By Melissa M. Courville, Client Services & Head of Marketing, DICE Corporation

Finding out that Pittsburgh is the next stop for the industry-changing ESX conference was a thrill!  Having lived in Pittsburgh for a few years, with family ties to the area, it’s easy to fall in love with the city that mixes both history and the NOW, harmoniously. From the architecture of the widely-renowned PPG building, Heinz Ketchup factory and Andy Warhol museum, to the bustling shops at Station Square and beauty of Point Park, Pittsburgh was deservedly voted one of the safest and cleanest cities in the United States, and has been for years.

ESX has already become a highlight in my plans, where security life meets industry-specific networking.  The ESX event continues to be a focal point for security integration and monitoring companies with showcases for the ESA Weinstock/Jackson Awards, CSAA anniversary and the SDM Gala, as well as the niche-focused tradeshow, seminars and conferences.  As the head of marketing for DICE Corporation, I’m very glad that we’ve continued to invest in and make it our commitment to attend each event.  The rewards are priceless.

Recently, the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) – whose membership is comprised of representatives from ESA, the Central Station Alarm Association, the Security Industry Association and several national companies – submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission in response to AT&T’s recent filing concerning the transition from the circuit-switched network to broadband and IP-based communications.

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress directed the FCC to create a national broadband plan by March 17, 2010 that seeks to ensure that all Americans have access to broadband capability.  As part of their plan development, the commission, in December, sought comments on the transition from a circuit-switched network to an all-IP network. The FCC is trying to determine whether or not new policy should be considered and what relevant questions should be raised on how best to monitor and plan for such a transition.
Read the FCC public notice.

On December 21, AT&T filed a comment with the FCC that, among other things, explicitly called for the phasing out of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).  In their filing AT&T states (emphasis added), “Due to technological advances, changes in consumer preference, and market forces, the question is when, not if, POTS service and the PSTN over which it is provided will become obsolete. In the meantime, however, the high costs associated with the maintenance and operation of the legacy network are diverting valuable resources, both public and private, that could be used to expand broadband access and to improve the quality of broadband service. It is for that reason that one of the most important steps the Commission can take to facilitate an orderly transition to an all-broadband communications infrastructure is to eliminate the regulatory requirements that prolong the life of POTS and the PSTN.”
Read AT&T’s comments.

Today, approximately one-third of Americans live in, work in and go to premises where security systems are utilized. Accordingly, many Americans would be impacted if the PSTN is retired before there is a thorough understanding of how it is relied upon everyday in security applications to protect them from harm. Therefore, the AICC in its filing has called on the FCC to consider a plan of orderly transition to broadband and IP-based communications – one that ensures communications services to all Americans will operate with a high degree of reliability and compatibility with existing life safety services and equipment.
Read the comments from AICC.

ESA supports broadband development and IP-based communications. These developments carry great potential in connection with alarm services such as the ability to transmit more data at faster speeds from a protected premise to the monitoring station.

However, the ability of the alarm industry to rely on broadband and IP-based communications will be hindered if all aspects of the communications path are not reliable. Further, ESA and other industry groups support a gradual transition to broadband and IP-based communications to ensure compatibility with existing services and equipment. ESA realizes that their membership is composed of different types and sizes of companies and that the transition to broadband can be complicated and resource intensive. A gradual transition will provide smaller companies the opportunity to make the changeover in a more economically feasible manner.

As the FCC works on its National Broadband Plan, ESA, through its active involvement in the AICC, will continue to monitor, participate in and report back on the development and impact of the plan.

Awards program recognizes products’ business impact on installation and monitoring companies

The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) has announced the call for entries for the 2010 Maximum Impact Awards program. The awards are open to all manufacturers and service providers with products and services for the electronic security industry.

