The CMOOR Group Appoints Erika Banks as Relationship Development Strategist

The CMOOR Group has hired Erika Banks as the company’s Relationship Development Strategist.

In her new position, Banks will develop and execute strategies to drive new business growth and expand market share within the industry. She will also foster strong relationships with current and future clients to understand their needs and challenges and to provide tailored solutions.

In addition, Banks will conduct in-depth product education sessions for clients, manage pipeline development to consistently drive revenue growth, ensure seamless implementation and delivery of services to clients, and attend industry and associations events.

Banks will be involved in all of The CMOOR Group divisions including SecurityCEU.com, ShowMYBadge.com, the SUTRA Learning Management System, License Consulting, Custom Content, and the Obsequio Compliance Management System.

Banks comes to The CMOOR Group with a vast depth of experience. Previously, she worked with Logic Monitor as a senior business development representative. During her tenure at Alaska Airlines, she held concurrent titles as customer success leader, vendor airline trainer, and ground security coordinator. Her accomplishments encompassed enhancing client experience by implementing efficiency and coordinating passengers’ safety.

In addition to consumer relations, Banks also executed security capabilities, which included foreign currency investigations to track client wire transfers to ensure the banks’ and clients’ integrity.

“Erika is just the person we needed at The CMOOR Group,” said Connie Moorhead, CEO of company. “She is much more than a salesperson. Erika adds a strong focus on customer relationships in the sales and after-sales processes. She has a passion and commitment for her work as well as serving our customers and the industry.”

“I am thrilled to be joining such an esteemed company that prides itself on exceptional training and services,” added Banks. “My career has been focused on building relationships, and I look forward to continuing that tradition by providing that service to The CMOOR Group’s current and future customers.”

Banks may be reached at 502-744-0506 or by email at erika.banks@cmoor.com.

For more information on The CMOOR Group and its divisions, visit www.cmoor.com or www.SecurityCEU.com.

WA and KY ECCs Go Live on TMA ASAP Service

TMA has added two new Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs) to its growing list of ASAP Service users.  Clark County, Washington became the 135th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 7th ECC in the state of Washington to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). The Kenton County KY Emergency Communications Center (ECC) became the 136th ECC in the United States and the 2nd ECC in the state of Kentucky to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).

Clark County WA Regional Emergency Services Authority #135

The Clark County WA Regional Emergency Services Authority (CRESA) went live on October 3rd & 4th, 2023 with the following companies: Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Guardian Protection, Security Central, Tyco (Johnson Controls), Affiliated Monitoring, Protection One, Vivint, Brinks Home Security, National Monitoring Center, Securitas, and ADT.

Kenton County KY Emergency Communications Center #136

Kenton County went live on October 10th & 11th, 2023 with the following companies: Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Securitas, Protection One, Quick Response, Security Central, Brinks Home Security, Affiliated Monitoring, United Central Control, National Monitoring Center, Guardian Protection, Vivint, ADT and DynaMark Monitoring.

Learn more about TMA’s ASAP Service at http://tma.us/programs/asap/

 

Axis Breaks Ground on New Facility in Lund, Sweden

Axis Communications announced it has broken ground on a new company facility called Opera, located in Lund, Sweden.

Opera “is designed to be a dynamic space that blends functionality, sustainability, and employee well-being, reflecting Axis growth ambitions and commitment to a more sustainable future and an inspiring workplace environment,” according to an Axis press release.

The seven-story building will comprise a total area of 27,500 square meters, and will house a new logistics centre and approximately 550 employees. Opera is designed with sustainability in mind with 2,400 square meters of solar panels on its exterior.

“Opera is a statement of the continuing long-term growth of Axis and a strategic investment in the health and well-being of our employees,” said Ray Mauritsson, Axis president and CEO.

Opera, located near Axis’ current flagship office in Lund, is scheduled for completion in 2026.

SP&T News, 9/26/23, Neil Sutton

FAST Launches 2023 Compensation & Benefits Benchmarking Study

The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) is today launching the 2023 Security Industry Compensation & Benefits Benchmarking Study.

This survey “will provide invaluable insights into salaries and benefits across the security industry, empowering decision-makers to recruit, hire, and retain top talent effectively,” according to the foundation announcement.

“The security industry plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our communities and businesses, and understanding compensation and benefits trends is crucial for its continued growth and excellence,” the FAST announcement says.

“FAST, in collaboration with prominent industry partners such as the Security Industry Association (SIA), Electronic Security Association (ESA), PSA Security Network and Security Sales and Integration, is committed to providing the most comprehensive and accurate data possible.

