Video Interview coming soon

Bill is an expert in organizational efficiency and effectiveness and has consulted with and taught organizations on a variety of issues related to performance.  He is a Motorola-trained Six Sigma Black Belt and teaches graduate school MBA courses.  He has been interviewed on radio, television, and for national and local publications.

Bill holds an MBA and a Masters Degree in Public Administration.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Northwest Law Enforcement Executive Command College – he has lectured at both institutions, and speaks frequently to a variety of groups and organizations.

Bill provides keynote addresses, and training and consulting on his management models.  His website is www.leadingbeyondtradition.com

Pierre Racz is the principal co-founder and CEO of Genetec, a pioneer in the physical security and public safety industry and global provider of world-class IP license plate recognition (LPR), video surveillance and access control solutions. Prior to founding Genetec in 1997, Pierre worked as Principal Engineer at DMR (Fujitsu Consulting), a system integration house with worldwide presence. instrumentation.

Pierre Racz Audio Interview 1 (Podcast)

His prime mandate at DMR was software development and object oriented technology evangelism at Canadian Marconi Corporation. Prior to DMR, he was Chief Engineer at TTL, a firm that does research and development in the field of ambulatory medical instrumentation.

Pierre Racz Audio Interview 2 (Podcast)

With over 30 years of hardware and software development experience, Pierre holds extensive knowledge in the physical security industry. He has a very keen motivation regarding his field and his accomplishments reflect his expertise. Today, Pierre is actively involved in the formulation of the company’s objectives as well as the execution of its worldwide strategies.

Pierre Racz Audio Interview 3 (Podcast)

Pierre is also a co-founder and Senior Advisor of Aheeva, a company specialized in developing turnkey VoIP Interactive Business Solutions for Call Centers, and of Atelka, a telecommunications and call center management firm that uses the Aheeva software.

Pierre Racz Audio Interview 4 (Podcast)

Pierre holds an Honors Degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill University.

Pierre Racz Audio Interview 5 (Podcast)

An Introduction to Our Innovation

It was in 1997 that Genetec was incorporated as a software research and development company. In those days, analog security systems were most commonly used to protect and monitor physical spaces. Users accepted the limitations inherent to analog security systems. Genetec’s engineers had the intuition that the typical analog or digital point-to-point telecom architecture would be short lived.

More so, Genetec believed that the direction of the future was the multipoint to multipoint networked architecture. The sophisticated intelligence of software created to manage a complex network offered a major opportunity and would usher in new possibilities to customers worldwide. Thus, Genetec pioneered the first fully IP-based security system. Despite industry scepticism of this new market technology, Genetec’s team developed and perfected the solution.

We were the first to offer you IP video surveillance, and have extended our expertise in IP security to access control and license plate recognition (LPR).

Genetec’s security solutions are deployed throughout industries such as city-wide surveillance, education, gaming, government, law enforcement, parking enforcement, retail, transportation and many more. The open architecture of our solutions enables integration with one another, as well as with third-party solutions, letting customers leverage investments and lower total cost of ownership.

From Pierre:

As the world is taking its first steps on the road to sustainable growth in an increasingly crowded and resource-constrained globe with conflicting world views, the need for security will only increase.

Two technological paradigms collide in the race to meet the demand for enhanced security tools: the one-stop shop closed architecture and the technologically diverse open architecture. At first glance, the closed architecture may seem easier, but is in fact short sighted.

“We believe that the open architecture is the right way to go because the large complex requirements of future systems cannot be solved by a single organization. It is only through the cooperation of several talented organizations and an active user population that truly useful innovation can emerge. We are committed to face the difficulties, to overcome the obstacles and to cooperate with other likeminded organizations to provide our users with innovative solutions.” – Pierre Racz, President and CEO at Genetec

About Genetec

Genetec is a pioneer in the physical security and public safety industry and a global provider of world-class IP license plate recognition (LPR), video surveillance and access control solutions to markets such as transportation, education, retail, gaming, government and more. With sales offices and partnerships around the world, Genetec has established itself as the leader in innovative networked solutions by employing a high level of flexibility and forward-thinking principles into the development of its core technology and business solutions. Genetec’s corporate culture is an extension of these very same principles, encouraging a dynamic and innovative workforce that is dedicated to the development of cutting-edge solutions and to exceptional customer care. For more information, visit genetec.com.

