Linked Table of Contents
Stanley Begins Integrating $1.2B Niscayah Acquisition
ASIS Standard Gets Safety Act Certification
Tyco to Make $100 Million Wireless Acquisition
Steve Roth to Receive Lippert Award
2011 Accolades Winners Recognized by ASIS International
Bold Talks; Conference Focuses on Education
Tyco Int’l Plans to Split Businesses Into 3 Companies
Raefield Leaves; Mace Appoints New CEO
Stanley Expands Operations in Canada
Acquisition Adds Critical Engineering, Operational Capability for NAV
Bayou Security Becomes Newest Member of Pelican Security Network
Tyco Security Products Expands Product Management Team
Class is in Session at Micro Key University
SIGNET Acquires Telecommunications Company
IQinVision Expands Global Sales & Management Teams
Open Security Exchange Appoints Executive Director
Distributor Launches Global Corporate Communications Group
Mfr. Announces Security & Transportation Systems Product Line
PlaSec Rebrands as RedCloud, Launches ‘Revolution’ in Physical Access Control
Secura Key Celebrates 40 Years in Business
Stanley Begins Integrating $1.2B Niscayah Acquisition
Stanley Black & Decker, New Britain, Conn., parent company of Stanley Convergent Security Solutions, finalized its acquisition of Niscayah, Stockholm, Sweden. Following the completion of the acquisition on Sept. 9, 2011, Stanley and Niscayah’s leadership began work on assimilating Niscayah’s security business, which included residential customers and commercial markets including banks, retail, gas stations, utilities, transport and lodging and public sector companies to which it provides integrated security solutions, video surveillance and access control systems, fire and security systems and monitoring services.
“The completion of our acquisition of Niscayah is an important step in both the ongoing expansion of one of our key growth platforms — Convergent Security Solutions (CSS) — and the diversification of the company’s operations and international presence,” said John Lundgren, president and chief executive officer of Stanley Black & Decker, in a press release. “The addition of Niscayah to CSS enhances our ability to serve our customers by giving us expanded product offerings and a wider geographic footprint in the highly attractive commercial security sector.”
Commenting on integration plans, Brett Bontrager, senior vice president and group executive, Stanley Security Solutions, told SDM, “Niscayah will operate as part of the broader Stanley Black & Decker family of businesses, within the Stanley Convergent Security Solutions ‘CSS’ group. The integration of Niscayah with Stanley CSS is an important step in further strengthening Stanley Black & Decker’s global security enterprise. Where it delivers strong and immediate benefit to customers, employees and the company, the integration will be implemented as soon as possible; while other integration activities will be timed for medium and long-term benefit.
“We will have key leaders and team members from both companies dedicated to identifying integration benefits, implementing integration plans and operating the new entity. The integration planning process began formally after the close of the transaction on September 9 and thus it is too early to comment on any specific integration plans.”
Stanley Black & Decker expects the transaction to result in annual cost savings of approximately $80 million, more than half of which would be realized by the end of year one after closing. The acquisition was funded with Stanley Black & Decker’s existing offshore cash resources with no additional debt or equity issuances.
Niscayah’s important European presence was a key attracting factor for Stanley, providing an opportunity to significantly grow its footprint. “Niscayah will add scale to our North American business as well as expand our presence into 12-plus countries/regions where we currently do not have a Security Solutions presence,” said Bontrager.
The acquisition closed after Stanley Black & Decker offered to purchase Niscayah for $1.2 billion in cash on June 27, 2011, beating a competing offer by former Niscayah owner, Securitas. Shortly after Stanley announced its intent to purchase Niscayah, the Independent Committee of the board of directors of Niscayah released a statement that unanimously recommended that shareholders and warrant holders accept the public offer made by Stanley Black & Decker.
“Stanley Black & Decker’s success with acquisitions comes from leveraging the best from both companies in a fashion that increases the strength of the combined entity,” Bontrager said. “Many of the key features of the Niscayah business model complement those of Stanley CSS. We see the integration process as an ideal way to unlock the enhanced strength of the combined entity. Since customers, employees and strategic partners are the key components to making an acquisition a success, the integration process and timing of Niscayah will be based on the benefit to customers, the business operations and the company.” — By Sabrina Gasulla, Associate Editor.
ASIS Standard Gets Safety Act Certification
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded ASIS International a Safety Act certification for its organizational resilience standard, ANSI/ASIS.SPC.1:2009 Organizational Resilience: Security, Preparedness and Continuity Management Systems - Requirements with Guidance for Use. By designating the ASIS Organizational Resilience Standard a “Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology,” the DHS Safety Act provides legal liability protections for providers of products or services using the standard. All ASIS standards and guidelines are available through the ASIS website, www.asisonline.org.
