Back in 1974, when gas was 55 cents a gallon and a worker’s average annual income was about $10,900, his father, Charles, founded the company with a focus on the then solid service business in office intercoms and master antennas. Over those growing pain years and with myriad changes and advances in communications technologies, the business — then consisting of about two handfuls of employees — was critically challenged.

At the ongoing ESI Forum and The Electronic Security Association (ESA) Leadership Summit events taking place at the Omni Mandalay at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, attendees have ample opportunity to celebrate recent achievements as well as ensure more success to come through educational session presented by their peers. The events opened on Monday, Jan. 9 and will wrap up on Friday, Jan 12.

Honeywell was selected to overhaul the video surveillance system at Casino Niagara, one of the top tourism attractions in Canada’s Niagara Falls. The project includes retrofitting the existing surveillance network with IP video technology that will allow casino officials to use a single command and control center to view and remotely manage the systems at both Casino Niagara and its nearby sister facility, Fallsview Casino.

First off, what will happen in 2012 will not happen to every dealer or electronic home system contractor. It all depends on your business model, customer base, region of the country, mix of technology and services, and — oh my — the economy.

Bracketron, a provider of mounting solutions and accessories for mobile consumer electronics, announced the North American availability of the iRoom iDock, a powered and motorized in-wall mounting solution for iPad.

Realizing the crucial new evolution of the industry, with so many technology choices, expanding client demand across a diversity of systems, increased competitive pressure, and a sliver of silver in the housing market clouds, Indianapolis-based Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) has elected and appointed a strong and solid 2012 volunteer executive committee and board of directors.

Home Automation Inc. (HAI), a manufacturer of integrated automation and security products since 1985, announced an expansion of its commercial segment support with “Building Automation,” a printed 16-page marketing document now available for free to all listed HAI dealers.

 

The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), Indianapolis, released findings from the new CEDIA market research report, Size and Scope of the Residential Electronic Systems Market in the US in 2011©. Findings indicate that the industry is optimistic about the future.

In past years, December has come to be known here at SDM as “acquisitions month.” As the fiscal year ends and companies endeavor to take advantage of much needed tax breaks, the industry typically is flooded with news of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In recent recession years, this seemed an indication of the security industry’s resilience and ability to thrive while other industries faltered. However, this December seems quieter than others and we set out to find out why, while the industry continues to do well, merger and acquisition activity is down.

Now, more than ever, organizations are looking for ways to motivate their employees to be more productive. The volatility of the economy is forcing organizations in every industry to look for ways to do more with less. The question is: What will motivate your employees?