IFS Switchers & Switches

In 2017, DITEK saw how power surges from the many natural disasters that took place damaged many businesses. In a natural disaster, or even everyday business operations, a facility’s entire investment in security, life safety and surveillance systems technology can be disabled or rendered useless in a few seconds. Surge protection solutions can mitigate those risks and protect security investments. Proactive Approach To Risk Mitigation Throughout 2017, we also witnessed a change in how enterprises view surge protection, which included how investments are being made in surge protection to protect valuable security, life safety and surveillance systems, while also reducing downtime, manpower costs, liability vulnerabilities, and possibly compliance issues that can force businesses to actually cease operations. Effective security management is about mitigating risks. But risks cannot be mitigated without a proactive approach. Enterprises and integrators, who take the time to assess risk and to develop a strategy to incorporate effective detection, deter and response criteria to protect physical assets will be successful in 2018. 2018 And Beyond That strategy includes designing surge protection into new security systems, while also adding surge protection to existing systems. Enterprises and security integrators who implement a surge protection strategy during security planning processes – or after – will be exercising prevention and mitigation, and they will be successful in 2018 and beyond.  Surge protection devices have an untapped potential for enterprise surveillance and security systems In 2017, Ditek continued to offer security end users a solid surge protection solution. We also successfully educated system integrators, who are seeking value-added products or services to incorporate into their portfolios, on the importance of surge protection devices. Educating Security Integrators We believe that surge protection devices have an untapped potential for enterprise video surveillance and security systems, because they can and do meet safety and security challenges that have been rarely identified in the past. We are looking forward to 2018, when we will continue to develop new surge protection products – including a new product engineered to protect up to twelve individual fuel dispensers, which is critical to the financial operation of convenience stores. We will also continue to educate security integrators about the importance of including surge protection in the design/build RFP, to not only secure an enterprise’s valuable security equipment, but also to help integrators to differentiate their capabilities and knowledge from the competition.

Technology is changing the look and function of today’s security control rooms. Old-school CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors are giving way to the thinner, flat screen monitors in the control room environment, but the transition is gradual. Randy Smith of Winsted still sees many control rooms that need to make the conversion, which is a boon to his company’s business. Furniture today is designed differently to accommodate the thinner monitors, often with larger screens. Need For Integrated Rack Systems With the increase of IP-based systems comes the need for integrated rack systems that include advanced functionality such as cable management, adds Jim Coleman, National Sales Manager, AFC Industries. Server rooms are environmentally controlled by cooling systems and power systems monitored on the IP network. Low-profile flat screens allow centers to utilize space vertically, thus creating a smaller footprint for the consoles. Additionally, with IP-based systems, workstations will have a smaller footprint because there is less cumbersome equipment. In most cases the servers are stored in a secured, climate controlled environment to eliminate overheating of the servers and maintain their security, says Coleman. This environment also helps with cable and power management. AFC builds technical furniture racks that adhere to the precise needs of computer network server room operators. The company designs and fabricates LAN workbenches with versatile functionalities, and server room workstation racks that are scalable. There is a complete line of IT workbenches, IT computer racks and computer server rack mounts with flexible mounting options. In most cases the servers are stored in a secured, climate controlled environment to eliminate overheating of the servers and maintain their security Flexible Control Room Designs Matko Papic, Chief Technology Officer of Evans Consoles, says the transition from bulky CRT equipment to flat-screen (lower profile) monitors was a major disruption in control room design; it changed the whole dynamic. Another evolution is the use of IP video streaming, which allows more flexibility in manipulation of audio-video content, and requires more flexible control room designs. Another shift, driven by larger, higher-definition monitors, is a shift to fewer monitors that display more information. Instead of a smaller monitor for each information stream, larger monitors now consolidate that information into “dashboard” displays. Looking ahead, control rooms will need to be more flexible, both in the initial design and the ability to adapt to changing technology, says Papic. Legacy customers who are currently using PCs may be moving to more remote applications. Sit-stand equipment will continue to be increasingly prevalent. “There will be more emphasis on flexibility, technology integration, and the ability to change over the life of the system,” says Papic. Consolidation Of Multiple Operations Into A Single System A trend in security is consolidation of multiple physical operations into a single system, says Papic. As a result, more customers are taking more interest in alarm management and situational awareness. How is the technology being used in terms of alarm triggers? How can the systems react rapidly and provide information to a larger audience in the control room? These questions impact how control rooms are designed, and Evans Consoles can adapt lessons learned from other markets to these trends in the security arena. Greater use of technology is inevitable, says Coleman of AFC Industries. “It is virtually impossible for humans to monitor all security data at the street level in our cities,” he says. “As computers become more powerful and their programs more all-encompassing, we will see a greater shift to robotic and technology uses that will provide enhanced monitoring capabilities and safety reactions.” Read our Control Rooms series here