Tyco to Make $100 Million Wireless Acquisition
Tyco International Ltd., Schaffhausen, Switzerland, announced that it reached an agreement to acquire Visonic Ltd., a global developer and manufacturer of electronic security systems and components, for approximately $100 million in cash.
According to Mark VanDover, president of Tyco Security Products, the focus of the company going into this acquisition is all about growth and leveraging Visonic’s technology and global presence. “We’re excited because it gives us what we think is a great technology advantage going into the future. They’ve [Visonic] developed some new wireless technology for their product portfolio, the new PowerG, which we feel is superior to anything in the marketplace today. It’s going to really increase range of the wireless capability.
“The couple other big things that excited us is their geographic presence, they’re strong in areas where we’re not traditionally strong. They’re strong in Europe; they’re stronger in Asia Pacific; whereas we have a strong presence in North America and Latin America. And the culture perspective is a good fit as well. They’re a very entrepreneurial company and they like to do a lot of decision-making at the local level and we’re very similar in the approach driving our business as well.”
Visonic is a provider of advanced wireless technology for the security industry. The company’s recently introduced PowerG wireless communications technology offers increased communications range and 128-bit encryption to secure communication between wireless sensors/detectors and panels. The PowerG technology builds on Visonic’s PowerCode technology that is in use in more than 1 million wireless installations around the world.The business has annualized revenues of more than $75 million.
“The other piece that is real attractive is they have a couple of product lines we don’t offer today. So this is all upside for us,” VanDover noted. “They’ve come out with a nice PERS offering. They’re just starting to gain traction in the market and having this come under our portfolio with our distribution through our channels to market in North America... We see a big opportunity on the PERS side, that’s the first. And then the second thing is the active RFID, the Visonic technologies piece, is a big opportunity for us. Hooking that in and leveraging that with our access control, video products and our channels to market, we think we can grow that business as well.”
For VanDover, one of the biggest advantages of this acquisition is how well the two companies complement one another. “When we went through the due diligence there was no real overlap,” he said. “Where they’re strong, we’re not, and where we’re strong, they’re not. So it’s really just realigning and looking for areas we can grow and trying to take advantage of the best technology in both businesses. DSC has strong technology — some of that software, some of the coding, some of the aesthetics — being able to put that into the Visonic brand… we want to leverage the best.”
As the acquisition moves forward, that brand is expected to remain with the company. “As a company we’re a collection of brands,” VanDover commented. “Visonic is a strong brand with a strong customer base; our intention is to maintain that and to grow it. We will try to take technologies and use the best technology across all our portfolio as we go forward. I’m always a big proponent of more bites at the apple normally get a little bit more out of it. As long as you can manage any channel conflicts it’s normally a good thing, as long as you don’t erode each other’s channel.”
The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close later this year.
Visonic is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, with a manufacturing center in Kiryat Gat, Israel.
Steve Roth to Receive Lippert Award
SIA announced that Steven Roth, CEO of Tri-Ed / Northern Video Distribution was unanimously selected as the 2011 Lippert Award winner by a panel of past award recipients.
The George R. Lippert Memorial Award, which was first presented by the Security Industry Association (SIA) in 1989, recognizes outstanding contributions to SIA and the security industry.
A former member of the SIA board of directors, Roth began his career in the alarm industry in 1974 as the general manager of Currier-Smith Corporation, an early supplier of digital communication devices. In 1977, he joined ADEMCO, and was eventually tasked with the responsibility of developing a distribution business for the company, according to SIA. That business, ADI, became the largest security products distributor in the world, with sales exceeding $1 billion. When ADI’s parent company was purchased by Honeywell International in 2000, Roth was promoted to president of the Security Group, SIA noted. A few years after leaving ADI, Roth led a team of investors in the acquisition of Tri-Ed Distribution from Tyco International in 2005, and in 2010 was instrumental in the merger of Tri-Ed and Northern Video Systems. He is now chief executive officer of the combined entity. In addition, Roth currently serves on the board of directors of Tiffen Acquisitions LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of photographic accessories products.
“I am very humbled to be honored with SIA’s George R. Lippert Memorial Award,” Roth said. “I am grateful to SIA and to all the extraordinary people I have had the pleasure and privilege to work with in our industry over the years.”
The award itself will be presented at the Security Week Gala, to be held the evening of November 2, 2011 at the Lighthouse on Chelsea Pier 61, New York.
2011 Accolades Winners Recognized by ASIS International
ASIS International selected its 2011 ASIS Accolades winners. ASIS Accolades is an awards competition that recognizes innovative new products, services, and/or solutions in the security industry.
The winners were recognized at the ASIS International 57th Annual Seminar and Exhibits (ASIS 2011), held Sept. 19-22 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
A team of judges representing end users and experts in security technologies evaluated more than 70 entries before selecting the top 10 winners. ASIS Accolades are solutions oriented, not product specific, the organization said.
