Getting an Eyeful

If the past couple of years has exposed anything, one critical thought is being able to talk face-to-face, and see and touch new technology. ISC West provided exactly that opportunity.

In my travels around the tradeshow floor, I talked with plenty of dealers and integrators who were thrilled to be back on the show floor. Best of all, it was a terrific find that manufacturers weren’t holding back because of the pandemic. Seriously research and development continued its rapid pace to the marketplace.

A concern of enormous proportions is the swell of supply chain issues. Problems arose from the global pandemic but there were contentions of high demand, growing port congestion and manufacturing delays from 2021. Rising COVID-19 cases coupled with extreme weather and blockage of the Suez Canal didn’t help matter either.

At the heart of the matter, getting raw goods to the manufacturer, and back to the dealer/integrator.

Rich Caruthers, president of Galaxy Access Control, in Walkersville, MD, charged at supply demands head first. Rick needed chips; everyone needs chips. At one point, he was able to purchase 1,000 of them. He was lucky to get them, but his supplier had been charging $8 a chip. Well, low and behold during the supply chain crisis, that price shot up to $39 per chip.

Can you imagine the hesitation to pull the trigger on that purchase? The upside: Rick knows quite well how to manage the logistics of the Galaxy business. Dealers and integrators can expect top-quality products from the Maryland USA plant.

Supply chain issues will work themselves out. Manufacturers likely won’t forget who gave their support during the tough times, and who stuck a finger in their eye.

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

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.