommendation made by the committee to the shareholders in Niscayah on June 27, 2011 to accept Stanley’s offer still holds. Stanley’s offer represents a premium of approximately 17 percent compared to the value of Securitas’ offer. The committee noted that Securitas’ current market value needs to increase by approximately SEK 4 billion to achieve a value corresponding to Stanley’s offer.
In early August, Stanley’s wholly owned Swedish subsidiary acquired in total 37,005,890 class B shares of Niscayah Group, representing approximately 10 percent of the outstanding shares and approximately 7 percent of the total number of votes in Niscayah, at prices not exceeding SEK 18. The acquisition of these shares was made through purchases outside of the company’s pending tender offer to acquire all the outstanding shares and warrants of Niscayah. This accumulation of shares reflects the company’s commitment to the tender offer, Stanley stated.
ADR Security Services Rebrands & Expands as Bates Security
ADR Security Services became Bates Security as of May of this year. It will be the same company, stated a press release, but its new name represents a stronger tie to the family that owns and operates its parent company, Sonitrol of Lexington Inc.
In June, the company acquired Winchester Security, Winchester, Ky. The acquisition adds premiere customers to Bates’ strong presence in and around Lexington, said a press release. The staff of Winchester will work with Bates to ensure a smooth transition.
Jeremy Bates, general manager of Bates Security, stated, “This acquisition is a perfect addition to our commercial and residential client base. The transaction also strengthens our technical department to better serve our customers.”
Bates is one of the largest privately owned security companies in Kentucky and since 2007 ranked in the SDM 100. It is the only security company in Kentucky to currently rank in the SDM 100.
Bates Security provides both residential and commercial security services. It offers security, video, fire protection, access control, as well as life safety and environmental monitoring services. Bates Security takes a consultative approach in assessing its clients’ needs and then propose a solution designed specifically for its customers.
Guardian Alarm to Acquire Cincinnati Bell Security Monitoring Business
Cincinnati Bell Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell its Complete Protection security monitoring business to Guardian Alarm Company, Southfield, Mich. Cincinnati Bell will continue to offer Complete Protection services through a marketing agreement with Guardian.
“Guardian Alarm Company is a world-class operator of security monitoring services and able to provide customers with access to a broader range of programs and options,” said Ted Torbeck, president and general manager of Cincinnati Bell Communications. “Since launching Complete Protection in 2001, our goal has been to deliver high-quality home security monitoring services with superior customer service and value and we are confident these high standards will continue under Guardian’s ownership.”
A provider of alarm system management services, Guardian Alarm is one of the largest privately held security companies in the United States, ranked No. 16 on the 2011 SDM 100. Founded in 1930, it has more than 100,000 security monitoring customers, 850 employees and operations in five Midwestern states and Canada. Guardian’s fully redundant central monitoring station is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified, Factory Mutual approved and Homeland Security rated.
According to Gary Wojtaszek, chief financial officer of Cincinnati Bell, the transaction is a continuation of shareholder-friendly initiatives and demonstrates the company’s ability to sell a non-core asset at a significant premium to current stock price multiples.
Winsted Gets ISO 9001:2008 Certified
Winsted Corporation, Minneapolis, a provider of ergonomic console solutions, achieved the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Certificate from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The scope of its certification is for the design, marketing, distribution and installation of control room consoles, furniture and accessories.
The ISO 9001:2008 certification is an internationally recognized standard that defines good management practices. This certification is a significant milestone in Winsted’s 48-year history.
Each of Winsted’s three worldwide operations are now ISO 9001:2008 certified, including Minneapolis, Duluth, Ga., and Droitwich, England.
GELSSA Approaches Local Companies With Renewed Purpose
The Georgia Electronic Life Safety and Security Association (GELSSA) came out of its recent Savannah, Ga. meeting with several new announcements and initiatives to help increase its positive impact on the Georgia security community and get its members involved once again. GELSSA saw more than a 60 percent decline in the membership over the last five years.
John Loud, 2011 president of GELSSA, presented the association’s new executive director, Agnes Murner. Agnes has been involved in the security industry for more than 10 years. “We are excited to have the opportunity to work with and welcome onboard someone with such industry knowledge and care for both the independent security dealer and the associate members. Agnes’ attention to detail, ability to communicate and move projects from an initial thought to complete implementation will prove to be the new foundation GELSSA can begin to build a strong chartered state association as part of the Electronic Security Association (ESA),” Loud said.
