Napco iBridge™ Wins SIA New Product Showcase Award
Napco Security Technologies, Inc. iBridge™ Keypad/Touchscreen Tablet won the SIA 2012 New Product Showcase (NPS) Award at ISC West, one of the country’s largest annual tradeshows, with 24,000 security professionals reported in attendance. Across a broad field of entries, iBridge™ was chosen number one in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Solutions, Wireless, and is the first product in NAPCO’s iBridge® Remote Services Suite.
Napco iBridge Keypad Touchscreen is a slim full-color, internet-enabled tablet computer and uses 802.11 WiFi, to put security and much more at accounts’ fingertips. iBridge controls Napco Security Systems, local & iSee Video™ video cameras and will shortly also control thermostats and lighting via Z-Wave™ devices. Wireless and portable, the IBR-TAB 7” TFT Color Tablet touchscreen also includes time, weather apps and selectable color-scheme palettes, as well as an easy, magnetic on/off combination wall-mount & power-docking station. A desktop stand is also available.
Jorge Hevia, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales for NAPCO, said, “Wow, that’s two for two,” when learning of the 2012 win. Last ISC West, 2011, Napco’s GEMC Commercial Intrusion/Fire System won NPS; and now this year won for iBridge™. “It’s very gratifying to win our category among so many admirable competitors. These innovative Napco products are uniquely designed to be beneficial to both the professional installation company and the consumer, and show real market promise.”
Take a free New Technologies training class www.napcosecurity.com/seminars.asp or visitwww.napcosecurity.com/ibridge.html.
ASSA ABLOY iPad App Details Access Control Locking Products
ASSA ABLOY has launched its Security Continuum application for iPad, which simplifies the process of finding the right access control locking solution for any door opening in a facility.
With three main sections on the opening screen, the app gives experienced ASSA ABLOY customers the choice to navigate via the security continuum chart by technology, allows new customers to filter solutions in the ‘Guide Me’ section and provides sales contact information in their market via the map locator.
The first option, to navigate the security continuum by type of technology, enables users to find a product based on what technology and level of security they require. The continuum consists of solutions for keys; keypad, offline, wireless, and online locks and fully intelligent openings. The second option, Guide Me, presents users with a series of questions to narrow down the available products to reach the most appropriate solution for any need. The contact option allows users to locate the closest sales representative that can assist with product questions and selection.
“Whether you’re an integrator who is an expert on ASSA ABLOY’s broad range of access control technologies or a facility manager looking for assistance to guide you through the process of making the right product choice, the app is an easy to use and up-to-date resource,” said Kris Bylan, Marketing & Communications Manager, Architectural Hardware Group at ASSA ABLOY.
Once a user finds the products of choice, they can simply add selections to the My Products list for easy reference, or email them to an ASSA ABLOY Integrated Solutions Specialist for further consultation.
The Security Continuum app is currently available in the iTunes App Store for iPad, with iPhone and Android compatibility to follow.
International Hardware Fair: 2012 Results
The International Hardware Fair surprised many skeptics by showing no signs of weakness and left attendees and exhibitors energized and in high spirits. The four March 4-7, 2012, event in Cologne, Germany, brought together 2,665 exhibitors from 50 countries, who met with 53,500 attendees from 132 countries (2010/56,500).
Strong attendance despite international retail consolidation underlined the event’s status as the world’s leading sourcing event for the Hardware and DYI industries. Cologne also saw strong numbers from the U.S. and Canada. Ninety-three exhibitors and close to 500 attendees from North America made the trip across the Atlantic this year. Almost 70 percent of the North American exhibitors selected to exhibit in U.S. or Canadian group exhibits offered by the American Hardware Manufacturers Association, the DYI Council and Koelnmesse Inc., the North American Chicago-based arm of the organizer.
Some of the North American attendees took advantage of the “International Buying Days” offered by the U.S. based “Presidents Council.” This organization lined up meetings for key management of major retailers, distributors and suppliers on conference rooms at the fairgrounds. Meetings started already the day before show opening and continued during all four show days.
Said Steve Powell, Vice President of the Presidents Council: “The Buying Days in Cologne were a complete success. We had six buyers from Lowes Global Sourcing, one buyer each from ACE International, OBI’s Head of International Sourcing, Hornbach’s Head of Import and three buyers from Menards who attended via internet tele-conference. Participating buyers told us that the quality of the meetings was outstanding and the face to face time with suppliers added great value to their efficiency and experience at the fair.”
One of the attendee favorites was the “DIY Store Tour,” a bus tour to three DIY retailers located in the greater Cologne area to learn about retail management experiences specific to the German retailers OBI, Knauber and Toom.
The International Hardware Fair/Eisenwarenmesse takes place in March every two years in Cologne, Germany in 11 halls of the Koelnmesse fairgrounds. The event is widely recognized as the leading industry trade show for the international tools, fasteners, fittings and the home improvement industry. Products offered here apply to domestic as well as industrial use.
Healthy Key Control with KeyWatcher® System
Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia, S.C., is known for high quality medical care and an expert clinical staff. The facility’s intelligent design and practices include a sophisticated access control system using the Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher® key control and management solution.