Peter Jones CEO of Scallop Imaging, a division of Tenebraex is leading the effort to bring Digital Window distributing imaging systems to market. Peter began his career as an award winning commercial photographer,which led to devloping technology for Polaroid, U.S. and Nato Military

Peter Jones began his career as an award winning commercial photographer, working worldwide for major corporate clients. During this time, he and a partner invented an architectural model camera that Polaroid licensed and put into production. In 1993, Peter co-founded Tenebraex Corporation, with the core technology invention of a method masking reflections from military optics. Tenebraex’ ARD (Anti-Reflection Devices) are used extensively by U.S. and NATO military.

Other technologies developed and put in production include xLume (which allows a headlight lens to look like a solid, opaque surface when the light is off, but function normally when on), which was licensed by Philips Lighting, ColorPath (a method of creating a full-color imager from standard, green, night vision tubes), and eyePilot software to help color-blind computer users.

As CEO of Scallop Imaging, a division of Tenebraex, Peter is leading the effort to bring Digital Window distributing imaging systems to market.

Tenebraex Corporation
27 Drydock Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
Information on Scallop Imaging:
dev@scallopimaging.com

James has conducted seminars and has spoke at several colleges regarding risk management. James is responsible for the solid growth of several well known International security firms, as well as his own lighting and electrical company. He has always worked well with others and has been a leader, moving the companies and their employees towards the completion of their goals.

Jim is a dedicated family man and attributes all of his success in life to the Lord Jesus Christ, his wife Susie and their three boys, Sean, Tyler and Brandon. Jim is outgoing and responsible, he has never asked anyone to do something that he has not done or will do. He understands the importance of team work and that is clearly displayed in his daily activities and interaction with others. Jim has a very strong working knowledge of the security industry and has worked closely with many fortune 500 companies, their C- Level executives and their families. Jim works hard for the people that he respects; he is passionate about Kingdom Worldwide and what it stands for.

James G. Vierra
Chief Executive Officer
415-233-6945  Direct
415-233-6940  Main
james@kingdomworldwide.com
http://www.kingdomworldwide.com

Craig Leads the Video Solutions Organization, we’re responsible for marketing of the NetApp E-Series products (from the Engenio Acquisition) aimed at Full Motion Video, Video Surveillance and High Performance Computing storage.

Craig Cotton of Cisco Physical Security systems talks with David Ewton on Security Interviews. In scelerisque sapien dictum neque commodo quis dignissim enim semper. Ut eget neque orci. Quisque vel quam tellus, sed tempor mi. Sed a nunc a libero

Craig Cotton of Cisco Physical Security systems talks with David Ewton on Security Interviews. Proin fringilla lectus enim, ac aliquet urna. Vestibulum leo erat, rutrum tristique laoreet eu, vulputate sed arcu. Sed auctor turpis sit amet leo tristique dictum

“Fluidmesh has been a pioneer in the development of wireless technology by focusing on

Cosimo Malesci has been a forerunner in using wireless networks for
security and industrial applications with a focus on flexibility, reliability,
and ease of use. He holds both a bachelor and master degree in Ocean
Engineering from MIT. After working in the marine engineering field, he
co-founded Fluidmesh in 2005 with offices in Boston, MA and Milan, Italy.

This new venture has allowed him to apply his fine understanding of engineering to the
wireless world. Fluidmesh has been a pioneer in the development of wireless
technology by focusing on top-quality products for large areas at risk such as
municipalities, industrial plants, seaports and marinas, archaeological sites,
resorts, theme parks and racing tracks.

