The Palm Beach County FL Sheriff’s Office Implements TMA’s Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP)

The Palm Beach County FL Sheriff’s Office became the 144th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 11th ECC in the state of Florida to implement The MOnitoring Association’s (TMA) Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).

Palm Beach County went live the week of May 13th, 2024 with the following alarm companies: Rapid Response Monitoring, ADT, Affiliated Monitoring, Alert 360, Brinks Home Security, Dynamark Monitoring, Guardian Protection, National Monitoring Center, Protection One/Everon, Securitas, Security Central, Tyco (Johnson Controls), United Central Control, Vector Security, and Vivint.

Learn more about ASAP-to-PSAP on this website at https://tma.us/programs/asap/.

Elite Interactive Solutions Announces the Launch of its New Website

Elite Interactive Solutions announces the launching of its new website, eliteisi.com. Several months in the making, the site has been designed with the security end-user customer across a diverse range of vertical markets in mind, highlighting myriad benefits of Elite’s solution and company differentiation in an appealing and user-friendly format.

Whether viewing quickly at a glance or opting to dig deeper, site visitors can easily learn more about the technology, processes, partnerships, market applications, service options, and more.

“Elite has perfected the industry’s most effective, efficient and elegant remote guarding solution that mitigates active crime scenes in real-time — with tens of thousands of direct annual interventions through its command center and zero false alarms reported to law enforcement while assisting in thousands of arrests and detainments,” says Elite Interactive Solutions Marketing Director Scott Goldfine. “The new website has been designed to convey this message in a straightforward and engaging way, while also detailing the unique facets that set Elite apart in the field as well as its unbeatable value proposition. The real proof is in the customer testimonials and impressive list of loyal, high-profile clientele that speak to Elite’s amazing 99% customer retention.”

Navigating eliteisi.com is a breeze, with four ever-present menu items atop the site: Industry Solutions; Crime Prevention; Company; and Get a Quote. Industry Solutions explains how remote guarding solves issues for markets such as automotive dealers and storage; shopping malls and retailers; multifamily and affordable housing; and commercial and campus properties. Crime Prevention elaborates on the four essential pillars of successful remote guarding: leading-edge technology, personnel, partnerships (including law enforcement), and processes. The Company section not only tells everything about Elite, but also has relevant news, articles and blogs, as well as a FAQs section and more.

Throughout the site — which also includes informational and compelling actual crime scene videos — visitors can easily and quickly request a free remote guarding demo or quote, or instantly access any section through a comprehensive linked sitemap on the footer of all pages. The clean, sophisticated design is not only exceedingly helpful and pleasing to the eye but also highly intuitive for the user.

Written and designed by Elite’s marketing leads Scott Goldfine and Robert Gutierrez, the new website was developed by SD Marketing of Irwindale, Calif. Eliteisi.com is standing by to educate visitors about remote video guarding in general, and more specifically about Elite Interactive Solutions’ innovative approach and unwavering commitment to excellence.

About Elite Interactive Solutions

Established in 2007, Los Angeles-based Elite Interactive Solutions is a remote guarding pioneer and leader in offering security solutions that provide clients with dramatically more effective security at greatly reduced costs when compared to traditional guard services. The proprietary combination of systems and processes helps clients avoid losses and set new standards in crime prevention. More info: eliteisi.com.

Johnson Controls appoints IBM veteran as new CMO

Johnson Controls Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Chris Bontempo

Johnson Controls announced it has appointed Chris Bontempo as vice-president and chief marketing officer, responsible for marketing strategies across the enterprise to drive demand generation and enhance brand equity, including market development, research and planning.

Bontempo joins Johnson Controls from IBM where he spent nearly 20 years, most recently as chief marketing & communications officer, Americas. In that capacity, he led all aspects of marketing for IBM across the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Bontempo will report to Chairman and CEO George Oliver.

“As we continue our transformation and solidify Johnson Control’s position as a comprehensive solutions provider for commercial buildings, our unwavering focus on solving customer problems drives our strategy at every stage of the sales cycle,” said Oliver in a statement. “We remain relentlessly focused on leveraging our digital capabilities to capture those opportunities, and Chris’ unique expertise and understanding of data, AI and the digital ecosystem will assist us in those efforts.”

Dr. Clary to Receive Prestigious Moody Award

Shane M. Clary Vice President, Codes and Standards Compliance at Bay Alarm Company will receive the prestigious recognition of the William N. Moody Award.  The award will be presented on June 4th, at 5 p.m. on the ESX Main Stage in Louisville.

Created in 2004 by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), the Moody Award is given annually to an individual who demonstrates a passion for advancing positive alarm management and best industry practices.

