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MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. — Honeywell (NYSE:  HON ) has announced that effective March 31, 2022, it will discontinue its Performance Series and EquIP Series product lines. In a letter to its customers, Honeywell states, “In accordance with The Secure Equipment Act signed by President Joe Biden on November 11 , 2021, Honeywell Security is proactively addressing a potential supply chain issue which may arise from the forthcoming FCC regulations by removing components which could be impacted by the new regulations from its portfolio of products.” Last time purchases must be made by April 30, 2022. For product replacement options, Honeywell shared a replacement guide and urged customers to contact their Honeywell sales representative. Honeywell also notes it will repair or replace defective products in these product lines which are under warranty with similar product models. For products listed in this discontinuation notice, Honeywell product support for bug fixes, new features, integra...

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — ProdataKey (PDK), manufacturer of a Cloud access control platform built for mobile, is combining efforts with Altronix, a leader in power and data transmission products for the professional security industry. Both organizations announce that their solution has been deployed to secure Fairbourne Office Tower, a new commercial building located here. Summit Technology, an IT solutions provider headquartered in Salt Lake City, installed the building-wide solution at the behest of its client, Wasatch Commercial Management (WCM), according to the announcement. Fairbourne Office Tower is a nine-story property with an adjacent parking structure located within Fairbourne Station, a new 40-acre, mixed-use development. Related: Altronix High-Capacity Trove Solution Support More Doors The PDK-Altronix solution was said to be designed to meet the property’s immediate security requirements, along with the ability to scale up quickly and easily as needed. The initia...

CHICAGO — Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI ) announces the launch of the MOTOTRBO R7, a digital two-way radio with advanced audio features and a slim, rugged design to connect teams in loud, rough and dynamic environments. The MOTOTRBO R7 voice communications work on the digital mobile radio (DMR) standard and are said to deliver sharp, clear speech for better intelligibility, with industrial-level noise cancellation, automatic feedback suppression and automatic volume adjustment based on background noise. Critical and detailed information is displayed on the home screen, alleviating the need for workers to scroll through multiple screens to access alerts or text messages. The device can be programmed and updated over the air via WiFi to reduce downtime and is powered by a battery that lasts up to 28 hours. “Clarity and coverage of radio communications is a top concern and priority in our manufacturing facility because it directly affects safety and operational efficiency,” states Rich...

The start of the new year always brings a sense of optimism and curiosity for what’s next, but if the past two years have taught us anything, it is that we have to be prepared to be flexible. Security is a dynamic and fast-paced industry, with the leaders in innovation continuously trying to improve safety for occupants through new tools and resources. With so many systems available, building managers are asking their integrators, “What is the best option available to me?” The response is not one-size-fits-all. There is no longer one go-to solution that will fit buildings of all shapes and sizes. Security also doesn’t mean the same thing to every person – even within an organization, employees who work together might have different thoughts about what measures should be in place to keep them safe. Integrators now have the chance — and the responsibility — to offer their customers holistic security systems that are customized to meet their exact needs and help provide for, the ongoing...

It would appear that 2022 has gotten off to a relatively quiet start judging by this month’s headlines — though that’s not necessarily a bad thing considering the craziness we’ve had to endure over the past two years. There were no stories this January that matched the magnitude of last year’s top stories of the month , such as Teledyne acquiring FLIR Systems for $8 billion, or Vivint having to pay $3.2 million for allegedly making false statements to a federally insured bank. However, that doesn’t mean there was a lack of interesting content. In fact, the most popular story this month was SSI ‘s 2022 Security Industry Forecast, which is packed with expert insights and lays out challenges, opportunities and predictions for the year ahead. Twenty market experts weigh in on everything from new technology and markets, to overall 2022 expectations and much more. SSI visitors were clearly interested in insights from their peers this month, as the latest episode of the Security Speaking...

Integrators looking to bolster their cybersecurity knowledge might want to check out a new cybersecurity education program offered by technology distribution company TD SYNNEX. The program is designed to close the skills gap and upskill new and existing cybersecurity professionals for the firm’s channel partners. According to the company, the Passaged Program aims to reduce the cybersecurity skills gap through its Placement and Upskill initiatives that are designed to place candidates by providing sources and technical skills needed to succeed and grow in cybersecurity. “Globally, we are seeing a massive shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with nearly 2.7 million professionals needed to fill cybersecurity roles, according to research by (ISC),” says Tracy Holtz, vice president of Security Solutions in North America for TD SYNNEX. “To address this gap, TD SYNNEX is committed to delivering best-in-class security offerings, and our Passage Program is a key initiative in achieving ...

