Axis Communications announces the winners of the Oceania Partner Awards 2021

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Axis Communications announced the winners of its Oceania Partner Awards 2021. These awards are dedicated to celebrating and rewarding Axis’ multiple partners across the Oceania region, for their outstanding contributions to improving security and optimizing business performance over the past year.

Axis’ partners continue to provide trusted network and audio solutions for their customers to achieve success, and maintain their position as a global market leader in security offerings. This year’s winners have proven to be leaders in innovation, selected based on their ongoing commitment to delivering superior product solutions.

“Through working collaboratively with our partners, we have been able to embrace cutting edge technology and advancements to drive results for our end customers. Our partners have been critical to developing solutions to navigate our customers’ new needs and challenges in this changing technology landscape,” says Wai King Wong, Axis Regional Director for Oceania.

“Axis recognizes the strength in collaboration with our partnership work acting as the driving force behind the company’s success during these uncertain times in the security industry.”

Awards this year were broken down by region, with top performing partners and distributors recognized. Awards were also given out for specific industry deployments, including retail, government and banking. The full list of award winners is as follows:

Top Partner Winners by Industry

  • Retail partner Australia: PMT Security
  • Retail partner New Zealand: RISC
  • Retail partner multi-site deployments Australia: JD Security
  • Retail partner multi-site deployments New Zealand: Focus Digital
  • Government partner Australia: Optic Security
  • Government partner New Zealand: Optic Security
  • Critical Infrastructure partner Australia: Royal Eagle Security Services
  • Smart Cities partner: Jettech Networks
  • Banking partner Australia: ARA Security
  • Banking partner New Zealand: Securitek
  • Transportation partner Australia: SICE

Top Partner Winners by Region

  • NSW and ACT partner: Securitas
  • QLD and NT partner: Chubb Security
  • VIC and TAS partner: Convergint
  • WA partner: SEME Solutions
  • New Zealand partner: Advanced Security Group
  • Oceania region partner: ARA Security

Special Award Winners

  • Axis Academy Award: Link Enterprise Solutions
  • E2E champion partner: JD Security
  • Audio champion partner Australia: Link Enterprise Solutions
  • Audio champion partner New Zealand: Advanced Security Group

Top Distributor Winners

  • Audio distributor Australia: Ingram Micro
  • Audio distributor New Zealand: Channel Ten
  • E2E distributor Australia: Anixter
  • E2E distributor New Zealand: Sektor
  • Top distributor Australia: Hills Limited
  • Top distributor New Zealand: Channel 10

Johnson Controls Acquires FogHorn, AI, IoT Software Developer

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Johnson Controls has completed the acquisition of FogHorn, a developer of Edge AI software for the industrial and commercial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

“Value is increasingly being created by applying intelligence at the edge-device level to create real-time, secure, actionable insights,” said Johnson Controls Chief Technology Officer Vijay Sankaran. “By pervasively integrating Foghorn’s world class Edge AI throughout our OpenBlue solution portfolio, we are accelerating the pace towards our vision of smart, autonomous buildings that continuously learn, adapt and automatically respond to the needs of the environment and people.”

As the number of sensors and amount of data in buildings continues to grow, the value of processing data and applying intelligence at the edge, without having to send data to the cloud, becomes increasingly pronounced.

Sastry Malladi, who served as chief technology officer at Foghorn, will join Johnson Controls, reporting to Sankaran as vice president, OpenBlue artificial intelligence.

“We are thrilled to bring the Foghorn team and edge AI capabilities to Johnson Controls and OpenBlue,” Malladi said. “By combining our respective strengths, Johnson Controls can make an even bigger impact on continuing to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges of decarbonization, sustainability and energy efficiency, indoor air quality and smart, secure buildings.”

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. FogHorn’s technical team will be integrated into the OpenBlue Solutions organization. FogHorn’s headquarters in Sunnyvale, California will function as an ‘AI Hub’ for Johnson Controls.

Security Industry Grieves the Death of Per Mar Security’s Michael L. Duffy

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Michael “Mike” Duffy, 71, of Davenport, died peacefully and surrounded by family on January 21, 2022.  Despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, he died of pneumonia following COVID.

He joined Per Mar Security and Research Corp, the company founded by his parents, John and Eleanor (Duax) Duffy.  After success at an entry level job (cleaning dog kennels), Mike was promoted during high school and college to work as both a dispatcher and a scheduler.  These early work experiences influenced one of Mike’s core values: Treat people from all walks of life with equal respect.  Mike was an avid couponer and yet a generous tipper. Mike had a quick wit and an incredible (Irish) sense of humor that was known to many but most loved by his family.