The winners are:
Axis Communications — Q1602 Network Camera
Blackline GPS Inc. — Flat Track™Covert Tracker
BriefCam Inc. — BriefCam VS Enterprise
FutureSentry — FutureSentry First Responder
Guardian 8 Inc. — G8 Non-Lethal Multi-Tool with Bluetooth Alerting
HID Global — iCLASS SE Access Control Platform
Laipac Technology — S911 GPS Bullet Proof Vest
Nexistant Inc. — Virtual Assistant
Totus Solutions — Platform™ for Security Grids
Xtralis — OSID
“This year’s program was very competitive, as entrants demonstrated an emphasis on scalability and economy,” observed Accolades co-chair Ron Lander, CPP. “In particular, providers took steps to increase video performance and resolution and ease of user interface. There was a greater focus on market pressures to deliver increased capabilities.”
Co-chair Howard Belfor, CPP, noted, “Overall, the dynamic innovation and adaptability of the industry came through this year. Companies are addressing a diversity of current needs and providing a bridge to newer technologies, while offering new economic efficiencies through reduced installation, set-up, or implementation times.”
Accolades entrants were invited to display their entries in a special area on the exhibits floor and winners were highlighted, along with other new products during the seminar’s “What’s New on the Floor” session, on Sept. 19.
Bold Talks; Conference Focuses on Education
Bold Technologies, Colorado Springs, Colo., held its annual Users Conference Aug. 24-26. Attendance was up 45 percent from last year’s conference as more than 125 people congregated at the historic La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, N.M., coming from other U.S. states, Canada and the United Kingdom.
With a client base spread as widely as Bold’s, the need for effective communication is very present in the minds of the company’s staff. Rod Coles, president at Bold Technologies, commented that establishing strong communications paths for education has really improved the conference experience and made it customer-centric. This year, Bold ran four education tracks simultaneously.
Some of the most popular sessions discussed mobile applications and development for different platforms including iPhone, Android and BlackBerry; CSAA’s automated operator-to-operator protocol — ASAP to the PSAP; and Manitou Infinity, a new high availability system the company is developing.
Steven Susman, IT director and engineered systems manager at Supreme Security Systems, Union, N.J. believes the breadth and variety of educational sessions at the conference were its greatest strengths. “They’ve had strong education tracks where they’ve talked about the greater perspective of our industry, such as communications, methodologies, the discussion on ASAP to the PSAP, the eventual [end] of POTs, and new architecture in terms of alarm monitoring software,” Susman said. “Whether it’s an executive track, IT, operations, or central station, there are a lot of different areas their software touches.”
As Luke Auger, assistant central station manager at Price’s Alarms, Victoria, B.C., and first-time Bold Users Conference attendant described it, this type of conference is a great opportunity to get out of one’s usual environment and learn from other users’ experiences.
“It’s not just about educating the customer, but getting that feedback. It makes a big difference for us,” Coles noted.
Mark Schramm, management information system manager, Alarm Detection Systems, Aurora, Ill., commented that he and his colleagues have referred to the Users Conference as “Manitou Fest” for years. The nickname seems appropriate, as for three days, it’s all about Manitou and learning more about it — successes, issues, improvements, and how to leverage industry trends that will give users the illusive “edge” over the competition. Bold has worked hard on the “fest” aspect to create an environment conducive to the learning that must take place, organizing several events that included a tour of downtown Santa Fe and a murder mystery dinner.
One of the big announcements this year was the introduction of BoldTalk, a members-only list server to bolster communication between users. Susman commented that shows willingness on Bold’s part to be open and transparent. “Recently, [Bold] set up a totally non-moderated list server that allows for sharing of information among customers. That transparency and sharing of information doesn’t come without a bit of risk and vulnerability. By encouraging the discourse, Bold really shows its strength and doing so furthers the sharing of ideas, best practices and unique solutions. They’re a company that’s always been willing to tear off the scabs even though it might be painful to expose them.”
To complement its annual conference, Bold organizes monthly webinars, called Coffee with Manitou, to help users stay up to date with training and new initiatives. — By Sabrina Gasulla, Associate Editor.
Tyco Int’l Plans to Split Businesses Into 3 Companies
Do not adjust your copy of SDM; this is not an old headline. Tyco International Ltd. announced that its board of directors unanimously approved a plan to separate the company into three independent, publicly traded companies once again. The company announced a similar plan in 2006, when it split into Tyco Fire & Security and Engineered Products & Services (now Tyco Intl.); Tyco Electronics; and Tyco Healthcare.
