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In This Issue
NBFAA News
Could Your Business Use a Little TLC?
Isn’t it time you focused on the business of running your business, helping it grow and prosper? And could you benefit from a five percent discount off the products you use the most? NBFAA thinks so and that’s why we have teamed up with Tri-Ed and The Summit Group to offer you Business Growth Strategies, a training seminar designed to build better businesses.
Courses are focused on realistic, yet powerful, solutions to real life situations for owners, sales managers, customer service representatives, and installers. Alarm dealers and systems integrators should sign up NOW for one of these sessions. All sessions will take place at Tri-Ed’s branch offices in these cities.
- Boston, Mass. – Nov. 14
- Buffalo, N.Y. – Nov. 16
The one-day training is divided into three main components:
- The leadership training course, worth .3 National Training School (NTS) CEUs, will provide practical solutions to increase a company’s bottom line and streamline processes.
- The sales training portion, worth .3 NTS CEUs, aims to increase results for sales and business development professionals.
- The customer service training section, worth .1 NTS CEU, seeks to increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and growth.
In addition to the benefits this training will deliver, Tri-Ed is also giving attendees a five percent discount for products purchased on the training date.
To register for a session, or to learn more go here.
Fall Conference Photos Now Online
NBFAA recently posted 2007 Fall Conference photos on its Web site at www.alarm.org.
Pictures of the following events may be downloaded and used freely by NBFAA members and chartered chapters:
- Chapter Workshop
- Member Reception
- Awards Luncheon
- Board of Directors' Breakfast
- Board of Directors' Meeting
- Heroes Scholarship Reception and Dinner
For additional information, or help with downloading, contact NBFAA at communications@alarm.org or (888) 447-1689.
Welcome IVR Controls as NBFAA’s Newest Associate Member
NBFAA has recently added another top-notch member, IVR Controls, to its associate member ranks.
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IVR Controls has developed a video software platform that provides viewing, recording, archiving, storage and playback of live streaming video over the Internet using a standard broadband connection and router. A digital video recorder is not required. The software is compatible with select Internet protocol (IP) cameras, and all analog cameras. The software package is also available in an Enterprise version. Available exclusively through authorized dealers, the program is designed to increase dealers’ recurring monthly revenue. Visit www.ivrcontrols.com to learn more and to become a dealer. |
Make History with NBFAA
Plans are underway for NBFAA’s 60th Anniversary celebration, which will begin in 2008. Part of this celebration will include the publishing of an NBFAA Tribute Book that will illustrate the association’s history, as well as the industry’s. All 2008 members will receive a copy, and we will be distributing at the inaugural ESX event in Nashville. (For information about ESX go here.)
One of the highlights of the Tribute Book will be stories about the many multi-generational companies that have helped our industry grow. But we need your help to tell those stories. Please contact us if your family’s company spans multiple generations. We want to feature YOU.
Also, we are hoping to highlight as many of the long-time NBFAA member companies as we can. So please, let us hear your stories, how long you’ve been in business and where you want your company and the industry to go. If you have photos of your company when it first started and what it is like today, send those as well.
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We also have a photo that we would like to know more about. If you recognize the photo, or if you or someone you know is in the photo, then please call us and tell us all about it. If you are having trouble viewing the photo, download a hi-res version. It has been an exciting 60 years and with your help we can make it a memorable celebration. To help contribute to this project, contact us today at (888) 447-1689 or send an e-mail to communications@alarm.org. Finally, start thinking about supporting this project with a tribute sponsorship ad or product ad in the Tribute Book. Check out the opportunities here. |
Continue Your Education in the Comfort of Your Home
NTS knows your time, and your employees’ time, is valuable which means continuing education sometimes takes a back seat to the day-to-day activities. Keeping up on training for yourself and your staff, however, is still very important to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced industry. That’s why NTS offers thousands of online training opportunities.
Online courses can be taken on your own time, in the comfort of your home. NTS courses include Certified Alarm Technician (Level I), Fire Alarm Installation Methods, and, most recently, Advanced Burglar Alarm Technician.
