COPS Monitoring - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Monitoring Association (TMA) announced that COPS Monitoring, a major provider of professional monitoring services in North America, has deployed the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) across its UL-listed monitoring stations. With this launch, COPS Monitoring joins an already extensive list of major alarm security firms using the ASAP Service. Today, ASAP is the only digital alarm solution standardized with all major alarm security firms nationwide.  Collectively, those companies monitor around 80 percent of all alarm systems in the United States—underscoring ASAP’s broad reach and critical role in public safety. emergency communication centres ASAP digitally delivers verified alarm notifications directly to emergency communication centers  Developed jointly by TMA and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), ASAP digitally delivers verified alarm notifications directly to emergency communication centers (ECCs). With ASAP, alarm calls no longer need to be routed through nonemergency administrative phone lines. Instead, alarm details, such as the type of emergency, address, and contact details, are transmitted instantly and accurately, accelerating dispatch and enabling real-time, bi-directional status updates. On average, ASAP saves about two minutes or more per call – time that can be critical when lives and property are at risk. Introduction of ASAP COPS Monitoring continues its commitment to adopt technologies that improve outcomes  With the introduction of ASAP, COPS Monitoring continues its commitment to adopt technologies that improve outcomes for all stakeholders. "Our launch of ASAP represents another significant investment in technology and public safety," said Jim McMullen, President of COPS Monitoring. "By enhancing response times and the accuracy of emergency dispatches, we are not only helping to protect lives and property but also supporting the evolving needs of our dealers, their customers, and the first responders who serve our communities. We are proud to be part of this critical innovation." "The adoption of ASAP by COPS Monitoring is another strong indicator of the momentum behind this service," said Steve Butkovich, President at The Monitoring Association. Integration with ASAP COPS Monitoring’s integration with ASAP also sets the stage for future advancements, including the secure transmission of video, audio, photos, sensor metadata, and other contextual data designed to improve situational awareness and provide first responders with more actionable intelligence.

Essence Security, a part of Essence Group, a leading technology group developing and supplying wireless, cloud-based security solutions for homes and businesses, announced the integration of its proactive, smoke-generating intruder prevention solution, MyShield, with major monitoring station software providers around the world – the most recent and notable being EBÜS, from German software company Accellence, and American provider COPS Monitoring. Additional software providers integrated with MyShield include: ESI France, Azursoft, Insocam, NXGEN, AlarmControl, Mastermind, Moni, Shrakrak, AlarmSpace, and SoftGuard. As a result of these developments, the availability of Essence’s range of MyShield security smoke solutions will expand significantly across Europe, The United States, and South America. MyShield’s advanced detection MyShield’s integration with these monitoring station software providers allows properties across the globe MyShield’s integration with these monitoring station software providers allows property-owners across the globe to benefit from its unprecedented level of efficacy and proactivity in deterring intruders while ensuring round-the-clock safety. MyShield’s advanced detection capabilities, real-time video verification, and audio warnings, on top of its swift-acting smoke intervention, enable monitoring providers to deliver swift and decisive responses to security threats, greatly improving overall safety and security for customers. MyShield Next solution Also available through these monitoring station software providers is the MyShield Next solution, a variation of MyShield without an integrated camera, for scenarios where visual verification is unnecessary or where existing cameras are already in place. MyShield Next is also offered as a wired device for areas with no LTE CAT-M coverage and integrates seamlessly through wired input into existing security alarm systems. Highly adaptable to the specific needs of both end users and installers, MyShield Next is suitable for a variety of use cases and configurations. “By partnering with these pioneering providers, we are making it possible for people around the world to experience the advanced protection offered by MyShield,” said Dr. Haim Amir, CEO and Founder of Essence Group. “These integrations support our relentless pursuit of excellence in security, ensuring property owners receive the highest level of protection.” MyShield’s real-time intervention capabilities MyShield acts as a ‘first responder,’ narrowing the window of time in which intruders can operate The award-winning, first-of-its-kind MyShield device deploys a veil of harmless yet disorienting smoke that fills a room in 30 seconds, forcing intruders off the premises before they can cause harm to people or property. MyShield acts as a ‘first responder,’ significantly narrowing the window of time in which intruders can operate and providing an enhanced level of security to residential and commercial users -- particularly advantageous in high-risk environments with lone workers or unoccupied buildings where rapid response is crucial. “Working together with Essence Security brings a new level of sophistication to our monitoring capabilities,” said Hardo Naumann, General Manager for EBÜS at Accellence Technologies. “MyShield’s real-time intervention capabilities are setting a new benchmark in security response, and we are excited to offer this to our clients." Innovative security solution  "We are pleased to announce our partnership with Essence to bring MyShield's cutting-edge intruder prevention capabilities to our alarm company clients and their customers across North America," stated Jim McMullen, president of COPS Monitoring. “With MyShield, security dealers now have access to an innovative security solution that can give their customers peace of mind, knowing our dispatchers will have new tools to deal with intrusions quickly and enhance the potential for mitigating loss." MyShield’s battery-powered system Easy to install, MyShield’s battery-powered system includes an integrated motion detector, high-definition video camera to eliminate false alarms, voice announcement, and rapid action remote smoke deployment. It utilizes cellular IoT networks and can be used as a standalone app-based solution or integrated into existing security systems. The low-maintenance device can be easily moved to ensure properties have 24/7 security on demand for reliable protection. Essence Group will be showcasing MyShield and Myshield Next at Security Essen in Essen, Germany, September 17-20 at booth #7C23.

