CCTV Systems

PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. — From conference rooms and specialized spaces to training rooms and expansive auditoriums, Pearl Technology boasts expertise that caters to a diverse range of clients. These include Fortune 50 corporations that require the orchestration of nationwide and global room standards; they also include local churches in need of a projector and speaker setup. While corporate projects form the company’s core focus, its portfolio showcases a versatile client base. Related: Security and AV Could Converge Even More in 2024 and Beyond The company’s work can also be found in the government sector, such as the Illinois State Capitol and city council chambers. The design-build firm specializes in user experience and enterprise standardization.   With roots stretching back to its inception as Computer Age in 1985 and evolving through strategic acquisitions — including CIAN (an IT and data security company), A5 (a private cloud, hosting and data center services compa...

We  announced  the Most Valuable Product (MVP) award winners in April,  celebrating products  across the physical security landscape that make a substantial impact on integrators and the projects they execute. Now, we’re taking a closer look at the winning products and hearing from the companies who won this year’s MVPs about what the accolade means to them and why the product is held in such high regard across the security industry. What LiftMaster Says About 2024 MVP Awards Related: MVP Awards 2024 Recap: Nice North America Reacts to Their Win Here’s what Jenny Lytle, vice president and general manager of commercial emerging business for LiftMaster, says about the company winning a 2024 MVP Award for intrusion detection: “LiftMaster is thrilled to accept this award for best security app from Security Sales & Integration. The MVP award identifies the best technologies, products and solutions that keep properties secure, and we’re honored to have the m...

KENNESAW, Ga. –   Cobb County-based security company LOUD Security Systems Inc. , recently acquired Atlanta-based commercial security business Vytis Security Systems, a move that “will help solidify LOUD Security as a leading commercial security provider,” according to the announcement. Like LOUD Security , Vytis “provides security solutions to business challenges through video surveillance, access control, fire systems and monitored security,” the joint announcement says. The company “services all levels of security needs, from small to large and multi-location businesses,” according to the announcement. As part of the acquisition, LOUD, the 2023 SSI Installer of the Year, also appointed Vytis CEO Mike Sandes to vice president of commercial services. He has more than 30 years of leadership in the security industry, including 18 as president of commercial sales at Ackerman Security. Sandes left Ackerman in 2021 after the Norcross-based company sold its assets to ADT. Relat...

PHILADELPHIA — Park City School District (PCSD) of Summit County, Utah has deployed ZeroEyes’ proactive gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution “to mitigate gun-related violence,” the company announced. Nestled within the mountains of the year-round resort town, PCSD encompasses four elementary schools, a middle school, a junior high, a high school and a learning center. The district educates nearly 5,000 students annually and boasts a graduation rate in the top 1 percent of the nation. PCSD is “ highly focused on student safety , collaborating with the Summit County Sheriff’s Department and the Park City Police Department to deploy advanced electronic, physical, and procedural security measures,” the ZeroEyes announcement says. ZeroEyes’ artificial intelligence (AI) gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software is now layered on existing digital security cameras at all eight student-occupied PCSD buildings. If a gun is identified, images will i...

PHILADELPHIA — Critical incident mapping data provider Critical Response Group (CRG) recently announced a successful bipartisan legislative effort has resulted in the unanimous passing of critical incident mapping laws or state-level initiatives for schools in 11 states. Related: School Security Must Go Beyond ‘That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It’ Today Wisconsin, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Maryland and Virginia have approved legislation related to critical incident mapping in schools, while several other state bills are in progress. Wisconsin was the first state to approve a school-related critical incident mapping bill, leading to the unanimous passing of critical incident mapping laws in multiple states. “The Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association brought CRG’s work to my attention, and I immediately realized the value for a true statewide standard for critical incident mapping,” says Wisconsin state Sen. Van Wanggaard in...

CHANTILLY, Va. — Pavion has acquired Norwell, Mass.-based AV integration firm Signet, according to a joint announcement , a move that “significantly enhances Pavion’s footprint in New England, further solidifying its leadership in healthcare critical communications.” Founded in 1974 by Charlie Caron, Signet “has grown steadily over the decades, especially under the leadership of CEO Brad Caron, who joined the business in 1987,” according to the joint announcement. “Brad’s vision for accelerated growth led to the creation of an engineering group capable of managing complex systems integration projects across critical communications, network infrastructure, security and AV systems,” the announcement says. Why Pavion Acquired Signet Signet serves more than 80% of acute care hospitals in New England. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, it “remains poised for continued growth under the leadership of Andrew Pelletier, aligning perfectly with Pavion’s strategic objectives,”...

Before we get started on this month’s column, let me give you a few observations that I’ve made about the new combined AV and security industry publication , Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration. Related: Big Idea: Turning the Questions on Myself The people running it are fantastic. Group editor Dan Ferrisi is a first-class writer, communicator and all-around good guy. As I did, you’ll enjoy meeting him. The other people involved in the publication , including the SSI editorial advisory board, are all first-class industry members and they’re knowledgeable players in the industry. And what that means to you is that, when all the talent that has been assembled to put this magazine together works in harmony, you’re going to be doing some first-class reading and getting some BIG IDEAS. Over the coming months, in fact, you should be able to fill your own BIG IDEA book. So, with all that being said, let’s get to this month’s BIG IDEA. Big Idea: The Original Con...