TRG Associates Releases 2021 Industry Annual Attrition Study

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TRG Associates’ John Brady shared highlights from his Industry Annual Attrition Report in TMA’s 2022 Annual Meeting’s first session on Nov. 1st. He opened by stressing the importance of knowing why your customers are leaving.

In 2021, RMR for participating companies reached a record $784k with “moved” jumping to the second position in the ranking of reasons customers left.

John announced the December 2022 launch of a new series of quarterly webinars on attrition. Look for details coming soon!

View and download your copy of this year’s study at http://trgassociates.com/attritions/

If you’re interested in taking part in future studies, please contact TRG Associates.

Hertel and Butkovich Present 2022 TMA Awards

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TMA President Morgan Hertel and TMA Vice President Steve Butkovich had the honor of presenting TMA’s 2022 awards on Monday, October 31, 2022 on the opening day of TMA’s 2022 Annual Meeting at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.

Steve presented the inaugural DEI Leadership Award to Kimberlite Corp. Joey Rao-Russell accepted the award. She encouraged other TMA members to engage in DEI initiatives – noting the value her company had drawn from such activities.

Morgan presented the following awards to TMA members for their outstanding contributions to TMA:

Mel Mahler Award was presented to:
Anita Owstrowksi, Vector Security
John Brady, TRG Associates

Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award was presented to:
David Carter
Don Young, ADT

Lastly, Morgan presented a special recognition award to Lou Fiore for his decades of service to TMA and AICC. In doing so, he also announced the establishment of a scholarship fund in his name.

Please join in congratulating all of our winners!

TMA 2022 Achievement Highlights

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The value of TMA Membership is demonstrated with an 89%+ renewal rate for 2022. Many thanks to each of you! With your support and participation, TMA has advanced the following initiatives as of September 2022:

  • After two years, TMA’s Alarm Validation Standard (TMA-AVS-01), which uses alarm activation data to evaluate what is occurring at the protected premise and inform public safety, is finalizing the ANSI approval process, and it is expected to become an ANSI Standard by November 2022.
  • TMA has submitted additional changes to the Work from Home section in UL 827, it will be voted soon on by the appropriate UL committee.
  • The Five Diamond Designation was extended to Video Monitoring companies, hosted by a UL827 registered data center. These companies still need to fulfill all the requirements of the Five Diamond program.
  • The ASAP-to-PSAP service continues its exponential growth this year, with 113 active ECCs and plans to reach 120 by year-end. The ASAP infrastructure is being moved to a virtualized cloud environment. ASAP now covers almost 13% of the US population, that’s over 42,000,000 people nationwide!
  • In collaboration with the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC), TMA continued to advocate for a delay in the AT&T 3G Sunset. While the sunset was not postponed, AICC and TMA were able to get accommodations from the FCC and AT&T. Following the resignation of Louis T. Fiore as AICC Chair, TMA has assumed additional management responsibilities.
  • The 2022 Mid-Year Meeting was delivered virtually over the course of three days in April. Session topics covered current hiring challenges, the hybrid work environment, and some of the latest technologies and services for monitoring centers.
  • TMA successfully conducted 2022 OPSTech as its first hybrid meeting in September, TMA’s first in-person meeting since Covid. While most of its attendees participated in Charlotte, NC, some attended virtually. In-person attendees toured TMA member CPI Security’s new state-of-the-art monitoring center.
  • Since January 1, 2022, we have sold nearly 2,400 online courses, including TMA Online Operator Level 1 & 2 Courses, with 1,767 students having successfully completed courses.
  • TMA has added 58+ new securityceu.com courses offering 75+ CEUs in its upgraded TMATraining.org platform. TMA is offering member discounts for the CAA’s National Training Program (NTP)’s Field Service Technician (FST) program. TMA is currently further upgrading its training site to facilitate purchase of all courses with one log in.
  • A group of 53 staff and volunteers participated in TMA’s 2022 Long-range Planning (LRP) meeting, developing recommendations to the TMA Board on membership structure, growth strategies, and TMA’s responses to future challenges and opportunities. LRP discussions were led by Mark Hillenburg, Kirk MacDowell, and Pam Petrow.
  • The NextGen group continued with its well-received Meet Your Mentor Series. To date, co-chairs Ryan Brady and Jessica Lambert have conducted 8 video interviews with respected industry leaders including our first in-person session at OPSTech22.
  • TMA launched the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award (DEI), in partnership with Security Systems News magazine. It recognizes a TMA member company that demonstrates a commitment to creating a DEI culture within their company and community.
  • The TMA/SSI Marvel Award, in partnership with Security Sales and Integration magazine (SSI), opened the 2022 award to all member companies to encourage solutions-based entries. SentryAI and USA Central Station won the 2022 Marvel Award. The 2022 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards drew a combination of entries from small-to-medium and enterprise-sized member companies. 2022 winners included: 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; and Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year: LaMar A. Shroyer, Dynamark Monitoring.
  • In September GSOC Council Chair Richard Flores and Council member Randy Rickert shared a glimpse into the future design of the GSOC to a group of security professionals at GSX, ASIS’ annual exhibit and conference. The goal of the presentation was to raise awareness of TMA and the benefits membership offers security professionals within GSOCs.
  • 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 13 IQ-certified companies.
  • An article in spring issues of the TMA Dispatch, shared the results of a research on post-pandemic education (“Training and Development Trends: TMA Members share their approach to education post pandemic,”).
  • As a reflection of their growing relationship, TMA and Priority Verified Alarm Response (PPVAR) signed an agreement for TMA to provide administrative, clerical, accounting, and other business services.
  • TMA has published the Spring and Summer issues of TMA Dispatch magazine and 38 issues of TMA Signals weekly e-newsletter. TMA conducted a readership study to evaluate the two publications. TMA social media communities, which include LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, have grown throughout the course of 2022.