NTS also offers more than 2,500 business skills courses providing professional, technical and desktop application software courses.
A complete listing of NTS’ online training courses can be found in the Professional Development section of NBFAA’s Web site at www.alarm.org.
NTS Training Offers Customer Confidence
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It’s no secret that when a customer relies on someone to provide their family the safety and security they desire, they want that person to be the best trained individual out there. NTS classes can help your staff get the training they need, and your customers expect. Complete course descriptions and schedules are available at www.alarm.org in the Professional Development section. Classroom courses are listed by state and class type. Individuals in states where classes are not currently offered, who are interested in receiving training, should contact NTS. |
Please use the following to contact NTS:
Send any hard copy correspondence to NTS at the following address:
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Life Safety Code Course & Workshop Understanding Alarm Systems Video System Technology |
Upcoming courses:
Advanced Burglar Alarm Technician
Oct. 23 – 24 – Kansas
Oct. 23 – 24 – Boston, Mass.
Oct. 24 – 26 – Buffalo, N.Y.
Certified Alarm Technician (Level I)
Oct. 15 – 17 – Des Moines, Iowa
Oct 16 – 18 – Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
Oct. 16 – 18 – Fairfax, Va.
Oct. 18 – 19 – Salt Lake City, Utah
Oct. 19 – 21 – Kenner, La.
Oct. 23 – 25 – San Diego, Calif.
Oct. 24 – 26 – Cleveland, Ohio
Oct. 26 – 28 – Montevallo, Ala.
Electronic Access Control
Oct. 18 – 19 – Detroit, Mich.
Fire Alarm Installation Methods
Oct. 13 – 14 – Lafayette, La.
Oct. 18 – 19 – Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Oct. 18 – 19 – Des Moines, Iowa
Oct. 18 – 19 – Brookfield, Wisc.
Oct. 20 – 21 – Tupelo, Miss.
Oct. 23 – 24 – Tulsa, Okla.
NBFAA & Chapter Calendar Highlights
Save the Date for Leadership Summit Held in Dallas
Save the date for the NBFAA Leadership Summit which begins Tuesday, January 15 and runs through Friday, January 18.
This four-day event, to be held in Dallas, will include a chapter workshop, committee meetings, the Board of Directors’ breakfast and meeting as well as a meet-and-greet reception and a leadership dinner.
The event begins with a welcome reception on Jan. 15. Day two includes a Board of Directors’ breakfast and meeting, chapter meeting and a leadership dinner. The third day has scheduled various committee meetings, a special industry breakfast, the chapter workshop and a chapter appreciation reception. The final day ends the summit with three more committee meetings.
Visit www.alarm.org often for updates on hotel information and speakers as they become available.
Be sure to mark your calendar for these other exciting events as well.
NBFAA Day on Capitol Hill | April 30-May 1
NBFAA Government Relations Committee is planning a targeted, informative and worthwhile second annual NBFAA Day on Capitol Hill.
2008 NBFAA Summer Conference | June 23-27
Held in concert with the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in Nashville, Tenn., the Summer Conference will include: chartered chapter meeting, committee meetings, the Board of Directors' meeting, annual membership meeting, Board of Directors’ breakfast, awards luncheon.
NBFAA / CSAA Party and 60th Anniversary Celebration | June 26
In celebration of the NBFAA’s 60th Anniversary, at the conclusion of the first show day of ESX the alarm associations will host a fun theme party featuring hors d'oeuvres, open bar, a name musical act, and a multimedia tribute to the associations’ leaders and accomplishments across the decades.
Electronic Security Expo (ESX) | June 25-27
This inaugural three-day event will debut in the Nashville Convention Center, with seminars running June 25-27, 2008 and exhibits June 26-27.
Visit the ESX Web site for more information about the event and to learn about sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities.
For more information on these and other events, visit NBFAA’s Event Calendar online.
Chapter News
NYBFAA Presents Annual President’s Award
During the recently concluded ISC East event, the New York Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NYBFAA) presented its annual President’s Award to John Lombardi, president of CIA Security and a past president of the NYBFAA.
