TMA’s 2022 Excellence Awards and Marvel Technology Award Winners Announced

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On Monday, April 25th, TMA had the pleasure of presenting its 2022 Excellence Awards and Marvel Technology Award.

Please join in congratulating our outstanding winners.

2022 Excellence Awards

Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise

AvantGuard Monitoring Centers

Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB

EPS Security

Monitoring Center Manager of the Year

Marcos Reyes, Kimberlite-Sonitrol Corporation

Monitoring Center Operator of the Year

Sydney Johnston, EPS Security

Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year

LaMar A. Shroyer, Dynamark Monitoring, Inc.

 

2022 Marvel Technology Award

SentryAI & USA Monitoring Center

Alula Launches New Enhanced Video Platform

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Alula announced the release of its new video platform. Featuring new camera models, AI-based object detection, enhancements to video clip navigation and viewing in the Alula Smart Security App and advanced video capabilities through the new Slimline Touchpad PRO. These new products and capabilities strengthen the role that video plays as a core component of professional security, and further reinforces Alula’s position as a full-service solutions provider.

Three new cameras have been added to Alula’s video portfolio. The first is a modern, industrial designed Outdoor Bullet – perfect for viewing porches, alleyways, backyards and more. The second is a smart Doorbell camera with robust and simplified aesthetics, improved motion detection algorithms, and active motion highlighting. The final model is the Indoor 360, featuring responsive pan-tilt operation for broad viewing coverage. All three cameras deliver a high-definition viewing experience, motion detection, extended Wi-Fi range and night vision to help users see what’s going bump in the night.

The Outdoor Bullet camera, specially equipped with AI object detection, allows the camera to differentiate between vehicles, people, pets and other objects. System owners will appreciate that they are able to see more while capturing less, as AI object detection filters out “motion noise” and intelligently captures clips of desired activity – such as a child returning home from school or a potential unknown intruder.

With Alula’s Smart Security App, individual camera settings can be adjusted so that system notifications are sent to system users when specific motion activity occurs. App enhancements for navigating stored video clips make it easier for users to find and view clips that were captured at a specific date and time.

Alula’s new video platform can be used in multiple ways. It can be used as part of a more comprehensive smart security system when used in conjunction with the Connect+ control panel. It can be paired with the BAT-Connect alarm panel communicator, on new system installations or on legacy panels that may be in need of a feature refresh. It can also be used as a standalone video surveillance system, which is important for dealers and integrators who are looking for a way to get their foot in the door with consumers and small business owners that may initially only be interested in video services.

“If you need another reason to take a serious look at Alula’s new video platform, consider our newest system control interface – the Slimline Touchpad PRO,” said Corey Plender, Alula’s Vice President, Product Management & Customer Success. “These new cameras and our new touchpad have been purposely integrated to deliver an enhanced customer experience.”

The new touchpad brings these cameras to life by enabling users to monitor live or recorded video on a 7-inch, full color display. The Touchpad PRO plays an audible chime when the doorbell is activated. It also enables two-way conversation with visitors through the new Doorbell camera, or with people in various locations throughout the property with the Indoor 360 camera.

“The advances we’ve achieved with this new video platform are just the beginning,” Plender said. “We are working on intelligent processing that will allow us to combine the AI detection capabilities of these new cameras with our sensor technology. Using the video information and sensor activity together, will allow us to tell a more complete story of what’s going on inside of a home or business. These elements will all be brought together to further evolve the video verification experience.”

For more information about Alula, visit https://alula.com/

TMA to Introduce New Standard in 5/2 Webinar

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Register now to attend TMA Signature Webinar Series: Impact on the Security Industry and Public Safety of AVS-01.

Join committee leaders to hear about the latest updates on the TMA-AVS-01 Alarm Validation Standard, scheduled for comment later this year. TMA-AVS-01 provides a standardized method of creating an alarm scoring or classification metric for unauthorized human activity detected by alarm systems that will assist law enforcement with resource allocation and Call for Service prioritization.

Borrowing from a successful UL practice, TMA will conduct a preliminary comment period for the TMA-AVS-01 standard. This 30-day preliminary comment period is an optional process, not required by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The preliminary comment period will provide an opportunity for TMA members and other interested stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft document, prior to the formal ANSI Public Comment period. Hear about what you’ll need to know to participate in the preliminary comment period. Time will be set aside for Q&A.

