Alarm.com Acquires Smart Communicator Maker EBS

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Alarm.com has acquired EBS, a Poland-based specialist in the design and manufacturing of smart communicators that are widely deployed in international markets.

EBS technology complements Alarm.com’s software solutions. Integrating with EBS smart communicators will expand Alarm.com’s support for legacy security control panels that are widely deployed in international markets, providing its service providers with a cost-effective solution for efficiently deploying Alarm.com’s advanced connected property solutions.

“By leveraging the strengths of both EBS and Alarm.com, we are confident in our ability to deliver superior security solutions, support our service providers, and build on our competitive edge in the global market, all while collaborating with the experienced and knowledgeable teams at EBS,” said Aydin Bolkar, Vice President of International Operations at Alarm.com.

EBS was founded over 30 years ago and has built a reputation for its high-quality manufacturing of smart communicators, according to a press release. As part of the Alarm.com family, EBS will gain access to a global network, research, and a portfolio of smart home and business security solutions. EBS’ solutions cater to a diverse range of clients, from households and small businesses to world-renowned security agencies and government institutions, according to the company.

“This merger promises numerous benefits and we are confident that it will substantially enhance our capacity to serve our customers even better,” said Krzysztof Stalewski, CEO at EBS.

EBS will continue to operate independently and the current management team at EBS will lead the business from its headquarters in Warsaw, Poland, and maintain a manufacturing facility in Elk, Poland.

Alarm.com’s platform is used by millions of consumers and businesses and deployed via a network of thousands of integrators. The platform integrates with a growing variety of Internet of Things (IoT) devices through apps and interfaces, controlling security, video, access control, intelligent automation, energy management, and wellness solutions.

Per Mar Security #15 on 2023 SDM Top 100 List

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Per Mar Security Services is ranked 15th on the 2023 SDM Top 100 List.

The 2023 SDM Top 100 ranks the top 100 U.S. companies that provide electronic security systems and services to both residential and commercial customers by their recurring monthly revenue (RMR) as of December 31, 2022. The report also includes several rankings based on other criteria including total annual gross revenue, residential subscribers and non-residential sales revenue. Per Mar ranked in the top 15 on these three lists as well. The company is ranked 14th in terms of total annual gross revenue, 14th in residential subscribers, and 7th in non-residential sales revenue.

“We are thrilled to again be recognized as one of the SDM Top 100, and climbing to 15th is a real honor,” said Chris Edwards, president of Per Mar’s Electronic Security Division. “This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of our team and their relentless pursuit of providing the highest level of security services. It also reaffirms our position as an industry leader as we continue to grow and expand our product line, particularly live monitored video that actually prevents crime and loss of assets proactively.”

Per Mar has been ranked on the SDM Top 100 every year since the list’s inception in 1991. Since that time, the company has been an industry leader in providing the latest residential and commercial security solutions to its customers including AI and cloud-based security cameras, Intelligent Video Monitoring, integrated access control, security systems, and more. Per Mar also owns and operates its own UL Listed, TMA Five Diamond Certified, Monitoring Centers with highly trained Per Mar monitoring agents providing live video and alarm monitoring 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

DMP Hires Joshua Waldram

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Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) is pleased to welcome Joshua Waldram as the Dealer Development Manager for the Southwest. Waldram will provide ongoing service and support to DMP’s dealers across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Texas.

Waldram’s career in security began over four years ago with video surveillance manufacturing. He advanced to a veteran Inside Channel Manager who gained experience in sales and business development.

“We are very excited to have Waldram as part of the DMP family. His security expertise will help our customers create the right solutions for their residential and commercial customers,” says Jeff Spatz, Director of Sales for DMP.

Waldram says he favors this industry and DMP’s long history of providing innovative and quality products because of the importance of security and its impact on families and businesses. He is looking forward to the opportunity to use his experience and skills to provide DMP dealers with the products and support to help take care of their customers.

Kirk MacDowell to Receive Prestigious Moody Award for Decades of Leadership in Electronic Security Industry

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Kirk MacDowell founder and CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors, Inc. has been honored with the prestigious William N. Moody Award. The award will be presented at the SIAC awards presentation and reception at 5:00 pm on June 6 at the Electronic Security EXPO in Louisville, Kentucky. 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.