The three companies created through the separation will consist of: the ADT North America residential security business, the provider of security for homes and small businesses; the provider of flow control products and services; and the commercial fire and security business.
“In carefully evaluating the opportunities for these businesses and for Tyco as a whole, the Tyco board of directors concluded that creating three independent, public companies is the next logical step for Tyco,” said Tyco chairman and chief executive officer, Ed Breen. “All three companies will have industry-leading positions in large and fragmented industries and enhanced capabilities to serve their distinct customers. Importantly, the new standalone companies will have greater flexibility to pursue their own focused strategies for growth — both organic and through acquisitions — than they would under Tyco’s current corporate structure.”
Tyco expects to complete the transaction in approximately 12 months, subject to certain conditions including the approval of Tyco shareholders.
Upon completion of the transaction, it is contemplated that Breen will become non-executive chairman of the commercial fire and security company, a director of the flow control company, and a consultant to the ADT North America residential company.
Leadership for the standalone companies was determined as follows: Naren Gursahaney, the current president of Tyco’s security solutions segment, will become ADT North America’s new company’s chief executive officer. Patrick Decker, the current president of Tyco’s flow control segment, will become the new company’s chief executive officer. George Oliver, the current president of Tyco’s fire protection segment, will become the company’s chief executive officer.
Under the proposed transaction structure, the ADT North America residential business is expected to be incorporated in the United States.
Raefield Leaves; Mace Appoints New CEO
Mace Security International Inc., Horsham, Pa., announced that Michael Smith was appointed the company’s chief executive officer. Raefield, the company’s current CEO and president, notified the company of his resignation after the completion of his employment contract, effective on August 18, 2011.
Richard A. Barone, Mace’s chairman of the board, stated, “We thank Dennis Raefield for his years of service and dedication to Mace as our CEO and as a member of our board of directors. We wish Dennis the best in his future endeavors. We also welcome Michael Smith in his new role as CEO, and we are excited about the experience Mike brings to Mace in the security industry including his expertise in providing strategic and operational advice to small and medium size companies.”
Smith served as a director of the company since June 18, 2010. Smith was an independent consultant and managing and founding partner of Chesterbrook Growth Partners, a consulting organization focused on providing strategic and operational advice to small to medium size firms in the security, auto-identification and electronic components industries. During 2001 and 2002, Smith was president and CEO of Checkpoint Systems Inc. During Smith’s 14-year tenure at Checkpoint, he also held the positions of executive vice president and senior vice president.
IQinVision, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., announced that long-time president and chief executive officer (CEO), Pete DeAngelis, stepped down from his position. Gary Sutton, a member of the company’s board of directors, was named interim CEO. DeAngelis will remain on the IQinVision board of directors.
“Pete has been here from the very beginning,” said IQinVision chief financial officer Charles Chestnutt. “He was the driving force taking us from nothing to positioning us as a leader in the megapixel IP camera space. Pete is a real entrepreneur and he understands that new technology and leadership is needed to take the company into its next growth phase. We are grateful that he will continue to provide key strategic counsel as we launch this next phase in IQinVision’s evolution and growth.”
Stanley Expands Operations in Canada
Stanley Convergent Security Solutions (Stanley CSS), Naperville, Ill., purchased all of the operating assets of First National AlarmCap Income Fund, an alarm company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. AlarmCap is Canada’s fourth largest alarm company, according to Stanley CSS. The company, operating under the brand Microtec Security Systems, provides sales, installation, service, monitoring and maintenance of intrusion, fire, video, and access control systems.
“This is exciting news for Stanley CSS, as we transform our Canadian operations with this acquisition,” said Tony Byerly, president, North America & United Kingdom Direct. “The acquisition of AlarmCap gives us even greater reach into the Canadian market, allowing us to offer even more services to our existing and prospective Canadian customers. Stanley not only significantly increases our Canadian customer-base, but we also secure two ULC certified monitoring centers in Quebec City and Montreal, which will expand Stanley CSS’ bilingual capabilities in Canada.”
The purchase of AlarmCap will increase the customer base by about 79,000 residential and commercial customers. The acquisition brings with it approximately $1.8 million in RMR.
Acquisition Adds Critical Engineering, Operational Capability for NAV
North American Video (NAV), Brick, N.J., a provider of security systems integration technology and services, announced the acquisition of Nexus Technologies Group. Nexus Technologies operates from offices in New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa. The business has a long-standing reputation for innovation and customer service.
“The acquisition of Nexus brings a talented engineering and operational team to NAV, adding this capability to our team is critical to NAV’s continued success as we expand our technology offerings and continue to grow in new vertical markets” said Jason Oakley, president and chief executive officer, NAV. “Nexus has built a high quality repeat customer portfolio across the tri-state area. Combining Nexus with NAV’s established integration business in the northeast region dramatically increases our engineering, project management, and other technical resources. We are also excited about the growth prospects for the combined service portfolio. Both businesses have earned service contracts with marquee clients in the corporate, financial, gaming, government, higher education and retail markets, and we believe we can share best practices to continue to improve and expand our service and support offering.”