In less than five years time, Fluidmesh has positioned itself has a leading
manufacturer in the market by focusing on thorough and practical solutions in a
world increasingly preoccupied by connectivity and security matters.

Cosimo Malesci
VP – Marketing
Fluidmesh Networks, Inc.
18 Tremont Street – STE 730
Boston, MA 02108
Tel. (617) 209 – 6080 (617) 209 – 6080 x6002
Fax. (866) 458 – 1522
Cell. (617) 460 – 6014 (617) 460 – 6014

WEBSITE:
www.fluidmesh.com
www.twitter.com/fluidmesh
www.youtube.com/fluidmesh

How did you first get involved in the Security market?

My 1st experience is back in the early 80s as a soldier and later on officer in the IDF where I served for 4 years and I am still on call in the reserve forces holding the rank of Captain. Working my way through college I have held numerous armed guard assignments. All together gaining a unique (or sadly not so unique) comprehension of perimeter security challenges. Since then and until I joined MATE Intelligent Video back in 2005 I have held a variety of BizDev and Financial executive positions and/or consulted a variety of companies including a few Defense and Security related ventures like Urdan Industries Bio Sense Technologies.

As the CFO of Mate Intelligent Video you are in a unique position to comment on the perceived economic effects on the security video market. How do you see the intelligent video being affected?

From the perspective of a Video Analytics vendor one thing i have noticed is that each territory behaves differently (not sure if what we are experiencing is any representation to the market at large) and in some territories, especially in North and Latin America we are experiencing strong growth in the number of projects that we are requested to provide quotes and more important the conversion rate of quotes to POs have increased with a significant increase in both number of channels per project and more important the high ratio of analytics channels from the total video surveillance channels in the project.

So from our perspective we are experiencing an increased demand for high end Video Analytics. One of the reasons for this increased growth in our experience is the demand for ROI on existing and future investment in Security infrastructure and the ongoing goal of increasing the levels of security or at least keeping the same level of security while meeting budgetary constraints requiring the reduction of the total cost of security in the organization

Why did Mate concentrate on intelligent video and analytics?

Back in 1997 MATE was founded by a group of unique individuals that where experts in digital signal processing of video feeds, it is a very short distance from there to Video Analytics. MATE shifted to the security market around 2001 because we recognized that the explosive growth in video camera sales would drive the need for automation technologies like analytics.

In February 09 you released a new video encoder deemed TriggerNG (Next Generation) which seems very intriguing. Can you cover some of the advancements in intelligent video?

Video analytics innovators are being pulled by opposing forces. On one hand there is a move towards IP based video and on the other there is the practical need for companies to maximize the ROI from the older analog technology they already have. TriggerNG addresses this paradox elegantly by providing powerful analytics that can be deploy within an IT network while also supporting analytic alarms on older technology such as standard analog cameras and CRT video monitors.

What are the biggest changes you see in the intelligent video space?

ROI is king. Even though Integrators are still a little fearful of Video Analytics, we see that more and more of them are now receptive to products that have proven field records and good reputations. Video Analytics vendors have finally understood that they have to spend lots of resources to help integrators sell. The market trend is leaning towards hybrid solutions, but many integrators still have “edge” imprinted on the brain. The simpler the installation the better, clients want Plug-and-Play solutions and shy away from the PHD certified fine tuning configuration type of systems
What are the main benefits an organization derives from intelligent video?

First of all, it’s automation. The whole concept behind video analytics is that there is software that performs a function that would normally have to be performed by an operator, something that an operator can easily overlook. Certainly, the top-line functionality of video analytics is machine learning and automation of a function that would normally require multiple human beings to do. You can extend that not only to automated surveillance applications but to business intelligence applications where you’re looking at all this information-rich video content wondering ‘what else can I do with all the information that’s provided through this video system?’

One example would be to count the cars and people entering a facility (museum or other public area) and then be able to use that information as data to help better manage a business or advertising expenses and the way that facility is staffed. The key goals of video analytics are automation and gathering intelligence about the facilities.

