Jewelers Mutual® Group Celebrates 110 Years

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Jewelers Mutual® Group, the insurance and business solutions provider dedicated to the jewelry industry, is celebrating its 110th anniversary this month by reaffirming its commitment to the industry and its customers.

In 1913, a group of jewelers banded together because they couldn’t find insurance for their jewelry stores. Over the years, Jewelers Mutual continued to expand its protection offerings to include jewelry consumers, while bringing even more solutions to jewelers to help enable their growth. Today, the company continues to elevate the industry with programs that progressively move it forward. Jewelers Mutual’s recent establishment of the Jewelry Industry Council, the Conversations leadership event, and a multitude of innovative initiatives fuel new products and insurtech solutions to meet customers’ needs better than ever before.

“Jewelers Mutual has proven to be the consistent, dependable company that its more than one million customers throughout the U.S. and Canada depend on,” said Scott Murphy, Jewelers Mutual President and Chief Executive Officer. “The responsibility that comes from serving our growing customer base is significant, and we are more focused than ever on being there for them in the ways they need us to be, both now and for the future.”

Over the past several years, Jewelers Mutual has launched numerous technology advancements for both jewelry businesses and jewelry customers, including its marketplace technology platform which has become a one-stop destination for thousands of jewelers to improve the way they do business—from shipping to appraisal solutions and more. Exploring each facet of the industry, the company continues to uncover new opportunities such as Internet of Things loss prevention technology and meaningful insurtech offerings, like its one-of-a-kind Luxsurance® program, that transforms customer experiences.

“As we look to the future, we are excited about the possibilities and are dedicated to delivering the best possible service and solutions to our customers,” said Murphy. “After 110 years, we are just getting started.”

With an expanded portfolio beyond insurance, Jewelers Mutual is well-positioned to shape and strengthen the jewelry industry for the next 110 years.

Learn more about Jewelers Mutual and its 110-year history at JewelersMutual.com/about-us.

Finalists for 2023 TMA/SSI Monitoring Technology “Marvel” Award Announced

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) and Security Sales & Integration (SSI) announced the finalists for the TMA/SSI 2023 Monitoring Technology “Marvel” Award. They are:

  • Edgeworth Security
  • National Monitoring Center
  • Statewide Central Station

This award honors innovations in monitoring center technology. It is co-sponsored by TMA and Security Sales & Integration (SSI) and coordinated by the TMA Technology Committee.

The purpose of the Marvel Award is to provide recognition for monitoring centers creating and/or using cutting-edge technology to raise awareness of these new technologies. “The monitoring industry is experiencing exponential shifts as new technology emerges,” said TMA Technology Committee Co-Chair Sascha Kylau, OneTel Security. “Our goal with this award is to bring those monitoring centers and their partners who are demonstrating how new technologies are allowing security monitoring providers to reach new levels of efficiency and service. It’s exciting to see the evolution first hand.”

The Marvel will be presented to one overall winner for the “best adoption of new technology to advance your business.” Submission categories included:

  • Best implementation of video verification
  • Best implementation of PERS monitoring
  • Best technology to build efficiency in monitoring
  • Best cybersecurity
  • Best new business model
  • Best migration to the cloud

The TMA/SSI 2023 Marvel Technology Award will be presented on April 17th in a virtual awards ceremony. The winner will be featured in the August 2023 Monitoring Issue of SSI. Runners-up will also receive coverage in the issue.

Evolon Appoints Robert Putica as New Vice President of Sales

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Evolon Technology, Inc. announced the appointment of Robert Putica as the company’s Vice President of Sales. Putica will be responsible for serving Evolon’s customers and channel partners with AI-based perimeter security solutions that provide real-time threat detection, situational awareness, and insightful forensic searches to protect people and assets.

Putica comes to Evolon with over 20 years of sales and business development experience in the security industry. Most recently, Putica was with Dell Technologies, where he led business development efforts for the company’s Western US region. He also held sales management roles with Razberi Technologies, FLIR Systems, Digital Monitoring Products, Hikvision USA, and Enterprise Security, Inc. Prior to this, he co-founded Integrated Electronics, a system integrator business based in Fresno, California. Putica holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from California State University, Fresno, and a Master of Business Administration from the Essex Business School.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Robert to Evolon,” said Tom Galvin, Evolon’s President and CEO. “Robert is the perfect fit to lead Evolon’s work to serve our public safety and enterprise security customers with mission critical perimeter security solutions.”

