ESX 2010 addresses the industry’s most vital topics with valuable content from the industry’s best presenters. Fifty seminars are organized into the following tracks:

Business Development and Management Track

This track covers a host of powerful and dynamic sessions which will provide every employee in your company with the ideas and tools to make better decisions when it comes to managing and developing your business. Some seminars in this track include: “Good-to-Great Employees” and “Financial Accounting for Security Companies.”

Central Station Operations Track, sponsored by Sur-Gard

This track covers key topics from technology to procedures and techniques to management and development of central station operators. Some seminars in this track include: “Central Station Supervision and the Law” and “PERS as a Profitable Solution.”

Installation Management Track

This track is filled with pragmatic tips and processes for increasing the productivity and quality of the installation function, whether it’s installing alarms, access control or video systems. Some seminars in this track include: “Installation Estimating for Profit” and “The Substance, Impact and Future of NFPA 731.”

RMR Track

This track will help you get on top of methods to maximize and capitalize on RMR—whether it’s tied to traditional alarm monitoring, next generation monitoring of video, managed access control or even service and maintenance contracts. Some seminars in this track include: “Pricing and Selling Service RMR” and “Turning the iPhone and Remote Updates into RMR.”

Sales and Marketing Track, sponsored by Videofied

This track provides the expert strategies, tactics and practices you need to succeed. Some seminars in this track include: “High Impact Sales Management” and “Building Your Referral Network: Peer-to-Peer, Real-World Tips.”

Technology Track, sponsored by ADI

This track tackles the most compelling, opportunity-rich and challenging tech topics in the electronic security industry. Some seminars in this track include: “Migrating to IP Technology” and “Using Technology for Residential Lifestyle Enhancements.”

CEDIA Mini-Track

This track includes CEDIA courses that provide great primers on residential systems that are a natural extension of a home security integrator’s business. The CEDIA courses offered are: “Fundamentals of Residential Lighting and Lighting Control,” “Fundamentals of Multi-Room Audio Systems” and “Fundamentals of Home Theater Design.”

Young Security Professionals Mini-Track

This track tackles new and innovative approaches to security integration and monitoring and the challenges of leadership for a new generation of security professionals. The seminars included in this mini-track are: “From Soup to Nuts: An Employment Law Primer for Young Security Professionals” and “Next Gen Business Systems.”

All ESX Seminars and Workshops are available as a-la-carte purchases, starting at just $59 for members. Deluxe packages are also available to allow you access to all seminars, workshops and a number of special events.

Click here for a complete listing of seminars and their affiliated track.

Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) now offers five additional devices as part of its broad line of wireless security technology. These new commercial fire sensors include the 1165/1165H/1165HS Commercial Smoke Detectors, the 1181 Post Indicator Valve, and the 1182 OS&Y Switch. All of the devices carry the UL Commercial Fire listing, and further expand the selection of DMP wireless devices.

“Dealers are eager for new sensors incorporating wireless technology as well as those with a UL commercial listing,” said Customer Care Manager, Jeff Britton. “These new DMP sensors create additional opportunities to take advantage of the convenience and power of two way wireless communications in commercial security installations.”

The smoke detector is available in three models: 1165 Smoke Detector, 1165H Smoke/Heat Detector, and 1165HS Smoke/Heat Detector with Sounder. All models include a wireless transmitter, as well as a tamper switch that sends a trouble signal if the detector is removed from its mounting base.

The model 1181 Post Indicator Valve is a weatherproof and tamper-resistant wireless switch for monitoring the open position of post indicator, butterfly, and other types of fire sprinkler control valves.

The 1182 OS&Y Switch is used to monitor the open position of an OS&Y-type gate valve. The switch mounts conveniently to most valves ranging in size from ½” to 12″. Both of these switches operate the external contacts of the wireless transmitter when the valve position is altered.

All of the devices are compatible with XR100 and XR500 Command Processor^TM Panels using an 1100X Level F Commercial Wireless Receiver.  Version 203 panel software is required for full sensor functionality and to meet the UL listing.

The popular Optex Wireless 1000 Annunciator System got a huge boost when engineers at Optex nailed down the keys to greater system utility and expanded applications. The addition of the Optex TR-10U Repeater extends the normal RF transmission range and accepts up to four transmitters, fully compatible with other system devices, like the new TC-10 Door/Window Contact Wireless Transmitter. Range? Up to 700 feet in line of sight for indoor or outdoor applications. With the addition of the TR-10U Repeater and the TC-10 Door/Window models, more flexible, expanded, and open system designs are made possible through significantly enhanced features and benefits for dealers, their customers, or end users.