Winners of the 2009 awards were: AES-IntelliNet, Altronix, Axis Communications, Bold Technologies, Ltd., Connected Technologies, DMP – Digital Monitoring Products, e-DATA, EMERgency 24, Honeywell Security, SedonaOffice (from Perennial Software), Silent Knight by Honeywell, SureView Systems, System Sensor and Videofied – RSI Video Technologies

These awards are the first and only program to consider the business impact of a product or service on installation and monitoring companies as the foremost criterion for praise. The program will recognize both new and recently introduced products in a wide variety of electronic security product and service categories, including:

• Video Surveillance
• Access Control/ID Systems
• Accessories & Aids
• Intrusion Alarms
• Fire Alarms
• Central Station Equipment
• Industry Services
• Residential Custom Electronics

Judges will evaluate written entries submitted by supplier companies, with a focus on the products’ ability to increase revenue, profits and company value for installing and monitoring companies.

Products and services introduced to the market between January 1, 2008 – July 1, 2010 are eligible for the awards. All entries are due by March 19, 2010. Complete entry details and a submission form can be found at www.esxweb.com/max.

Winners will be announced on-site at the 2010 Electronic Security Expo in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, June 16.

The ESX Maximum Impact Awards are sponsored by Security Products magazine.

For more information on the awards program, contact Shannon Murphy at smurphy@ae-ventures.com or 508-618-4224. For complete ESX event details, please visit www.esxweb.com or call 877-628-9558.

New World Incentives offers free travel, gift cards, rebates and more that will open more doors, get more signed contracts and increase sales. Potential customers will be more interested in your service if you make the monitoring fee less. By giving away rebates which gives these same customers $20/month or a free trip to Hawaii, or a $1000 SavingsBucks Gift Card, etc., you will entice more customers to buy your product. Visit www.newworldincentives.com/videolibrary to learn how!

SureView Systems’ Immix is a UL classified automation software platform designed to receive alarm events from industry standard receivers, video, video analytics and access control systems. Immix associates events with on site video and audio devices displaying it to the central station operator in a way that is highly automated and easy to use. Combining the ability to receive events from UL certified burglar and fire alarm systems with video and audio confirmation; immix delivers a powerful and unique product to today’s central stations. Immix is an open architecture software product which integrates a wide range of security systems providing central stations with a single point of control and service delivery for diverse hardware configurations and to support developing customer needs. Visit www.sureviewsystems.com to learn more.

In an increasingly competitive market, consumers have many options when it comes to choosing a security and life safety provider. Making your company standout amongst the rest is a necessity for success, and one national award will give you the tools. The Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) Award highlights one company that demonstrates excellence in customer protection and it’s easy to apply. “Atronic Alarms was very excited to be recognized by the PDQ Award for our dedication to reducing false alarms,” said Perry Atha, President and Developer of Atronic Alarms, last year’s winner. “We have always made false alarm prevention a priority and we were able to implement the PDQ Award into our marketing initiatives to further validate this commitment to our current and potential clients, as well our team members.” “We were extremely pleased that the efforts at ADS to work closely with our customers and local law enforcement officials was nationally acknowledged and rewarded through the PDQ Award,” said Robert A. Bonifas, ADS President and CEO. ADS won the PDQ the year before last. “Through this recognition, our clients and local officials were able to clearly see the pledge to safety that we pride ourselves on.” Created by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) and the False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA), and co-sponsored by Security Sales & Integration Magazine and Honeywell Security, the 5th Annual PDQ Award will recognize one North American security company that best demonstrates a dedicated and cooperative effort to reduce unnecessary alarm dispatches. In conjunction with national and local marketing campaigns to promote the winning company, award organizers will also provide the winner with hotel and airfare accommodations to attend the award ceremony at the 2010 Electronic Security Expo where the presentation will be made in front of hundreds of industry professionals. “The PDQ Award is a great way to highlight your company from many different standpoints,” said Stan Martin, Executive Director of SIAC. ”We are firmly devoted to the principles behind the PDQ Award and will do all that we can to assist the winning company with getting the message out about their extraordinary efforts. We have simplified the nomination application and look forward to finding out who will be the next PDQ Award winner.” To participate in the 5th Annual PDQ Award, monitoring and/or installing alarm dealers in the U.S. and Canada may download an official application at www.siacinc.org. Once completed, simply return the application to SIAC by mail, postmarked by Feb. 28, 2010. Previous winners of the PDQ Award include Atronic Alarms, Alarm Detection Systems Inc., Broadview Security, and Vector Security.