DMP Releases The New 7-Inch Touchscreen Keypad

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Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) announces the release of their latest touchscreen keypad designed for residential and commercial applications. Compatible with all DMP’s XR and XT Series panels, the new keypad is fully loaded with high-functioning features such as:

  • View live and recorded video from connected cameras
  • Integration with the V-4061video doorbell allows someone to see and speak with visitors
  • An onboard camera that captures snapshots of who’s arming and disarming the system
  • Easily arm areas all on one screen
  • Enhanced Z-Wave control for thermostats, lights, and door locks

Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.According to Matt Dean, Product Manager for DMP, “This new keypad provides security, video, and automation, all in a large-format touchscreen. Utilizing large text, icons and intuitive graphics, the new keypad delivers the same exceptional image quality and ease of use one would experience with a smartphone.â€

In addition, firmware updates are pushed to the keypad remotely via DMP’s administrative portal. When connected to wi-fi, the keypad will remain up-to-date with features and functionality.

“A 7-inch keypad is a standard across the security industry and has frequently been requested by our dealers. Expanding DMP’s Touchscreen Keypad Series with a 7-inch model allows our dealers to increase their business among customers who prefer a large-format interface with best-in-class intrusion,†said Alee Rouhani, Director of Marketing.

The 7-inch keypad will be part of DMP’s popular Touchscreen Series in addition to the high-security and wireless 5-Inch keypad models. For more information and full capabilities of the new keypad, watch the spotlight video at www.dmp.com/7inchkeypad.

Resideo, ADI Report Record 2022 Net Revenues

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Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: REZI) and its distribution division ADI have both reported positive revenues for their Q4 2022 and full fiscal year 2022, despite suffering from supply chain woes. Citing economic uncertainty ahead, the company has announced it will make a 5% workforce reduction.

For the full year 2022 ended on December 31, 2022, Resideo had record net revenue of $6.37 billion, up 9% from $5.85 billion in 2021. Resideo’s products and solutions side of its business represented $2.78 billion of the total revenue (up 13%), while the global distribution side of its business (ADI) accounted for $3.59 billion (up 6%) of the full-year revenue. Narrowing it down to just Q4, the company had net revenue of $1.56 billion, up 7%. The company’s gross profit margin was 27.6%.

“Across the organization the team continued to deliver for customers in the face of the dynamic supply chain environment and challenging macro-economic backdrop,” commented Jay Geldmacher, Resideo’s President and CEO. “Feedback from customers and our data indicate our competitive positioning remains strong across the majority of our key markets. This is evident in the results both ADI and Products and Solutions delivered in 2022, with record revenue and expanding profitability even as residential market growth began to slow in the second half of the year. We remain focused on executing on the substantial long-term opportunity to improve margins and drive higher profitability through product innovation, cost optimization, and manufacturing efficiency initiatives.”

Resideo Cost Reduction Actions Underway

“Given elevated near-term uncertainty around the macro-economic environment and the residential market outlook, we have taken action to reduce costs,” says Geldmacher. “This includes headcount reductions, scaling back certain investment initiatives, and further rationalizing corporate spending. We have also begun the manufacturing optimization work delayed due to supply chain challenges. These actions will position us to better respond to market fluctuations while continuing to support our customers and invest in key innovation and profit enhancement initiatives.”

Resideo has initiated cost reduction actions that are expected to result in an approximate 5% decrease in its global workforce and approximately $70 million of annualized savings once fully implemented, which is expected to be within the next 12 to 24 months.

According to the company, the key initiatives will include right-sizing the business, simplifying the organizational structure, optimizing manufacturing, and rationalizing corporate spending. These cost reduction measures are expected to improve the focus of operational resources on advancing strategic initiatives and better position Resideo to scale with future growth.

The restructuring is already underway, with the company incurring $35 million in restructuring and impairment expenses related to these costs reduction actions in the fourth quarter of 2022. Cash costs associated with these actions are expected to be approximately $25 million and paid throughout 2023.

Interface Systems Unveils New Brand Identity

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Interface Systems has unveiled a new brand identity reflecting the company’s evolution. With a new logo and a brand new website, the rebrand builds upon the company’s 27+ years of strength, stability and growth, and underscores Interface’s mission to simplify operations, maximize ROI and deliver relentless customer support for the nation’s top multi-location brands.

“Offering differentiated managed services using best-of-breed technologies has always been our strength. We pioneered the interactive remote video monitoring service that gives our customers an unprecedented advantage in securing people and assets. In the last few years, Interface has completely reimagined business security solutions by adding on business intelligence and strengthening our network offerings. Our suite of managed services are game changers for customers and we feel this is the right time to refresh our brand identity,” says Sunita Mani, SVP of Marketing at Interface.

