Rapid Response Monitoring Announces New Manager of Project Management Office

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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.

NAPCO StarLink Operations Center (NOC) Receives SOC 2 Rating

/0 Comments/in , /by

NAPCO Security Technologies announces its StarLink Network Operations Center (NOC) is now SOC 2 Rated. In addition to its UL Listed Certifications, Napco’s StarLink NOC has undergone rigorous criteria to implement and meet SOC Policies & Trust Services Criteria for cybersecurity and data privacy protection, i.e., providing added security for all Napco’s Dealers’ Accounts. The Company took these important steps, even as cyberattack breaches & huge ransomware demands are becoming more aggressive and prevalent in the US, and the world at large.

While numerous corporations, healthcare providers, local government, hospitals and more, have been victimized and had to pay millions to unlock their databases, confidential files and infrastructure access, today, service companies are increasingly held responsible for taking demonstrable measures to protect and secure their customers’ data and privacy. NAPCO has done so and taken these significant precautions, to protect both its dealers and their accounts’ privacy and liability exposure.

Located within its NY Headquarters, processing millions of StarLink signals, NAPCO’s NOC is triple-reinforced, climate- & power-controlled, and UL 864 10th Ed, UL 2610, UL 1635 Listed, as well as SOC 2. In case of an emergency, it is also backed for a failover, by a Disaster Recovery NOC in Pennsylvania, for immediate, mirrored emergency switchover. In this way, unlike other manufacturers, All StarLink Signals remain within the US for rapid response in fire life-safety, when seconds saved, could mean lives.  Thus, StarLink Fire Communications offers dealers a true UL End-to-End solution, starting from a UL 864 Listed StarLink Fire Communicator, going through its NY HQ’s UL 864 NOC to any UL Central Station a dealer chooses. Additionally, StarLink Fire Communicators and the Napco NOC  won awards for cyber-security (CyberSecured New Product of Year) for Data Center Security & Remote Monitoring and Management.

For More on NAPCO StarLink Communicators and fire alarm signal security visit www.StarLinkFire.com and Download “Things You Should Know When Choosing a Cellular Alarm Communicator”.

TMA/AICC Meet with Congressional Committee on Privacy Act

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

AICC attorney John Prendergast, Managing Partner, Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens & Prendergast, LLP, and lobbyist Bill Signer, Carmen Group, Inc., met this morning with House Energy and Commerce Democratic staff to discuss the American Privacy Rights Act. Several issues were raised  – two which are specific to the alarm industry and three which are generic to the bill and will impact any company subject to the Act.

Read update.

Next steps:

  • A memo containing recommendations for modifications and the needed legislative language will be drafted.
  • Outreach to the majority staff has been made.
  • Outreach to the Senate Commerce staff will also be made.

Volunteers Are the Heart and Soul of TMA

/0 Comments/in , , /by

April is National Volunteer Month! As the month draws to a close, this week, in particular, is set aside to celebrate and recognize the innumerable contributions of volunteers across our nation.

For TMA, our member volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization –  without whom, we would not be able to advance our mission to promote and advance professional monitoring to consumers and first responders through education, advocacy, and the creation of standards. 

Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to all of those who have and continue to contribute their time, talents, and expertise to and through TMA. No matter how small, you make a difference!

If you aren’t currently engaged in TMA’s committees, we invite and encourage you to consider joining. Jump in, give back, and reap the rewards! Learn more at https://tma.us/about/our-committees/join-a-committee/

TMA Member IronYun Wins Industry Best New Product Award

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Congratulations to new TMA member #IronYun for winning the SIA NPS prize Best New Product Award and the Managed Services Award for its Vaidio AI Vision Platform 8.0 product. The awards were presented at ISC West on April 10th.

Congratulations also to these TMA members who also took home prizes:

#AXISCommunications – Won multiple awards, including: Threat Detection and Response Solutions Award for its AXIS D2210-VE Radar and Video Surveillance Awards for its AXIS W110 Body Worn Camera

and its AXIS Q9307-LV Dome Camera, which won Honorable Mention in the same category.

