TMA Presents 2023 Mel Mahler Award to Mark McCall, Immix Protect

/in , , , /by


The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) President Morgan Hertel honored one of TMA’s volunteer members with the Mel Mahler Award, formerly known as the President’s Award on Mon., Nov. 6th during its General Business Meeting at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Maui, HI. The Mel Mahler Award is presented at the discretion of the TMA president in recognition of outstanding contributions within his/her tenure. The 2023 Mel Mahler Award recipient is Mark McCall, global director of Operations, Immix Protect.

In presenting the 2023 Mel Mahler Award to McCall, President Hertel shared his personal and professional experience working closely with the awardee over the past 20 years. “I have great respect for Mark – both as a dedicated leader and colleague. Most recently, Mark chaired the development committee for the ANSI/TMA-AVS-01 standard. Without his guidance and expert stewardship, I am not certain that the standard would have been completed within the targeted timeline. He is a consummate professional. I am pleased to recognize his outstanding contributions to TMA.â€

View Acceptance Message

Longtime Security Industry Contributor Dischert Honored with Top TMA Award, Nov. 7th

/in , , , /by


The Monitoring Association (TMA) had the distinct opportunity to recognize the exceptional contributions of Larry Dischert, LRD Consulting, on Mon., Nov. 6th during its General Business Meeting at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Maui, HI. TMA President Morgan Hertel presented the respected and esteemed volunteer with TMA’s highest honor, the Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award.

The Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award, established in 1991 to honor its namesake, a dedicated leader and past president, recognizes exceptional long-term leadership and support. In presenting the award to Dischert, TMA President Morgan Hertel shared, “In our industry, there is a whole subset of individuals who work tirelessly, doing the lion share of the work with little or no public recognition. This year’s Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award winner is one example of those that have been working in the background for many years. Over the course of five decades, his contributions to standards development within the security and monitoring industries have been immeasurable.â€

From a blank piece of paper and assistance from a few industry peers, Dischert initiated the creation and development of UL1981 Central-Station Automation Systems and has since contributed to many UL standards. From an emphasis on the continuous maturation of UL1981 and UL827, he became a key contributor to UL STP 205 and its sub parts for all equipment and installation standards that impact the safe reliable operation of a monitoring center.

Most recently, Dischert’s involvement includes, but is not limited to, extensive work with TMA CS-V-01 Alarm Confirmation, Verification and Notification Procedures, and ANSI/TMA AVS-01 2023 Alarm Validation Scoring (AVS) Standard with the mission to increase the value of the Central Station service by greatly reducing or eliminating false dispatches.

“I can’t thank the TMA and industry leaders enough, for this recognition,†stated Dischert. “I’ve put 50 years of my life into this arena and have gotten much in return. And this rounds it out very nicely. Again, thanks.â€

VIEW DISCHERT’S ACCEPTANCE REMARKS

Brown County WI Public Safety Communications became the 137th ECC to go live with TMA’s ASAP Service

/in , , /by

Brown County WI Public Safety Communications became the 137th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 3rd ECC in the state of Wisconsin to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).

Brown County went live on October 31, 2023 with the following companies: Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Guardian Protection, Security Central, Protection One, Brinks Home Security, Securitas, Vivint, Tyco (Johnson Controls), National Monitoring Center, Affiliated Monitoring, United Central Control, and ADT.

Learn more about TMA ASAP-to-PSAP Service HERE.

TMA 2023 Achievement Highlights

/in , /by


The value of TMA Membership is demonstrated with a 92%+ renewal rate and 91%+ retention rate for 2023! Many thanks to each of you! With your support and participation, TMA has advanced the following initiatives over the past year:

