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System Surveyor on Enhancing Security Industry Efficiency with Software

In 2015, System Surveyor was born with a clear purpose in mind — to transform the design process by capturing essential system information in a digital format early on in the customer journey. Today, System Surveyor, is a game-changing tool designed specifically for system integrators. In this video interview,  Maureen Carlson, co-founder and VP of growth of System Surveyor,  explains the origins and functionalities of the the software tool with Amala Reddie, associate editor of SSI sister publication Commercial Integrator. Carlson notes, with the latest updates, the software now operates seamlessly on both iPad and Android tablets, enabling users to conduct site surveys, document details, and capture images – all within a digital floorplan. Best of all, this information can sync to the cloud for collaboration. This conversation stems from  CI  and  Security Sales & Integration’s  Business Resources Software Deep Dive Report which will launch ...

Artificial Intelligence Can Make the Smart Home Smarter, but Consumers May Be Wary

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How smart can smart homes get? Apparently, much smarter than they are now. Much of the increase in brainpower will come from artificial intelligence . At its core, AI occurs when technology attempts to think like a human. It attempts to sense, reason, and learn in the same way that the human mind does. There have been literally millions of articles, blogs, and news segments about the growing use of AI and how it will impact virtually every aspect of our society. Smart homes will not escape the AI tsunami. In fact, AI shows tremendous promise for turning residences from “smart” into “genius.” In reality, what many homeowners – as well as consumers of smart devices – don’t realize is that AI is already incorporated into smart home technology and is being used every day. Some obvious examples include: Voice Assistants : AI helps Alexa interact with consumers more conversationally, using a method known as, appropriately, conversational AI. Smart Vacuums : Some of these little gizmos...

Integrators Increasingly Using Software to Put Their Best Foot Forward

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In today’s security and commercial AV integration world, simply doing the installation and providing customer service is not enough. Integrators now have to go the extra mile to deliver the best possible solutions to clients. To achieve this, several integrators have begun to look inward to streamline their operations and improve their bottom line. As a result, business-resource software applications have risen exponentially and secured a position as part of integration businesses’ core operations.   In the 2023 Business Resources Deep Dive by Commercial Integrator  +  Security Sales & Integration , we shall draw on the latest industry research, along with commentary from reputable integrators, to paint a picture of the growing importance of business-resource software, its various applications, and the implications of artificial intelligence’s integration into different software utilized by security and commercial AV firms. Rising Exigency of Business Resource So...

i-PRO Announces AI On-Site Learning Camera Line That Adds AI to Non-AI Cameras

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TOKYO, Japan – Surveillance and public safety security solutions provider i-PRO Co. Ltd. , today announced a new line of cameras that turn non-artificial intelligence (AI) network cameras into AI smart devices. Using AI onsite learning, the new X Series “enables users to teach the camera about specific objects they want to monitor,” according to the company announcement. With support for up to nine AI applications, it is “the most powerful AI camera to date from i-PRO,” the announcement says. “The X Series cameras demonstrate our commitment to setting new standards of innovation that are helping to shape the future of our industry,” says Masato Nakao, CEO, i-PRO Co., Ltd., in the company announcement. “We take immense pride in the accomplishments of our product and engineering teams as they bring this ground-breaking technology to market,” he says. Extending the Life of Older Cameras A unique aspect of the X Series camera is its ability to enhance traditional cameras with AI cap...

Axis Communications Puts Deep Learning Capabilities into Video Cameras

CHELMSFORD, Mass.—Ahead of  ISC East , Axis Communications has just unveiled a slew of new additions to its video surveillance portfolio. This includes the AXIS P37 Panoramic Camera Series, AXIS Q18 Bullet Camera Series and AXIS P3268-SLVE Dome Camera, all of which will come equipped with a deep learning processing unit (DLPU). All these technologies, according to Axis, will be on display at  ISC East 2023  at the Javits Center in New York City from November 14-16, 2023. For those who will be unable to attend the show, however, Axis has stated that these new solutions can be demoed at any one of its Axis Experience Centers (AEC), including the New York City AEC, 12 East 49th Street, Floor 42. Starting off with the AXIS P37 Panoramic Camera Series, these compact cameras are capable of being recessed mounted or mounted in ceilings with up to 4 4K resolution on recordings. The cameras also come with tamper-resistant casing and integ...

PDK.io 2.0 from ProdataKey Delivers More Access Control Features

DRAPER, Utah—ProdataKey (PDK), a manufacturer of cloud access control platform built for mobile, has introduced PDK.io 2.0 that expands features, functionality, and scalability to support enterprise installations managed across multiple buildings and sites. The company states that with version 2.0, doors connected to disparate PDK Cloud Nodes can be managed as a single customer system, and credential holders can reside in a single database and be distributed across one or many locations. “Our customers come in all sizes and typically have multiple physical locations,” says Kevin Link, Sr. manager of technical services at Per Mar Security , a Net100 Dealer, who has tested a beta version of the PDK.io 2.0. “Not only has PDK delivered a solution that provides the scale we need, but they’ve done it with the same ease of use that our installers and customers love about PDK.” PDK.io 2.0 Offers a Wealth of Benefits to Users and Dealers According to the company, other enhancements the plat...

Attracting New Hires in the Security Integration Industry

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Amidst a workforce shortage, hiring is something that’s on everyone’s mind right now. There are currently 9.8 million job openings in America, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics …So why aren’t people working? During the COVID-19 pandemic, many got used to working from home, and now, they still want that flexibility. Others are demanding more benefits and pay raises, especially with inflation and – for many – the price of childcare. Feeling burnt out, stressed, and depressed also keeps people from wanting to work. Related: How to Improve Your Talent Hiring Process Shortages of workers have hit certain industries particularly hard, such as skilled trades. In construction alone, there is a gap of a half million workers —a number that will increase as new projects pop up every day. The older generation that went into fields like plumbing and roofing is retiring, while the younger generation is not being trained in these areas. Many students are not ev...