Do you have any plans to partner or drive intelligent video through access control companies like Lenel, Cisco, Imron or others?

Yes we have plans to integrate with all of the above and many more. I think it is only a matter of time that all access control systems will have some form of video surveillance capabilities and with it means Video Analytics as well, this is part of a much larger trend of convergence between IT and Physical security. We have recently integrated our Video Analytics offering with Hirsch Electronics Velocity platform and we are integrated with several Video platforms and Command and control platforms that have some form of Access Control capabilities. We can easily integrate with most of the other platforms in the market as well. The most popular Video analytics alarms for use with Access control applications are Directional Counting, Man traps, Presence Detection and Wrong way Entry.

Where do you see the largest growth in the security market?

Without a doubt IP Based platforms are the highest growth sector in our industry

Is intelligent video cost effective in the enterprise market?

Video Analytics can be cost effective in any segment of the market. One of the main reasons for the increased growth in the deployment of Video Analytics is due to a growing requirement for Return On Investment (ROI) as I mentioned before when we discussed why the current market crises is actually providing accelerated sales for Video Analytics vendors that are well positioned in the market
Do you see intelligent video replacing more costly traditional methods EG: guards etc…?
You will always need the human touch in any system, and the down fall of many instaltions is when this is forgotten, but yes like any evolution that took place in so many industries in the past automation of surveillance processes provides great saving in guard related costs on the one side while providing increased security output.

Where is the one place you would send someone who wanted a better understanding of intelligent video?

I would send them to MATE because we spend quite a bit of time educating integrators and end-users on the options available in the market and our people have the experience to know how to best fit video analytics to the customer requirements and technology infrastructure.

MATE Intelligent Video is a technology leader in intelligent video surveillance systems. By using behavior tracking technology in a unique way, it closes many of the loopholes left open by other systems. MATE’s innovation converts ordinary video cameras into intelligent sensors and information systems that track irregular behavior, count people and detect events

http://www.mate.co.il/

Francis commenting on his new book ‘Not a Moment to Lose…Influencing Global Security One Community at a Time’ he said “It is an anecdotal approach to remind us that natural and man-made risk is mitigatable if not preventable.”

When did you know security was your calling?

It took a while. Like most people my professional journey was a series of opportunistic coincidences. As a student at Antioch College majoring in Urban Problems, and part time Vietnam War protester, I found my work study in the Baltimore City Police Department. I later observed to colleagues that I was one of the few to experience mace and pepper gas on both sides of a police line.

After collecting an Associate of Arts in Law Enforcement Administration I learned why Thomas Wolfe maintained “You Can’t Go Home Again”. I returned to Buffalo, New York, with my high school sweetheart and bride, accepting my first private sector security job with Sears and Roebuck. Located in proximity to two methadone clinics, our security efforts were partially credited for turning around an unprofitable store. I learned early on that risk mitigation enabled profit. Counter-intuitively our opportunity for internal embezzlement proved greater than the burglary, larceny and robbery threats posed by outsiders.

My wife’s superior intellect allowed her to ace a federal civil service test for a promising appointment with OSHA in Washington DC. I tagged along, joining the campus police department at George Washington University to pursue a Masters in Forensic Sciences. I wrote an article on the Survival of the Urban Retailer for ASIS and placed second in the annual student paper competition.

I survived my first crisis as a campus police supervisor when the Hanafi Muslims took over three federal buildings and nearly 200 hostages. George Washington University Medical Center was the triage point for the injured. Three of my best officers were ironically Hanafi Muslims. Their failure to report for duty during the ‘siege’ provoked significant interest in the intelligence community. My second published article, on emergency preparedness, evolved shortly thereafter.
I soon learned that you could not collect a Masters of Forensic Sciences without a baccalaureate. Louise was expecting our first child. In short order I was recruited by the Carlton, a boutique hotel at 16th and K, two blocks from the White House. That was during the Carter Administration. Hotel security wore chic English morning suits, cuff mikes and ear pieces. The metrics were food and beverage costs, room burglaries…a far cry from the Part I crimes of the grittier urban employers.