Loud met with four past GELSSA presidents and discussed the plans for the months ahead. Loud noted, “Brad Glore, GELSSA president for 2009 and 2010, has done a tremendous job as he stabilized our financials as they were plummeting out of control.”
John Loud and the GELSSA board of directors, with the strong support of its new executive director, will be making some big changes in and for the state of Georgia. These include a GELSSA-led legislative initiative, a new alarm dispatch ratio false alarm committee, a state expo show and golf tournament along with a few other newly developing internal state programs. GELSSA is calling for the management of all security companies doing business in the state of Georgia as well as supporting product manufacturers and independent representative to “get involved and stay informed.”
GELSSA worked closely for several years with Glenn Mowery from the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) in developing the Georgia Model False Alarm Ordinance. Loud informed the members in attendance that, “We (GELSSA) have begun a cooperative effort between SIAC, ESA and GACP (Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police) and are in the process of getting a piece of legislation passed in the 2012 Georgia Legislative Assembly.”
ADI Lousville Facility Receives SHARP Certification
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s Occupational Safety and Health (KY OSH) awarded ADI, a global wholesale distributor of security and low voltage products, certification under the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). The company’s Louisville distribution facility was recognized for taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety and health of its employees.
A plaque signifying the company’s certification under the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) was presented to the employees of ADI by Secretary Mark Brown of the Kentucky Labor Cabinet. The plaque was accepted by Ken Gurr, distribution center manager for ADI’s Louisville facility.
“SHARP recognizes employers who operate exemplary safety and health management systems and are committed to making safety for employees a priority,” said Brown during the award ceremony. “I am delighted to be here today to recognize ADI Company for their significant achievements in safety.”
The U.S. Department of Labor designed SHARP to encourage and recognize excellence in occupational safety and health among employers and create a proactive partnership with its Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Although companies must meet federal standards for the program, the Kentucky Labor Cabinet presents the award as Kentucky operated its own federally approved Occupational Safety and Health (KY-OSH) program for over 35 years. ADI Company’s distribution operation in Louisville worked toward SHARP certification for a couple of years and became the thirteenth facility in Kentucky to attain SHARP certification.
DUG Restructures, Discusses the Future of Monitoring
DICE Corporation, Bay City, Mich., held its 2011 Users Group Conference (DUG ‘11) in Bay City, August 8 -10. There were several changes to the structure of the conference this year as well as new projects.
Two key projects DICE is working on that echoed in conversation throughout the conference were automated PSAP communications and IP networks. Ed Bonifas, president of the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), presented “ASAP to the PSAP,” as the new communications protocol currently used in Houston and Richmond, Va., has been dubbed. “Along the way in trying to figure out how we were going to do this communication, the biggest hurdle we ran into was, how are we going to get the data directly into the PSAP itself. They just weren’t going to let us put Internet lines into their PSAPs; there’s no telling what could come through them or how secure it was.” That’s where the International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets), which tie PSAPs across the country together, comes in. “There are 6,000 PSAPs that through state networks and back through Nlets, have got one big network,” Bonifas explained. “It’s trusted, it’s secure and it works.”
DICE helped develop an algorithm that transmits that electronic signal from a central station through an Nlets server into the PSAP. United Central Control, represented at DUG ‘11 by IT project manager Mark McCall, is one of three monitoring companies currently participating in the program with a data connection to the Houston PSAP. Other monitoring companies, including Engineered Protection Systems Inc. (EPS), are also working with the CSAA, and APCO to develop the program and bring more PSAPs online. For more on the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol Program (ASAP), read “Monitronics Expects Reduced Response Time, Error & No. of Calls with Automated Dispatch Program” on pg. 18.
“In the future, alarm companies will send signals into a PSAP electronically. You won’t call,” president and chief executive officer Clifford Dice said, adding, “I suspect in 10 years, maybe even less, I don’t think you’ll be able to pick up the phone and talk to a PSAP anymore.”
Also in the near future, Dice believes, is a pressing need for safer ways to handle IP signals. “In 2011 through 2012, we’re going to be building an IP network throughout Canada and the United States. It’ll be scalable for IP platform and IP alarm delivery, provide multi-site failover of IP signaling to DR centers. It’ll provide two-way voice and voice services, IP-based video and audio support, and IP routing and networks.
“Right now what you have is the whole alarm industry going to IP panels,” Dice continued. “And the alarm panels are typically driven to an alarm company site. If the network goes down and the alarm company goes down, you can’t really route those IP signals anywhere. What is needed is to drive the IP to a center that then has multiple homing so that normally the signals are going to an alarm center, but in case of a failure anywhere along the way it routes into a DR center or a second site.”