Robert Biscardi, president of Nexus, now leads NAV’s commercial integration business in the Northeast. “This acquisition is great for our customers and employees,” said Biscardi. “The new business is able to offer our customers a total security technology and fire, life/safety solution.”
Bayou Security Becomes Newest Member of Pelican Security Network
Bayou Security Systems Inc., a 30-year-old life safety services and property protection provider based in Shreveport, La., became a member of the Pelican Security Network. The addition of several thousand subscribers helps expand the footprint for Pelican in the Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas region in and around Shreveport.
“I am very pleased that under the Pelican plan, Bayou Security will continue to be managed as it always has in the past, as a locally owned and operated company,” said Rebecca Norton, general manager.
“In addition, under the altruistic guidance of Richard Norton III, the recently deceased founder of Bayou Security, the company was not only known for its technological advancements and customer service, but also for its community and philanthropic activities,” said Louis Resweber, founder, president and COO of Pelican.
Steve Rubin of Davis Mergers and Acquisitions Group, represented Bayou Security in this transaction.
Tyco Security Products Expands Product Management Team
Tyco Security Products, Westford, Mass., announced that it added three key members to its enterprise commercial product management team.
The additions of Jeremy Krinitt, Shahar Ze’Evi and Charlie Morganti to the product management team will add dedicated resources in key product areas, including product integrations, NVRs, video storage and mobile applications.
“With these new additions to the team, we are poised to efficiently support third party integrations and expand our product portfolio to meet emerging customer needs,” said Warren Brown, director of enterprise commercial product management at Tyco Security Products.
Krinitt oversees strategic integrations for Software House’s C•CURE 9000 SDK program as well further harmonizing the integration programs with the victor video management system and VideoEdge NVR from American Dynamics.
Ze’Evi joined Tyco Security Products with more than 15 years of industry experience. He previously led product management and marketing for DVR and NVR businesses. In his new role, he is responsible for the VideoEdge product line and for further developing the American Dynamics’ storage strategy.
Morganti has 20 years in the CCTV business with extensive knowledge of analog and IP cameras as well as analytics solutions. He assumes responsibility for American Dynamic’s analog cameras portfolio, including continued product development of the flagship SpeedDome and Discover lines.
Class is in Session at Micro Key University
Micro Key Solutions, Kissimmee, Fla., a provider of software solutions for the security alarm industry, created a new program to help users get the most out of Micro Key’s automated solutions. Micro Key announced a series of new skills-based courses delivered online through newly formed Micro Key University (MKU).
These online courses are formatted with lectures, labs and exams to ensure that employees learn, understand and become power users of the Millennium Series™ Software. Topics will cover entry-level subjects, data-entry, prospect tracking, accounting, monitoring, as well as advanced level classes like data mining, report builder, central station supervisor and system administrator. The classes are presented by task rather than by software module, making them very specific to each job description within the user’s organization.
Victoria Ferro, business development manager for Micro Key, said, “MKU courses are ‘how to’ based and job task oriented, enabling alarm dealer and central station personnel to focus on what they need to know to maximize their use of the software and be more proficient on the job. MKU students will be saving valuable training time by learning only those features of the software that they will use. We are going to be offering 100, 200, 300 and 400 level courses that will enable users to advance through the training as their level of expertise evolves. We are very excited about this new approach and know it is going to be beneficial to our users.”
For information, visit www.microkey.com.
SIGNET Acquires Telecommunications Company
SIGNET Electronic Systems Inc., Norwell, Mass., a privately held system integrator operating in New England, acquired American Business Telephone Company Inc. (ABT), a Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based telecommunications technologies firm. With an expanded focus on telecommunications technology, the asset purchase makes SIGNET one of the largest telecommunications system integrators in the region.
“SIGNET already provides customized communications solutions based on the unique needs of each of our client’s businesses,” said Bradford Caron, president and owner of SIGNET. “We’re excited that this expansion gives us the opportunity to provide those solutions for more businesses and organizations.”
The purchase of ABT is SIGNET’s third acquisition within a six-year period. In Feb. 2006, SIGNET acquired Executone of Rhode Island, a telecommunications company serving southern New England; and in May 2008, SIGNET acquired the telecommunications technology portion of the New Hampshire-based IDeACOM Integrated Technologies Inc. expanding its focus on network consulting and management services. With the purchase of ABT, SIGNET again increased its customer base, now spanning three states.
