Some Things Different, Most The Same

With this year's IFSEC exposition in the books, there are many things similar to tradeshows in the United States. IFSEC, hosted in the United Kingdom, relies heavily on local traffic. But because the show is in Birmingham, there is more outside traffic.

The same goes for vendors who attend the tradeshow. Most are U.K.-based, but there are an increasing number of security providers and manufacturers from outside the United Kingdom, at the show.

The differences are subtle, and a little more quiet. Here's what I noticed.

At tradeshows in the United States, attendees don’t have to spend much time waiting for assistance at any given booth. Most companies fully staff their booths to ensure swift response. At IFSEC, you can look, touch and handle a product before a company representative will help.

I like both approaches. Being an American, I guess I'm used to the more aggressive approach, and I expect it. Another difference I noticed with IFSEC is that exhibitors don't actively seek time with media representatives. Prior to ISC West or ASIS, company media representatives are seeking an engagement with the press. Not so much at IFSEC.

That doesn't mean the tradeshow is ineffective. I'd say this is the world's largest security show, and by all indications, it appears very effective and well run.

Thanks to our advertisers and e-news sponsors listed here for investing in the good cause of promoting IFSEC. I enjoyed visiting with company officials at their booths and looking over products. I appreciate the opportunity to visit the United Kingdom and IFSEC -- it's part of the global reach we enjoy at Security Products magazine.

Up next is ASIS in Orlando starting September 19. This is always a great tradeshow, and I hope we will be bringing you something extra special from this show. More to come on that at a later date.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

  • Where AI Meets Human Judgment

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is driving business growth, shaping consumer experiences, and showing up in places most of us never imagined just a few years ago. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.