“Shane has made a tremendous contribution to our industry throughout his long career at Bay Alarm Company,” said Stan Martin, SIAC executive director. “He has been a leader in the development of standards and codes that help govern our industry and that contribute to the overall safety of our communities.

“Most recently Shane has been leading the effort to overcome some very harsh ordinance provisions in several California cities,” said Martin. “His perseverance in the face of adversity is one of the many attributes associated with those who receive the Moody Award.”

Shane is also the recipient of the California Alarm Association’s George A. Weinstock Award for lifetime achievement and service to industry as well as the Art Kane Memorial Award for lifetime achievement from the California Automatic Fire Alarm Association.

“Shane has provided the expertise and technical knowledge that has helped our company become the largest independently owned and operated alarm company in the United States,” said Tim Westphal, Bay Alarm Company CEO.  “In addition, he has devoted countless hours as well as his expertise to supporting the industry as a whole through education programs, setting industry standards and working with government agencies on alarm management issues.”

“I am honored to be selected to receive this award and appreciate the significance based on a review of the past recipients,” said Clary. “SIAC has played an important role in creating evidence-based research to support policies and ordinances that reduce the number of calls to public safety agencies while maintaining police response. By doing so SIAC has become a credible voice for our industry with law enforcement agencies here in California and across the country.”

About the William N. Moody Award   

The William N. Moody Award was established in 2004 by the SIAC Board of Directors to recognize those who embody Bill’s dedication to alarm management issues. The award honors individuals who reflect attributes that include integrity, fairness and perseverance in the face of adversity. 

About SIAC

SIAC represents one voice for the electronic security industry on alarm management issues –communicating solutions and enhancing relationships with law enforcement.  SIAC is comprised of four major North American security associations–Canadian Security Association (CANASA), Security Industry Association (SIA), Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), and the Electronic Security Association (ESA). For more information, go,  For more information, visit www.SIACinc.org or follow us on Facebook.

Per Mar Security Services Ranked #16 in SDM’s Top 100

Per Mar Security Services, a leading provider of total security solutions, is proud to announce its ranking of #16 on Security Dealer Magazine’s (SDM) prestigious SDM 100 list for 2024. This recognition signifies Per Mar’s continued commitment to excellence in the security industry.

The SDM 100 is an annual ranking of the top security dealers in the United States, based on a comprehensive review of factors such as revenue, recurring revenue, growth rate, and customer service. Inclusion on the list is a coveted distinction, and Per Mar’s #16 ranking reflects its dedication to providing its clients with innovative security solutions and exceptional service. This marks the 34th consecutive year that Per Mar has held a ranking in the SDM 100 Report.

Chris Edwards, President of Per Mar Security’s Electronic Security Division, said: “We are honored to once again be ranked in the top 20 companies in our industry. To be a part of this list for over 30 years speaks well of our team and their dedication to our customers as we continue to grow in all of our markets in the upper Midwest.”

Public Comment Period for the ANSI/TMA-AVS-01 Standard is Now Open, Closes June 9, 2024

The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) AVS-01 Standard Committee has completed revisions to the ANSI/TMA AVS-01-2023 Alarm Validation Scoring (AVS) Standard and the draft is available for comment. In accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) directives, a 30-day public review period opened May 10, 2024, and will close June 9, 2024.

TMA is a Standards Development Organization, or SDO, accredited by ANSI, which facilitates and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. As an SDO, the TMA Standards Committee works on standards that benefit consumers, regulators, and the security industry.

View the proposed changes: AVS-01 Markup | Summary

Comment Form: https://tma.us/standards/comment-form-for-avs-01/

Learn more about the ANSI/TMA-AVS-01 2023 standard at https://tma.us/standards/tma-avs-01-alarm-validation-standard/

SSN Interview: Pioneering Standards: Rapid Response Leads with TMA AVS-O1 Validation

Security Systems News (SSN) Editor in Chief Cory Harris interviewed TMA President Steve Butkovich and TMA Immediate Past President and Standards Committee Chair Morgan Hertel, Rapid Response Monitoring, at ISC West in Las Vegas on the topic of TMA’s standards development initiatives.

View the full interview at Pioneering Standards: Rapid Response Leads with TMA AVS-O1 Validation

Rapid Response Monitoring Announces New Manager of Project Management Office

Rapid Response Monitoring has announced Brian Sheehan as Project Management Office Manager. In this role, Brian will oversee all aspects of the project lifecycle and play a pivotal role in leading the dedicated Project Managers and Project Management Office to success.

Brian has over 15 years of professional experience in operations, analytics, and management. “I’m excited to work with our talented project managers and teams to streamline processes, foster a culture of communication, and ultimately deliver exceptional results for Rapid Response Monitoring and our dealers,” said Sheehan. As PMO Manager, Brian will focus on the evolution of Rapid Response’s proprietary monitoring platform, Triangulum AI, and spearhead the integration of relationships with vendors and Dealers.