The security industry will continue to see consolidation through acquisition in 2017. At the advent of IP camera adoption, we saw a great decline in large vertically integrated companies, which spurred a new era of innovation within smaller IP camera manufacturers, VMS providers and other hardware companies for storage and managed switches.   We are now living in a new era of consolidation that is taking us full-circle back to vertical integration. Ultimately, the industry as a whole suffers because this consolidation will stifle innovation until the next big technology disruption takes shape. Interoperability Across Different Verticals  This time last year, we noted that the marketplace was moving toward converged technologies and the need for alarm management across multiple platforms into a common interface, turned out to be a popular request. If anything, we are only seeing just the beginning phases of this transition. The biggest surprise is that interoperability is not only confined to security technology, but also extends to parallel systems such as building automation, safety and environmental controls, and even Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Using Video Event Management Software (VEMS) alongside these intelligent platforms proves to be a valuable verification process for many new and exciting vertical markets. Arteco plans to continue the revenue growth and brand awareness achieved in 2016 Event-Based Video Security Software At Arteco, our highest growth sectors tend to be slightly insulated from economic fluctuation in the sense that we focus on securing critical infrastructure (electrical utilities and communications) as well as corporate and education campuses. Unfortunately, the continued growth in active shooter incidents have made physical security concerns top of mind for many organizations regardless of economic impact. The unexpected repercussions are that many new security technologies are emerging that cater to real-time event notification on both the macro and micro level. The exciting part of this trend is that users are leveraging a layered approach with multiple autonomous applications working together toward a common goal to improve security, which will hopefully ensure a high level of protection.  Business Growth And Challenges Business has continued to grow year-over-year, and 2016 was a huge step forward for Arteco not only in terms of revenue growth, but also increased brand awareness in the United States and abroad. Our biggest challenge continues to be the crowded VMS market, which is filled with lower cost or even free substitute products. We are making great strides in overcoming this challenge by having a wonderful team of people, both on the technical and sales side of the organization, who are focused on finding new and innovative ways to advance intuitive, open and affordable event-based and intelligent video security software into 2017. See the full coverage of 2016/2017 Review and Forecast articles here

Interlogix, a global leader in security and life-safety solutions, introduces Simon XTi-5i, a self-contained, wireless security system for heightened residential security and convenience. An update to the Simon XTi-5 system, the new platform supports 80 wireless zones, features a 5-inch color LCD touchscreen and is compatible with a wide range of devices through leading service providers. Interlogix is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Simon XTi-5 Wireless Security System “The latest version of the Simon XTi-5 system helps synchronize homes to keep families connected, protected and a whole lot more,” said Cooper Briscoe, residential solutions product leader, North America, Interlogix. “The devices and accessories available through Interlogix and Alarm.com interactive services make it easy to customize systems that meet each family’s specific needs and priorities whether in a house, apartment or condominium.” When paired with an LTE modem from leading active home services provider Alarm.com, Simon panels can be used as a comfort management and automation system enabling local and remote control of Z-Wave devices such as wireless lighting controls, thermostats, door locks, garage doors and more. Home Security And Automation Solutions The intuitive touch screen panel is easy to operate, making it ideal for users of all ages The new system features a selectable user interface that matches the Alarm.com interactive services mobile application in color, style and icons – simplifying the user experience. At-a-glance system status provides a complete view of home security and automation systems, indoor temperature and outdoor weather. The panel comes standard with support for up to 80 wireless zones and a built-in battery backup keeps the system running in case of power failures. Paired with an LTE modem from Alarm.com, the Simon XTi-5i panel enables other home security and automation features including: Real-time look-ins and review of recorded snapshots for visual verification of alarms by using the Interlogix Image Sensor Voice, email and text message reports Two-way emergency communication with monitoring station personnel using the panel’s built-in microphone Menu-based system programming and testing for fast and accurate installation of the panel and supported devices. The intuitive touch screen panel is easy to operate, making it ideal for users of all ages.