One afternoon a motorcycle messenger came into the hotel with a suspicious package for a guest. The addressee was a Turkish diplomat. The government agent responsible for the guest‘s protection decided the envelope was not ‘sufficiently suspicious’ to detour its delivery. I relied on my relatively inexperienced perception of the exceptional nature of the delivery, and discreetly moved it out of the lobby to a safer location. The DC bomb squad confirmed it was a letter bomb and detonated it on their range. That’s when I found my calling.

Did you have a career plan?

Not really. I was a new dad with a little girl, a little experience, and some related education. I looked to leverage what I had for larger opportunities.

I was successfully working two management jobs at the hotel and medical center when I received a recruiter’s call for a job at 7-ELeven as a Division Security Manager. I was the youngest of twenty hires at that position in North America. I read everything about security I could get my hands on, took every class, and personally responded to every robbery at a 7-Eleven in DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia. It was about the same amount of effort as two jobs and two courses per semester. The experience was invaluable. Our robbery and asset recovery numbers were noticed. Importantly, we did not have a robbery fatality.

In less than two years I found myself interviewing for the top job at Southland Corporation. I didn’t get it but I was promoted to a newly created number two position. Louise and I collaborated on a son that year and we both realized I didn’t know a thing about negotiating a raise. Money was tight. I had the privilege of working with a terrific team that included researchers from the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute. Their 7-Eleven robbery data analysis made possible our 75% reduction of robberies and more than a 90% reduction in homicides.

Safes were moved from back rooms to customer transaction stations at the front of the store. Time delay coin vending and drop boxes enabled cash control. Lighting was boosted, merchandise gondolas lowered, and signage was cleared from windows to give stores a vigilant look. Push and pull decals reminded customers (and criminals) that the cashier had no more than twenty dollars in change on hand. Door frame measures enabled clerks to accurately gauge the height of suspects. Dos and don’ts of violence avoidance re-enforced a mandatory training film to reduce injuries and fatalities. Bait bills enabled police to recover suspects with tangible evidence leading to convictions.

I landed my first director of corporate security job at twenty nine for Jerrico Inc. in Lexington KY and earned my Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification by exam as soon as I was eligible. Our entire ASIS review group passed the exam. I was later honored by Milt Brown, director of the National Crime Prevention Institute with an invitation to teach at the University of Louisville’s NCPI. That where I met Bob Hayes (now managing director of the Security Executive Council) and Tim Crow (an internationally acclaimed crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) enthusiast, and other gifted security types.

By then Pat Gerstle, an IBM programmer and I had collaborated on LossVision one of the early automated loss reporting software programs. My first book ‘Loss Prevention through Crime Analysis’ followed. It was one of the first books to actually share the numbers to make the case for security investment ROI. My career plan was to incrementally expand my protection influence. Louise brought our Blue Grass baby girl into the world to make certain her older siblings had real responsibility to share.

How do you think the economy will affect the security industry?

Worldwide employment dislocation will create an opportunistic environment for organized crime, disorganized crime and lapses in all-hazards detection and mitigation capabilities. Cut-backs and funding pauses will initially hamper nimble response to emerging threats. Reported and unreported crime will rise. Profit margins will thin and market share will risk reductions in the face of counterfeiting, internal theft, and protected information espionage. Arguably avoidable injuries and losses will push brands to higher levels of prevention and mitigation investment. Security and risk mitigation investment will roar back for those who measurably differentiate their capability to protect people, core processes and technology to meet anxious stakeholder expectations.

Do you see any new technology affecting the security industry?

Definitely…innovation will be the byword for integrated, multi-layered, authentication of trusted agents, financial transactions, supply chain logistics and data protection. Exception reporting documented by digital recording and risk event corroboration will drive ‘just in time’ mitigation deployment. Perhaps more importantly, these technologies will also facilitate customer authentication, delivery accuracy and core process throughput for speed of service and transaction accuracy including credits and debits.