“We are confident that Brian’s experience in end-to-end project management will strengthen the development of our Triangulum AI platform, further positioning us to provide our Dealers with an even greater competitive advantage in the marketplace,” said Jeffrey Atkins, President of Rapid Response Monitoring.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources Management from SUNY Oswego and is currently pursuing a Project Management Professional Certification.

Axis Communications Holds Ribbon Cutting for New Dallas Area Experience Center

Axis Communications recently celebrated the grand opening of its latest Axis Experience Center (AEC) in Frisco, Texas. The new Dallas-area facility replaces the original Irving AEC location with a larger, state-of-the-art facility built to accommodate the need for a greater Axis presence in North Texas.

The new facility is intended to better serve customers as the Axis Communications product portfolio expands and its partner ecosystem grows. The space also offers additional meeting space, with plans to expand staffing in the future.

With another Texas AEC located in Houston, the new location will serve various industries across North Texas such as defense, financial services, healthcare and information technology offering localized on-the-ground support and opportunities to demo innovative Axis technologies across video, audio, access control and analytics, as well as solutions offered by Axis technology integration partners.

As an integral part of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex — and as the third most populous city in Texas — Dallas is a center for technological innovation and hosts the corporate headquarters of approximately 6,000 companies, resulting in the DFW metropolitan economy being the fourth-largest in the U.S. Along with some of today’s most innovative companies, the new Axis AEC will integrate itself into the community not only as an economic driver, but as a technological visionary as well.

The new 15,000-square-foot AEC is double the size of the former Irving facility, and is unlike any Axis has unveiled thus far, with a completely different style and unique features including:

  • A Solutions Theater where visitors can see different Axis technologies working together under one software solution (AXIS Camera Station), as well as an Interactive Solutions area where visitors can engage in hands-on learning around how Axis products actually work together.
  • An Image Usability Lab, which includes custom displays to demonstrate how Axis solutions perform under challenging scenarios.
  • A dedicated Demo Room with a large-screen video wall to review footage captured by Axis devices.
  • Analytics Alley, showcasing many of the different analytics Axis offers to enhance security systems.
  • The Partner Pavilion, highlighting third-party vendor technologies that work well with Axis products and provide solutions for difficult applications.

“Axis is excited to expand into one of the most prominent business hubs in Texas, bringing our world-class security technologies and expert support to local organizations across industries,” said Steve Stanberry, business area director, South Central at Axis Communications. “We look forward to meeting and working with local enterprises to enable enhanced safety and security efforts in addition to increased business value. With this grand opening, we’re proud to further our core mission of fostering a smarter, safer world with state-of-the-art technology solutions.”

Axis, along with local partners, customers, and stakeholders, celebrated the Dallas AEC grand opening with a formal ribbon cutting on May 8. In addition, the grand opening event featured tours of the space led by Dallas-area Axis staff, as well as live country music and special appearances by Dallas Mavericks mascot, Champ, and Dallas Cowboys mascot, Rowdy.

The Dallas AEC is located at 17 Cowboys Way, Suite 700, Frisco, Texas. To schedule a time to tour the new Axis Experience Center or to learn more about the facility and its resources, email Dallas-AEC@axis.com.

Information about Axis Experience Centers throughout the Americas and around the world can be found at here.

Doyle Security Systems Acquires Security Division of DFT Communications

Doyle Security Systems has the acquired the security division of DFT Communications (Dunkirk & Fredonia Telephone Co.), a family-owned company founded in Fredonia, N.Y., in the 1890s.

DFT’s 2,100 security accounts (55 percent of which are commercial, 45 percent residential) will now be monitored by Doyle Security’s emergency response center, while service and installation work will continue to be provided by DFT Security employees who will be joining the Doyle team.

Along with the acquired accounts, Doyle Security will be retaining DFT Security’s Fredonia office and seven employees. Fredonia will become the 10th Doyle branch in New York, joining Buffalo, Olean, Syracuse, Watertown, Albany, Fishkill and Catskill, N.Y., plus Erie, Pa., and the corporate headquarters in Rochester.

“DFT has earned an incredible reputation in the security and life safety industry, and we couldn’t be prouder to be merging with their security division,” stated Doyle Security President and CEO Jack Doyle. “Our mutual passion for customer service and our alignment on values really makes this an excellent fit for us.”

DFT Communications shares many common traits with Doyle Security including being a family-owned company for more than 100 years, according to an announcement. DFT will retain their internet and phone services, staff and accounts.

Doyle Security Systems, ranked No. 23 on the 2024 SDM 100, states that it is the largest security company in New York. Family owned and operated since 1919, the company services more than 45,000 residential and commercial customers across New York and Pennsylvania.