Interlogix, a global provider of security and life-safety solutions, introduces TruProtect – a flexible, intelligent, commercial security solution that unifies intrusion monitoring, access control and video surveillance into a robust, single platform. This new platform enables users to scale the solution from a few doors to large, multi-site operations that require customized integrations. Interlogix is a part of Carrier, a global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Supports TruVision Cameras And NVRs The TruProtect system supports a wide range of Interlogix TruVision cameras and network video recordersThe solution’s modular ‘add-as-you-go’ design enables users to cost effectively add capacity and functionality as required. Users can scale a system from a standalone intrusion panel to a fully networked security system spanning hundreds of locations. The TruProtect system supports a wide range of Interlogix TruVision cameras and network video recorders and optional third-party solutions for video surveillance, access control, building management, building automation, biometrics, HVAC and lighting. “The TruProtect C4 management software is what unifies several of the commercial security domains into a single interface. Users can see who is in the building, respond to alarm events, utilize video verification and manage user and visitor access, all from a single application,” said Marc Tanguay, commercial solutions product leader, North America, Interlogix. “The system is highly scalable, supporting many zone input devices, alarm areas, access users, doors and elevators.” Quick And Efficient Respond To Events The TruProtect system is a great option for business applications including banking, education, retail, commercial propertyThe system’s flexible architecture and powerful integration of intrusion monitoring, access control and video surveillance enables reliable operations and provides actionable information that empowers users to quickly and efficiently respond to events. The TruProtect system is a great option for business applications including banking, education, retail, commercial property and much more. Preview the product by stopping by the Interlogix booth 18019 at the 2019 International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC West) from April 10-12 in Las Vegas. The TruProtect system will be available from certified Interlogix dealers throughout North America.

Interlogix, global provider of security and life-safety solutions, has re-launched its Interlogix Security Pro program, a premier national channel partner program offering Interlogix dealers a wide array of resources and incentives designed to help them successfully grow their businesses. Interlogix is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.  “The Interlogix Security Pro program is back and better than ever,” said Warren Hill, vice president, partner solutions, North America, Interlogix. “We listened to our dealers and designed a program with the resources they want and need to successfully compete in their service areas. It’s easy to join and participate and it’s open to all Interlogix dealers.” Interlogix Security Pro Program The Interlogix Security Pro program will keep our dealers in demand and ahead of the competition" The Interlogix Security Pro program offers multiple award levels, designed to meet the needs of a wide range of dealers. Program benefits increase with each level and may include co-op marketing funds, new product samples, extended product warranties and preferential tech support. Other level-based program opportunities and benefits may include: Invitation to the annual Interlogix Elevate conference, with covered conference fees and travel benefits for qualifying program members Special product training Preferential positioning and designation on the dealer locator tool on the Interlogix website Networking through events and online communication opportunities Use of the Interlogix Security Pro logo and product image bank. Business-Enhancing Products As an Interlogix Security Pro member, dealers earn Pro Points to use on a range of business-enhancing products and services. The program’s four levels – registered, gold, platinum and diamond - make it easy to start with clear paths toward higher goals and greater success. The program also includes rewards for program members meeting or showing year-over-year growth. “The Interlogix Security Pro program will keep our dealers in demand and ahead of the competition,” said Hill. “This program is about making great dealers even better.”