In this week’s Top Surveillance Videos… A woman’s anger boiled over in a Texas restaurant when she wasn’t happy with an item she had ordered. Surveillance video shows the angry customer approach the restaurant’s manager with a bowl of soup she had ordered for takeout. She then throws the soup in the manager’s face. The woman called the restaurant and was upset because she said the soup was so hot it melted the container’s lid. She ended up driving down to the restaurant to complain in person. The manager offered to give her a refund or a different item but the woman instead throws the soup, which fortunately had cooled, at the manager’s face. Also this week… A motorbike store in Australia was recently the victim of a brazen smash and grab. Surveillance video shows three suspects kick in a front window. They then run straight towards two green motorbikes and steal them. However, once outside, they end up taking only one after they couldn’t get the second bike started. The owners...

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Total U.S. engineering and construction spending is forecast to end 2021 up 8% compared to up 6% in 2020, led primarily by residential, according to NSCA’s Electronic Systems Outlook Winter 2021 report. The research includes information based upon actual data from January through November 2021, as well as forecasted information for 2022 and beyond. NSCA partners with FMI to provide the biannual report, which is said to offer the newest, most relevant indicators of business opportunities for integrators. By tracking new construction starts and renovations across multiple markets — including healthcare, lodging, retail, education, houses of worship and more — NSCA pinpoints which verticals should do well in 2022 and years to come. For 2022, FMI forecasts 5% growth in engineering and construction spending levels compared to 2021. The Electronic Systems Outlook Winter 2021 edition also provides an updated view of construction data by market for electronic systems...

QUINCY, Mass. — The National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA ) is calling for nominations for the 2022 James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal, which recognizes fire- and life-safety advocates who have made significant contributions in lessening losses from fire, electrical and other hazards. Named for former NFPA President James Shannon, the award honors individuals or groups that champion cost-effective efforts and collaboration, while furthering NFPA’s mission. As part of his long list of advocacy achievements in fire loss reduction, Shannon led the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes, paving the way for legislation on minimum fire safety standards for cigarettes in each state. “This reward is to give thanks to all the recipients for taking action to improve life safety,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “The hard work and dedication these recipients display towards improving safety in communities is invaluable.” NFPA considers nominees who are members...

BRADENTON, Fla. — WorkHorse , a provider of back-office software and communications solutions for the security industry, announces the launch of its newest service, the Monitoring Center Server. The new software is said to include product enhancements and features specifically designed to give alarm companies the capability to interact with numerous third-party programs through a single API. Communication partners function in increasingly complex operating environments. Expectations are ever-increasing, with clients expecting higher levels of service at lower costs. These expectations can cause burdens on alarm companies looking to meet their clients’ needs and keep services affordable while also meeting their business growth goals. “The key to enabling growth for the alarm industry lies in streamlining operations in innovative ways that are built specifically for the sector’s unique needs,” says Steven Hayes, president of WorkHorse. “Savvy companies recognize that investments in ef...

BOSTON — Wasabi Technologies, the hot Cloud storage company, announces that it has partnered with Axis Communications to deliver Cloud storage for Axis Camera Station (ACS) VMS. This solution combines the strength of Axis’ industry-leading video technology and Wasabi’s unlimited scalability and disruptively low, predictable cost to help organizations optimize their modern video surveillance deployments and more effectively manage evolving high-definition environments and longer retention periods, according to the company. Intelligent network cameras and analytical applications are capturing more footage than ever before and require an increase in storage capacity. However, Wasabi says many organizations struggle to obtain the resources and bandwidth needed to effectively store their video in a cost-effective way. Now with Wasabi’s hot Cloud storage on-demand, users of ACS are said to be able to quickly and simply access their video files for faster retrieval times without fluctuati...

ST. LOUIS — Potter Electric Signal Co. announces the release of the PAD200-PCD Photo/CO combo device. By combining multiple elements of fire detection (smoke and CO) into a single device, Potter says the PAD200-PCD smoke/CO detector reduces cost and installation time. The detector is compliant with UL 268, UL 2075 and UL 521 7th Edition. The PAD200-PCD detector uses photoelectric smoke detection and features drift compensation with a built-in dirty detector warning. The carbon monoxide sensing portion uses an electrochemical sensor for accurate detection of CO gas. The PAD200-PCHD incorporates both above elements with a thermistor for accurate and reliable heat detection, according to the company. “We at Potter Electric are excited to introduce the PAD200-PCD and PAD200-PCHD. These detectors will round out our detector portfolio, bringing more options to our customers,” says Amy Liedman, Potter’s director of product management for fire and security. “These detectors offer our cust...

