Weston in Space

STEARNS COUNTY, Minn. — Bring Me the News reports that Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison, says he’s gotten consumers in Stearns County out of home security contracts after they were misled by a door-to-door salesman. According to the report, Ellison’s office announced that home security companies Skyline Security Management and Safe Home Security have agreed to their cancel contracts with customers in and around Stearns County who purchased their systems from door-to-door salesman Gary Harvey. “Door-to-door salesmen and their employers are in the business of trust-building,” Ellison said in a statement. “They know they need to have your trust to sell you their products, particularly expensive products like security systems that are supposed to keep your home safe. When that trust is betrayed, it’s emotionally and financially painful. I appreciate Skyline and Safe Home taking the right step in canceling these contracts while my office does what we can under the law to ho...

In a move designed to amplify its ability to serve international markets, Alarm.com (Nasdaq: ALRM ) 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 ov...

WALTHAM, Mass.—Evolv Technology has announced its partnership with Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates, adding to the growing list of Pittsburgh, Pa. venues that have teamed up with Evolv to help keep people safe, including the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. When the Pirates opened the gates at PNC Park for the 2023 MLB season in early April, all attending fans passed through Evolv’s state-of-the-art Evolv Express screening solution, which uses sensor technology with artificial intelligence (AI) to provide safer, more accurate threat detection at unprecedented volume and speed, the company states. Fans can now walk through without always having to stop or open bags, reducing long lines and allowing guests to make their way directly into the ballpark. “What continues to make PNC Park so special, aside from the physical design, is the total fan experience. That begins from the moment they walk up to our gates,” said Travis Willi...

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Total Tech Summit announces that applications are now being accepted to attend this year’s event. Comprised of the  SSI Summit, CE Pro Summit and Commercial Integrator Summit, this year’s event will take place in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Nov. 13-15. At this all-expense-paid, exclusive event, VIP guests will have the chance to sit in on industry-defining sessions, key boardroom presentations, and be able to meet one-on-one with potential vendors. Total Tech Summit brings together the best in class to share ideas, learn from others, and most importantly, accelerating the next stage of their businesses. It is the only event of its kind that bridges channels and connections by bringing together professional security, commercial AV and residential AV integrators. Another perk of the Total Tech Summit is the VIP Peer-to-Peer groups. These group conversations take place throughout the months leading up to the event and are guided by the edi...

AUSTIN, Texas, BETHESDA, Md. — Cloud video surveillance provider Eagle Eye Networks and Cloud-based access control technology firm Brivo have announced one of the largest investments to date in Cloud physical security. SECOM Co. Ltd., one of the largest security integration companies in the world ( Forbes Global 2000), has made a primary equity investment of $192 million in the two companies, $100M in Eagle Eye and $92M in Brivo. Eagle Eye Networks and Brivo are independent companies majority owned by Dean Drako, who founded Eagle Eye in 2012 and serves as CEO. He acquired a majority stake in Brivo in 2015 and is chairman. “The SECOM investment underscores that Cloud and AI are the future of physical security,” says Drako. “Both Eagle Eye and Brivo will use a significant portion of the investment to further develop AI that dramatically improves the security of enterprises and businesses globally. The Eagle Eye and Brivo open platforms provide customers with choice, efficiencies, and...

Latch, Inc.  (NASDAQ: LTCH ), maker of LatchOS, the full-building enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) access control platform, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Honest Day’s Work (HDW), Ring founder Jamie Siminoff’s latest company dedicated to enabling residential service providers, such as housekeepers, dog walkers, and drivers, to operate more efficiently, profitably, and independently through technology. The acquisition will integrate the two companies’ teams, resources, and know-how. Jamie Siminoff is expected to take over as Latch’s CEO later this year, and the combined company plans to remain focused in the near term on optimizing efficiency and ensuring continued excellence for customers, according to a press release. In the deal, Latch will acquire 100% of the capital stock of Honest Day’s Work in exchange for approximately 29 million shares of Latch’s common stock, subject to certain time-based and stock performance-based transfer restri...