SIGNET and ABT share more than technology; they share culture, the company said. In addition to inheriting ABT’s customers, SIGNET is looking forward to the majority of the ABT staff coming on board. “Like SIGNET,” said Caron, “ABT is a family-owned, employee-centric company, and it’s important to SIGNET to grow our own family with those who share our values.”
Guardian Protection Services Inc., Warrendale, Pa., announced that Extreme Security Solutions became an authorized dealer.
Extreme Security Solutions was one of the largest, last remaining Broadview dealers and is also one of the largest dealers in California, the company said. Founded in 2009 by CEO Rafael Villalta, the company installs both residential and commercial security systems.
“When I first met with the team from Extreme Security, I was impressed with how solid the company has become in just two short years,” said Hank Groff, Guardian’s national director Dealer Division. “They are a quality-based dealer with low attrition and high credit scores.”
While adding significant account volume — approximately 100 accounts a month — the partnership also stretches Guardian’s footprint to the West Coast.
IQinVision Expands Global Sales & Management Teams
IQinVision, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., a provider of high-performance HD megapixel IP cameras, announced a series of personnel promotions, additions, and enhancements to the company’s sales and management teams to further fuel the company’s growth and market penetration.
David Clark was promoted to vice president of engineering and operations. David came to IQinVision with more than 25 years of experience in high technology industries such as defense, telecommunications, and consumer products. David’s background includes formal education in engineering, business and quality.
Along with its recent addition of Rob Ledenko, vice president of sales and marketing, the IQinVision sales team now includes Doug Dickinson, regional sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic region. Doug is a proven sales professional with diverse experience in various video surveillance technologies and a background in converged network architectures. Jim Rigg took over as regional sales manager for the Midwest territory. Jim has more than 35 years of experience in networking/IT, most recently in the IP VMS industry space. Guy Walker is the company’s new RSM for the Northeast territory. Guy has more than 16 years in direct and indirect sales of physical security and communication products as well as consulting with and educating system designers, engineers, distributors, and end users.
After approximately one year with the company, Wendi Burke was promoted to director of global marketing communications. In a short timeframe, Wendi was instrumental in creating a consistent, compelling, and attractive IQinVision brand and messaging, far surpassing anything done to date, the company said.
To strengthen sales operations in Canada, FIS Marketing Inc. was added as an additional Canadian sales rep firm. FIS has represented leading security and A/V manufacturers in Canada since 1998.
Open Security Exchange Appoints Executive Director
The Open Security Exchange announced the appointment of Ron Martin, CPP as executive director. In this role, Martin will lead the not-for-profit association of security experts that provides a forum for security firms, consultants, end users, government agencies, manufacturers, system integrators and allied organizations to mutually define opportunities for physical/logical convergence and interoperability.
Founded in 2003, the Open Security Exchange was created to address the lack of integration between various components of the security infrastructure, the association said. The Open Security Exchange is a cross-industry forum dedicated to delivering vendor-neutral interoperability specifications and best practices guidelines in the area of security management. This enables practitioners to more efficiently mitigate risk, optimize their security postures and enforce privacy policies.
Martin is the sole proprietor of Consullition, a Washington, D.C.-based security consultancy that provides business strategy and consulting services for a broad client base. As executive director of the Open Security Exchange, the focus of Martin’s efforts will be on both research and mentorship. With numerous career opportunities driven by the converging worlds of logical and physical security, the Open Security Exchange will concentrate on the development of the new wave of emerging security professionals.
Recently retired from the U.S. federal government after 40 years of service, Martin served as a physical security expert for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Security and Strategic Information and was responsible for the development, coordination, direction and assessment of nationwide physical security and identity management programs.
Distributor Launches Global Corporate Communications Group
ScanSource Inc., an international distributor of specialty technology products, announced the creation of a new Corporate Communications group designed to ensure all key stakeholders are actively engaged with the company on a global level. With the creation of this new group, ScanSource also announced the promotion of vice president of marketing Bobby McLain to executive vice president of corporate communications. In this role, McLain will provide executive management and oversight of the company’s global communications strategy. McLain has been with ScanSource since 1997.
Through the formation of this new group, McLain is charged with developing and executing on the company’s comprehensive communications strategies among all of its internal and external audiences and stakeholders, including reseller customers, vendor partners and the trade media. Investor relations, community relations, social media, Web strategies, and global brand management of ScanSource Inc. and its sales units will also be part of the Corporate Communications group’s strategic focus.
“Bobby has effectively led our marketing team for more than 14 years,” said Mike Baur, chief executive officer, ScanSource Inc. “His experience and leadership make him a natural to lead this new business unit as we continue to focus on the growth and opportunity of our company on an international level.”
Mfr. Announces Security & Transportation Systems Product Line
Raytheon Company’s Network Centric Systems, McKinney, Texas, combined its existing security solutions and civil communications businesses as part of a new product line to increase its focus on opportunities in public safety markets.