TMA would like to acknowledge and thank 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.

Rapid Response Announces Indira Emmadi as Vice President of Information Technology

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Indira Emmadi,RRMS

Jeffrey Atkins, President of Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc., announced the appointment of Indira Emmadi to Vice President of Information Technology at Rapid Response. Indira joined Rapid Response from Palo Alto Networks where she served as a Solutions Engineer managing engagements with their key strategic accounts and led a team that provided cybersecurity solutions to organizations like Google and Microsoft for their Cloud services globally.

Indira started her career working as a Support Engineer for Cisco TAC. After leaving Cisco, she had successful careers at Broadcom, Inc., Riverbed Technology, Citrix Systems, and Radware. She holds two Master’s degrees, one from Wichita State University in Electrical Engineering and a second from Syracuse University in Computer Science.

Indira is an expert in Cyber Security regarding network and security architectures for Hyperscale Enterprise Networks, Service Providers, Data Centers and Cloud Infrastructures, and she has served in various Engineering roles, as well, including Software Engineering, Pre-Sales, Post-Sales and Technical Services. Underscoring her role at Rapid Response will be a focus on the 99.999% Uptime Initiative and continued development of our network supporting Rapid’s growth in Hosted Monitoring Services.

Axis Communications Announces a New Cybersecurity Feature for its Body Worn Cameras

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Axis Communications announces a new cybersecurity feature for Axis body worn cameras. Available with firmware release 11.0, signed video provides an additional layer of protection for body worn solutions helping to enforce trust in video evidence. This valuable feature adds a cryptographic checksum into the video stream allowing the video to be reliably traced back to the unique Axis camera where it was produced and verifying that the footage hasn’t been tampered with.

Whether in criminal or civil investigations, it’s vital that the authenticity of video surveillance can be presented without question. Because any doubt, however small, can be used to undermine the relevance of the video evidence. Now, thanks to signed video, it’s possible to verify the authenticity of video throughout the entire chain of custody.

Within Axis cameras, signed video uses the Axis Edge Vault hardware component, one of the key security features built into Axis products. Axis Edge Vault is a secure cryptographic compute module which can be used for cryptographic operations on securely stored certificates. It provides tamper-protected storage, enabling each device to securely store sensitive data and provide for secure execution of applications.

Key benefits of signed video:

•    Helps ensure trust and assurance of video evidence
•    Provides authentication at the point of capture
•    Easy integration thanks to open-source framework

Axis body worn solutions allow wearers to view video files on a mobile device or even in the VMS/EMS after the camera is docked and synched. However, for security purposes, camera wearers cannot access or share footage directly from the camera. Signed video provides an additional layer of protection for body worn solutions so customers can rest assured that the authenticity of video evidence is protected — from the point of capture to the court room.

