November 2014
- The Largest Mass Transit Deployment
- Making the Case
- On a Clear Path
- Opening the Door to a Secure Future
- Pros and Cons of Barriers
- Security in All Forms
- What Makes a Leader?
Features
By Ralph C. Jensen
Approximately 18 months have passed since Holly Tsourides took the reins as the CEO of Matrix Systems. But in that short time frame, she’s executed a robust growth strategy and business plan that has changed the face and the path of the company.
Plan on significant storage capabilities to handle bandwidth
By Tom Larson
Today, there are countless manufacturers that claim to have a clear migration path toward an open architecture platform; however, there is simply no clear path that applies to all applications.
Which is “greener” is not an open-and-shut case
By Greg Hamm
When specifying the vehicle access control system needed to stop a truck-bomber, errant driver or vehicle that is not authorized to enter your facility, you have to decide among bollards, barriers or barricades.
Clay Platte Family Medicine Clinic upgrades to IP-based access control system
By Bruce Stewart
When Clay Platte Family Medicine Clinic looked to upgrade their lock-and-key door controls, they turned to an IP-based access control system from Axis Communications to address these competing demands.
Intelligent video is an integral part of new technology
By Dan Cremins
When budgets are tight, everyone in the organization gets more strategic in order to make the case for their share of the company’s resources.
Exclusive “dewarp” capability has helped CTA reduce violent crime and robberies by up to 35 percent
By Sara Svendsen
Helping the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) reduce violent crime and robberies by up to 35 percent was a mission Sentry 360 relished. Providing their Ultra HD surveillance cameras and systems, the Plainfield, Ill., camera manufacturer was involved in the largest 360-degree install in mass transit history.
Departments
To be a market leader, company’s employees, partners and customers all have to win
By Lars Thinggaard
Many companies meet expectations; some even exceed them, while companies that lead the way redefines them. This is a way of measuring leadership that can be overlooked by market reports that rank companies by revenue.
By Ralph C. Jensen
We have learned via the news recently that security comes in many forms and fashions; included are risk management and contingency planning.
Networking Security
Why physical video surveillance is not enough
By Gaby Friendlander
In the physical realm, video surveillance is among the most effective methods for safeguarding property. With 24/7 monitoring, companies ensure that trusted insiders have access to the premises, and that criminals do not.
Talking about a sea of storage in terms of exabytes
By Brian McIlravey
The amount of data we generate on a daily basis is astounding, and it’s only growing larger with each passing day.
By Ralph C. Jensen
Fiber optics makes delivering data much easier, and the network that this information rides on is able to do the job.
BYOD: Bring Your Own Defense
By Fraser Thomas
The impact of flexibility when working through BYOD on businesses, where an employee is able to access the corporate network anywhere, anytime, has brought many benefits—increased productivity, less wasted time on travel and saving on overhead.
Gauging the strength of your network will answer many questions
By James Marcella
With so many applications riding on today’s networks, bandwidth consumption on Wide Area Network (WAN) connections, particularly over the Internet, creates real challenges for network professionals on a budget.
Dealer Strategies
Mega wireless communications company seeks security solution
By Ralph C. Jensen
If a customer can dream of a security solution, integrator Lance Rankin can do it. Rankin and his Virtual Police team has become a preferred vender to one of the world’s largest wireless communications and telecommunications providers.
A healthy account portfolio requires constant attention
By Robert Ogle
Conventional wisdom has firmly established the notion that the customer is always right. That may be true, but dealers who want to make the most of their resources—and ensure a customer base that will build a strong business—may end up facing a different question: Is the customer right for you?
By Ralph C. Jensen
Xentry is young at heart in the installation business, but not when it comes to security. They have quickly established themselves as a leader in designing, installing and maintaining technology systems to keep people and property protected and secure, increase efficiency, mitigate risk and ensure compliance.
Wanted: Authorized dealers
By Judy Jones-Shand
It’s known as many things. The “home of the future,” “connected home,” “smart home,” “automated home,” and the like, all defined with unique aspects by companies, but all with one cohesive trait...to stay connected.
Technology provides value to your customers
By Susan Brady
When asked about the biggest challenge facing security system dealers/integrators, an overwhelming response often cited is the struggle to keep up with training.
By Charlie Howell
How much does your wire/cable puller know about what he/she is doing? In most cases, the answer is “not much”. Their job is to literally pull wires through ceilings or conduit under a supervisor’s immediate control.
By Jamie Friedlander
Paul Accardo, the manager of marketing communications at LiftMaster, discusses the company’s
newest app technologies, as well as the future of home connectivity and app integration.
Learn more about the connected home market
By Pat Comunale
The connected home is emerging as an exploding market sector for security dealers and integrators. In simple terms, a connected home connects smart devices, lights, thermostats and appliances, links them together, and controls them with centralized interfaces.
Campus Security & Life Safety
College fine tunes security from keys to electrified locks
By Ann Geissler Timme
A few years ago, Tarrant County College
knew its growth had outpaced its existing key
system. The key manufacturer advised that an
entirely new system was needed to handle the
college’s more than 10,000 doors. This led to a
broader investigation of solutions.
Making the infrastructure work for the campus
By Samuel Shanes
Each year, college campuses across the country are faced with new security and safety challenges. Campus police and security departments need to adapt to these challenges by implementing new strategies and/or infrastructure.
Card-based ID systems help schools be more efficient
By Brett St. Pierre
An independent, nationwide survey in October 2013 sponsored by United Technologies Corp. and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools revealed that nine out of 10 Americans believe it’s time for the nation to invest in transforming aging school facilities into 21st century learning environments.
By Ralph C. Jensen
The security industry is huge, and I often depend upon others to send me leads and tips about possible stories. This is the case with education and security, as the two go hand-in-hand.
New Jersey school seeks best-quality technology in cameras and VMS
By Mary Wilbur
The educational community of Garfield Public Schools (GPS) in New Jersey believes that the ultimate goal of each school is to provide intellectual experiences within the context of a multicultural setting.
Six rules to a smooth card printing experience
By Gabriel Schonzeit
Securing schools and campuses across our nation has become top-of-mind over the last few years. From lockdowns to campus shootings, no school can avoid the threat of violence that can take place on school grounds without the proper security in place.
Tennessee academy emphasizes critical thinking
By Grant Woods
Located in Maryville, Tenn., the Clayton Bradley Academy first opened its doors as a yearround K-6 school in July of 2013. Now, in its second year, the school has expanded to Pre-K through 9th grade.