Current NYBFAA President Tim Creenan recognized Lombardi for his years of industry involvement, serving as:
- President of NYBFAA
- Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) representative on the National Fire Protection Association Committee For Premise Security
- CSAA Education Committee co-chair and on the CSAA Executive Board
- Founder of the Mid Hudson Alarm Association in Dutchess County, N.Y. where he presently serves as treasurer.
Under Lombardi’s leadership, the association, which was nearly bankrupt, turned its focus towards vital industry training, hired a new executive director, saw more active committees and a new attitude that now serves its members and industry with quality services.
Creenan, in presenting the award, recalled Lombardi’s first board meeting as president, where he said, “Things are going to be different now.”
“John’s vision of the future remains what it has always been, education, involvement and commitment,” Creenan added.
Ohio Gets Licensing Passed State House of Representatives
On Oct. 10, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 41 concerning licensing the providers of services relating to security, life-safety or locksmith services in Ohio with a vote of 82 to 14.
The Ohio Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (OBFAA) wishes to thank the sponsor of this bill, State Representative Joe Uecker (R-66), and his aide Sheila Ross, both of whom have invested tireless effort to reach this landmark. “We also wish to thank our lobbyist Ron Stake. Ron has proven invaluable to the Association's legislative process and taken our licensing effort to a level never before achieved,” said Beverly (Bev) Bailey, OBFAA Executive Director.
“Many dealers, both members and non-members have participated in the process through testimony to the committee and their letters and phone calls to their representatives. These dealers made a tremendous difference in accomplishing this milestone,” added Bailey.
Though House Bill 41 has passed the House of Representatives, the process is not over. The bill will now proceed to the Ohio Senate. OBFAA will continue to work with Uecker and Ross to lobby the State Senate for passage of this important legislation. Continued support from the dealers will be key in helping OBFAA realize their goal of a state license that works for alarm dealers.
Download the complete text of House Bill 41 as passed by the Ohio House of Representatives, including the bill analysis.
Member Benefit Spotlight
BuyerZone.com is Your Premier Source for Sales Leads
BuyerZone.com |
Founded in 1992, BuyerZone’s online purchasing marketplace attracts buyers proactively seeking product and pricing information across more than 125 product and service categories, including commercial and residential security systems. The BuyerZone ‘Request for Quotes’ process asks key questions about each buyer’s specific needs and purchase timeframe, allowing BuyerZone to make a qualified match to the most appropriate security providers with their supplier network. With more than three billion dollars in purchasing transactions facilitated through BuyerZone.com through 2004, BuyerZone’s service delivers a high return on investment for more than 7,000 national and local suppliers. |
NBFAA’s Member Benefits Program Offers Discounts on Goods and Services
Did you know that as a member of the NBFAA you are eligible for discounts on a wide variety of goods and services such as insurance, shipping, car rentals and more?
Visit the Members Only section today to get the discount codes that will enable you to save and impact your bottom line.
Industry News You Can Use
FCC Provides Official Proclamation About AMPS
There is now an additional resource that you can provide to your customers who may be impacted by the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) sunset date of February 2008 for the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS).
The FCC now has an official proclamation about the AMPS transition that you can provide to your customers in printed form or by referring them to the FCC’s Web site:
Members can also download a new Customer Sample Letter in the Members section of www.alarm.org which contains this new information from the FCC.
PDQ Program to Honor Those Who Fight False Alarms
Companies dedicated to reducing false alarms are invited to enter the 2008 Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) award program. Entries are being accepted through Dec. 1.
Sponsored by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA) and Security Sales & Integration, the honor recognizes alarm installing and monitoring businesses for establishing practices that help prevent false dispatches.
Brink’s Home Security captured the 2007 award for achieving exceptionally low false police dispatches in Montgomery County (Md.). You can read about Brink’s winning ways in the May 2007 issue of SSI.
Examples of police department and security company cooperation are being collected to help create best practices guidelines in the PDQ program, and dealers and integrators are invited to share their winning stories.