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Residential and commercial security, fire and medical monitoring systems provider Doyle Security Systems has announced the acquisition of AMS Security Plus, a privately held company based in Albany, N.Y. All of AMS’ accounts will now be monitored by Doyle Security’s onsite, award-winning emergency response center. AMS Security CEO Don Simpson will continue to work with the Doyle team and AMS customers for at least one year. The Doyle Albany branch is one of nine total branches which include locations in Buffalo, Olean, Syracuse, Watertown, Fishkill and Catskill, N.Y., Erie, Pa., and the corporate headquarters in Rochester, N.Y. Speaking in reference to the merger, Doyle Security President and CEO John G. Doyle Jr., say, “We are very excited to add the AMS Security Plus customers to our Albany family and we are excited to continue our growth throughout western and upstate New York with this merger.” In 2021, Doyle Security acquired STAT Communications in Watertown, ...

For the second time in four years, the parent company of Brink’s Home Security has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Monitronics International, Inc. has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with both the lenders that hold approximately 78% of the company’s outstanding funded debt, and with the holders of a majority of the company’s equity. The goal is to have an expedited restructuring that would reduce Monitronics’ debt by approximately $500 million and provide increased financial flexibility to the company. Back in 2019, when Monitronics was owned by Ascent Capital, the company filed for bankruptcy protection to refinance $985 million in debt. Back in 2018, Monitronics made a licensing agreement with Brink’s to use the Brink’s Home Security name. The current lenders are ones that took a stake in the company back in 2019 as part of its takeback term loan facility, including funds managed by Monarch Alternative Capital LP and Invesco Senior Secured Management, ...

Where it comes to championing and deploying new technologies and services into the electronic security industry, it’s been well evidenced in recent years that ADT is at the leading edge. As the commanding market share leader (reportedly one-fifth of nationwide recurring revenues), the company’s offerings and operations enormously impact the direction and disposition of the entire professional installation and monitoring business. This includes the competitive landscape, investment climate, and public perception of what currently constitutes security and related services. Thus, when ADT Commercial announced the launch of its EvoGuard intelligent autonomous guarding solutions earlier this year, it likely signified the dawn of a new era of capabilities, possibilities, and opportunities for everyone engaged in the missions of security and safety. The firm has spent the past several years building toward this tipping point moment, acquiring and partnering with leaders in robotics and artif...

MELVILLE, N.Y.—Resideo recently celebrated the grand reopening of its offices in Louisville, Ken., following 12 months of renovation to modernize the site. The updated facility, located at 2700 Blankenbaker Parkway, Louisville , Ken., was designed to foster innovation and deliver a collaborative work environment for employees. The shared site is home to more than 180 team members across Resideo ‘s ADI Global Distribution and Products & Solutions (P&S) businesses that span various departments including sales, marketing, customer service, sales support, and human resources, among others. “For more than 20 years, our Louisville, Ken., office has served as a key site for the company as it provides many sales and support functions to our customers across both ADI and P&S,” says Rob Aarnes, president of ADI Global Distribution, who kicked off the grand opening events. “Modernizing this site represents our commitment to investing in our businesses and the community, and the impor...

LogicMark, Inc.  (Nasdaq: LGMK ), a provider of personal emergency response systems (PERS) , health communications devices, and technology, announced its revenues for Q1 2023 ended March 31 rose 31% versus the prior quarter. The company’s gross profit in the first quarter was $1.9 million, up 41% from the prior quarter. Gross margin in the first quarter was 66.3%. In January 2023, LogicMark completed a registered public offering of common stock , raising $5.2 million in gross proceeds. In April, the company executed a 1-for-20 reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of Common Stock and Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock in order to regain compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements. Prior to the reverse stock split, the stock had sunk to just $0.23 cents per share. The stock is at $3.30 per share today. Other highlights from the company include the launch of the LogicMark store on Amazon, expanding its B2C sales channel, and partnering with US Monitoring to offer 24/7 monitor...