Please register for TMA Signature Webinar Series: Impact on the Security Industry and Public Safety of AVS-01 on May 2, 2022 1:00 PM EDT at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7869550389177568779

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

TMATraining.org Introduces New Online Education Offerings – Adding More Than 75 Hours of CEU courses

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is excited to share that it has greatly expanded its online library of education and training courses offered on its Learning Management System (LMS) at TMATraining.org. More than 75 hours of course work have been added as a result of a formal collaboration with SecurityCEU.com. Topics vary widely and include customer service; sales; access control; IP video; IP networking; perimeter security detection; troubleshooting; writing effective incident reports; wireless technologies; cyber and cloud security; effective communication; alarm science; project management; and more. Additionally, TMA will now offer the National Training Program (NTP)’s Field Service Technician (FST) program in cooperation with the California Alarm Association (CAA) and Syncomm Management Group, Inc.

TMA members will also receive a 20% discount on the purchase of the course library subscription through April 30th. Use code TMA4591 at checkout. (Note: you must use your company email address to receive the discount.)

Register to attend TMA Signature Webinar Series: How to Navigate the New TMA Learning Center (TMATraining.org) to get all of the details. It’s set for May 5th at 1:30PM ET. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8942622060564516623

“Education has long been a hallmark of TMA,” stated TMA President Morgan Hertel. “As the trade association for the professional monitoring industry, our members look to TMA for professional development courses that deliver high-quality content that focus on their distinct business needs and licensing requirements. We are successful when our members achieve success. With the addition of these valuable courses, TMA is in a much stronger position to equip its members with the knowledge and abilities to grow and excel in today’s competitive marketplace. It’s an exciting time.”

These new additions join TMA’s existing thirteen (13) online operator training modules on topics ranging from leadership, customer service, and call handling to cybersecurity, false alarm management, and standards that make up the Monitoring Center Operator Online Level 1 and Level 2 courses.

“We are delighted to bring our rich content, approved at the national and state level for license compliance to TMA. CMOOR has worked with TMA for almost 18 years in one capacity or another. This was a natural progression of our already strong relationship, where the members and TMA as an organization will benefit,” remarked Connie Moorhead, president, The CMOOR Group, the owner and operator of SecurityCEU.com.

“We are proud to partner with The Monitoring Association to present foundational training to their members in advancement of their core mission,” said Jerry Lenander of the National Training Program.  “The Field Service Technician curriculum is a comprehensive offering that reflects the changing technology in the industry.”

View TMA’s complete library of educational offerings at TMATraining.org.

Take your seat at the Standards table! New opportunities available.

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Standards are important to how your business operates. Participation in writing those standards allows you to have a voice. Please give serious consideration to participating on the following three important standards initiatives concerning NFPA 72 (National Fire Code) 2025 Cycle.

NFPA 72 2025 Cycle
NFPA has initiated the process to consider changes to the 2025 edition of NFPA 72, The National Fire Code. Suggested changes to the standard are to be submitted in June, 2022. TMA members routinely summit suggested changes as individuals. TMA may also submit suggested changes on behalf of membership. To review possible TMA submissions, TMA’s Standards Committee is establishing a workgroup to determine what submissions should be made. It is important that membership participate in this activity. Please have fire alarm subject matter experts within your firms participate on this very important work-group.

TMA CO Standard
The TMA CO standard (CS-CO-01) has been withdrawn by ANSI. Monitoring of CO alarms is covered by NFPA 72. There are differences between CS-CO-01 and NFPA 72. While it is not the intent of TMA to interpret code for members, CS-CO-01 implied that the premises should be notified first. NFPA 72 can be interpreted as allowing either the premises or first responders (PSAP, call-for service) to get the first notification, allowing for local AHJ requirements. The NFPA 72 work-group will review this issue.

The NFPA 72 work-group being established (above) will also address the CO standards issue.

NFPA 72 SIG-SSS Membership
Jay Hauhn currently represents TMA on this NFPA-72 committee. Tony Mucci from JCI serves as Jay’s alternate. Jay has announced his retirement from the committee and Tony Mucci will move from committee alternate to principal. TMA is seeking a fire alarm expert to serve as the alternate on the committee. If you are interested, please notify Glenn Schroeder (standards@tma.us) or Celia Besore (cbesore@tma.us) by Friday, April 8th.