In the early years, Mike held various positions at Per Mar including Dispatch Supervisor, Alarm Manager, Vice President of Operations, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, President and CEO. During his term of leadership, the company completed more than 80 acquisitions of life safety companies, eventually becoming the largest family-owned full-service security provider in the Midwest while also operating one of the largest fire alarm sales and service companies in the country, Midwest Alarm Services.  Mike was a licensed Private Detective in seven states and held the level of U.S. Government Secret Clearance, in addition to being involved in many boards and committees within the industry.  Mike also was a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, and the Top Gun Forum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Mike may be directed to the Scott County Catholic Schools Foundation or the Women’s Choice Center.

Ford and ADT to Form Joint Venture to Fortify Vehicle Security

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Ford (NYSE: F) and ADT Inc. (NYSE: ADT) will invest in a new joint venture called Canopy that combines ADT’s professional
security monitoring and Ford’s AI-driven video camera technology to help customers strengthen security of new and existing vehicles across automotive brands.

“The combination of our technologies and our deep security experience creates a new category
of protection for work and personal vehicles,” said Elliot Cohen, ADT chief business
development officer. “Vehicles represent the second-most-valuable asset for consumers, and
helping to protect them extends ADT’s safe, smart, and sustainable solutions far beyond the
home.”

Canopy plans to launch industry-first, multi-sensor security systems with available professional
monitoring early next year. The first products to be manufactured and sold will be available in
the U.S. and the U.K. for the industry’s highest-volume commercial and retail pickups and vans
– including the Ford F-150, F-150 Lightning, Transit vans and E-Transit – and will be easily
installable by customers to protect expensive work and recreational equipment.

“Thieves have been even more active during the pandemic and know business owners store
valuable equipment in vehicles, often hauling more than $50,000 of gear. Canopy is here for
those who’ve had enough of thefts that threaten their livelihoods,” said Franck Louis-Victor, vice
president, Ford New Business Platform. “Key to Ford’s software-led transformation are new
ideas such as Canopy and collaborating with other innovators such as ADT, which brings to
vehicle security their leadership protecting families, homes, and businesses.”

The FBI estimates [1] that stolen work equipment cost more than $7.4 billion in 2020 in the U.S.,
and theft of valuable work equipment is believed to be underestimated in stolen vehicle reports.
Small business owners face even greater opportunity costs with the deferral or loss of jobs while
replacing stolen items.

Canopy also plans to begin integrating camera security solutions in Ford vehicles next year for
seamless protection inside and outside vehicles. Canopy will seek factory-vehicle integrations
with other automakers over time.

  • Canopy’s first smart vehicle security system accessory offering will make use of acoustic
    sensors for vans, onboard cameras, radar, LTE, and GPS. The initial product will have a
    camera that can be mounted in either a van’s cargo area or on a pickup facing the bed. The
    platform will use AI technology to identify and report credible threats while reducing false alarm
    signals.
  • Customers will be connected to the system via the Canopy app to livestream video from
    the vehicle, get notified of suspicious activity, or review past events.
  • The system will trigger a smartphone alert of any indicators of potential criminal activity,
    such as breaking glass, metal cutting, or suspicious motion or sound near the vehicle.
  • Customers can warn potential thieves they are being monitored by speaking through the
    smartphone app, enabled by a two-way audio feature that will be available by next year.
  • The system’s AI is designed to distinguish true threats from benign acts – such as a cat
    jumping into a pickup bed or construction sounds near a vehicle – before alerting the
    owner or ADT monitoring agents of potential theft.
  • The system will alert ADT monitoring professionals if it detects a person loitering around
    or breaching the vehicle [2].

ADT monitoring agents can then contact customers, fleet managers, or police to take additional
measures to help prevent theft. Credible threats will trigger additional responses, including
audible alerts and programmable voice recordings and two-way audio in future updates.
The first-of-its-kind Canopy products will be sold through vehicle dealerships, major retailers,
and online. Ford Pro will be an important launch partner delivering these solutions to
commercial and government customers of all sizes, helping drive business forward and
accelerate productivity at a global scale.

“Commercial customers around the world are laser focused on protecting investments from
costly replacements that can impact their bottom lines,” said Ted Cannis, CEO, Ford Pro.
“Canopy will help Ford Pro deliver another service to fleets helping to improve total cost of
ownership by staying productive and avoiding downtime associated with stolen tools and
damaged vehicles – including the majority with mixed fleets since Canopy technology will be
available across brands.”

The Canopy team has been developing and testing its first technologies for two years as part of
Ford’s New Business Platform innovation incubation group. They will now be headquartered in
Detroit and London and led by Interim CEO Christian Moran.

