Choice of Words

• By Ralph C. Jensen
• Sep 30, 2014

In my business we get to use words to explain and herald new products, technology and solutions. In this business, our writing follows the AP Stylebook. It's supposed to help journalists use the right words.

I have a few choice words that I don't allow as the editor in chief. For instance, I never allow utilize. We substitute use. I don't like the word personnel. We use staff.

A new word has entered what I call, Ralph's style. The word, convergence.

Convergence was part of the security industry a few years back. I'm sure you remember all the hype. It's one of those words we have to let go of. Convergence has happened, and if you still waiting for convergence, you missed the boat.

I bring this up because during the tradeshow travels on Tuesday, one of the exhibitors began the conversation with, "when the industry converges with IT …."

We've converged.

Here are a few things I found interesting on Tuesday.

Protection 1 has earned a coveted Cisco Cloud and Managed Services Express Partner certification. This award recognizes companies that have attained expertise in the preparation, planning and designing and implementing phases for selling and supporting cloud or managed services based on Cisco platforms. Oh yeah, they are the only monitoring company that has earned this honor.

Sielox has introduced its Sielox Class Crisis Lockdown Alert Status System. This is a great solution in the K-12 education vertical. Getting a handle on crisis situations in our schools and universities is important to students, parents, educators and law enforcement.

The product is accessible from anywhere, anytime on your iPad, Android, smartphone, desktop and more.

Now that Tyco IS and ADT are two separate companies, I had the opportunity to meet with Mark VanDover, president of Tyco IS about the new strategy for Tyco IS.

Tyco IS is targeting small- to medium-sized businesses as new clients. Tyco is known for its focus on commercial accounts, but now are looking at the other end of the market.

"Small business is now a stable market," VanDover said. "Entering this market is a good value proposition."

Five market areas have been targeted for a test drive of the new Tyco IS. They include two areas in Southern California, Chicago, South Florida and Dallas. The criteria for this trial run involves current areas of growth and opportunity, and the skill set of Tyco leadership in these areas.

I think it will be very interesting to watch Tyco IS grow and mature its new business model, which is expected to be fully implemented in 2015. VanDover said the company is always looking for the right opportunity to grow, and they will. Watch them.

It's been a great tradeshow. The traffic near the convention center is horrible, but inside the building is business as usual. Good hard work by hard working people.