The new product line, Security and Transportation Systems (STS), will facilitate an even stronger presence in public safety markets through cross-selling capabilities to commercial and government customers and by enabling the development of new technologies and products to meet changing market needs, the company said.
STS includes two major public safety focus areas. The first is security solutions, with an emphasis on critical infrastructure protection, including ports and airports, border protection and other needs served by the ClearViewTM family of security management systems.
The second area is interoperable communications networks and the equipment that allows first responders to communicate with one another in an emergency. The air traffic management business, which helps safely control more than 60 percent of the world’s airspace, will also be part of STS.
“We see increased opportunities to serve the public safety market more effectively through this new alignment,” said Network Centric Systems president Daniel Crowley.
“The change further reinforces our commitment to being a leader in public safety,” he said. “We have discriminating capabilities in sensing, communications, and command and control — plus the system integration skills to bring these capabilities together in a wide array of applications.”
The new product line will be led by Michael Prout, who has been with Raytheon for more than two decades and has substantial experience in transportation systems, air traffic management and technology development.
PlaSec Rebrands as RedCloud, Launches ‘Revolution’ in Physical Access Control
At ASIS Int’l 2011 Seminar & Exhibits in Orlando, Fla., PlaSec, a provider of physical access control solutions, announced a new name — RedCloud — and a new brand identity.
RedCloud’s revolutionary access control platform leverages an open architecture, integrates identity management and video surveillance, and seamlessly integrates with IT and logical security systems to deliver a new standard in performance, integration and efficiency that can only be achieved through convergence, the company stated.
Terry Neely, president and CEO of RedCloud, said, “Our platform has been engineered from the ground up by IT and security veterans to achieve the industry’s long-awaited promise of convergence. We invite you to join the RedCloud Revolution.”
The RedCloud Convergence Platform consists of an all-in-one network appliance that runs a secure, open-source, virus-free Linux operating system, includes an embedded OpenLDAP directory that eliminates the need for a separate database server, supports open field hardware from industry-standard manufacturers and is accessible anytime, anywhere through a 100 percent, browser-based Web application. Combined, RedCloud’s innovative system architecture and groundbreaking platform allow organizations to achieve the highest level of scalability with the lowest cost of ownership when compared with legacy, client/server-based access control systems, RedCloud announced in a press release.
RedCloud said its products and solutions are available exclusively through a nationwide network of authorized integrators and are designed to address the access control needs of organizations in a variety of industries. All RedCloud appliances are designed to provide the ease-of-use, out-of-the-box setup and simple installation demanded by facility managers along with the flexibility, integration and efficiency required by IT departments and include:
• RedCloud Express, a solid-state network appliance that delivers powerful, plug-and-play protection for small- to medium-sized organizations;
• RedCloud Enterprise, an all-in-one access control network appliance that provides enterprises of all sizes with the performance and scalability to secure their facilities; and
• RedCloud Virtual, which the company said is the industry’s first and only VMware Ready access control solution, purpose-built for organizations that have migrated their IT infrastructure to a secure, private cloud environment.
For information visit www.redcloudsecurity.com.
Secura Key Celebrates 40 Years in Business
Secura Key, Chatsworth, Calif., is celebrating the company’s 40th year in business.
Secura Key began manufacturing mechanical/magnetic Barium Ferrite insert readers for parking applications in 1971 in California’s San Fernando Valley. Secura Key invented Touch Card™ technology, which transformed the Barium Ferrite card into a digital technology. Wiegand-output Touch Card™ OEM readers kept large Cardkey and CASI-Rusco systems running for many years at major corporations like FedEx and Ford Motor Company. Secura Key used the Touch Card™ technology to build the simple, reliable 26SA and 28SA Plus standalone readers, which were widely used by major telephone entry system OEMs for many years for gate and parking applications.
Secura Key later developed proximity and contactless smart card readers, keypads, control panels, and access control software.
Secura Key said it was one of the first companies to make contactless smart card readers for access control applications. It also sells RFID products (readers and transponders) for large non-access control applications, including loyalty, membership, asset tracking and process control applications.
Secura Key has a complete in-house card manufacturing and 4-color digital printing facility, and is capable of producing most major card technologies, including Wiegand, BaFe, proximity, mag stripe, contactless smart cards (including TI, Mifare, and DESfire technologies) UHF, and multi-technology cards. Secura Key designed and built most of its production equipment and manufacturing automation with internal resources.
Bosch Security Systems Inc., Fairport, N.Y., appointed Sheree Usiatynski to manage the Bosch Security & Communications Training Academy. In her new role, Usiatynski leads a team of technical trainers and instructional designers to expand Bosch’s online training and product certification offerings and to further improve instructor-led classroom courses. Usiatynski joined Bosch in 2010 as a manager of technical support projects.