Inside the Survey

Key highlights of the 2023 Compensation & Benefits Benchmarking Study include:

  • Industry-Wide Focus: This study encompasses both security manufacturers and integrators, offering a holistic view of the industry’s compensation landscape.
  • Standardized Data: Standardized job titles and descriptions enable direct comparisons of compensation data, allowing businesses to make informed decisions.
  • Advance Access: Participating organizations will gain access to a sneak preview of the survey results before the full publication, giving them a competitive edge.
  • Complete Confidentiality: Individual responses will remain confidential, with only aggregated data being published to protect participants’ privacy.

FAST invites all industry stakeholders to actively participate in this essential initiative. By contributing your insights and expertise, you can:

  • Assess compensation structures within your organization
  • Attract and retain top talent by aligning with industry compensation benchmarks
  • Make informed, data-driven strategic decisions

Complete the survey by Friday, Oct. 6 using the instructions provided by FAST’s survey partner, Vault Consulting. The survey may take one to three hours to complete.

“Widespread participation ensures the quality and reliability of the data, so your contribution is vital,” the FAST announcement says.

ADT Commercial Rebrands as Everon After GTCR Completes Acquisition

ADT Commercial, a security integrator and provider of commercial security, fire and life safety, will move forward as a standalone organization and rebrand as Everon, after private equity firm GTCR completed its $1.6 billion acquisition of ADT’s commercial security and fire segment.

The deal was announced in early August.

“Introducing Everon to the industry as a standalone company is a huge milestone in our commercial organization’s journey,” says CEO Dan Bresingham in the company announcement. “The Everon brand communicates everything we’ve been focused on building for the last decade.

“We are excited to embark on this next chapter with our partners, GTCR,” he says.

The Everon brand “will be connected to the company’s go-forward strategy, rooted in a deep dedication to customer service, the technological expertise, and willingness to innovate,” the announcement says.

Everon “will evolve to better respond to the security, fire and life safety needs of commercial environments,” according to the company announcement.

“The Everon brand will intersect our core values of experience, excellence and innovation,” says Beth Tarnoff, chief marketing officer, in the Everon announcement. “The brand inspires confidence in our consistency as a full service security partner.

“We’re always ‘on’, and ever innovating to meet our customers’ needs now and in the future,” she says.

More About the Everon Brand

The new logo “will convey a sense of drive, purpose and momentum,” the Everon announcement says. “The modernized brand presence is in sync with the company’s vision to become a transformative, technology-driven commercial integrator.

“Everon will be focused on investing in growth through strategic M&A, expanding its portfolio of best-in-class solutions, solidifying its reputation for service excellence, and reaffirming the company’s dedication to exploring innovative technologies primed to revolutionize the industry,” according to the company announcement.

“As we look toward the future, we want customers to know we’re in this with them, and can adapt to meet their needs and respond to new challenges,” says Bresingham in the announcement. “We’re excited for this reintroduction to the industry.

“This is Everon. We’re performance and relationship-driven. We’re ever leading the way, fully committed to serving our customers to the highest standard of quality, and we’re ready to break new ground in the commercial security industry,” he says.

M2M Services and Alula Join Forces to Redefine the Future of Smart Security

M2M Services, which provides universal alarm panel communicators, connectivity and interactive services has merged with smart security and Internet of Things (IoT) provider Alula, the companies announced in a joint press release.

Operating under the name M2M Services, the combined entity “will leverage the strengths of both companies,” the announcement says. The merger “marks a significant achievement in the industry, creating a company with unrivaled products and services that cater to the ever-evolving demands of the smart security market and the professionals who serve it,” according to the joint announcement.

The combined companies will be led by Peter Tzvetkov, CEO of M2M Services. Dave Mayne, president of Alula, will lead North America operations and oversee global sales and marketing. Gregg Waldon, CFO of Alula, will manage financial operations for the combined business.

The company will have U.S. headquarters in St. Paul, Minn., and global headquarters in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“This merger represents a strategic move to position ourselves as the premier market leader in the smart security industry,” says Tzvetkov in the joint announcement.

“We are excited about the future and the offerings we’ll provide to both our current and prospective customers, making available unmatched security solutions that provide peace of mind and seamless control over the connected environments they create and monitor,” he says.

The merger “opens up new horizons for Alula as we combine our expertise to set new benchmarks for quality, engineering and innovative security offerings,” says Mayne in the joint announcement. “Together, we are committed to empowering our customers with advanced technologies that redefine the way they protect what matters most.

