ASIS 2013: A Fabulous, Educational and Hands-On Experience

• By Ginger Hill
• Oct 02, 2013

With my second security industry tradeshow under my belt, I re-packed my suitcase and bags now full of jump drives containing press releases highlighting the new products seen at ASIS 2013 in Chicago. At the airport, while waiting to board my plane for my return flight to Texas, I reviewed my written notes, all reminders of the security executives that I had the privilege of interacting with and learning from, and I must conclude that this was one fabulous tradeshow!

The first full day of ASIS, I hit the floor running. Grabbing a cup of Starbucks and zig-zagging across the showroom floor.

The second full day of ASIS, I hit the floor, only this time jogging instead of running, but I knew that Starbucks would be there to help me keep on pace with another day full of scheduled meetings.

The third full day of ASIS, I hit the floor…walking! No amount of Starbucks would get me to the status of running; however, it did allow me to finish the show…slow and steady.

Overall, my ASIS 2013 experience allowed me to interact with security companies with elaborate booths encasing security products and services and to learn about trends within the security industry.

So, what’s trending?

1. Home Automation

Linear is all about the future of home automation. Bridging security and home automation to touch all parts of the home, people not only can lock doors, raise and lower garage doors and turn appliance off and on, all from their mobile device, but with sensors in the home, personal emergency response is a real possibility.

For example, enabling an elderly loved one to remain in their own home while caring for them gives the gift of convenient, home-based living. With sensors in the home, it is now possible to see when the loved one opened their medicine cabinet and took their required medicine or even when he or she gets out of bed. This not only enhances safety and security but it brings down the cost of care.

2. Internet of Things

During the ASSA ABLOY media conference, the Internet of Things was brought to life.

According to the McKinsey Global Institute, about 12 billion “things” are connected to the Internet. People rely so much on the Internet and their ability to control “things” with their mobile devices.

Think about it. It seems that there’s an app for everything from controlling the locks on your home’s doors to viewing what’s going on in your business…all from your smartphone, iPad or other mobile device.

3. Adaptability

With a deep-rooted history in the security industry, Panasonic has been around even before customers had the vocabulary to describe what they were wanting. So, the ability to adapt and change with customer’s needs is key.

Being able to take an average system and leverage it for specific goals to protect someone’s home or business is powerful. But, taking it a step further, leveraging that same system to actually improve someone’s business…this is priceless.

4. Reduction of Response Time

Guardly, a producer of mobile safety apps, has taken the reduction of response time very seriously by creating an indoor positioning system that uses GPS triangulation with indoor WiFi. Each room within the building has metatags attached to it, which reduces response time by enabling emergency responders to pinpoint exactly where the situation is occurring.

Unfortunately, it’s no longer a matter of if an emergency situation will take place, it’s when and where, so response time is critical to defusing the situation as well as keeping people as safe as possible. It’s a matter of life or death!

5. Clarity

Having video surveillance and the ability to view it from anywhere is taking the security industry by storm; however, if that video isn’t clear, then it is basically useless.

Camera manufacturers like Sony, March Networks, and Avigilon are creating IP, HD cameras that look as if you’re watching a movie on the big screen. Colors are sharp, facial recognition is crisp, situational awareness is graphically displayed and some cameras can even produce this quality in low-light environments with movement.