The electronic security industry works intimately with the public safety sector. Police, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs offer a vital service to the communities, in their shared goal of keeping people, places and property safe. To give back to this group that so positively impacts the communities around every one, Electronic Security Association developed the ESA Youth Scholarship Program - a philanthropic endeavor that aims to support the futures of children of first responders. To date, over $733,750 has been awarded to deserving high school seniors who hold a commitment to excellence and are inspired by the work their first responder parent(s) do in the line of duty each day. Electronic Security Association is now accepting entries to its 2021 ESA Youth Scholarship Program. Currently, the scholarship finalists from participating states will compete for an overall ESA National Scholarship award of $7,500 for first place and $2,500 for second place. Electronic security and life safety Online donations, which will enhance these awards, are now available to the electronic security and life safety channel supporters who are interested in contributing. All donations will go directly into the scholarship awards for high school seniors across the country. Supporters will be recognized on the official Electronic Security Association site. These scholarship awards are made possible by the company’s partners COPS Monitoring and DMP. 14 state associations across the nation will join forces with Electronic Security Association in a programmatic effort to support the families of first responders. Winners will be selected from each state and will then compete at the national level for Electronic Security Association’s first and second place awards.

There is a growing trend towards more outsourcing of the monitoring function among security companies. Technology developments are accelerating and increasing the need for monitoring companies to invest. The barriers to entry are higher than ever. These are some of the trends covered in a discussion at Securing New Ground 2019 titled ‘Monitoring: New Models and New Monetization Strategies’. A panel of monitoring company executives addressed topics centered on how the industry is changing and evolving. New entrants in the monitoring space New entrants in the monitoring space face barriers to entry, in particular the need for more investment"“New entrants in the monitoring space face barriers to entry, in particular the need for more investment in infrastructure and expertize,” said Spencer Moore, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Rapid Response Monitoring. ”Because of the expense of new technologies, more full-service monitoring companies are outsourcing the monitoring function to existing wholesale monitoring companies.” “The cost of entry has gone up, and companies are trying to preserve capital,” agreed Jim McMullen, President/COO at COPS Monitoring. “Larger companies are realizing wholesale monitoring does a better job from a customer service viewpoint. We are more focused on monitoring and the quality of service. It takes a lot of money to keep up with the cyber world,” added McMullen. Wholesale monitoring companies Wholesale monitoring companies are finding that they need petabytes of storage space, among other expensive requirements. “The trend is toward technology evolving quicker, and that often requires investment and training in a monitoring center,” said Daniel Oppenheim, CEO of Affiliated Monitoring. “Because trying out new technology is so important, wholesale monitoring centers often find that they serve as a ‘laboratory’ to experiment with newer technologies. Limited trials often expand later to broader outsourcing of a company’s monitoring services”, said Oppenheim. Automated Secure Alarm Protocol “What people miss out on is that monitoring is quite complex, and there are specialized services and skillsets, and barriers to entry from a regulatory perspective,” said Moore. Adding value to the monitoring function is The Monitoring Association’s ASAP-to-PSAP service Adding value to the monitoring function is The Monitoring Association’s ASAP-to-PSAP service. The national service saves time, improves accuracy and increases efficiency in communications between monitoring centers and public safety answering points (PSAPs). The service uses the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). Public Safety Answering Points Up to 60 PSAPS have joined the program, although the low number is misleading, given that a single PSAP could represent the ‘City of Houston’. (There are an estimated 6,000 total PSAPs nationwide). It has taken six to eight years to develop the program from its genesis to where it is today, when more participation is finally creating a critical mass. Technology is fundamentally changing monitoring companies. “We used to be a services company powered by a little bit of technology, but we’re now moving toward a technology services company,” said Moore. Critical ‘filtering service’ Monitoring provides a critical ‘filtering service’ between public requests for emergency service and those tasked with providing the services. In effect, monitoring centers work with manufacturers to make them more resilient to false alarms. Monitoring companies also provide a human touch in a time of need, and emotional empathy. Today, emergency information is being transmitted to PSAPs electronically, which saves time and money. The current low-taxation environment means there are fewer resources for municipal governments, so cost savings make a difference. Monitoring, a specialized skillset Increasingly, monitoring is becoming a business that requires a more specialized skillset Increasingly, monitoring is becoming a business that requires a more specialized skillset. Regulation, and the need for increasing investment, is driving consolidation. “With a decreasing number of monitoring companies, there are fewer customers for software developers and other tools. Less outside innovation makes it more likely monitoring centers will have to ‘go it alone’ and develop software and other tools internally,” said Oppenheim. Importance of monitoring systems “In effect, consolidation will serve to limit technology choices, and to increase the need to in-source a lot of expertize”, agrees Moore. Tying monitoring systems into other software systems is another continuing challenge. “People want our system tied into their system,” said McMullen. “I have two people who focus full time to tie our systems into other systems. There will be more computers talking to computers.”