Multiple large orders for Vicon Industries ‘ equipment helped drive revenues up 37% for parent company Cemtrex Inc. (NASDAQ: CETX , CETXP ) during its fiscal second quarter ended March 31, 2023. Revenue for Q2 2023 increased to $16.1 million, compared to revenue of $11.7 million for Q2 2022. Cemtrex’s security segment revenues increased 47% to $9.9 million in as border protection vertical drove new order volumes for Vicon . The company’s gross margin hit 46%, up from 32% in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $0.4 million for Q2 compared to operating loss of $2.9 million last year. Cash and equivalents as of March 31, 2023 was $6.6 million. Vicon recently launched a new suite of AI-based analytics with enhanced lineup of Vicon Roughneck AI Camera series. The company received an $800,000 order through Vicon Industries for a new prison being built in the United Kingdom to install a full end-to-end system of Vicon’s surveillance products including hardware and software. Also, ...

Following quarter after quarter of double-digit revenue increases, Alarm.com (Nasdaq: ALRM ) eked out just a 2.1% revenue increase for the first quarter of 2023. Total revenues were $209.7 million for the quarter versus $205.4 million last year. The revenues were more impressive for the company’s bread-and-butter income source of Software as a Service (SaaS). Alarm.com’s SaaS and license revenue increase 9.9% to $135.4 million compared to $123.2 million last year. EBITDA increased to $30.6 million, compared to $29.9 million for the first quarter of 2022. “We’re pleased to report solid first quarter results and continued momentum across the business to start the new year,” said Steve Trundle, CEO of Alarm.com, based in Tysons, Va. “Many of the markets we serve performed well and aggregate performance was better than expected. As we continue to grow our diversified business, we also executed on a set of cost reduction initiatives to enhance company efficiency.” Looking ahead, the comp...

PowerHouse Alliance , a national network of independent distributors, has announced its new board of directors chosen unanimously by the group’s member companies. New board members include: President: Garrett Breinholt, Mountain West Vice President: Pat Berna, UI Supplies Secretary: Craig Breinholt, Mountain West At-Large Board Member: Nate Taliani, Davis Distribution At-Large Board Member: Alec Haight, Pioneer Music “Our members are the key to our success. Their connections locally provide dealers with the resources they need. The PowerHouse Board includes members from across our network –  this select group helps us develop new initiatives, provides strategic guidance and will drive new business for the Alliance in 2023 and beyond,” says Dennis Holzer, executive director of the PowerHouse Alliance. PowerHouse Alliance Expanding The PowerHouse Alliance kicked off 2023 with a roaring starting with a long-anticipated expansion into Canada with the addition of Evolution Ho...

LOS ANGELES – HiveWatch has announced the appointment of Rick Guetschow as chief technology officer. In this role, Guetschow will develop the long-term strategy for technological implementation across the organization, contribute to data security management for HiveWatch, and work alongside its engineering and product teams to deliver ongoing innovation for the HiveWatch Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) Operating System (OS) , the company notes. “My mission is to foster a culture of information and data security so that HiveWatch can continue to innovate quickly and solve some of the biggest challenges that the physical security industry faces,” says Guetschow. “While the Internet of Things is more prevalent in physical security now than ever before, we’ve seen that there are significant gaps in the security of these devices that must be addressed. I look forward to adding to the foundation on which HiveWatch is built to minimize risk and be more proactive.” Guetschow has m...

Another quarter, another record of revenues for NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSSC ). NAPCO’s stock surged over 16% in early trading following the announcement of record $43.5 million in revenues for its fiscal year Q3. That is a gain of 21% compared to the same period last year. The company also announced it would initiating a quarterly cash dividend program for investors. NAPCO’s financial highlights are abundant: Its recurring service revenue (RSR) for the quarter increased a whopping 26% to $15.1 million as compared to $12.0 million for the same period last year. The company expects its full year RSR to hit approximately $63 million. Gross margin on its RSR revenue is 90%, up from 87% last year. Net income for the quarter was a record $10.8 million as compared to $3.3 million for the same period a year ago, a 231% increase. Cash and cash equivalents, other investments and marketable securities were $56.9 million...