The many buildings located on the campus are each equipped with a card-based access control system to control entry and exit activity; employees enter buildings and/or areas using their pre-authorized access cards. Security management has specially programmed master access control card keys that allow entry to all areas secured by the card access system. To safely secure these master access control keys when not in use and to automate the transaction management, the hospital uses the Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher system.
The keys are held in a KeyWatcher cabinet that can only be opened by individuals who have been pre-programmed into the system. To open the cabinet and access a key, the individual enters an authorized code and then presents his or her card access identification badge to the built-in proximity reader. If the criteria entered matches the information stored in the system database, the key cabinet will unlock and the necessary key can be removed or returned. The computerized system automatically records the access activity of each transaction, including user, date and time of checkout/return.
According to Henry Simons, Director of Security and Volunteer Services for Palmetto Health, the system and access procedures help to ensure accountability and the safekeeping and integrity of the master keys.
“The previous manual system was simply too ineffective and labor intensive. Both security and engineering kept and managed keys but neither had full ownership of the entire process,” said Mr. Simons. “The KeyWatcher system resolved the problem. Each department installed a KeyWatcher cabinet with automated tracking that allows us to control the keys assigned to our individual departments. We can now hold individuals accountable for a key and thereby lessen the risk of our master system being compromised.”
The hospital custom designed the system to include the two-step entry process as well as allow integration of the KeyWatcher system with its card access system. Any time the KeyWatcher cabinet is accessed, the activity pops up on the access control system screen and anything out of the ordinary is immediately identified. The data from the KeyWatcher is also folded into the reports produced by the card access system to give a complete picture for analysis or follow-up investigation.
“The ability to custom tailor the system to our needs was a very important factor in our decision to implement the KeyWatcher system,” said Simons. “The reports are beneficial from the security standpoint but, overall, the KeyWatcher system has enhanced our safety and security program.”
More information: www.morsewatchmans.com.
E-Plex Flexible Lockdown Options Boost Campus Security
With emergency response plans being a top priority for many, Kaba Access Control has incorporated multiple lockdown options in its E-Plex® Wireless Access Control System. From the Dashboard, users can centrally manage lock commands such as remote unlock, passage, and emergency lockdown. The system’s lockdown choices suit virtually any site and include global, door group, or single door lockdown. In addition, lockdown can be executed right at a door, providing instantaneous and convenient security.
According to Rick Shuford, CRL and Kaba’s product trainer, “We designed the E-Plex Wireless System with emergency commands to help organizations deal with readiness and response in the event of a threat or crisis. Kaba’s System Lockdown provides security directors, facility managers, and staff the flexibility to address immediate needs when they occur on campus.”
In addition, the E-Plex Wireless System requires no wires, conduit runs, access panels, or trenching/drilling. Entire properties, including remote buildings, can be joined to the E-Plex Wireless System without installation hassles and extensive costs. The E-Plex Wireless System is supported exclusively through a Certified Dealer Network. For more information, contact a Kaba Sales Representative, Certified Wireless Dealer, visit www.kabaaccess.com or call 800.849.8324.
Detex CVR Exit Devices Provide Higher Level Of Security
Detex Corporation has introduced a new concealed vertical rod exit device that ensures latching on closing – a significant advance that evolved with the input of facility managers and security personnel.
“Architects and designers have always preferred that rods and latches be hidden, but maintenance people said the mechanism was a challenge,” said Ken Kuehler, national accounts manager for Detex Corporation. “Security could be compromised during downtime, and that was happening too often.”
Generally, deadlocking latches must be held retracted to allow the door to close and re-latch. While the door is open, some devices use only one step to hold back the latch – not enough to activate the latch hold-back. But now all Detex CVR devices use a unique six-step latch hold-back method that keeps the latch retracted while the door is open, regardless of whether the pushpad is pressed lightly or hard. The latch will always engage when the door closes, and performance is much more reliable.
Detex Concealed Vertical Rod panic and fire exit hardware is made for heavy use applications, but is also designed to look good on the job. Enhancing the architectural aesthetics of any decor, it fits a variety of doors, including narrow stile aluminum or hollow metal doors without mullions, wooden double doors, and wide stile aluminum doors without a mullion.
“Our new CVR hardware is a design innovation that offers major advantages in operational security and ease of maintenance,” said Kuehler.
For more information, visit www.detex.com.
CyberLock Helps Lower Insurance Premiums
Videx CyberLock access control products help high-risk businesses lower their insurance premiums with the system's ability to track and control access throughout a facility.
Public facilities like churches, schools, and hospitals are more likely to face loss or property damage, due to the high volume of people coming and going. Additionally, key control is a big issue and it can be difficult to secure all areas of a facility. Insurance companies consider public facilities high-risk and it is reflected in increased premiums. Installing an access control system like CyberLock to reduce the risk of theft and damages can reduce insurance premiums.
Jim Reed, Grace Christian Center’s Facility Manager, states, “Incorporating security has had a positive effect on our insurance costs. We invited the insurance company underwriters to visit us and see the security improvements we had completed. After looking at the church’s alarmed security system, the CyberLock electronic locks on our doors and cabinets, the security cameras throughout our three buildings, and the internal control measures we had put in place, they lowered our insurance rates.”
For more information, visit www.videx.com.