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Tridium Inc., Richmond, Va., appointed John Sublett as chief technology officer. As CTO, Sublett leads the strategic vision for the company’s technology portfolio. He now drives Tridium’s development strategy as well as manage the direction of the company’s Niagara and Sedona Frameworks. John is a co-patent holder for several concepts related to the original Niagara Framework and recently a co-submitter for concepts related to supporting NiagaraAX on platforms without batteries.
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AMAG Technology, Torrance, Calif., hired Glenn Crim as its newest sales engineer. Crim is responsible for providing pre-sales technical and consultative support to AMAG’s regional sales managers. He supports Symmetry Authorized Resellers with pre-sales and applications engineering, and will assist with product specifications and trade shows. Crim’s 18 years of experience in the security electronics field includes 10 years of working with AMAG’s Symmetry Product Portfolio.
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ComNet Communication Networks, Danbury, Conn., a manufacturer of fiber optic transmission and networking equipment, announced that Robert Gallagher was appointed as the company’s vice president of network systems and security solutions
Gallagher’s new role is to support the ComNet sales team by providing solutions to the difficult network challenges its customers face as well as delivering Ethernet network training to ComNet customers across the country. Gallagher will report directly to Andrew Acquarulo Jr., ComNet president and chief operating officer. Most recently Gallagher held the role of vice president of engineering at ComNet and has more than 20 years of experience.
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Avigilon, Vancouver, announced the appointment of four new sales people. Mark Baxter, director of sales, Midwest United States, is responsible for expanding Avigilon’s sales and managing existing accounts in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Alejandrina Brito Figueroa, director of sales, Latin America is based in Mexico City and is responsible for expanding Avigilon’s sales and managing existing accounts in Latin America. Will Brock, director of sales, Southeast United States, is responsible for expanding Avigilon’s sales and managing existing accounts in Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Rob Crane, director of sales, Northeast United States, is responsible for expanding Avigilon’s sales and managing existing accounts in Connecticut, eastern Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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Tri-Ed / Northern Video Distribution, Woodbury, N.Y., added Brian Kainu to the staff of its Seattle branch as sales associate. Brian brings more than six years of sales experience to his new position with expertise in CCTV, IP and fiber.
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e-DATA Corp., now a member of the Kaba Group, moved into a new facility. Located just north of Dallas in Frisco, Texas, the Stewart Creek office features a technical support and training center. The new facility is at 5750 Genesis Court, Suite 150, Frisco, Texas 75034. The company can be reached at 866-807-3549 and sales@e-data.com.
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PSA Security Network®, Westminster, Colo., announced the appointment of Terry Tafoya and Tina Broadbent as inside sales representatives. Tafoya is responsible for the Western region and Broadbent concentrates on recruiting new customers for PSA. Tafoya has 25 years of sales experience, 10 of which have been in the physical security industry. Broadbent has 17 years of business experience, including 10 years in sales.
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Imperial Capital relocated its New York office to 277 Park Avenue, 48th floor, New York, NY 10172. The office can be reached at (212) 351-9700 or (800) 371-7087.
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Partnering with WSB Radio for the fifth year in a row, Ackerman Security Systems, Atlanta, was a sponsor and large donor to the 2011 WSB Care-a-Thon that raised more than $1.3 million for the AFLAC Cancer Center at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. More than 20 Ackerman employees volunteered their time to be in the call center accepting donations via phone call-ins during the 36 hours of the campaign, along with volunteers from a number of other Atlanta companies.
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Smarter Security Systems, Austin, Texas, provider of entrance control and outdoor security solutions, appointed Ralph Spagnola as its vice president of sales. Spagnola contributes to the company’s strategic direction and leads all sales efforts to drive growth in the Americas for both divisions of the company. Spagnola reports directly to the company’s chief executive officer, Jeff Brown.
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Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, Carmel, Ind., will serve as a BOMA 360 Ambassador and on the BOMA Building Codes & Voluntary Standards Committee. According to the company, both efforts will help Ingersoll Rand better service the commercial real estate market, helping users achieve their security goals. April Noblitt, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies director, commercial real estate vertical market, said, “With our history of helping customers throughout North America meet their local building codes, we look forward to being a valued member of the Building Codes & Voluntary Standards Committee.
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Peace of Mind Technologies LLC (POM), New York City, introduced POMAdvantage, an expanded customer service and support program. Matt Tomao, a seasoned veteran of POM, will spearhead the POMAdvantage initiative, as customer experience manager, that covers all the technology solutions POM offers, including security, audio/video, telecom and more, and will ensure that POM’s client satisfaction goals are met.