“As a combined business over 1.25 million rooftops will be actively using our service platform to protect their properties and add convenience to the lives of those residing and working there. We are committed to continued innovation around the connected security market,” he says.

Key highlights of the merger include:

  1. Expanded Product Portfolio: The new business will offer an extensive range of smart security solutions that encompass cutting-edge hardware, services, and cloud-based technologies. Customers will enjoy an even broader array of products tailored to meet their unique security needs.
  2. Enhanced R&D Capabilities: By pooling research and development resources, the new M2M Services will accelerate the pace of innovation, creating new technologies that drive the industry forward and enhance the overall user experience.
  3. Unparalleled Expertise: The new M2M Services brings together a team of industry veterans and seasoned experts from both companies. This combined expertise will enable the company to address market challenges and anticipate future trends effectively.
  4. Customer-Centric Approach: Both M2M and Alula share a common commitment to exceptional customer service. As a merged entity, they will continue to prioritize customer satisfaction, offering responsive support and tailored solutions to meet individual needs.

How the Industry Reacted to the Alula-M2M Merger

Vince Raia, president of EMC Security, has been an Alula customer for years. He’s excited about the partnership with M2M.

“EMC Security introduced IP monitoring to our customers when added to a new technology offered by Russell Vail, founder of IpDatatel,” he says. “That started a more than 10-year relationship that continues today with our support of the Alula product line.

“We are optimistic that, by combining the strengths and operating scale of the two companies, IP Datatel and M2M, we will continue to see the same technology innovation and keen understanding of the customer experience,” says Raia.

Alula “has always paid close attention to input from their customers when implementing or refining their product and service lines,” he says, adding the company “understood there was a strong customer desire to bridge available new technologies with legacy equipment already installed in the home.

“Not every customer wants to rip and replace their systems every few years. We hope that the combined companies will continue to drive innovation that is both forward thinking and backward compatible with legacy systems and continue to listen and react quickly to the needs of their dealer customers,” says Raia.

Kirk MacDowell, president and CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors, sees this move as one that will benefit both companies as well as the security industry as a whole.

“Alula and M2M Services have different offerings which once combined, could yield significant results for both, under one umbrella,” he says. “Over the years, Alula has a bit of an identity crisis. Are they a manufacturer of wireless sensors, Connect Plus control panel, or a platform provider?

“The answer is yes to all three as well as an OEM to some of their competitors, which is not unusual in the manufacturing arena,” says MacDowell.

Alula was established in 2017 with the merger of IPDatatel and Resolution Products. Resolution was known for developing wireless products, wireless translators used by dealers when taking over another manufactured system and a complete line of sensors. IPDatatel was founded as a communication path, utilizing a broadband connection.

“Conventional thinking was that if you combined an Alula intrusion product and platform, dealers would use both,” says MacDowell. “Many dealers continued to use resolution products but found it challenging to come to grips with the connected solution offered by Alula.

Another issue, he says, is that Alula did not offer a hard-wired/wireless panel solution, thus making it difficult for dealers to standardize on the Alula combined solution.

“Some dealers did make the jump and were impressed with the synergy between the Connect Plus product and the back end,” says MacDowell. “However, others were slower to adopt, which was frustrating for Alula.”

M2M Services is a technology company that provides low-cost universal communicators that work on many manufacturers control panels, are easy to install and dealers/integrators like the simplicity, say MacDowell.

“The company is based in Bulgaria, where available engineering resources are more dominant than in the U.S. today,” he says. “M2M has gained ground in the North American market over the past few years and has done a good job of working with central stations in partnership opportunities with dealers.

“Taking the best from Alula, combining the engineering resources from M2M as well as M2M’s worldwide distribution could be a win-win for both companies. It’s all about continued dealer/integrator acceptance. The acceptance begins with leadership and the best chance for success is that the Americas business unit should be led by the U.S.-based team that understands the market and is respected by the dealer community,” says MacDowell.

Jewelers Mutual® Makes Deloitte’s Wisconsin 75™, Receives Innovation Award

Jewelers Mutual® Group, the insurer and business solutions provider dedicated to protecting jewelry and jewelry businesses for 110 years, announced it has been named to Deloitte’s Wisconsin 75™ for the fifth consecutive year. This recognition underscores the company’s consistent growth and positive impact on the state’s business community. More notably, Jewelers Mutual was awarded the Distinguished Performer Award for Innovation, acknowledging its commitment to providing meaningful technology solutions to the jewelry and insurance industries.