Canopy also will seek relationships with other automotive, insurance, and technology
companies to expand offerings, explore insurance benefits for use of the technology, and cocreate new innovations.
Ford and ADT’s investment in Canopy is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory
approvals, and initial funding is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022. The partners
expect to invest approximately $100 million during the next three years.

For more information, visit www.canopy.security

Footnotes:

1 U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Report.
2 Requires subscription to ADT professional monitoring tier

Vector Security Announces New VP of Information Technology

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Vector Security® recently announced that Bryan P. Finney has joined the company as Vice President of Information Technology effective immediately. Finney also becomes a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Finney is responsible for the technological direction of the company. This includes strategic oversight and management of Vector Security’s network and software infrastructure, daily user support, and technology acquisition and application.

Additionally, he is tasked with ensuring effective and secure operation of all computer systems and IT-related activities, and establishing the company’s systems and software strategy, playing an integral role in Vector Security’s strategic direction, development and growth.

This position will report directly to Pam Petrow, President and CEO of Vector Security. Finney will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and the rest of the executive leadership team.

“Bryan is a team-oriented leader skilled in leading complex enterprise initiatives that drive results,” Petrow said. “We welcome Bryan and look forward to his contributions as we continue to evolve and grow the company from a technology perspective.”

DMP Releases Dual-Path Alarm Communicator, Now Approved for Use on FirstNet®

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Looking for a simple and affordable way to upgrade customers’ 3G communicators to LTE? Here’s how you can do exactly that — plus give them the advantages of the FirstNet communications platform for all of their alarm communication. Today DMP releases its DualCom Universal Alarm Communicator that’s approved for use on FirstNet.

FirstNet is built through a public-private partnership between AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). It’s the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform that’s dedicated to and purpose-built specifically for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community.

Alarm companies have already been able to use the FirstNet network to transmit alarm signals using DMP’s XR Series™ and XT Series™ control panels. Now, they’ve got even more options with FirstNet using DMP’s dual path alarm communicator.

Not only does the DualCom make it easy to upgrade old systems to LTE, but as phone lines drop out, this solution gives a way to connect to older panels with dialer communicators only. Alarm companies can also give their customers the smart home features they want with automated actions, cameras and video doorbell all from the Virtual Keypad™ app. And don’t forget, with DMP, network communication is free.

But that’s not all — the DualCom provides commercial fire communication with easy installations. It’s engineered with dual tip and ring terminals, working elegantly with existing FACPs. For fire and all security alarm communication, FirstNet delivers 21st Century communication tools to help when moments matter most.

What are the key benefits of using FirstNet?

Using FirstNet for the transmission of public safety related alarms gives the advantage of Band 14 – the nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the federal government specifically for FirstNet. Other benefits include:

According to the Federal Communications Commission, the location of the 700 MHz Band gives it excellent propagation characteristics. This allows the 700 MHz signals to penetrate buildings and walls more easily and to cover larger geographic areas with less infrastructure (relative to frequencies in higher bands).

Is FirstNet Limited to Certain Types of User Accounts?
FirstNet can be used by premises alarm units at government facilities, as well as businesses and homes to communicate alarm information through the network. Typical signals would be burglar alarm, fire alarm, medical alarm signals and other related signals.

Who Is Eligible?

The transmission of public safety related alarms via FirstNet Ready® alarm panels qualifies for FirstNet extended primary service. To offer such panels with FirstNet service, an alarm company must first qualify for, and obtain, a Certificate of Verification from The Monitoring Association (TMA) and enter into a FirstNet Agreement with AT&T. TMA certification ensures that the alarm panels transmit public safety-related alarms to a Central Monitoring Station that verifies the authenticity of the alarm before notifying a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for relay to a public safety agency.

Learn More
For more on FirstNet, check out FirstNet.com. For more information on becoming a certified FirstNet user, visit TMA.US/FirstNet or contact John McDonald at 703-660-4917 or firstnetprogram@tma.us.

FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks of the First Responder Network Authority.  All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

(Released: January 11, 2022)

Alula Launches BAT-Fire Universal 5G-ready Fire Communicator

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Alula introduced BAT-Fire, an innovative universal 5G-ready fire communicator for system integrators requiring an all-purpose, full-featured device. BAT-Fire builds on Alula’s long history of developing award-winning products and services.

BAT-Fire offers easy configuration and support of all fire alarm control panels using dial-capture to report Contact ID signals, or flexible inputs for interfacing with dialer-less FACPs. Simply connect the communicator via its dual Tip & Ring Dial Capture, configure the panel and the system is ready to go. The new communicator provides sole path cellular (LTE-M) and IP or dual path communications.

