You Gotta Love Chicago

I was a little nervous about coming to Chicago. Who wouldn't be with the bad press the city has been given. It's a big cit, and lots of bad things happen.

One of the good things going on right now is ASIS 2013 at McCormick Place. Exhibitors seemed to be busy and there seems to be fair amount of visitors. What I liked on my first day here was the venue. McCormick Place is incredible for a tradeshow with plenty of room and wide enough aisles to weave through traffic.

Hats off to McCormick Place for a nice venue, and hats off to ASIS for providing a shuttle service from hotels to the tradeshow floor. Yes, I'm sure not everyone is pleased, but after a successful first day of learning about what's new, I'm happy.

Big news on the first day has already been tweeted and posted to many websites. Axis Communications is getting into the access control vertical. They are not departing from IP cameras and all that represents, it's just a new market with so many possibilities.

According to Fredrik Nilsson, general manager for the Americas, the company has been testing it for the last two years at their Chelmsford, Mass., location to be certain it worked well before it was released to the public.

"Our hope is to bring more end users into the integrated market," he said. "So far, customers have accepted this new product with open arms."

The new product will ship during the fourth quarter of this year.

I also had a nice chat with Laura Mastroberti at Speco Technologies. People always ask me what products have I seen at the show that are new and worthy of a second look.

Here is one hint. Take a second look at Speco's plug and (work) play NVR, the N4NSP or N8NSP. It quickly autoloads and installs Speco's OnSIP and VIP cameras, but also will work with other cameras to detect their locations.

I like it. It's smart and simple.

Arecont Vision also brings a new product to the table at ASIS 2013. It is their SurroundVideo Omni unit. It is not your typical dome camera, but get this, it is a 4 user-configurable IP sensor in an Omni-directional solution.

Mounted on the corner of a building, it gives the end user 270 degree view, and allows a view directly beneath the housing. It offers a discrete, low profile design and true wide dynamic range up to 100dB at full resolution.

This product will be available in January 2014.

Company officials say Omnivision will be the PTZ killer.

Not new to the industry, but new to me is Galaxy Control Systems. This company has been around for 40 years and I enjoyed a visit with Rick Caruthers, their executive vice president.

Here are a couple things about Galaxy. They offer training on both the east and west coasts. A five-day class is well worth the certification, and there will be more about that in a coming issue of Security Products magazine. I'm going to delve more into that later this year with a great story coming for March issue of our Dealer Strategies publication.

Today should be an even better day at ASIS. Everyone has gotten warmed up and kicked the dust off. Let's make Wednesday even better.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services

  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • 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.