Jeffrey Atkins, President of Rapid Response Monitoring Systems, Inc., has announced the dates and location of RRUG 2010, the Second Annual Rapid Response User Group Event. The Company’s dealers, service providers, exhibitors and vendors are invited to attend the Event being held August 1-4, 2010 at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York.

An active program of training courses and breakout sessions, technical orientations, guest speakers, exhibitions and tours of the Rapid Response facility, RRUG 2009, the inaugural User Group Event, was a resounding success attended by over 400 dealers. It was also held at the Turning Stone Resort, a world-class resort featuring lavish dining, luxury accommodations, gaming and PGA golf courses.

“The success of RRUG 2009 was very instructive,” added Atkins. “It became increasingly obvious during the Event that, in spite of hard times, if we just came together and shared a dedication to success, we could achieve it. Consequently, for RRUG 2010 we are designing our programs to emphasize teamwork and a more unified response to industry and business concerns that can lead to a successful future for all of us.”

The Installation Quality (IQ) Certification Program has announced the election of its 2010 Board of Directors and the election of officers.

The December vote added Michael Allen of Southern Utah Alarm as the newest member of the IQ Certification Board as well as Jackie Currier of Rapid Response Monitoring who served as a board member from 2007-2008. Deborah Sokol was elected to another two-year term.

Following are the 2010 IQ Certification Program Board of Directors with their terms in parentheses. Each elected IQ Board member will serve a two-year term.

• Timothy Creenan, (2009-10) Amherst Alarm
• Jacqueline Currier, (2010-11) Rapid Response Monitoring
• Ronald Galippo,  (2009-10) Total Watch Security, Inc.
• Dave Simon, (2009-10) Broadview Home Security
• Deborah Sokol. (2010-2011) Monitor Controls
• Michael Allen, (2010-2011) Southern Utah Alarm

The IQ Certification Board also re-appointed its three Public Safety Directors – Joseph  Benoit of the Greenwich Fire Department, Steven Heggemann of the Baltimore County Alarm Reduction Team and Matt Schue of the Oklahoma State Department of Health Alarm Division – to one-year terms.

The IQ Certification Board administers the IQ Certification Program and reviews each application for company certification and approves or denies certification based solely on the IQ Certification Guidelines. Board members prioritize initiatives for the year and determine the projects, activities and events to be undertaken.

Long-time board members, Dave Currie of Security Response Center and Gail Schreiner of Alarm Watch are retiring from the IQ Board this year. However, they will continue in new non-voting positions as committee chairs for Grievance and Membership respectively.

During the meeting, the board also elected officers from the board roster. Tim Creenan will again serve as chairman, Dave Simon will serve as vice chairman, Jackie Currier will serve as secretary and Deborah Sokol will serve as treasurer.

“We’ve made considerable progress these last few years in spreading the word of IQ as the leading installation quality certification program for security alarm systems, developing new marketing materials and adding new members,” said Dale Eller, executive director of the program. “The 2010 IQ Certification Board will continue the work in realizing our goals.”

Some of the goals for 2010 include working more closely with the industry associations and developing closer ties with the public safety community.

Cernium Corporation’s CheckVideo intelligent video solution for remote video monitoring is revolutionizing the way central stations monitor and verify alarms. Incorporating advanced video analytics at an affordable price, CheckVideo is a hosted solution with video management functionality that takes only minutes to configure, deploy and maintain. For over a decade, Cernium has brought advanced video technology to customers worldwide, from residential and small-medium business consumers to Fortune 100 manufacturers, government, healthcare, education, and major cultural institutions. For more information, visit www.cernium.com.

Madico’s SafetyShield Window Films stop intruders in their tracks. When struck, the glass will break, but not shatter, preventing the intruder from entering quickly, and leaving him wondering what to do next. In most cases, the answer is simple: move on. SafetyShield® 1500 is among the first films in the world to pass the UL972 standard for Anti-Intrusion – making it the easy choice to help secure your home or business from theft and intrusion. For more information, visit www.madico.com.