During this year’s conference, the evident focus was to re-focus efforts. DICE is in pure development mode, creating new solutions that truly work for its customers and not actively seeking new customers. This year, the DICE Users Group was restructured from one large group to form 11 smaller subcommittees. Several months in advance of the conference these groups began scheduling quarterly meetings. This resulted in visible differences at DUG ‘11 compared to last year’s conference. There were more sessions this year, each headed by a subcommittee chairperson or member, which centered exclusively on one product division, its development, applications and challenges.
“The new format for the users group meeting, to me, was very beneficial,” said Amy Jo Feliciano of EPS, 2011 CSAA Central Station Manager of the Year, who headed the Matrix Service and Fire Inspection discussion and actively participated throughout. “Users have more of a say, the quarterly meetings are in separate settings — it’s much more beneficial than it’s been in the past. Each user can join any committee they want to be a part of to look for the future, even if they’re not using that module or that portion of DICE right now.”
Several customers were spotted during the event signing up to join the subcommittees that interested them most.
Educational discussions with peers at DICE’s annual conference, however, were always present, according to Gino Digioacchino, president of The Monitoring Center. His company has been a DICE customer for 11 years and someone from his company attends every year. After a session on DICE’s Quantum Operator product, Digioacchino remarked that hearing first-hand how others are using a product he’s interested in is one of the great advantages of attending the conference. “The interesting part is what just happened — the sharing of knowledge. We love that particular product but we’re not ready for it. We’re piloting other products and don’t want to pilot three or four at the same time. Those were great stats coming from real live people telling you what their savings are.”
In the same vein, Dice kicked off the conference by restating his mission as it was when he first founded DICE Corporation. “What DICE is building, what we’re evolving into, which is my vision, is an infrastructure company. It’s what I started the company in the early ‘90s to be. Not just selling a software solution, but basically to do everything the client needs. If they want us to do one piece — that’s great — and if they want us to do the whole thing — that’s great, too. So each one of these areas and divisions and the software that enhances those divisions is wrapped around the theory and process that focuses on equipping and servicing our clients with everything they need from a technology standpoint.” — By Sabrina Gasulla, Associate Editor.
Honeywell Welcomes Two New First Alert Professional Dealers
Honeywell, Melville, N.Y., announced that Delaware Valley-based JM Resources Inc. and Executive Electronics of Southwest Florida Inc. joined the Honeywell First Alert Professional Dealer Program, an independent security dealer network.
JM Resources is one of the most-widely used security providers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and is frequently tapped for new construction projects by area builders.
JM Resources provides burglar and fire alarms, access control, monitoring, video surveillance and A/V services for both commercial and residential customers. The company also uses a local, 24-hour UL-listed central monitoring central station and offers continuous, on-call technical support. Among its most-used offerings is Honeywell’s Total Connect Remote Services, which allow home and business owners to control and manage their security systems from web-enabled devices including PCs, laptops and smartphones.
Executive Electronics of Southwest Florida provides installation, design and security services for approximately 3,000 homes and businesses throughout the region. Since 1983, Executive Electronics helped protect residences and businesses in Naples, and the rest of southwest Florida, with integrated security solutions. The company designs, installs and monitors high-tech security and fire alarm systems as well as CCTV and IP camera systems, home theaters, home automation and access control solutions. In addition to working directly with end users, Executive Electronics also supports developers, builders, interior designers, and architects.
With approximately 600 dealer locations in North America, the First Alert Professional Dealer Program provides customized support in sales techniques and marketing strategies for intrusion, fire, CCTV and access control systems in commercial and residential facilities. The First Alert Professional product line is available only through the network, which currently includes about 350 hand-picked dealers in more than 500 nationwide locations chosen for their top-flight industry expertise.
Relationship-Focused SecurityXchange Reaches 10th Anniversary, Invites End Users to Event
SecurityXchange, held this year in Park City, Utah, has come a long way since it was founded shortly after 9/11. Every year, the event gathers integrators and manufacturers together for targeted meetings focused on relationships, both establishing new ones and building into existing relationships, as well as finding new technology solutions. This year, more than 325 scheduled meetings occurred during the event — in addition to the impromptu meetings over lunch, dinner and drinks.
As the event’s founder (and the chief operating officer of VerticalXchange, SecurityXchange’s parent company) Matt Spencer is very proud of the event’s growth.
