“Alexa, Lock My Front Door”
BERLIN, Conn. – Yale Locks & Hardware announces that its Yale Real Living® deadbolts and levers with Z-Wave® or ZigBee® are compatible with Amazon Alexa when used in conjunction with a Samsung SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub.
The Alexa lock allows Yale Z-Wave or ZigBee users with a compatible hub to lock their door and check current lock status. Voice commands such as, “Alexa, lock my front door,” or “Alexa, is my back door locked?” will trigger automatic responses and/or actions from Amazon Alexa. The lock will not unlock with voice commands for security purposes.
“Adding Alexa voice control to Yale’s SmartThings and Wink integration offers many of our customers a new level of convenience and flexibility,” said Jason Williams, President, ASSA ABLOY U.S. Residential Group, which includes Yale Residential. “The popularity of Amazon Alexa clearly demonstrates a strong consumer preference for voice control, and the Alexa integrations make controlling a smart home easier than ever. We’re thrilled to now be part of that.”
The Samsung SmartThings Hub and Wink Hub are compatible with all devices with Amazon Alexa – including Amazon Echo, Amazon Echo Dot and Amazon Tap. To operate the Yale Real Living Assure Lock using Alexa voice commands requires either a Samsung SmartThings Hub and the SmartThings app or a Wink Hub and the Wink app, an Amazon Alexa device and a Yale lock with Z-Wave or ZigBee, such as the Yale Assure Lock.
Kwikset® SmartCode™ and Schlage Connect™ Touchscreen Deadbolt locks can also be controlled by Amazon's Alexa.
Homeowners using Samsung SmartThings™ or Wink to control their Kwikset® SmartCode™ 910, 912, 914 or 916 smart locks will now be able to ask Alexa devices to lock their deadbolts. This feature is a result of the new API launch from Amazon to include smart lock through the SmartThings and Wink hubs.
Schlage®, a brand of Allegion® has announced it will provide voice activation accessibility to its Schlage Connect™ Touchscreen Deadbolt via Amazon Alexa. This added level of functionality enables consumers to utilize Alexa-enabled devices, such as Amazon Echo, to lock or check the status of their door via a Wink or Samsung SmartThings hub from the convenience of a living room, bedroom or kitchen.
Framon Acquires Blue Dog Keys
Framon Mfg. has recently acquired Blue Dog Keys, a company that specializes in the rare, hard to find, and obscure key blanks not carried by your normal locksmith wholesaler.
Blue Dog was formed by Liam Gribben, who emigrated to the United States from Scotland in 1978. After living in Maine with family for several months, he became a sales rep for Cole National, his first step into the key blank business. In 1982 Cole filed for bankruptcy and Liam began selling keys independently, becoming an Ilco distributor. He actually sold Blue Dog once to take on other work, then bought it back and continued the company until 2016 when he passed away unexpectedly.
Gribben was known as a unique character by his customers, having an uncanny expertise in trivia and known to his friends as a remarkable ballroom dancer. While he loved to travel, he detested flying and always made sure he had a friend along on any trip that required an airplane. His customers always found a Trivial Pursuit card or two in every order.
Framon plans to keep the Blue Dog Keys story going, researching the hard-to-find, unique and rare keys that locksmiths need. As a key machine manufacturer, we will continue to sell our machines and products through our network of locksmith distributors, while Blue Dog will sell directly to locksmiths as it has in the past. The focus of Blue Dog has always been as a secondary supplier to your normal locksmith distributor, specializing in small quantities (there is never a minimum order) of blanks and precut keys.
For more information, visit www.framon.com or www.bluedogkeys.com.
SDC Launches Responsive Website
CAMARILLO, CA –SDC has redesigned its website, sdcsecurity.com, to allow users to easily search and find detailed product information, videos, photos, installation instructions, price lists, documents, listings and certifications, white papers, wire diagrams and other sales and support materials from any desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
“Our expanding line of Access and Egress Control Security Solutions is so comprehensive, we knew we needed to update how our information was organized and presented on the web so that users can accomplish what they need to in a few clicks – whether they’re in the office or out in the field,” said Shane Geringer, SDC’s Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Strategic Development. “We invested in a more icon-based, graphic approach and streamlined the design and navigation so no one has to struggle to find what they’re looking for.”
In addition to providing access to hundreds of downloadable product information materials and photos, more than 50 informational and instructional videos, the new website allows users to download the up-to-date 2017 Price List and SDC’s New 2017/2018 Product Catalog of more than 300 pages of the latest Access and Egress Control Security Solutions. There is also a free downloadable SDC smartphone app for quick product reference and specifications and an expanded SDC blog for the latest news and trends. The new website is available at www.sdcsecurity.com.
Jerry Burhans has been hired to fill the role of Vice President of Sales & Business Development for Assa Inc., in the High Security and Aftermarket Group. Jerry will be responsible for the management and promotion of the Assa Inc. brand in the U.S., reporting directly to Tom Kaika, President.
Burhans comes to Assa Inc. from his most recent position as Worldwide Sales & Marketing Manager. His career to date includes over 25 years of experience in executive sales positions within the security industry. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and is the current Membership Director of ASIS Chapter of Chicago.
Burhans is based in Chicago. When he is not traveling to meet with customers, he will be splitting time between Salem, VA and New Haven, CT. Contact him at 312-420-1393.
KSP – Killeen Security Products, welcomes Brian Strom as KSP’s Director of Sales & Marketing. Strom is well-known in the security industry, with 31 years of sales & marketing experience with All Lock Company, Alarm Lock, Medeco High Security, Arrow Lock and. Most recently. Security Lock Distributors. Strom will be responsible for Sales Team Leadership and driving revenue, and will also contribute to marketing and business strategy.
ZKAccess, a division of ZKTeco and leading provider of biometric and RFID security solutions, welcomes Esteban Pastor to its Tech Support team and Joe Fryd to its Sales Support team.
Pastor comes from a worldwide electronics company where he provided technical support for both employees & customers. He also speaks fluent Spanish which will greatly benefit ZKAccess' growing number of Latin American customers. Fryd's background is in both sales and technology.
"We are very pleased to welcome both Esteban and Joe to the ZKAccess team," says Larry Reed, CEO. "They look forward to providing our customers with the highest level of technical support and service."
For more information, please visit http://www.zkaccess.com/.