The security industry, like many others, is facing several challenges in the year ahead. Among them is the continued impact of the supply chain slowdown. As part of  SSI ‘s  2022 Security Industry Forecast , a dozen experts shed light on what integrators can likely expect. John Mack | Imperial Capital Suppliers will be limited in the near term to selling only what they have in stock with the expectation that replacing inventory can take months. They will need to designate more cash toward working capital and to purchase inventory with longer lead times to delivery. More so than in the past, dealers/integrators may be compelled to provide solutions based on product availability rather than customers’ needs. End users will need to balance their capital plans between needs and wants — what must they include in a system and what is more of a nice to have. Brian James | ScanSource The first half of 2022 will likely continue like the back half of 2021, with constraints and...

IRVINE, Calif. — Dahua Technology announces the release of a “Three-in-One Camera” (TiOC) for its North America market. The new offering is said to be built to deter unwanted behavior in three different ways. With warm-light LEDs, an active alarm with red and blue flashing lights, and two-way talk, the TiOC helps security operators take a proactive approach and stop incidents before they occur, according to the announcement. These features are referred to in shorthand as “lights, camera, action,” says Jennifer Hackenburg, product marketing director at Dahua USA . “The camera helps our customers direct security operations in an active way while decreasing the need for on-site personnel.” Where traditional security cameras may struggle to render usable video at night, Dahua says the TiOC solves this issue with Smart Illumination. When integrated with Smart Motion Detection, this means that the camera’s warm-light illuminators turn on when a target appears in a defined monitoring area...

The lighting control space has long been a staple for consumer electronics (CE) integration companies, and it’s a sector ripe for installing security contractors to create new revenue streams as well. Consider: a recent study conducted by SSI sister publication CE Pro confirms how pervasive lighting controls are, with 91% of responding residential integrators reporting a project the past 12 months that had controls, fixtures and/or motorized shades. Likewise, 14% of respondents to the 2021 CE Pro Lighting and Shade Deep Dive Study said lighting controls were included in every project they installed. The data is also strong on the commercial side, despite the downturn in the commercial space driven by the pandemic the past 18+ months. In the information, charts and captions ahead, you’ll discover how this data points the way to security dealer/integrator portfolio expansion opportunities. Follow the Trends Among the three subsystems in the lighting area, the installation of mot...

The global semiconductor shortage “remains fragile” and is not expected to abate until at least the second half of this year, according to a new report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The report is based on responses from a Request for Information (RFI) survey of more than 150 companies in the semiconductor supply chain, including from nearly every major chip producer. “The RFI confirmed that there is a significant, persistent mismatch in supply and demand for chips, and respondents did not see the problem going away in the next six months,” the Commerce Department explains in a blog . The continuing shortage of chips foreshadows a long-term strain across a range of businesses and industries. For the security industry, semiconductors are essential to products across the ecosystem by enabling equipment to function, interoperate with other communication systems and augment traditional solutions to include artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and Internet of Things (Io...

ATLANTA — Rental property search engine Rent.com released its survey findings on the desire for smart technology in the home. The website surveyed 1,546 people about their smart home technology preferences, asking them which smart home features they currently have in their lease and which smart devices they wished they had. Renters also answered how much they’d be willing to pay every month for the smart home technology they wanted. The survey addressed smart thermostats, smart lighting, smart outlets and smart appliances. Among the findings, 82% of renters say they want at least one smart device in their home and yet 49% don’t have one, creating an opportunity for integrators to sell these devices. When it comes to the smart home technology renters do have, 21% have just one device, 12% two devices, 7% have three devices and 5% have four. Just over 2% of renters had five devices. Voice control systems were the most common smart home technology devices found among those who own ...

ATLANTA — Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON ) announces a strategic investment in RapidSOS , as well as technology integrations between the two companies that are said to further modernize and digitize the public safety communications process. Terms of the investment were not disclosed. RapidSOS is the emergency response data platform used by more than 5,200 emergency communications centers (ECCs) worldwide. The existing communications infrastructure between buildings, alarm monitoring stations, emergency centers and fire stations often uses legacy, manual technology, which slows response times and affects the accuracy of transmitted information. Through the strategic investment and technology integrations, the Honeywell Connected Life Safety System (CLSS) will link to the RapidSOS emergency response data platform to provide faster, more accurate communications with emergency centers (i.e., 911 agencies), according to the announcement. Related: RapidSOS Launches Partner Network to Bring ...

Today, much of the talk in the access control market focuses on Cloud services and security technologies that can be easily integrated together. These discussions are being driven mainly by the IT world because many security-related decisions now fall on an organization’s IT department, where authentic open architecture systems have been in practice for decades. In this age of technology, open standards among manufacturers for security products are necessary and having solutions that integrate seamlessly with one another is a must-have in today’s ever-evolving security environment. End users and integrators require the flexibility and improved reliability of working with best-in-class technology rather than being locked into a particular brand or product. In addition, a growing number of end users want to integrate their access control technology with other security systems, including VMS, intrusion detection and building management, for a more streamlined and simplified approach. A...