The winning alarm company will be recognized in a hometown ceremony along with a local law enforcement representative and will receive $1,000 courtesy of Honeywell to travel to Las Vegas for next year’s ISC West to receive their award at the 2008 SAMMY Awards. SSI will also honor the victorious company with an article in the magazine.
For more information and to download an application and the “Getting Started” guide, visit www.siacinc.org or www.faraonline.org.
Study: Alarm Market to Reach $19.6 Billion by 2011
Despite a two percent fall, from $17.8 billion in 2005 to $17.5 billion in 2006, the market for alarm systems, services, and installations is expected to reach $19.6 billion by 2011, according to “U.S. Market for Alarm Systems, Services and Installations,” a new report from market research publisher SBI.
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Excessive False Alarms Could Result in Fines
Reno residents and businesses with security alarm systems would face immediate fines, leading up to temporary loss of a police response for excessive false alarms, under an ordinance to be considered by the City Council on Oct. 10.
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After All the Debate, Fontana, Calif., Now on Verified Response
Fontana, Calif., made major industry news when it voted to turn to a verified response policy earlier this summer.
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Member News
Protection One Lets Their Customers Go Mobile
Protection One is now offering its customers the option of Web-enabled access to their security system. The company is marketing the service as e-Secure, and is offering it to both its residential and its commercial security systems customers.
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ADT and Qwest Partner for Security and Communications
ADT Security Services, a top provider of in-home security and life safety services, and Qwest, a provider of home broadband services, have announced an agreement for complementary services.
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Micro Key Software Announces Another New Hire
Micro Key Software, a provider of software solutions to the security alarm industry, has hired Joseph L. Ligouri as office manager for its corporate headquarters in Kissimmee, Florida.
Ligouri, a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, will be using his marketing, sales and finance experience to enhance Micro Key’s accounting software among other duties.
Member Product News
Napco’s StarLink, Now Universal Backup Alarm Reporting on GSM/GPRS National Network
Napco’s StarLink is now on the Global System for Mobile communications/General Packet Radio Service (GSM/GPRS) National Network which is universal and offers greater coverage for backup alarm reporting.
StarLink’s Backup Wireless Radios connects between any alarm control panel and its telephone connection. Whenever the traditional telephone line connection fails, StarLink radio wirelessly connects directly and expeditiously to the GSM network to transmit the alarm signal to any central monitoring station.
ADI and Lantronix Bring Device Networking Solutions to Security Integrators
ADI, a global wholesale distributor of security and low voltage products, recently announced an agreement with Lantronix Inc to distribute its Ethernet and Wi-Fi device networking solutions to security integrators to remotely access, monitor and control electronic security products over a network or the Internet.
Lantronix products allow electronic devices to become network-enabled and fully-functional in a matter of minutes. With an extensive line of networking solutions for commercial or industrial applications, Lantronix solutions offer an easy and inexpensive way to add a new level of communication and maximize customers’ investment in existing equipment. Legacy equipment, from remote machinery in the field or factory, to network infrastructure and information technology data center equipment, can now be attached to an IP network with Lantronix solutions.
NBFAA and Members in the News
NBFAA in the News
NBFAA/CSAA Study Shows Member Companies Have Varied End Markets
Security System News
The increased collaboration between the two major security associations – NBFAA and the Central Station Alarm Association – brought to light by the groups’ plans to hold an industry educational conference and exhibit called ESX in Nashville in June 2008, was in further evidence September 17 when they release a study that highlights all sorts of information about the groups’ members.
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Members in the News
GELSSA Opens New Offices in Metro Atlanta
SecurityInfoWatch.com
The Georgia Electronic Life Safety and Systems Association, an NBFAA chartered state association, has announced the opening of its new offices in a suburban location in Metro Atlanta.
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Recent Press Releases
Heroes of September 11 Honored at NBFAA and AIREF Event
NBFAA and the Alarm Industry Research Educational Foundation (AIREF) honored the fallen police, fire and Port Authority officials from September 11, 2001 with the presentation of a $174,000 check to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund® at a recent industry event.
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For Member Update
Sponsorship information, contact
NBFAA Senior Director of Business Development Tonja
Jenkins.
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