“SecurityXchange started in the shadows of 9/11. Obviously security was top of mind for everybody at that time,” Spencer recalls. “VerticalXchange was a brand new company at the time, and it wasn’t the best time to be starting a new venture, but we waded in and chose security as our first vertical. Our first year we brought in 13 manufacturers and 16 integrators, so it was relatively humble beginnings, but the early feedback was very positive. The whole concept was to assist systems integrators and help them grow by providing a tool to help them increase their businesses and make them stronger.”
SecurityXchange is decidedly an event that does things its own way, discarding the frenzy found at large shows for the order and quiet of scheduled, targeted meetings located on a mountain resort during the calm of summer.
Brad Wilson president of RFI Communications and Security Systems headquartered in San Jose, Calif., shared, “The whole underlying theme of this event is an optimization of time and resources that lets attendees migrate to an increasingly strategic position. When meeting with manufacturers they can give me indicators of their strategic road map so we can work better together moving forward,” Wilson said.
This year SecurityXchange expanded its relationship-building potential, inviting end users to the event for the first time in a new program called Client Partnership.
According to SecurityXchange, the end user candidates are those that already actively get involved in technology decisions and want to have a direct dialogue with manufacturers to understand their options more clearly. The program is designed as an opportunity to provide another resource for attendees.
This year at the event’s first dinner on Monday, Spencer and the SecurityXchange staff took time to recognize the people and companies that participated long-term throughout the years, showcasing the relationships that have been built as a result of the event.
Focusing on the future Spencer shared, “If you look down the road, I would like the event to be as vibrant and valuable as it possibly can be. We are never going to be a massive event like ISC West or ASIS, and we don’t want to be. Our intention is to remain a valuable resource where people at a very high level can get business done in a very effective way.” — By Heather Klotz-Young, Senior Editor
Visit the Photo galleries on the homepage to view pictures of the event.
DVTel Continues With Major Changes to Management Team
DVTel Inc., Ridgefield Park, NJ, made several additional senior management appointments after announcing Yoav Stern is the new president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the company. New members of the management team include Ami Amir as the new executive vice president of marketing and products, Dan Hochberg as vice president of global business development leading all revenue generating activities, and Alice Roth as the vice president of research and development.
Amir has more than three decades of extensive technical experience. He was also the founder and CEO of a provider of voice and video over IP space, whose business he grew from zero to more than $70 million.
Hochberg brings broad experience with several technology companies at different stages to DVTel. He ran the local U.S. subsidiary of an international company, turning it profitable within a short period of time. Hochberg established and ran operations in Asia Pacific, where he was in charge of both technology and networking solutions. Later, he served as vice president of sales, business development, marketing and product marketing, and co-founded a start-up in the disaster recovery market.
Roth has more than 25 years of experience in multiple disciplines. In addition, the company promoted Tomer Pinchas to chief financial officer and Yacov Monitz to vice president of operations. Avi Gerbi was appointed vice president of Strategic Alliances in addition to being vice president.
13 Companies Recertified by IQ
At the monthly board of directors meeting in July, the IQ Board approved the recertification of the following 13 companies.
• AAA Security, Diamond Bar, Calif.
• Affiliated Central Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Alarm 2000, Cardiff, Calif.
• All Secure Protection Systems Inc., San Diego
• Allied Central Services Inc. (Division of Altronics Security Systems), Bethlehem, Pa.
• General Monitoring Services Inc., Huntington Beach, Calif.
• Monitoring America Alarm Co-Op, Tusa, Okla.
• Murrey Installations Inc., Phoenix, Md.
• ProTec II Security Systems, Dayton, Ohio
• Protech Security LLC, El Paso, Texas
• Pyramid Telephone Service Inc., McFarland, Wis.
• Schultz Technology Solutions LLC., Pottsown, Pa.
• Security On-Line Systems Inc., Ambler, Pa.
• Security Response Center, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
• Shenandoah Valley Security LLC., Waynesboro, Va.
IQ board public safety directors Joseph Benoit of the Greenwich Fire Dept. and Steve Heggeman of the Baltimore County Alarm Reduction Team reported that there were no negative comments on their investigation of the companies. The board unanimously approved the recertification of all 13.
“Each month a number of IQ companies among the hundreds in the program come up for recertification or apply for certification,” stated Tim Creenan, IQ Certification Board chairperson. “We are proud to recertify these 13 companies, who understand the value IQ Certification brings as an independent seal of approval of companies that go above and beyond to become the elite of the industry.”