“Sometimes we don’t wait for feedback on how to make a product better – we just do it. We looked at this completely from viewpoint of how a dealer or a customer would think about what could be added to make this really popular system even better,” said Jim Quick, President of Optex, Inc. “Extend the range and utility. Expand the possibility for applications and system designs. Increase a dealer’s opportunity for sales, and deliver more of what a dealer and a customer need. That’s what we’ve done.”

The popularity of the system, now with increased flexibility, can be explained simply in that it utilizes advanced wireless technology, provides ease and speed of installation, offers ideal perimeter awareness and detection for both outdoor/indoor design needs, with wide-ranging, multiple applications for the home and business markets. Door strikes, locks, motors, and various electrical equipment can be activated. Flexible and dynamic, the wireless remote control that is so simple to use satisfies both dealers and end users.

“I‘m thrilled by the new capabilities for the Wireless 1000,” said Optex Marketing Director Adam McGuern. “Sales of the Wireless 1000 were excellent before these enhancements; our sales projections have notched up again. In addition, some dealers with existing Wireless 1000 installations have already told us they’ll be revisiting all their customers to show them the new units and how they can improve and extend their existing systems. The new models are completely compatible with previous Optex Wireless 1000 systems.”

Introduced first at the ASIS International Seminar and Exhibit in Anaheim in September, special “new model launch pricing” is in effect through October 31st of 2009. Optex is providing a double bonus, special discount pricing for both the two new models as well as the entire Wireless 1000 Annunciator System.

For more information, specifications, or discount pricing, please contact Brittany Kutzke, Inside Sales at Optex, Inc., toll-free at 800-966-7839, extension 147 (some references appear on the website at www.OptexAmerica.com at “Wireless”).

We want to make you aware of a Florida insurance change brought to our attention by Gary Franklyn of Security Networks in West Palm Beach, FL. While this change only affects Florida, we thought our entire membership would benefit from knowing about this issue.

The Florida State Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has approved a request from State Farm Florida to eliminate many of the discounts the company offers to its policy holders including the discount for having a monitored alarm system on the property. Other discounts being cut include history of low claims and multi-policy discounts. In all, according to the OIR, the removal of the discounts amount to a 28.4 percent rate increase for State Farm Florida customers. (Read the office’s approval letter.)

The changes will take affect beginning November 1 of this year for new customers and December 1 for renewing customers. State Farm Florida states it will send renewal letters 100 days in advance of policy renewals, informing customers how their premiums will change under the new policy.

Currently, only State Farm Florida has requested this change in policy.

Acadian Monitoring Services, America on Watch Security Network, announced the addition of DMP receivers at two of its central stations in Lafayette, Louisiana and Austin, Texas. The SCS-1R Security Control Receivers will enhance Acadian’s central station service offerings to include monitoring of LAN/WAN and Internet accounts along with traditional dialer services. In addition, because of DMP’s status as a government-recognized provider, Acadian can now monitor government-rated facilities using DMP equipment.

“The addition of these DMP products gives us more flexibility in the types of facilities and accounts we can monitor, and opens new doors for us in terms of growing our customer and dealer base,” said Kenny Savoie, director of operations, Acadian Monitoring Services. “As telephony demand increases over the internet for both home and commercial applications, a solution to monitor these alarm panels via the Internet is on the rise. The DMP SCS-1R allows us to provide that service and also helps us accommodate existing and prospective dealers looking to meet unique customer needs.”

“Acadian recently received its UL 2050 certificate to monitor government and DHS mandated facilities, and we believe that, coupled with the addition of these DMP products, will dramatically increase our reach into that market,” continued Savoie.

The SCS-1R Security Control Receiver is an advanced, highly reliable central station receiver that can monitor dialer, LAN/WAN or Internet accounts on one receiver for alarm, trouble, user, and system reports. It is designed to meet the growing demand for network monitoring with flexible, expandable solutions including:

• Up to five receiving lines on each system
• 65,535 digital dialer accounts
• 3,200 data network accounts
• 5,000 event memory
• AES Encryption
• UL 864 Commercial Fire Monitoring

This service supports the new DMP XT Series panel control. Residential and commercial users can remote into or send text commands and control panel applications, arm and disarm, control outputs and retrieve system status via their cell phone.