Technology and specifically IP is changing security devices and how they are deployed. What do you think are the next big changes we will see?

Perimeters risk detection will be extended beyond traditional ‘Bricks and Mortar’ boundaries. Counter surveillance capability will be enhanced for both physical and logical environments. Active directories will be re-authenticated for multi-factor recognition integrating voice, facial and other biometric recognition capabilities against credentials, and access permissions. Consumers, associates, partners, and stakeholders will demand identity protection, effective fraud deterrence and accountability.

Do you see wireless impacting security in general?

Wireless is the key technology for extending perimeter protection peripherals beyond traditional boundaries. The need to recognize mass transit risk four sectors out from main hubs will drive some considerations. Protecting first responders with hands free communications capable of documenting adversarial persons or conditions will be another. Core process customer efficiency will drive concierge services and transaction queue management while deterring criminal behavior.

What do you see as the security industry’s biggest challenge?

I see three… 1.The coincidence of natural phenomena including high morbidity pandemic and global warming that will tax all-hazard mitigation resources. 2. The reluctance of highly capable organized crime and terror organizations to give up what Moises Naim and others estimate as a multi-trillion dollar ‘illicit’ economies (arms, drugs, humans, information & money laundering) without a fight that will imperil people, governments and networks) 3. Apathy and negligence

What do you believe is the largest growth area in security?

Knowledge…good and best practices must be innovated, measured and shared in trusted communities to advance people, process and technology protection. Our adversaries to date have proven more nimble to adapt all for risk exploitation. True intelligence fusion and mitigation capability between public and private sector can and must level the playing field to ensure resilience.

After 7-Eleven we built capable people and asset protection teams at Jerrico and at Hardees Food Systems. Despite having extremely competent staff I took the lead on every injury or crisis. That was sixteen years of major crimes including homicides. Following the suicide of a colleague I invited Bruce Blythe of Crisis Management International in to help survivors cope with the aftermath. My personal epiphany was that I could remember the names of victims and family survivors for all of the tragedies in chronological order. I had not consciously made an effort to do that. The recall moved me to tears.

I was always empathetic. I felt blessed to be with teams capable of moving the numbers and making the environments measurably safer but I was too busy to make it my business to put a spotlight on the risks and remedies. The Manager’s Survival Guide helped me do that.

The organizational messaging was not just that crime prevention was the nice or even the right thing to do…it was also a strategic means for continuous incremental profitability. The approach works for giant multinationals and small businesses alike.

What is your new book about?

It is called ‘Not a Moment to Lose…Influencing Global Security One Community at a Time’. The Security Executive Council will bring it to print next month. It is an anecdotal approach to remind us that natural and man-made risk is mitigatable if not preventable. It is the humanist approach to influencing up, down and laterally within the organization as well as out and over traditional boundaries.

I attempt to remind the reader that resilient communities survive all hazards. Less resilient communities falter. Major international enterprises and government sectors are just know learning the critical dependencies of disparate communities that connect for supply chains inventory, intellectual assets, products, and service capacities. Boards and their directors are beginning to appreciate their liability for compliance and accountability for stakeholder prosperity.
My book makes the point that people, process, and technology are not coincidental to risk mitigation. I claim that people centric organizations are likely to have higher engagement for both process and technology to protect themselves and their respective communities. I attempt to make the persuasive case for benchmarking risk mitigation solutions, and measuring return on security investment for both physical and logical protection.

My years with Starbucks Coffee as director and then vice president of the global Partner and Asset Protection team informed my approach. I hope the blend of both personal and professional experiences encourages others to tell their stories, make their points, and influence others to be prepared for all hazards starting at home, in the community and throughout their organizations. At the end of the day we must be conversant with risk and mitigation and have the leadership courage to innovate, adopt, jettison, or improve solutions.

Endeavor to help others understand that brand reputation is only earned when the organization ethically attempts to protect the legitimate interests of all stakeholders including but not limited to alliances, associates, clients, communities, contractors, customers, investors, partners, and product or service providers.