Widespread use of smartphones and the loT have fuelled explosive demand for connectivity, convenience and control The growing Internet of Things (loT) or intelligent, inter-connected devices are causing a paradigm shift in nearly every technology sector, including the security installing industry. The global IoT market, according to research firm IDC, Framingham, Mass., is predicted to increase from 10.3 million “endpoints” in 2014 to more than 29.5 million in 2020. This article by SourceSecurity.com's dealer/integrator correspondent, Deborah L. O’Mara looks at COPS Monitoring’s focus on helping security companies easily add a wide range of new services and corresponding RMR. Smartphones And loT Connectivity Demand Across the security landscape, this widespread change and adoption of devices and systems riding on the network is causing massive change across the board, from installing companies to central station monitoring firms. Jim McMullen, president and chief operating officer, COPS Monitoring, Williamstown, N.J., says widespread use of smartphones and the loT have fueled explosive demand for connectivity, convenience and control, and the Underwriters Laboratories Listed, Factory Mutual Approved central station provider is delivering the critical services associated with these trends. “Smart hardware for items like lighting, thermostat, locking, and video cameras and useful apps to manage these components are the types of services customers want. Fortunately, many of today’s modern security systems have proven to be a viable platform for a more comprehensive connected home solution. Dealers that understand and embrace these new services can leverage the growing demand by integrating home automation and lifestyle services with security. In many cases, it equates to additional recurring monthly revenue (RMR) and a ‘stickier’ customer.” Geo-Diverse Hometown Central Stations COPS Monitoring operates six strategically located geo-diverse hometown central stations. Five central stations, in New Jersey, Florida, Arizona, Tennessee and Texas, are hot-redundant and load sharing. If local conditions affect one of its locations, it continues to deliver fast and professional service by over-staffing other load-sharing centers. The company’s sixth central station in Maryland will be integrated into its current services in 2015.  "Smart hardware for items like lighting, thermostat, locking, and video cameras and useful apps to manage these components are the types of services customers want, " says Jim McMullen, President & COO COPS Monitoring McMullen says that from the company’s beginning more than 37 years ago, COPS Monitoring’s success has been dependent upon one thing: helping independent alarm dealers succeed.  “Today, we are the largest independently-owned third party monitoring company in the industry, yet our regional approach allows us to maintain a more personable ‘hometown’ level of service,” he says. “With one of the most of experienced management teams in the industry and an in-house staff of programmers, COPS Monitoring not only has clear vision and leadership, but we also have the resources and ability to give our dealers an advantage by quickly adopting the best new technologies as they become available.” New Services And Corresponding RMR COPS Monitoring is fine-focused on helping security companies easily add a wide range of new services and corresponding RMR. “We support essentially all of the modern panels from major manufacturers that give dealers the ability to offer their customers a variety of home control, lifestyle services and security apps,” McMullen says. “In addition to the ability to control their alarm system and other connected devices, consumers can also receive notification about alarm events. We also created our own useful app for dealers to package to end-users as a white-label solution. Unfortunately, today’s security system apps don’t give customers the most important information about what happened during an alarm event - such as who was called, whether a passcode was given, or if the authorities were dispatched. That’s why professional central station monitoring services are so critical, and we wanted the results of our actions to be at the end-users’ fingertips,” he says.  User-Friendly Interface For Customer Satisfaction This solution has been a differentiator for the COPS dealers: the smartphone, tablet and PC access called MPower is branded with the dealer’s logo. The interface is also color-coordinated for a custom look and feel for each dealer. “The additional peace of mind of knowing what happened during an alarm event is why our dealers consider MPower an integral part of protecting RMR.  Its user-friendly interface improves customer satisfaction and ultimately helps to reduce attrition.  What’s more is that MPower can be offered as a standalone service because it works with any panel and transmission format, whether a connected home system is installed or not,” McMullen says. “Our industry is changing at a pace faster than ever before, which means dealers need a central station that can stay ahead of the technology curve and have the ability to quickly support the best emerging technology so they can provide the products and services their customers demand.”