The Leads Network delivers home owner prospects who want to speak to you now about a home security system. These hot prospects are checked, filtered, guaranteed exclusive and delivered in real-time. They have agreed to speak to you and are waiting for your call right now. For more information, visit www.theleadsnetwork.com.

Ameba Technology was established in 1995 from out of an ISO 9002 certified factory in Taiwan and prides itself on manufacturing an extensive range of high quality and cost effective CCTV Cameras, DVRs, Multiplexers, Monitors and Accessories that are quality assured and CE approved. With our broad range of security products, dedicated technical support and professional sales team, we are committed in providing the best solutions to your security needs. Contact Ameba Technology for more information at (888) 88-AMEBA or visit www.AmebaCCTV.com.

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.

Tri-Ed is pleased to introduce customers to TruVision from GE Security. The state-of-the-art line of video products delivers the latest security advances at a budget-friendly price. The affordable TruVision solution helps win projects and offers the prestige of the GE name.

TruVision’s DVR 10 combines with TruVision cameras, recorders, monitors and software to offer a rock solid surveillance system. As GE’s strongest distribution partner, Tri-Ed will be hosting TruVision Trainings and Counter Days at its branches across the country. To learn more about these and other GE Security products, visit your local Tri-Ed branch or www.tri-ed.com.

All GE security products always earn customers double Great Expectations reward points redeemable for prizes and merchandise. GE products can be easily found in the dedicated GE Solutions Center at every Tri-Ed branch location across the US and Canada.

The Arizona Alarm Association (AzAA) has scheduled its annual Conference and Public Safety Appreciation Days for Sep. 16 – 17 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library.

The program is specifically designed for alarm coordinators, security company owners and staff, monitoring station personnel and others in the security industry.



Presentations include:
• NICET Level I-II Test Prep Fire Alarm Class – a two-day training class
• Understanding Alarms – a four-hour class for non-techical personnel will be offered on two different days for your convenience
• Proposed State Licensure Process for Alarm Companies
• ID Theft
• Xanboo
• Mesa Crime Prevention
• Amber Light
• Collections
• Twitter
• New Industry Products
• Alarm School

The Public Safety Appreciation Dinner will be on Sep. 16 at Don & Charlie’s where AzAA will hold a raffle for a $1,000 gas card. Tickets are only $25. Anyone wishing to purchase a ticket may do so. You need not be present to win. To purchase a ticket email info@azalarms.org or call (480) 831-1318.

Download Conference Packet and Registration Form

Directions to the Scottsdale Civic Center Library

Directions to Don & Charlie’s

SCI Services, LLC, a subsidiary of South Central Indiana REMC, announced recently its acquisition of the assets of the Daviess-Martin Security Services business. D-M Security Services provides monitored security systems to homes and businesses in the Daviess, Martin, Orange and parts of Lawrence County areas of Indiana.

Under the terms of the agreement, SCI Services, LLC will acquire the monitored security accounts of more than 480 residential and business customers. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“This transaction increases market density in SCI’s current security operations,” stated Kevin Sump, President of SCI Services, LLC and President and CEO of South Central Indiana REMC. “The security accounts managed by Daviess-Martin cooperative have a nice blend of both commercial and residential customers that will complement our existing security business.”

SCI Security services will increase their customer base close to 2,000 accounts after the acquisition. They market to REMC members as well as the general public in central and south central Indiana.

“Our philosophy is to provide excellent customer service,” said Jean van Biezen, General Manager of SCI Services, LLC. “The transition between Daviess-Martin and SCI Services, LLC should appear seamless to our customers as we use the same central monitoring service, WH International and have the same work philosophy focusing on our customer’s needs.”

“I understand purchasing a security system can be emotional event, as some of our customers have experienced burglaries, fire, or personal losses,” stated Angie Bridgewater Account Executive responsible for the sales activity for the security division. “Eight years of selling security systems has helped me to understand the customer’s needs. I help them customize their security system to give them the peace of mind that their family and possessions are being protected.”