#Bosch – Won Hosted Video Solutions Award for its Bosch IQsight Data Fusion

#Evolon – Won Commercial Monitoring Solutions Award for its Evolon Insights

Jefferson County, NY Goes Live with TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP, April 16th

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Jefferson County Office of Fire and Emergency Management is the 143rd public safety communications center in the United States and the 12th agency in the state of New York to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).

Jefferson County Office of Fire and Emergency Management went live on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, with Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Securitas, Guardian Protection, Protection One/Everon, Tyco (Johnson Controls), United Central Control, Vivint, Brinks Home Security, National Monitoring Center, Affiliated Monitoring, Amherst Alarm, Doyle and ADT.

Learn more about TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP at https://tma.us/programs/asap/

TMA 2024 Award Winners Announced! ADT and Stealth Monitoring take top honors.

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

The Monitoring Association (TMA), in conjunction with its publication sponsors, presented the 2024 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards and the 2024 TMA/SSI Marvel Technology Award this afternoon at a virtual awards ceremony.

Please join in congratulating this year’s winners:

EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise
ADT Security Services

Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB
Stealth Monitoring

Monitoring Center Manager of the Year
Erik Chalifour, TELUS Smart Security & Automation

 Monitoring Center Operator of the Year
Brenda Eichfeld, COPS Monitoring

 Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year:
John Turner, ADT Security Services

MARVEL TECHNOLOGY AWARD

Elite Interactive Solutions

Winners will be featured in the August issues of SDM and SSI magazines.

Resideo to Acquire Snap One to Expand Presence in Smart Living Products and Distribution

/0 Comments/in /by

Resideo Technologies, Inc. and Snap One Holdings Corp. announced a definitive agreement pursuant to which Resideo has agreed to acquire Snap One for $10.75 per share in cash, for a transaction value of approximately $1.4 billion, inclusive of net debt. Upon closing, Snap One will integrate into Resideo’s ADI Global Distribution business.

The transaction will combine ADI’s strong position in security products distribution and Snap One’s complementary capabilities in the smart living market and innovative Control4 technology platforms, which is expected to drive increased value for integrators and financial returns. Together, ADI and Snap One will provide integrators an increased selection of both third-party products and proprietary offerings through an extensive physical branch footprint augmented by industry leading digital capabilities.

“The acquisition of Snap One is an exciting step in Resideo’s continued transformation through portfolio optimization, operational enhancements and structural cost savings actions,” commented Jay Geldmacher, Resideo’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “ADI and Snap One are highly complementary businesses and together will meaningfully enhance our strategic and operational capabilities as a significant player in attractive growth categories. We are excited about the enhanced value proposition through increased product breadth, local availability, support services and broad market expertise, as well as the future opportunities this creates for integrators serving residential and commercial markets. In addition, the investment by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a testament to the strategic and financial merits of this transaction and provides financial flexibility as we continue to transform and optimize our portfolio. We look forward to the ADI and Snap One teams working together to drive value for all stakeholders through executing on the substantial business and financial synergies we see in combining the two businesses.”

“Snap One has grown from a startup built by entrepreneurial integrators to an industry leader in smart technology, delivering seamless experiences to consumers and high-quality services and support to our integrators,” said John Heyman, Chief Executive Officer of Snap One. “This is the right next step to capture new opportunities to bring our solutions to market. The future of smart living is here. Demand for connected technology products continues to grow, and Resideo is the right owner to drive our expansion. We believe this transaction will deliver compelling value to our stakeholders and will create opportunities for our people and integrator partners.”

“We are excited to support Resideo on this highly strategic acquisition and in their ongoing transformation,” commented Nathan Sleeper, CD&R’s Chief Executive Officer. “I look forward to joining Resideo’s Board of Directors and supporting the business as it executes on this transaction and the significant opportunity we see available over the coming years.”