Archive: May 2013

LANCASTER, Pa.—Select Security has appointed Steve Firestone to its newly created position of executive vice president, according to a press release. "This is an exciting time at Select Security, and the time was ripe for Steve to join us," said Patrick Egan, company president, in a prepared statement. "Our company is at the point where we are poised to leap from a good company to a great, recognizable brand name. His experience with transforming companies like ours into world-class operations...

VANCOUVER—In a $17 million cash purchase, high-definition surveillance provider Avigilon Corp. on May 30 announced it acquired privately held RedCloud Security, a provider of Web-based physical and virtual access control systems.Alexander Fernandes, Avigilon CEO, told Security Systems News that the purchase is a “nice tuck-in” that is “low risk [but] very strategic.”Avigilon purchased the entire RedCloud business and expects it to be “neutral to 2013 earnings and...

LAKE FOREST, Calif.—Kwikset, a manufacturer of access control solutions, is offering its suite of SmartCode locks with Home Connect technology for both Z-Wave and ZigBee wireless protocols at ADI branches in North America, according to a company statement. The new distribution agreement satisfies growing demand for wireless security and home automation solutions. “We fully expect to see home automation continue to push into the mainstream in 2013 as there are signs this technology is...

FAIRPORT, N.Y.— Bosch Security Systems has signed a new distribution agreement with Ingram Micro, making its products available to the distributor's U.S. channel partners, according to a press release. Customers of Ingram Micro's physical security unit will now have access to Bosch's portfolio of products, including video surveillance systems, intrusion detection and access control. “The rapid adoption of IP-based systems is driving new opportunities for IT resellers and systems integrators...

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—ADS Security's purchase this month of Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CrimeWatch Security is just the start of ADS' acquisition plans for the year, according to Patrick Ritter, ADS VP/controller.“We have plans to purchase at least one large enough company that it will be a new platform, a new market for ADS, and you will see several other fold-in acquisitions throughout 2013 as well,” Ritter told Security Systems News.Super-regional ADS, which is based here, has a growth...

LOS GATOS, Calif.— Cisco veteran John McCool, who joined mesh network provider Firetide as its new CEO on May 20, says there's an increasing demand to take surveillance mobile.“If you think about it, video surveillance [has traditionally] ended on the curb,” McCool told Security Systems News. Cameras have been mounted in static locations on city streets and train platforms, but now there's a demand for that surveillance capability on moving vehicles such as municipal buses and trains....

YARMOUTH, Maine—Home automation and interactive services get most of the headlines when it comes to generating additional RMR, but alarm companies may be leaving money in the field if they're overlooking more basic opportunities, experts told participants at a recent ESX webinar.“Your RMR on Steroids: Expert Tips to Power Growth and Value” delved into newer technologies that hold the promise of a healthy return on investment. It also examined what companies can do to enhance the...

OTTAWA, Ontario—Lanvac, a wholesale monitoring provider based here, has added a sixth central station to its Canadian network by acquiring Safe Harbour Security of Sydney, Nova Scotia in a deal valued at $3 million.The acquisition, announced this month, included 300 dealers and 50,000 accounts, bringing Lanvac's total across Canada to 1,000 dealers and more than 300,000 customers. About 55 percent of the accounts are residential, with 45 percent commercial and institutional.“We did not...

Security industry investors Timothy McGinn and David L. Smith are set to be sentenced next month and could face years in prison after being convicted of fraud earlier this year. But whether they'll be sent to prison or just get probation and how much the Albany, N.Y.-based brokers owe as a result of their fraudulent activities are questions that remain up in the air, according to a recent article from the Time Union, an Albany, N.Y.-based newspaper. The two men are seeking leniency and having friends...

LOWELL, Mass.—Massachusetts' highest court ruled last year that municipalities can't require businesses to install just one type of fire alarm system when the state building code allows for four choices. But the city of Lowell contends that decision doesn't apply to it.This is the latest development in the fight against municipalities monopolizing fire alarm monitoring, which also is occurring in Illinois. But Lowell is going to be on the losing end of the battle, an industry spokesman predicted...