Trends & Industry Issues

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The broadcaster of 30 Rock and Days of Our Lives is now offering home security. Just since last October, Xfinity from Comcast, which also owns NBC Universal, rolled out home security and monitoring; ADT, the world’s biggest home security firm, introduced a multi-level lifestyle monitoring and control service; Verizon, one of the largest U.S. communications companies, with a recent iPhone deal and a cloud computing acquisition in hand, has its own home monitoring experiment in motion; APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc., Provo, Utah,  the fifth-largest alarm monitoring company on the SDM 100, rebranded as Vivint™ and launched new products turning its focus from alarm monitoring to a focus on whole home automation and monitoring (see page 149 for more on APX’s rebrand as Vivint™). And that’s not an all-inclusive list.
 

Basler Vision Technologies, Ahrensburg, Germany, added Renee Janda as a new regional sales manager for Basler IP Cameras. Renee is based in Katy, Texas, and is responsible for Basler’s IP Camera customers in the Midwestern United States, from Texas to Minnesota.

Micro Key Solutions, Kissimmee, Fla., a provider of software solutions for the security alarm industry, in cooperation with the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), a trade association that represents companies offering security (alarm) monitoring systems through a central station, is offering to pay the first year’s CSAA membership dues for any CSAA-approved, nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) central station using Micro Key Solutions’ Millennium Series™ monitoring software. This offer, which began Jan. 1, 2011, is open to non-CSAA members, and will be in effect for proprietary and commercial central stations throughout the United States and Canada throughout the rest of 2011.

A drafted bill in the state of New York has garnered much attention and zealous opinions from the alarm industry in the past few months. Article 6-E was developed by a committee of volunteers from the New York Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NYBFAA) and would require all central stations to become licensed in the state in order to provide monitoring services. The licensing application would require fingerprinting of all operators and central station staff, a provision for potential State-required competency examinations and continued training among others.

Preparations for the Super Bowl were taking place around-the-clock at Dallas Cowboys Stadium when, amidst the excitement happening on the field, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) held its Leadership Awards presentation on a level of the stadium that overlooks the magnificent playing field and the world’s largest LED display made by Mitsubishi at 72-ft. high by 160-ft. wide on each of its two sides.

The Boston Police Department has adopted a new policy in its public safety answering point (PSAP) that gives dispatch priority to video intrusion alarms. A security industry group including representatives from Stanley CSS, ASG Security, American Alarm, Wayne Alarm Systems and Videofied has been campaigning for PSAPs to implement formal procedures to deal with alarm events where video that confirms a probable crime in progress is present. Boston is the first large city to formally implement such a policy.

A new bill concerning fire alarm installation, monitoring and maintenance was proposed by the House of Representatives during the Illinois 97th General Assembly on Feb. 9, 2011. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Donald L. Moffitt, was moved from the Rules Committee to the Executive Committee on Feb. 15, bringing it one step closer to becoming law.

Custom Alarm, Rochester, Minn., was recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for being one of the top 75 small businesses in the United States. The company was named a Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winner for the second straight year. These small businesses recognized have shown tremendous dedication to restoring jobs and prosperity despite a challenging economy.

ESA will hold its annual Day on Capitol Hill May 3 and 4, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The association invites colleagues to join them as they meet with congressional representatives and their staffs to discuss issues that are critical to the security industry and public safety.