LAS VEGAS – The Safer Buildings Coalition (SBC) has published its Complete ERCES Handbook with NICET In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) Study Guide . The handbook is authored by SBC in collaboration with subject matter experts from across the industry and with the assistance of the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM). The handbook provides comprehensive learning and reference material on Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES), and also serves as a study guide. The latter includes everything needed to prepare for NICET’s In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) certifications for Technician Levels 1, 2, 3, and Designer, states the SBC. The NICET IB-PSC Certification Program, a new engineering technician certification program for ERCES, was announced in 2020, and was developed as a joint effort between the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) and SBC. “The Safer Buildings Coalition has ...

DALLAS – Riding the wave of changes bombarding the electronic security industry and most technology- and service-centric businesses rather than getting swept away by them was the general focus of another successful and high-value PSA TEC conference. The market’s preeminent organization of its kind, PSA supports more than 220 leading commercial security systems integrators. Hosted for the first time in Dallas as opposed to its usual Denver-area digs, TEC brought together a couple hundred of the security integration field’s foremost company leaders and managers along with many vendor representatives and other practitioners. Held downtown at the Hyatt Regency May 1-4, per usual the event featured four days of unparalleled educational sessions, supplier connections, social activities and peer-to-peer networking. Presentations ranged from diversity, equity and inclusion to cybersecurity to business growth to supply chain to leading-edge technologies to leadership to company culture buildi...

Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE: JCI ), parent company of recognized security brands including American Dynamics, Software House, DSC, Tyco, Exacq, Visonic and Kantech, reported a 10% increase in its fiscal Q2 sales to $6.7 billion. Sales grew 13% organically. Net income from continuing operations was $133 million. Adjusted net income from continuing operations of $517 million was up 17% versus the prior year. Earnings before interest and taxes was $294 million and EBIT margin was 4.4%. Adjusted EBIT was $716 million and adjusted EBIT margin was 10.7%, improving 70 basis points versus the prior year. Specific to Johnson Controls Building Solutions North America group, sales in the quarter of $2.5 billion increased 13% versus the prior year. Organic sales increased 14% over the prior year with growth in both service and install, led by strong performances in HVAC & Controls and Fire & Security. The company updated its full year guidance to approximately 10% grow...

Cemtrex Inc. (NASDAQ: CETX, CETXP ) announced it has received a $1.1 million order through Vicon Industries from a current large border protection customer in Texas to develop its security technology system with new solutions, expanding on the customer’s $1.5 million order in January 2023. With Vicon’s software solution currently deployed at the site, the new order builds on the customer’s state-of-the-art video surveillance security capabilities with the addition of additional award-winning Roughneck cameras and servers. The order is expected to be fulfilled by the second quarter of the calendar year. Details of the customer were not provided due to confidentiality agreements in place. According to Persistence Market Research, the global border security system market size is set to reach $43.6 billion in 2023 and will grow at 5.8% CAGR to reach $76.9 billion by 2033. “Increasing modernization of the current security infrastructure is accelerating the growth of the border security m...

DETROIT—Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc.,  a global developer of AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients, has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), has entered into a contract to furnish several of its robots to appear in a high-profile, major television network series. “Our amazing robotic technology has once again caught the attention of Hollywood productions,” says Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX and RAD. “Three upcoming movies, including the highly anticipated Blue Beetle  are featuring a variety of RAD’s ROAMEO, ROSA and SCOT, but this production stands to far surpass all others.” The company explains the prime-time television series, due for release in early June 2023, will feature several of RAD’s robots interacting with cast members. According to AITX and RAD, the popular television network typically receives 3.5 to 5 million U.S. viewers during the program’s anticipated prime-t...

DIY security provider Abode Systems , a brand of Nice North America , has announced the native integration of Google Nest thermostats, doorbells and cameras to its platform. Abode is now the first no-contract, DIY home security brand to successfully implement an integration with Google Nest products. Prior to the “Works with Nest” program sunset in 2019, the Abode smart home security platform had a deep integration with Nest products, allowing users to control and automate Nest devices directly within its app. Today, Google has developed a new API called the Google Nest Device Access program which allows Abode to integrate both access and climate control Google Nest products into the Abode platform and exchange information between the two ecosystems. “This is an exciting milestone for Abode and Google Nest communities and we’re grateful to the team at Google for their commitment to creating accessible and compatible smart home security systems,” said  Christopher Carney , CEO an...