Archive: January 2011

COLCHESTER, Vt.—Good customer service has not only given Safety Systems of Vermont steady growth since it started eight years ago, but led to a quarter-million-dollar project retrofitting the Burlington International Airport's fire alarm system, said co-owner Scott Carroll. “Customer service is what got us where we are,” said Carroll of the five-employee company, based here. Now the Gamewell-FCI distributor for northern Vermont, Carroll said the company, of which Tracie Cole is...

A new tip from the Security Industry Alarm Coalition made me think about Valentine's Day, which is right around the corner. That's because SIAC's suggestion—to offer free alarm system classes to customers—is all about getting closer to your customers and the police department, and helping your business to boot. According to SIAC, offering such classes has a host of benefits. “Your state or local electronic security association (or your company) can get great visibility from...

SANTEE, Calif.—Being able to install and service “a plethora of diverse systems” including data networks has kept Standard Electronics busy through the economic downturn, according to Jerry Hanson, VP of operations for the company, which is based here. Fire comprises 70 percent of this Gamewell-FCI engineered systems distributor, whose history dates back to 1955. However, Standard also does security systems, electronic master clock time recording systems, data networking systems,...

YONKERS, N.Y.—A new business called Online Alarm Quotes offers the benefits of a dealer program and allows dealers to maintain complete independence, according to Tom Fowler, co-founder of the new venture. The company has been in development for about two years and its official launch was Jan. 17, said Fowler, who also is president and CEO of 24-7 Security, which serves the New York metropolitan area. He said security dealers who sign up as members of Online Alarm Quotes get qualified leads—about...

KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Micro Key solutions, a provider of central station automation software, in January announced improvements to its Millennium central station automation platform that the company says will improve efficiency, increase functionality of the platform, and save dealers time and money. “MyView and PayPoint will save central stations and alarm dealers time and improve cash flow by allowing their customers to pay their bills online. And since these tools are actually imbedded into...

Ever wonder about the science behind national fire codes? Well, the Fire Protection Research Foundation is vital to that, and a recent $4 million boost to the foundation's endowment will aid it in its work, according to the head of the foundation. The National Fire Protection Association yesterday announced it had made the multi-million-dollar addition to the foundation's endowment. The nonprofit foundation is involved in research that is key to the success of the industry, ranging from determining...

My inbox this morning included a couple interesting "people moving to new jobs" news items. First, PrivateBank officially announced today that Jennifer Holloway, formerly in charge of M&A for Protection One, is their new managing director for the Security Industry Group. Before she took the job with PrivateBank, Jennifer provided some great analysis for SSN on several transactions, most recently on the Monitronics sale. She won't be as free to comment on stories now, we know, but look forward to...

BELTSVILLE, Md.—ASG Security has hired a former top Protection One sales executive to fill a new position ASG has created—VP of residential sales and marketing. Hiring Jim Boots, formerly VP of residential sales for Protection One, is an integral part of ASG's new strategy to “hit the gas pedal on residential,” said Bob Ryan, ASG senior VP, sales and marketing. He said the company is planning a big push into residential in two new markets this spring, San Antonio, Texas and...

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.—Kenneth Gould, who took over as president of American Security Systems here, believes this diversified company is ripe for growth, particularly its fire division. “Right now fire is 20 percent of our business, I'd like to grow it to 35 percent in the next two years,” Gould told Security Systems News. Gould is succeeding Larry Dolin, who has moved to post of CEO. Gould, who served as American's general manager for two years before assuming his new role on...

YARMOUTH, Maine—TechSec Solutions programmers today announced that Gareth Webley, chief information security officer and VP IT Security and Compliance for Eaton Corporation, will give the keynote address at this year's TechSec Solutions, which will take place Feb. 13-15 in Delray Beach, Fla. Webley joined Eaton Corp., a diversified power management company with 2009 sales of $11.9 billion, this year. It has 70,000 employees and does business in 150 countries. He has global responsibility for...