  • TMA standards were approved by ANSI to be under continuous maintenance in May of this year. This will facilitate keeping our standards updated as our industry’s needs changed.
  • TMA’s Alarm Validation Standard (TMA-AVS-01), which computes an intrusion alarm scoring to share with public safety based on what is occurring at a protected premise, is now an ANSI standard. TMA and PPVAR collaborated to develop training content for both monitoring center operators and public safety. TMA’s training will include three AVS-01 operator training modules. TMA also set-up a dedicated domain and published an influential white paper to drive industry collaboration and encourage adoption of the AVS-01 standard.
  • The ASAP-to-PSAP service continues its exponential growth this year, with 135 active ECCs and plans to reach 140 by year-end. ASAP now covers over 15% of the US population, that’s over 50,000,000 people nationwide!
  • The 2023 Mid-Year Meeting was delivered virtually over the course of three days in April. Session topics covered business development best practices, cybersecurity, media relations, legal affairs, tech advancements and notable leadership and industry trends.
  • This year, TMA’s OPSTech program was held in Lafayette, LA where we elevated our meeting experience by holding the event at host-company Acadian Monitoring’s ambulance training school instead of a hotel, enriching our program with on-site tours, interactive workshop, and targeted breakout discussions. The new extended engagement platform meant that only 8 of the 12 sessions could be offered virtually.
  • A comprehensive upgrade of TMATraining.org has streamlined the process for training managers to bulk-purchase courses, monitor student progress, and navigate the electronic catalog, further enhanced by a partnership with The CMOOR Group to provide TMA members with discounted access to a state licensing tracking tool.
  • Since January 1, 2023, we have sold nearly 1,700 online Operator Level 1 & 2 Courses, with over 1,453 students having successfully completed courses.
  • TMA continues to work closely with the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC). AICC has been very busy advocating for the industry in numerous states’ versions of Right to Repair legislation, protecting our members from having critical security information from being publicly disclosed.  Other issues include Ban the Box, FTC’s Negative Option, and many others.
  • TMA has re-established two new Committees: TMA’s Government Relations (GR) and the Compliance Committee. Both committees have already been very busy even though they restated a few months ago. The GR Committee will work hand-in-hand with the AICC and with the GR Committees of other industry organizations.
  • Proudly celebrating the achievement of 109 Five Diamond Designated companies, a testament to our unwavering commitment of excellence and quality in our industry. Five Diamond designated companies are a true reflection of our commitment to unparalleled quality and service.
  • The NextGen group continued with its well-received Meet Your Mentor To date, co-chairs Ryan Brady and Jessica Lambert have conducted 11 video interviews with respected industry leaders. Stay tuned for more to come!
  • TMA launched the Louis T. Fiore Electronic Communications Scholarship in late 2022 to honor Mr. Fiore’s enduring contribution to the alarm industry and the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC). The scholarship is intended to promote careers in electronic communications. Applications for the first presentation are now being accepted.
  • The 2023 TMA/SSI Marvel Award, in partnership with Security Sales and Integration magazine (SSI) was awarded to National Monitoring Center (NMC). The 2023 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards drew a combination of entries from small-to-medium and enterprise-sized member companies. 2023 winners included: Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise: CPI Security; Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB: Statewide Security; Monitoring Center Manager of the Year: Fiore Ayala, Rapid Response Monitoring; Monitoring Center Operator of the Year: Samantha Marzili, COPS Monitoring; and Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year: Brian DeCarlo, Rapid Response Monitoring. The application period for the 2024 awards opens Oct. 15, 2023.
  • TMA has published the spring and summer issues of TMA Dispatch magazine and 38 issues of TMA Signals weekly e-newsletter. Engagement in TMA’s social media communities, which include LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, have continued to grow in 2023.
  • TMA continues to issue certificates for the FirstNet National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), with 54 companies participating in the program and 48 certificates issued so far this year.
  • TMA’s Installation Quality Certification Program “IQ Certification,†the only quality control program for installations, maintenance and service of electronic security systems is growing with 14 IQ-certified companies.
  • Earlier this year we launched a new member portal InfoHub and database, which vastly improves the member experience. Stay tuned for continued updates and additions to member resources.
  • TMA’s Board for Directors has approved the new dues structure proposed by the Membership Committee and TMA staff. The new structure is based on methodology that standardizes annual dues levels and dues increases. The revised structure ensures that the same standard is applied across similar membership categories. We are confident that it has resulted in positive changes for all current and future members. View the new structure HERE.

TMA acknowledges and thanks our many volunteers; your efforts allow us to succeed in elevating the professional monitoring industry. With your continued support and engagement, we look forward to another productive year.

The CMOOR Group Appoints Erika Banks as Relationship Development Strategist

/in , /by


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.

Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.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.â€

“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.â€

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

/in , /by

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 https://tma.us/programs/asap/

 

Axis Breaks Ground on New Facility in Lund, Sweden

/in , /by

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

/in , , , , /by

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

/in , /by

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

/in , /by

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.