“Previously, you may have needed one communicator for cellular communications and another for ethernet,” said Dave Mayne, Alula’s senior vice president, product and marketing. “Both are always available on BAT-Fire, and you can turn the cellular radio on or off if desired, something other communicators can’t do.”

BAT-Fire’s four programmable inputs or outputs allow monitoring of auxiliary building systems, such as the HVAC and sprinkler flow control, for increased RMR opportunities. There’s no need to redo battery calculations, as the new communicator is powered off the panel, using less current and eliminating the need for a different power supply or a bigger or secondary battery.

BAT-Fire features remote troubleshooting and diagnostics. It also comes with Alula’s industry best Five-Year Warranty, so you can feel confident that your investment is well protected.

“We took our time designing BAT-Fire to meet the needs of a proven, mature and established market,” Mayne said. “BAT-Fire offers features that help reduce the total cost of ownership and reduce the complexity of fire communicator  installations. Plus, with 5G capability, it eliminates typical hassles associated with cellular sunsets.”

The BAT-Fire is now available through security and electrical distributors that carry Alula products.

(Released: December 7, 2021)

DMP Donated Over $112 Million to Non-Profit Organizations

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Among the employees of TMA member Digital Monitoring Products (DMP), generosity is important — so much so that it’s one of their company values. It has also been their motivating force behind Project100, launched in 2019 with the goal to give away $100 million in time and money to non-profit organizations by the end of 2025.

A big goal to be sure. But last month, CEO and President Rick Britton announced that Project100 was not only achieved but surpassed. A full four years early, DMP collectively has given over $112 million in donations and more than 10,000 hours of volunteer time to non-profit organizations.

In a tearful, heartfelt message during last month’s all-company meeting, Britton expressed his gratitude saying, “I want to thank all the employees of DMP for their dedication and hard work throughout this project. Every bit of the money that we are able to donate comes in some form from your labor. We can’t do it without everyone contributing; we appreciate every single minute of hard work and effort.”

DMP Cares

As a company, DMP has supported several worthy causes and continues to create opportunities for employees and their families to contribute financially, although their personal, hands-on donations of time and talent are equally appreciated. “This kind of giving provides the double benefit of serving others in need while serving as a reminder to be thankful for our many blessings,” says Mark Hillenburg, Vice President of Marketing.

Project100 was a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) as defined by Jim Collins, author of the best-selling business book Good to Great. It is an extension of the DMP Cares program, which has supported more than a dozen organizations, and the company’s Core Purpose which states: We manufacture security systems, to create jobs, that support families, because the security of families determines the strength of society, and a strong society reaches out to the rest of the world.

“The bottom line is, we want our people to be generous people,” Hillenburg adds. DMP Cares is more than just the name of a company program. It’s about individual commitment to a lifestyle of generosity.”

Project100 has provided funding to over 50 non-profit organizations around the world including:

Convoy of Hope, The Seed Company, Care to Learn, I Pour Life, Mission 500, Safe to Sleep, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, Victory Mission, Camp Barnabas, Good Samaritans Boys Ranch, OneSolePurpose, Habitat for Humanity, PowerPacks, Freeway Ministries, Champions Committed to Kids, Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks, The Victory Mission, Council of Churches of the Ozarks, Peace Partnership and many more.

As a part of the announcement and celebration, Britton surprised the group with a $5,000 bonus for each of the 364 employees. This goes on top of the 4% bonus earned as part of the DMP annual Bonus Program.

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Carlos Romo to Serve North Texas as DMP’s Dealer Development Manager

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DMP welcomed Carlos Romo to the Central States sales team as Dealer Development Manager serving North Texas.

Prior to accepting his position at DMP, Carlos gained 13 years of experience working with many well-known industry leaders. “I started working in the industry as an integrator in Allen, Texas,” said Carlos. “From there, I worked as a global distributor for six years.” After working in distribution, Carlos went on to work in manufacturing.

“From the first time I met Carlos, his professionalism impressed me,” said Derek Ottman, Director of Sales of the Central States region. “His personal beliefs align with DMP’s corporate values and his experience in the industry are valuable to our dealers and DMP. The North Texas region will be served well under Carlos’ leadership.”

 

 

Contact Information:

Carlos Romo | Dealer Development Manager – North Texas
Office: 417- 831-9362, Ext. 1403
Direct Cell: 417-860-0332
CRomo@DMP.com

Click here to find the contact information for the DMP sales representative in your area.

Economic Insights: Is this a “Take this job and shove it” moment?

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TMA member CIBC is pleased to share an article written by its Chief Economist Avery Shenfeld and Senior Economist Andrew Grantham. The article takes an up-close look at the current economy with specific focus on the changing workplace/workforce.

READ IT HERE