Sdm Editors' Podcast

Kastle Systems, SDM’s 2015 Systems Integrator of the Year and No. 7 on the 2019 SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, recently launched a comprehensive, integrated Covid-19 safety program called KastleSafeSpaces for offices spaces and other clients looking to safeguard the health and safety of people returning to the workplace. Haniel Lynn, CEO of Kastle Systems, says that the company’s approach on integrating technology with new processes is based on four major shifts he sees happening in the marketplace now amid the coronavirus pandemic, and into the future. Listen as Lynn sits down with SDM to discuss these four pillars of safety and security and how systems integrators and managed security services providers can meet these needs across the country.

In the past month, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed life as we know it. So how are security businesses coping? In this exclusive roundtable, we speak with John Loud, CEO of Loud Security; Bert Bongard, CEO of LVC Companies; Woodie Andrawos, president of NMC; and Jim Patterson, president of Robblees, about navigating the security industry in this difficult time.

The world we are living in today feels vastly different from the one we were living a month ago. Cities are locking down, businesses are closing and it’s uncertain where things are going from here. Here, Alan Stoddard, vice president and general manager of situational intelligence solutions at Verint Systems, talks about organizations looking for real-time ways to leverage security technology for identifying issues and threats, and keeping employees safe during this pandemic.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a core component of video surveillance and other security applications, making its way into smart homes everywhere. Here, Alula’s Vice President of Product Development Dave Mayne talks about these advancements, and the privacy issues that can potentially come along with them.

While it seems obvious that security products should protect consumers from all types of threats, the physical security industry is falling behind in cyber security. Here, ACRE Chief Product Officer Kim Loy talks about the cyber security initiatives she is working to develop for all of ACRE’s products, and explores why it’s taken so long for the industry to protect customers from hackers.

Recently, Boon Edam conducted a survey to find out what security professionals think about the risks of tailgating via turnstiles into their facility. Here, Boon Edam Vice President of Marketing Tracie Thomas discusses the results of this survey, and why security industry professionals should care. Find the survey at https://bit.ly/34esLy3.

Custom Alarm is a security company out of Rochester, Minn., that offers fire inspections, connected security, video surveillance, access control and interactive services. Melissa Brinkman’s father Leigh Johnson founded the company, and she came to work at the family business in 1998 after spending several years in management positions in the hospitality industry. She held various positions at Custom Alarm, from marketing, to sales manager, to customer services manager, before being promoted to CEO in 2014. Here, Brinkman talks about the company’s 50th anniversary, working at the family business, why she’s so passionate about customer service, staffing and more.

Advanced Security Systems, based out of California, is a family owned and operated security and alarm monitoring company that takes pride in its customer relationships. So when President and CEO Chuck Petrusha noticed customer service wasn’t where it should be, he enlisted the help of the Ritz-Carlton company to train his employees and redefine Advanced Security’s service values.

On Thursday, May 16, Guardian held the first ever company-wide town hall in its 69-year history to announce a brand refresh and reveal a new logo to its employees and their families and friends. In this exclusive SDM interview, Guardian President Bryan Cipoletti and Vice President of Marketing Kevin Bish discuss these changes, and what they mean for the future of Guardian.

In honor of Earth Day, SDM spoke with Morgan Cassidy, LEED Green Associate for ASSA ABLOY, Jonathan Pine, CEO and president of Renova, and John Burke, manager of regional communications for G4S, about the sustainability steps their companies have made.

Kentucky radio station WEKU-88.9 FM recently interviewed Jeremy Bates, president of Bates Security/Sonitrol of Lexington (SDM’s 2018 Dealer of the Year) about the security industry, trends and what it was like being named dealer of the year! Take a listen here:

Diebold Security added more than 30 new national and global commercial customers in 2013. Bill Fitzhenry, vice president of Commercial Sales for North America, Diebold Security, discusses what led to such growth and describes Diebold Security’s strategy going forward.

On October 16, 2013, Jay Hauhn, chief technology officer and vice president of industry relations at Tyco Integrated Security, was named the new president of the Central Station Alarm Association International. In this Q&A, Hauhn discusses two big projects he will take on as CSAA's new president, the biggest challenges our industry faces in the monitoring space and how CSAA can help, cooperation among associations and more.

John LaFond, vice president of integrated systems of Linear LLC, breaks down the differences of browser based vs. PC-based access control.

Scott Barrett, president and founder of CWSI, discusses wireless technology advancements in the podcast, “5 Secrets of Wireless Addressable Fire Systems."

Mel Mahler, after 22 years with ADS Security, Nashville, Tenn., has stepped down as chairman and CEO to enter retirement. He speaks to SDM about the factors that led to his decision to retire, retirement plans, and reflections on his security career.

Vivint's candid CEO, Todd Pedersen, talks to SDM about the new acquisition agreement for the Blackstone Group to buy majority stake in the company. Pedersen reveals his growth strategy, new services, and what a $2 billion valuation means for the company.

This podcast centers on three trending areas that should be on the minds of all security dealers: copper theft, personal emergency response systems, and video intercoms. SDM Editor Laura Stepanek speaks with Linear LLC's Duane Paulson and Gary Baker, who describe how technologies in these areas have developed to provide specific functionality for today's lifestyles, as well as measureable security benefits.

Get the inside scoop on the AIREF Golf Classic in this podcast with Bart Diddon, the event’s co-creator, president of U.S.A. Central Station Alarm Corp., located in Port Chester, N.Y., and past president of the Electronic Security Association. Diddon discusses how the AIREF Golf Classic at ISC West was developed, what participants can expect at the tournament, and how the tournament benefits such a great organization, AIREF. You’ll want to sign up after you listen! Click here for the registration form.

Complex projects are very different from simple ones. With the recent rise of PSIM projects that encompass physical security, business continuity and operational aspects, security integrators are going head-to-head with business consultants, who do this routinely. This podcast with Dr. Bob Banerjee examines the characteristics that a successful security integrator will need. Dr. Banerjee is senior director of Training and Development for NICE Systems Security Division. He develops programs and initiatives to educate, train and support NICE's network of security system integrators and dealers, Dr. Banerjee holds a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence from the Advanced Research Center at the University of Bristol, England.