Deloitte’s annual Wisconsin 75 list recognizes and honors the largest privately held companies that demonstrate remarkable growth and success within the state. Inclusion in this list reflects not only financial performance but also the strategic foresight and determination that drive a company forward. Jewelers Mutual has consistently displayed these qualities, achieving milestones that have set it apart as an industry leader for the past 110 years.

The innovation award, a distinction of the Wisconsin 75, rewards Jewelers Mutual’s innovative approach and commitment to solving industry challenges, fostering creativity among its team members, and embracing cutting-edge technologies. The unique approach has enabled Jewelers Mutual to achieve sustained growth and deliver exceptional value to its customers year after year.

“At Jewelers Mutual, we believe that innovation is essential for growth and progress,” said Scott Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer at Jewelers Mutual. “Being recognized on Deloitte’s Wisconsin 75 as well as a distinguished performer in innovation is a true honor. It validates our commitment to our customers and our continuous efforts to reimagine the role we play in our industry.”

Over the past several years, Jewelers Mutual has launched significant technology solutions for both jewelry businesses and jewelry consumers. Among the notable include the Zing® Marketplace technology ecosystem that empowers jewelers to streamline their day-to-day operations and the newly launched insurtech offering through the LUX Digital Vault®, a mobile app that assists consumers in protecting and managing their valuable jewelry.

“As we celebrate the achievements of these 75 enterprises, we are reminded of the driving force they represent in fueling economic growth and contributing to the vibrant tapestry of our state. Deloitte is proud to recognize the economic impact of these 75 private companies in Wisconsin — the Wisconsin 75. This year we will not only celebrate the individual successes of each of these organizations, but also the collective impact of private companies in powering Wisconsin’s economy,” said P.J. DiStefano, Wisconsin managing partner of Deloitte LLP.

With a customer-centric approach and a focus on driving industry-wide progress, Jewelers Mutual maintains its reputation as a trusted advisor for the jewelry industry and jewelry consumers alike. For more information about Jewelers Mutual, its services and commitment to innovation, visit www.jewelersmutual.com.

The New DICE Awarded Patent for Gatekeeper Technology to Reduce Unnecessary Video Alarms to the Central Station

DICE Corporation has been awarded U.S. Patent # 11688273B2 for the Gatekeeper, a digital video alarm monitoring solution that prevents multiple and unnecessary video alarms from being received by the central station. This allows operators to focus on true alarms.

 The Gatekeeper is a patented technology that reduces cellular data usage and operator time for alarm monitoring systems. By filtering out rampant video alarms and events not required by the central station, the Gatekeeper helps businesses save money. This is especially beneficial for cameras connected to cellular modems.

For instance, the Gatekeeper monitors digital video alarm status and identifies events that are not required to be transmitted to the central station. These events can include alarms from cameras on test or alarms that are not scheduled to be transmitted at a certain time. The Gatekeeper discards these events, preventing the camera from using its data plan. This can save businesses a significant amount of money, especially if they have a large number of cameras or if they are using a cellular modem with a limited data plan.

Cellular modems can be expensive to operate, especially for businesses with a large number of cameras. The Gatekeeper reduces cellular data usage and operator time by filtering out rampant video alarms and events that are not required by the central station.

For example, the Gatekeeper can block alarms from cameras that are on test or alarms that are not scheduled to be transmitted at a certain time. The Gatekeeper can also block irrelevant alarms from lower-end cameras that are prone to sending multiple events during wind or rainstorms.

By filtering out these unwanted alarms, the Gatekeeper helps businesses save money and ensures that operators have the bandwidth they need to view the cameras that are most important.

DICE also has an artificial intelligence product for filtering alarms, but the Gatekeeper patent is different because it works before the alarm is even received at the central station. This makes it the “first line of defense” against unwanted alarms. If a camera sends an alarm, the Gatekeeper will prevent it from sending another alarm half a second later. This can be helpful for reducing bandwidth usage and preventing operators from being overwhelmed by a flood of alarms.

The Gatekeeper is configurable, making it a valuable tool for central stations, integrators, and end users alike.

Clifford Dice, founder and CEO of DICE Corporation, said: “The Gatekeeper is a fitting name for this technology because it guards the gate of signals entering the central station. This patent strengthens our intellectual property portfolio in the field of automation monitoring systems and software and is a valuable asset that will protect and enhance our ability to continue investing in innovative technology.”

The New DICE is currently licensing the Gatekeeper technology to other companies so that they can integrate it into their automation monitoring software.

For more information on DICE Corporation, visit www.dicecorp.com or call 989-891-2800.