The new brand identity includes a brand new logo that depicts the evolution of managed services using a series of vertical lines and a new set of brand colors that reflects Interface’s bold approach to deploying impactful solutions for customers.

“Business security is no longer just about cameras and alarms operating in silos. We have transitioned to a vertically integrated business security solution stack that’s designed to proactively address threats before they arise, leverage visual data streams and AI from cameras to measure customer experience, and deploy purpose-built connectivity solutions to enable digital transformation. Our refreshed brand identity captures the essence of what we are now offering to multi-location enterprises and franchise operators,” says Brent Duncan, CEO of Interface.

The brand refresh goes beyond just the brand identity. Interface is also streamlining its customer support processes, and is actively developing a new comprehensive customer portal for its extensive suite of services, highlighting its emphasis on delivering relentless support at every customer touchpoint.

DMP Launches its XV-24 with AlarmVision

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DMP’s new AlarmVision creates video analytics zones on connected cameras that integrate into XR Series panels like any other zone. Deter intruders by instantly triggering any output or action following detection of a person, animal or vehicle. AlarmVision can also use these analytics to trigger alarms directly on the panel, creating an instantly verified alarm sent to the monitoring center.

AlarmVision Benefits

  • Actively deters intruders and instantly triggers verified alarms through its integration directly into an XR Series panel.
  • Program your customer’s system for automation following object detection within an area.
  • Reduces false alarms and potentially costly fines.

All video and recorded clips are available in Virtual Keypad™.

DMP Promotes Sean Cleary

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Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) announces the promotion of Sean Cleary to Executive Director of Strategic Accounts. Cleary began his new role February 20th.

Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.Cleary joined DMP in 2019 as Director of Financial Solutions where he’s served dealers and financial industry customers for nearly four years. In this role, he has created incremental revenue in pull through sales exceeding each year’s goals in the financials vertical and worked with both consumers and integrators to develop a pipeline of future revenue opportunities.

The focus of Cleary’s new position is to lead the sales efforts of vertical markets comprised of government, retail, and banking, along with strategic accounts including ADT Commercial, Convergint Technologies, Johnson Controls and Securitas Technology. Reporting to Cleary will be Pat Tobin, Executive Director Financials, Jamie Brennan, National Account Director for ADT Commercial, Jonathan Patton, National Account Director for Securitas Technology, Jim Hawthorne, Director of Retail Solutions, and Chad Hall, Director of Government Solutions.

Prior to DMP, Cleary led Bank of America’s Security Operations Team where he established, trained, and developed a multi-disciplined organization responsible for the tandem operations of two 24-hour command centers, complex security technology solutions, response and engagement strategies for security and continuity-related events, false alarm mitigations, access control administration, and intrusion alarm response. In this role, he excelled in leadership, strategy, operations and engagement with complex processes and security solutions.

Mark NeSmith, Vice President of Sales at DMP had this to say about Cleary, “Sean is a consummate professional – attentive, knowledgeable, and committed to serving our customers with excellence. I look forward to seeing him step into this new leadership capacity.â€

COPS Monitoring Welcomes K9 Assistant to Workforce

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COPS Monitoring is proud to welcome its first K9 assistant to its workforce.

Throughout history from ancient Rome to Europe and China, there has been evidence of canines aiding humans. However, service dogs were not legally recognized by the United States until the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990. Today, there are roughly a half a million service dogs in the United States alone.

Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.While ADA Title I applies to private employers with 15 or more employees, state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions, not every work environment is safe or hospitable to a service animal.

“I can’t tell you just how pleased I am that COPS Monitoring is the perfect atmosphere for employees and their service animals,†said COPS’ founder and president Jim McMullen. “I’ll be honest, in our 45 years, it was only recently that we were approached with the idea of accommodating a K9 companion.  There are talented people with service animals that may not know about us, and we are working to change that. We are fortunate that our monitoring centers are the perfect place for people with service animals who are inspired to help others through the work that we do.â€

“It’s surprisingly difficult finding companies that have the right atmosphere for service animals,†explained Rebekkah, Kovu’s companion. “Kovu and I feel so fortunate to find a place like COPS Monitoring. We both feel at home here and are proud to be productive members of the team.â€

“When he’s working, he’s very vigilant and has his eye on me at all times,†shared Rebekkah. “When he’s off the clock, Kovu is a goofy, fun-loving boy who can usually be found at home playing with his tennis ball.  He also enjoys tagging along at the farm to help keep me in good company,†she concluded.

Though Kovu is considered a service animal, and not a pet, everyone at COPS loves having him around. Studies have also shown that the presence of dogs in the workplace can improve morale and lower stress levels which are both vital to concentrating on critical tasks and an overall healthy workplace environment.