Romanowich Receives SIA Statesman Award
John Romanowich, president and chief executive officer of SightLogix, Princeton, N.J., a manufacturer of outdoor intelligent video analytics camera systems for perimeter security applications, received the Security Industry Association (SIA) “Statesman Award” on June 21 during the SIA Public Policy Dinner as part of SIA’s 2011 Government Summit in Washington, D.C.
The award recognized Romanowich’s strong support for SIA Government Relations programs, as well as his leadership as chairman of SIA’s Chemical Security Working Group. Established in 2006, the “Statesman Award” is the highest award presented by SIA and its Government Relations Department to an individual who makes extraordinary contributions of professional time, resources, expertise and enthusiasm to the success of SIA’s Government Relations program.
“John Romanowich has never hesitated to lend his extraordinary abilities to SIA in support of our Government Relations program,” said Don Erickson, SIA’s director of government relations. “SIA members and the industry have benefited greatly from his earnestness, unique insights and expertise on critical infrastructure protection. He is a true statesman because he understands the value and importance of making individual contributions that can benefit the entire security industry.”
Senstar Makes Appointments to U.S. Operations Leadership Team
Senstar Corporation, Herndon, Va., a provider of outdoor perimeter security technology and products, welcomed two new senior executives to Senstar Inc.’s U.S. operation, including James Quick, as president and Kenneth Ribler, executive director.
Quick brings a background of more than 18 years in the security industry to the company.
Brian Rich, president of Senstar Corporation commented, “We know that bringing Jim to our team in the United States will be a valuable addition — his background and experience in so many aspects of business operations and relationship building with global partners, will be of great value to Senstar and help us to grow our perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS) market.”
Kenneth Ribler, who was named executive director, government, commercial and emerging markets, has more than 28 years of experience in all facets of security, force protection, anti-terrorism and law enforcement having worked as deputy director for the Electronic Systems Squadron at Hanscom Air Force Base. Ribler also served overseas as director of security, headquarters 7th Air Force in Korea as well as multiple command assignments in the United States and United Kingdom. Ribler is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) with ASIS International.
“Ken’s extensive experience in the military and government sectors will be of significant advantage to Senstar and will complement Jim Quick’s commercial experience,” said Rich. “We look forward to their collective contribution.”
6-E Monitoring License Bill Officially Abandoned in N.Y.; Industry to Focus on National Initiative
The New York Burglar Fire Alarm Association (NYBFAA) Board of Directors recently held its quarterly board meeting at which the 6-E Legislative Review Committee reported to the NYBFAA Board that it had completed all tasks set forth to it by the board of directors.
The committee further reported that its efforts had sparked beneficial discussion nationwide and as a result, the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) began its own renewed focus on a national monitoring license. “We applaud the efforts of the AICC National Monitoring License Subcommittee,” said John Lombardi, a member of the NYBFAA 6-E Legislative Review Committee.
Based on the committee’s report, discussions held during the Feb. 19, 2011 board of directors meeting and feedback from the membership, the board of directors voted unanimously to not seek a sponsor for its suggested legislation that would license alarm monitoring businesses. The board also approved, with the 6-E Committee work complete, to dissolve the committee and decided to take no further action on the 6-E initiative and instead focus on other important legislative issues. NYBFAA president Joseph Hayes stated, “The NYBFAA board thanks the 6-E Committee for the hard work and research they completed on this issue.”
Security Company Among Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies in Pa.
Select Security, Lancaster, Pa., was named by Central Penn Business Journal as one of the top 50 fastest growing companies in central Pennsylvania.
“Select Security has shown enormous growth over the past few years and I think that reflects the reputation we have built in the community,” said company president Patrick Egan. “Our customers see the quality of our work and recommend us to their friends and neighbors, which is the best kind of advertising.”
In the past year, Select Security made several acquisitions and piloted a summer sales program; both of which helped to drive the company’s growth to record levels. Egan said he expects to see the company make the list again next year, as it continues to put emphasis on its best-in-class customer service and the latest technological breakthroughs. Select Security was also recently ranked in the SDM 100 for the third year in a row.
As part of the recognition, Select Security will be profiled in the September 23 issue of the Central Penn Business Journal.
Private Security Provider No. 7 Fastest Growing Indianapolis Company
The Indanapolis Business Journal lists the top 25 fastest-growing Indianapolis-area private companies. Exacq Technologies ranks No. 7 on the list. The IBJ ranked the companies based on revenue growth from the fiscal years 2008 through 2010.
