Archive: March 2013

QUINCY, Mass.—The National Fire Protection Association is launching a new authenticity program, through which users and customers can ensure that digital copies of NFPA documents have not been altered, according to an organization statement. The program was developed in response to mounting concerns about counterfeit or unauthorized copies of NFPA digital documents. "NFPA codes and standards are widely used in design, construction, and enforcement throughout North America, as well as countries...

MELVILLE, N.Y.—At ISC West, Honeywell plans to showcase products and services that reflect advancements in cloud and mobile device technology, according to a company statement. "If there's a common theme that runs across the technologies we're showcasing this year, it's probably 'mainstream,'" Scott Harkins, president of Honeywell Security Products, Americas, said in the statement. "A lot of trends like mobile, the cloud and connected home and business used to be considered novelties, but that...

BOCA RATON, Fla.—“James” is a tough former Marine, but he found his first day working at an ADT central station daunting.“I was taking calls at the monitoring center and I was stumbling and nervous,” he told Security Systems News. He was in awe of the ADT employee who was training him on his new job at the call center Knoxville, Tenn. “She made it seem effortless,” he recalled.Luckily, “James” doesn't need that job at the call center. That's because...

OTTAWA, Ontario—March Networks, a provider of IP video solutions, has fully integrated its Command video management system with Panasonic's IP video cameras, according to a March Networks statement. Integrating its Command VMS with cutting-edge security products reduces installation time and costs, the statement said. The integration with Panasonic's IP cameras incorporates features like audio capture, video compression, motion detection and logical alarms. “This certified integration...

Checkpoint Systems, a global supplier of loss-prevention products and solutions for the retail industry, announced earlier this month that it was negotiating the sale of its CheckView integration and monitoring business. On Monday, the buyer was ID'd: Platinum Equity, a California-based private equity firm, which will make the deal for $5.4 million. In a blog Tuesday, Seeking Alpha analyst Brenon Daly called the deal “one of the more financially lopsided divestitures we've seen in some time....

MADISON, Miss.—The Alarm Company, located in an isolated industrial park for years, moved in September to a strip mall on a busy road here. Going retail has attracted customers, generated lots of free publicity and is the wave of the future, according to company owner Tony Collums.“We just decided to come out of hiding and get where people could find us,” Collums, who also is president and director of operations of The Alarm Company, told Security Systems News. “That was my...

CHELMSFORD, Mass.—Citing the opportunities in the financial and  government sectors, network camera provider Axis Communications is beefing up its business development team and has created new positions to oversee those sectors.Education was the first vertical market to move from analog to IP systems, followed by retail. The next big vertical market opportunity is banking, according to Scott Dunn, Axis director of business development for North America. “Banking is a big, fertile space...

Stanley Security Solutions believes iris recognition technology is going to be the next big thing in access control. On Tuesday, it announced a new partnership with iris biometric provider Eyelock (previously Hoyos). Two years ago Stanely CSS announced a partnership with Hoyos. Here's that story. I spoke to Stanley CSS's John Nemorofsky who explained the difference between the partnership of two years ago and today's announcement. Two years ago, the announcement was Stanley CSS becoming the exclusive...

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A bill that would require all newer public and private K-12 schools to install carbon monoxide detectors has advanced in the California Assembly, according to an article from the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Assembly Education Committee unanimously approved the bill March 20, sending it to the Appropriations Committee, according to the report, which noted that a cost estimate has not yet been prepared. Assembly Bill 56, which is being shepherded by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber,...

PONTIAC, Mich.—After alarms failed during a recent fire drill, Pontiac High School employed a human monitor to be on the alert for fire danger, according to a report from The Oakland Press, a newspaper based here. The employee, who may spend up to several weeks in the provisional position, is not the only human monitor in the school district. The fire alarms also malfunctioned at a nearby elementary school, prompting the district to implement a similar position there, the report said. The fire...