Immix Adds Erin Bullard as Director of Partner Relations

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Immix has announced the addition of Erin Bullard to its leadership team. Bullard joined the company in September as director of partner relations.

“I am very pleased and excited to add someone with the background and pedigree that Erin can offer to the Immix team,” said Immix CEO Chris Brown. “Our company’s aggressive growth plans require the best people we can find to help us achieve them and Erin certainly fits that bill. Along with our laser focus on elite client support, we also recognize that our partners play a huge role in that success, and I can think of no one better to build and lead a program designed to ensure that our offering aligns with our most important allies, our partners.”

Bullard joins Immix from Securitas where she most recently served as director of remote guarding services and was responsible for day-to-day operations as well as the growth of the department and service offering. While at Securitas, Bullard managed relationships with both internal and external partners, as well as all customers, to improve service delivery and enhance the service offerings. She was also responsible for creating, owning, and presenting the department’s business plan to executive leadership along with various sales and marketing initiatives designed to grow the business unit.

In her role at Immix, Erin will be responsible for managing and enhancing the company’s Technology Partner Program, consisting of more than 500 different products from an array of manufacturer partners. Her primary duties include integration maintenance and prioritization as well as planning and joint marketing efforts with the technology partners and much more.

“Having worked with the Immix team for years as a customer, I am thrilled to be joining a company that is truly on the forefront of the industry,” stated Bullard. “The group of people that the company has brought together have such strong industry expertise and are thoughtful in the way that they approach the business. It is an honor to be a part of the team that is shaping the future of Immix.”

Eastern Bank Welcomes Crime Prevention Security Systems, LLC As A Commercial Customer

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Eastern Bank is pleased to announce Crime Prevention Security Systems, LLC (CPSS) as a new commercial customer. Founded in 1975 by John Pastore, Founder and President, and his wife Randi Elrad, Vice President of Sales, CPSS is a family-owned business. Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, servicing North and Central Florida, CPSS designs, installs and services security and fire alarm systems, as well as home automation systems, audio and video. Eastern Bank is providing a full banking solution to CPSS, which includes a revolving line of credit and cash management services.

“Crime Prevention Security Systems is thrilled to begin a new banking relationship with Eastern Bank,” said John Pastore, Founder and President of Crime Prevention Security Systems, LLC. “Central to our business philosophy is that we are neighbors serving neighbors. As a bank with a mission to do good in the community, Eastern understands our model. The flexibility of the financing solution offers the resources we need to support our future plans and we look forward to Eastern’s support.”

“For over 45 years, Crime Prevention Security Systems has been recognized as a local leader in security and alarm products, providing peace of mind and excellent customer service to their customers,” said Greg Buscone, Executive Vice President, Senior Commercial Banking Officer of Eastern Bank. “We are proud to assist with their financing needs.”

Eastern provides a range of commercial financing offerings to help companies across many industries to improve cash flow, increase efficiencies and build for the future. Commercial lending solutions include working capital/lines of credit, equipment/term loans, real estate loans, acquisition financing, asset-based lending and employee stock ownership plan-related financing.

Mark H. Sandler, Managing Director at SPP Advisors, LLC represented CPSS in this transaction.

The Commercial Banking team advising Crime Prevention Security Systems includes Executive Vice President, Senior Commercial Banking Officer Greg Buscone and Senior Vice President, Commercial Group Director Brendan O’Neill.

Jewelers Mutual® Group Establishes New Jewelry Industry Council

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Jewelers Mutual Group announced the creation of a Jewelry Industry Council tasked with identifying challenges facing the industry and proposing solutions, including financial investments to address them.

The Jewelry Industry Council is comprised of individuals from various areas of the industry throughout the U.S. and Canada who were selected based on their leadership roles and commitment to strengthening how the jewelry industry works with today’s consumer. The collective council is a diverse array of business leaders, including family-owned, multi-generational businesses and next-generation jewelers. Each member of this action-oriented think-tank will serve a two-year term.

“I congratulate and welcome each member into the council. They have passion, drive and are well-respected thought leaders,” said Scott Murphy, president and chief executive officer of Jewelers Mutual Group. “We are thrilled to be partnered with thought leaders, all focused on the same goal, to make a positive difference as we help move today’s jeweler forward.”