“Kirk helped provide great energy, imagination and leadership when he was named SIAC chairman,†said Stan Martin, SIAC executive director.  “But his role in SIAC is only the latest in a long list of contributions he has made to the industry while at the same time building a successful 43-year career in law enforcement and the private sector.

Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.“Kirk has a unique and diverse background that has been invaluable to helping SIAC achieve its mission of working with law enforcement to promote best practices in alarm management,†said Martin.  “He has owned a full-service security, armed guard response and central station company in Los Angeles and has led the 43rd largest alarm company in the US. In security manufacturing, he held varying roles of increasing responsibility at General Electric and United Technologies. In the software field, Kirk was VP of Platform Sales for alarm cloud innovator Alarm.com. Kirk also served 29 years with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department as a full-time Deputy and ultimately retired as a Reserve Lieutenant. He is currently president of MacGuard Security Advisors Inc., which provides business strategies, strategic growth initiatives, builder development services, acquisition analysis, SWOT evaluation, and customer satisfaction surveys.â€

MacDowell has also served the electronic security industry as Past Chairman, Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation (AIREF), Chairman, Security Industry Alarm Collation (SIAC), Chairman, Leadership Identification and Nomination Committee of ESA (LINC), former board member, Security Industry Association (SIA), former board member, The Monitoring Association (TMA), and Past President, Los Angeles County Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (LABFAA).

“It has been a privilege throughout my career to work with other professionals in our industry like Bill Moody who recognized that by working together we could best serve and protect our communities,†said MacDowell. “I would urge the next generation of leaders in our industry to make this same commitment to its mission of enhancing public safety.â€

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 to www.SIACinc.org,  www.siacinc.wordpress.com, or follow us on www.twitter.com/siacinc.

Jewelers Mutual® Group Unveils Crime Awareness Video Series

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Jewelers Mutual® Group announced the Crime Awareness Video Series as the latest educational resource it is contributing to the industry-wide Partner for Protection movement. The video series features security expertise from Jewelers’ Security Alliance and Jewellers Vigilance Canada on crime trends, security tips and actionable solutions to help educate and keep the jewelry industry safe and secure.

The jewelry industry continues to be the target of crimes at unprecedented rates, resulting in high losses and increased risks to safety. Late last year, Jewelers Mutual spearheaded the Partner for Protection movement to curb the rise in jewelry crimes. The movement aims to unite the industry in rethinking safety and security strategies, with all jewelers encouraged to take the pledge to stay vigilant in their jewelry communities and take action to keep themselves, their staff and their businesses protected.

The first five episodes in the video series include real crime experiences, lessons learned and expert guidance from John Kennedy from Jewelers’ Security Alliance, Kelly Ross from Jewellers Vigilance Canada, and veteran retail jeweler Michael Richards from Underwood Jewelers, with moderator Mark Smelzer from Jewelers Mutual. Episodes include discussions on the state of crime in the jewelry industry, smash-and-grab burglaries, grab-and-run thefts, jewelry store burglaries, and the emotional impact of crime.

“As a company dedicated to serving the jewelry industry for the last 110 years, we understand the importance of education to help support, protect and mitigate losses for jewelers,” said Mike Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Jewelers Mutual. “We can never stop learning when it comes to crime prevention, and we are proud to support the Partner for Protection movement along with other industry leaders because we believe reducing crime takes all of us. The series helps jewelers learn what to watch out for and how to take greater action so the industry stays safe and strong for the next 110 years.”

The Crime Awareness Video Series is available to view on PartnerForProtection.com/crime-video-series.html, and all jewelers and industry members are encouraged to join the Partner for Protection movement by taking the pledge to protect their businesses and communities.

MacDowell to Receive Prestigious Moody Award for Decades of Leadership in Electronic Security Industry

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Alarm.com Expands AI Program with Asset Acquisition from Vintra, an AI-based Video Analytics Company

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Alarm.com announced the acquisition of substantially all assets of Vintra, a software provider of award-winning AI-powered video analytics for the enterprise commercial market. Integrating Vintra’s software capabilities and its experienced science and engineering teams will expand Alarm.com’s deep learning program and accelerate deployment of advanced video analytics solutions for the Alarm.com and OpenEye platforms.

Launched in 2016, Vintra’s cloud platform transforms data from any video management system into actionable and trusted intelligence that can improve how organizations monitor and search for critical security events. Vintra’s AI models can track a range of objects and events, including a specific person, two or four-wheeled vehicles, bags, or a person-down situation. Its re-identification algorithm can track a person of interest across hundreds of cameras in real-time and can search large amounts of video recordings to find video clips of the person of interest within minutes.

