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Security systems integrators handle a diverse set of projects with demanding requirements. Their suppliers play a major role in helping them meet those requirements and exceed their clients’ expectations.

As anyone who operates in the enterprise space already knows, enterprise-level access control is not just a bigger version of the SMB market.

Call it analytics, big data, business intelligence, machine learning, AI, or something else — these terms are not interchangeable, but in today’s security landscape they are often used to mean approximately the same thing: the idea that you can take traditional security technology (video, access control, intrusion, etc.) and expand its use to benefit the business side of whatever customer you are applying it to.

Distributors play a key role in the security business, offering not only products but also training and other resources to security dealers. Here is what’s new in this area.

There was a time when power and transmission were delivered by distinct solutions, but power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions have changed that dynamic considerably by delivering power and video surveillance signals over a single cable.

Smart home capabilities are the sizzle that can help sell the security system steak. And smart locks are among the most sizzling smart home options. Here are six key developments in this area — and seven more that could be coming over the horizon.

Today’s intercom solutions are not the same as in the past. With technological advances including IP, PoE, networking and mobile, these technologies are truly part of a fully integrated security solution and should be presented, sold and installed accordingly.

Is the smart home market maturing and stabilizing, showing a clear path forward for security dealers wanting to capitalize on the new desires of homeowners to interact with many areas of their home life, including security? Not exactly. But there are definitely signs that it has moved to another level of adoption and interest, making the time ripe for action on the part of those who want to adjust their business model to capture opportunities and revenue in this fast-growing space.

Since 2006, The Monitoring Association (TMA) has been recognizing the top performers in monitoring with its TMA Monitoring Center Excellence Awards (previously called the Central Station Awards). The Excellence Awards, hosted by TMA and co-sponsored by SDM Magazine, recognize exceptional personnel and monitoring centers in the industry (both TMA members and non-members) that are certified by an approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).