Several members are attending the Jewelers Mutual premier leadership retreat, Conversations in Park City, in October. During this event, members will partake in additional innovative conversations aimed to strengthen the industry and grow relationships through learning and networking.

Jewelry industry professionals who have questions about the council or how to get involved may email sales@jminsure.com.

Axis Communications Opens 13th Experience Center

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Axis Communications is celebrating the opening of its newest Axis Experience Center (AEC) in Houston.

The Houston AEC is Axis’ 13th innovation center within the Americas, and its opening comes just weeks after the unveiling of the company’s new Greater Toronto AEC location.

The Houston AEC is designed to provide customers, partners, and business leaders with localized resources and hands-on opportunities to test cutting-edge security technologies in a simulated environment.

In recognition of the city’s deeply rooted connection to the space industry, the new 4,800-square-foot facility embodies a ‘Space City’ theme, according to Axis.

As a focal point, the state-of-the-art facility features a ‘Launch Pad’ with a large circular truss system that displays Axis’ core suite of end-to-end solutions, including the latest innovations in video, access control, audio, and intercom, all working together on AXIS Camera Station software platform.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to view and test the latest in high-performance network cameras and other edge devices – as well as emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, analytics and IP-based security technologies.

With over 10 million residents, Houston represents the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States. Among those residents are many existing Axis customers across key industries such as manufacturing, critical infrastructure, healthcare, and SLED (State, Local and Education) government agencies, according to the company.

As Axis expands its footprint in key geographies, it says Houston is a natural extension of the company’s growth trajectory and vision of innovating for a smarter, safer world — joining Dallas as Axis’ second, Texas-based AEC.

“As a global company, Axis Communications fully realizes the importance of building relationships at a local level. It’s important to meet customers where they live and work, and to provide them with hands-on opportunities to test the latest technologies that are driving the security market forward,” says Steve Stanberry, business area director, South Central, Axis Communications. “Axis has a long history with the City of Houston and the diverse range of industries it supports, and we are excited to further strengthen our commitment and deepen our roots here with this new AEC opening.”

With plans to unveil additional facilities before the end of the year, current Axis Experience Center locations include New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Jose, Washington D.C., Toronto, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo.

The Houston AEC is located at 750 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 950, Houston, Texas 77024.

Jewelers Mutual® Group Named to Deloitte’s 2022 Wisconsin 75™ for Fourth Year

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Jewelers Mutual Group announced it has been once again included on Deloitte’s Wisconsin 75™, a ranking of the 75 largest private companies in Wisconsin. This is the Group’s fourth year receiving the distinguished honor and credits the recognition to its continued focus on its customers by creating innovative, forward-thinking solutions for their evolving needs.

“To be recognized by Deloitte for the fourth consecutive year is an honor and testament to the progress we are making to leverage data, technology and human capital to anticipate our customer and business needs,” said Scott Murphy, Jewelers Mutual president and chief executive officer. “We are transforming how we work together as an organization and as a partner in the industry to maintain our position as one of the most trusted names in the market.”

Deloitte’s annual list salutes Wisconsin-based companies that play a key role in the state’s economy and communities.

“For the 20th year, Deloitte is proud to recognize the economic and community impact of the largest 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 and community,” said PJ DiStefano, Wisconsin managing partner of Deloitte LLP.

With a rich history that expands 109 years, Jewelers Mutual Group continues to give back to its communities and is a cornerstone of the jewelry industry, providing leadership, guidance and world-class products and services to the customers it serves.

ABOUT DELOITTE’S 2022 WISCONSIN 75

Deloitte’s annual Wisconsin 75 list salutes the largest privately held Wisconsin-based companies. These companies play a key role in the state’s economy. Wisconsin 75 award winners are selected based on annual sales revenue.

To be eligible for Deloitte’s Wisconsin 75 recognition, companies must have a majority ownership by an individual(s), family, employee stock ownership plan, or private equity firm. Public companies are eligible when greater than 50 percent of the value or vote of the shares are owned by individuals, family, an employee stock ownership plan, or private equity. Additionally, companies must have annual sales revenue of at least USD 50,000. The Wisconsin 75 excludes cooperatives and accounting, tax, legal, and consulting service companies.