In addition to the list, the IBJ also published an article highlighting the top 10 companies. The feature on Exacq begins, “There’s technology behind all those video surveillance cameras you see everywhere, and that is what’s behind the growth of Exacq Technologies Inc. President Dave Underwood said the company is in a high-growth industry where the market is changing rapidly — from analog cameras and dedicated digital video recorders to Internet protocol cameras and video management system software.”
The article goes on to talk about Exacq’s products and customers, “Exacq Technologies develops the software that manages the cameras. With its systems, real-time and recorded video can be viewed, managed and configured from any location on a network. Underwood said about 500 integrators around the world sell Exacq’s technology to end users such as Coca-Cola, Nike and Apple, as well as locally to Carmel-Clay Schools and Community Health Network, among others.”
The IBJ concludes by discussing Exacq’s growth, “With concerns prevalent about liability and theft, and businesses wanting to protect people and property, Underwood sees Exacq continuing to grow.”
Rutherford Controls Owner to Retire
Effective August 31, 2011; Rutherford Controls Int’l Corp. (RCI), Ontario, Canada, announced the retirement of one of its owners, Tracey Rutherford, director of human resources.
In 1990 Tracey relocated from Canada to the United States in her role as director of operations and was actively involved in opening the Virginia Beach facility, where she continued to work and reside for 15 years. In 2005 she returned to Canada and eventually became the director of human resources, where she successfully implemented HR strategies to improve employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.
Tracey looks forward to pursuing her passions; spending her time volunteering with local charities, playing more golf and travelling around the world, the company said.
A press release stated that she will be missed both within the industry and at RCI, where she is appreciated for her dedication and contribution to the growth and success of the company over the past 30 years.
For information, contact RCI at 1-800-265-6630. Or reach Tracey via email at tracey.rutherford@rutherfordcontrols.com.
NFPA Fire & Life Safety Conference Set for December
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s Fire & Life Safety Conference will take place December 12 -14 this year. The meeting is to be held in Orlando, Fla., at the Hilton at Walt Disney World® Resort and will include three days of educational sessions, as well as two days of post-conference seminars.
More than 60 education sessions will be presented for attendees to learn the latest on fire and life safety code topics and receive continuing education units (CEUs). Presentations will be led by NFPA staff experts and technical committee members and will be organized in four tracks — building and life safety, detection and alarm, fire suppression, and codes and standards.
The conference program includes lunchtime presentations on recent Fire Protection Research Foundation projects, how 9/11 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire affected high rise design, and a panel discussion on emerging code issues.
Post-conference seminars will be offered, including, Water Supply Analysis and Hydraulic Calculations (formerly known as Sprinkler Hydraulics); 2012 NFPA 1, Fire Code; 2012 NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® Changes; and 2012 NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities Update.
For information, visit www.nfpa.org/FLSCONF.
Falcone Scholarship to Help Star Student Pursue Criminal Justice Degree
The winner of the 2011 John Falcone Scholarship Program, Janeen Bligen, will be heading to Cazenovia College to pursue a degree in criminal justice. Bligen, who will begin her studies in the fall of 2011, said the additional assistance of the Vector Security scholarship will help her realize her dreams.
The John Falcone Scholarship Program was established by Hammond Security, the newest branch of Vector Security, in honor of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. police officer, John Falcone, who gave his life to save a three-year-old kidnap victim while responding to a domestic dispute call Feb. 18, 2011. He was an eighteen-year veteran of the Poughkeepsie City Police Department.
The Hammond / Vector Security Scholarship for Careers in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice was created to support and inspire an exceptional student. Sears said, “What better way can you keep a hero’s memory alive? This program rewards a man or woman who wants to serve the public as Officer Falcone did.”
News Brief
ComNet, Communication Networks of Danbury, Conn. Appointed Christopher Costa as the company’s vice president of engineering. Costa has more than 20 years of experience in the development of successful new products for the physical security industry. He is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the ComNet engineering department including the development and expansion of the ComNet fiber optic and Ethernet transmission product line and planned engineering department expansion.
Samsung Techwin America, Ridgefield Park, N.J., a global supplier of video surveillance and security products, appointed Edward Wassall Ph.D. as director of IP product and business development. He reports to Frank DeFina, Samsung’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, North America.
Wassall brings to Samsung an extensive knowledge of networked video and access control solutions and a background in IT security and network design. He manages the sales and development aspects of Samsung’s IP Technology and Security product portfolio