“The Vintra team adds to Alarm.com’s science and engineering expertise in the field of AI and machine learning, and we’re excited to welcome them on board,” said Jeff Bedell, Alarm.com’s President of Ventures Business and Corporate Strategy. “The acquisition expands the specialization of Alarm.com’s AI team and will extend our leadership in this important domain. Our goal is to deploy market-defining video analytics solutions, scale them across the Alarm.com and OpenEye platforms, and open new areas of growth for our service provider and integrator partners.”

Alarm.com acquired Vintra’s core intellectual property, its research scientists, software engineers, and technical services teams as part of the acquisition.

Michael Venoit Appointed New NAPCO Vice President of Sales, Fire & Security

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Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., is pleased to appoint Michael Venoit, as the New Napco VP of Sales, Fire & Security, managing all Napco Security Regional Sales Managers and accounts. Venoit, who joined NAPCO, as the Continental Access Division VP of Sales in 2021, is a proven leader, and additionally has decades of experience growing revenue in the commercial fire and intrusion categories, as well.  

 

Reporting to Stephen Spinelli, SVP of Sales for all NAPCO divisions, Stephen said, “Michael, has proven himself as an effective sales leader for NAPCO Security Technologies, and he’ll be an ideal fit for growing the Napco Security Division business and managing that team, at a particularly exciting time, with the nationwide rollout of StarLink MAX 5G Universal Cell Communicators, the expansion of FireLink Commercial Fire FACP line, and the debut of Napco Prima Residential All-in-One Super Panel, early this summer.”

Based in greater Boston, Michael’s career spans decades in the electronic security industry. Feel free to reach out and/or congratulate Michael Venoit, Napco VP of Sales, Fire & Security directly at MVenoit@napcosecurity.com or cell 631-275-2784 or stop by for a visit at the ESX or NFPA Shows coming this June.

 

Introducing NAPCO’s Continental Access Division’s New Vice President of Sales, Aaron Black

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Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.Continental Access, a division of NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., is pleased to introduce Aaron Black as the new Continental Access Vice President of Sales, replacing Michael Venoit, who is moving to head up the NAPCO Security Division. Aaron comes to Continental with a successful track record of driving sales and meeting or exceeding goals, for ROI and customer satisfaction. Having worked for several well-known industry manufacturers in access control, video, and security, Aaron will now report to Stephen Spinelli, SVP of Sales for all NAPCO divisions. Aaron will be charged with managing the Continental Access accounts and the full sales team, including the Division’s Regional Sales Managers & VP of Business Development.


Spinelli added, “Aaron will be great for the Continental Sales Team, he has a lot of experience in the marketplace, and will be spearheading the creation of a brand new Napco Access Pro Dealer Program, benefitting our current and new integrators’ businesses with new excitement, options & value across the board.â€Â 


Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Aaron’s career encompasses decades of success in access control, video, and electronic security technology. Reach out to Aaron Black, VP of Sales, at Continental Access directly at ABlack@napcosecurity.com or cell 817-888-4872.

TMA President Inducted into SSI Hall of Fame

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Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.TMA President Morgan Hertel was inducted into Security Sales and Integration Magazine (SSI) 2023 Hall of Fame at ISC West in Las Vegas. According to SSI Editor-in-Chief Scott Goldfine, “the SSI Hall memorializes those whose work is in fact connected with life-and-death outcomes. Everyone in the security and fire/life-safety industry plays a part in the grand scheme to protect people, property, and assets.†As of today, more than 120 high achievers have been elected to the SSI Industry Hall of Fame.

Goldfine further states, “Those chosen for this special recognition often demonstrate coveted qualities such as talent, vison, passion, skill, dedication, focus, tenacity, and intuition. However, rising to the lofty level of all-time greatness also brings into play admirable characteristics like integrity, honesty, humility, ethics, and philanthropy. Those attributes embody the exemplary persons who since 2004 have been inducted into the SSI Industry Hall of Fame — including this year’s heroic half-dozen.

In his profile, Morgan shared his biggest wish for the industry change as, ““I would like to change people’s attitude toward change itself. It’s a human trait to push back against change because it can be scary. But it’s necessary in our industry.â€

Read Morgan’s full profile on the SSI website.