Honeywell Fire Systems announced the limited warranty period on its fire alarm products manufactured within the United States will be extended from 18 to 36 months, effective immediately. The warranty extension applies to Honeywell’s Notifier, Fire-Lite Alarms, Gamewell-FCI and Silent Knight-brand fire alarm control systems manufactured in the U.S.

To help ensure all products currently in the marketplace are covered, the warranty extension is retroactive, applicable to products manufactured on or after January 1, 2009. Therefore, products with a date code stamp of “0109″ or later are protected by the new 36-month policy. Date code digits one and two indicate the week in which the product was manufactured with the last two digits representing the year.

According to Honeywell Fire Systems’ Vice President of Operations John Chetelat, warranty terms were extended as another means of customer support. “We have rigid quality-assurance standards employed throughout our product development and manufacturing processes. But if a product is found to have an inherent defect, we want our customers to trust we’ll back them.”

The warranty extension joins other customer-support initiatives recently enhanced by Honeywell Fire Systems. A third training center for Notifier and Gamewell-FCI customers was just opened in Lincolnshire, Ill., to improve access to hands-on training. Silent Knight has introduced a new Lunch-N-Learn fire protection program aimed at educating specifiers and facilities personnel, while Fire-Lite continues to host more than 60 fire alarm systems trainings throughout the country, free-of-charge.

For more information on products, extended warranty terms or other customer support initiatives, visit Honeywell Fire Systems’ individual brand websites: Notifier, Fire-Lite Alarms, Gamewell-FCI and Silent Knight.

Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) has released the latest upgrade to its XT Series Burglary/Fire/Door Access Panel, with new features that enhance security, simplify operation for end users, and provide dealers with opportunities for additional recurring revenue from cellular services.

End users can now issue common commands via cell phone text messages to their system, including arming or disarming their system. If users can’t remember the commands, they can just type ‘HELP’ and the panel will send the commands to them in a message. The enhanced SMS/text messaging capability also lets end users selectively subscribe to alerts when their system is armed and disarmed, and/or any alarms occur. Message destination addresses have been expanded to 48 characters to accommodate additional cellular service carriers.

With the latest XT version, installers and central stations gained the ability to remotely program panels via cellular. Dealers will also appreciate the availability of more zones, areas, and keypad addresses, providing enhanced flexibility and protection.

“The XT Series was a ground-breaking panel when it was introduced last year, with all communication options … network, cell, and dialer built on one board, plus the included wireless capability,” said Vice President of Sales, Jeff McAleer. “Now we’ve increased the functionality and ease of use by enabling end users to control their alarm systems from anywhere via simple text messages. Dealers will be impressed with the full programming capabilities via cell, expanded zones, areas, and addresses, and that we’ve further increased the capabilities of what is already one of the most powerful and flexible panels available.”

Version 102 increases the capability of the XT30 to 42 zones; 10 onboard and 32 via the eight keypad addresses. The XT50 offers 58 zones; 10 onboard and 48 wired or wireless zones. Each XT panel can now manage up to six areas and supports up to eight keypad addresses. The XT also now supports the DMP 1126 Wireless PIR.

For retail and other installations, the “Late to Open/Early to Close” and “Traffic Count” messages provide end users with valuable information about activities in their facilities.

C100STEAM is Napco’s most powerful Dual Technology PIR/MW Sensor to date. It flawlessly scans and monitors a long-range area of 50’ x 50’ in both commercial and residential settings and selects the most appropriate sensitivity mode to keep up with its ever-changing environments. C100STEAM’s powerful detection drastically reduces false alarms and provides years of reliable protection.

Napco’s C100STEAM auto-adjusts to its environment 24/7 to counteract false alarms and adapts to environmental disturbances strong enough to generate a signal but insufficient in strength to set off an alarm. Like other popular sensors, C100STEAM automatically changes its sensitivity modes to widen the gap between the detected signal and its alarm threshold so false alarms are significantly reduced. When enabled, built-in anti-mask/block supervision quickly detects intentional or accidental masks or blocks and sends a trouble signal whenever it encounters these conditions. Other security enhancements include a look down feature that prevents people from crawling under the sensor unnoticed.

With C100STEAM, customers will always enjoy the highest levels of false alarm protection and intruder-catch detection at all times. Call Napco at 1-800-645-9445 or go to www.napcosecurity.com for more information about our new cost-effective solutions to false alarms, callbacks and service calls.