About

Francis J. D’Addario, CFE CPP
Emeritus Faculty
Strategic Influence and Innovation
Security Executive Council

Francis D’Addario served as the vice president of Partner and Asset Protection for the Starbucks Coffee Company (1997-2009); Director of Loss Prevention for Hardees Food Systems (1990-1997), Director of Security for Jerrico Inc. (1981-1990), and as a Regions Manager for the Southland Corporation (1978-1981) where he endeavored to ‘protect people, secure assets, contribute margin’ for global markets. His teams are credited with benchmarked results for crime prevention, profit contribution, professional engagement, and violence avoidance. Francis has more than twenty five years in public safety and strategic security management. He is a Certified Protection Professional, Fraud Examiner, and Community Emergency Responder.

Francis is a senior advisor for the Security Executive Council. He served as a project team member for the development of ISO 28001 an International Standardization Organization (ISO) supply chain security guideline. He is the recipient of recognitions including the CSO (Chief Security Officer) Magazine 2007 Compass for protection innovation, the National Food Service Security Council’s Lifetime Achievement and the Spirit of Starbucks awards. His new book Not a Moment to Lose: Influencing Global Security One Community at a Time will be published by the Security Executive Council in 2009.

His publications include Loss Prevention through Crime Analysis (Butterworth’s 1989) and The Managers Violence Survival Guide (CPA 1995). He co-designed LossVisionä, a copyrighted loss reporting, investigations, analysis, and asset recovery software program; as well as Safe and Soundä, an interactive ‘workplace violence’ training curriculum marketed by Learning Dynamics. He co-chaired the business committee for ‘Three Projects/One Community’ a $29 million capital campaign to provide West Seattle with permanently affordable facilities for food, social services, low income housing, and the arts.

You can contact Francis at: fdaddari@secleader.com

“Over the past 20 years, the security industry has grown tremendously utilizing
innovative technologies that offer cost-effective, efficient solutions and
Imron Corporation continues to push this envelope.”

What do you do forImron Corporation?

I am the company founder, and I oversee all operations of the business. For the past 12
years we have established ourselves as a leader in providing innovative
security management solutions with a special focus towards Access Control. Our
award winning flagship product, IS2000 manages Physical and Logical Access Control,
with Video and Alarm systems, combining all security needs into one powerful
system. Our solutions have been deployed to thousands of locations worldwide,
from government facilities, airports, commercial high rise buildings,
hospitals, universities, and much more.

How did you originally get involved in the security market?

I began working as the Chief Engineer and part owner for a company called Westar
Systems, where I was the first to develop a 32-bit Windows Access Control
application for the Industrial Security Industry back in 1993. The product was
a huge success and as a result of that, Westar Systems was acquired by a larger
access control manufacturer.

Why access control?

Access control is such an essential part of physical security because it manages who,
where, and when someone can access a particular area or resource. Over the past
20 years, the security industry has grown tremendously utilizing innovative
technologies that offer cost-effective, efficient solutions than in the past.
Imron Corporation continues to push the envelope in growing the industry by
applying these newer technologies in ways that can not only save money, but
also provide a more safe and secure environment.

What do you see changing in the access control market over the coming
years?

The Access Control market is finally making its shift into the IT world with
enterprise systems that manage multiple facilities and traditional access
control hardware has made its way to support a more IP centric network
architecture.

What is the biggest challenge to the security market today?

Bridging the gap between the old traditional security models and the newer ways of
thinking that utilize newer technologies to manage security.

What is the latest Imron application?

Our flagship product, IS2000 has added many new features. It’s ability to manage
multiple access control hardware platforms from one easy to use software
interface allows it to be the ideal solution for new installations as well as
retrofits for existing access control sites. IS2000 supports more Access
Control hardware platforms than any other product on the market. In addition it
now supports thin clients accessible via any browser or mobile device. New IP
readers, such as the HID Edge readers allow for intelligence at the door, and
our new IS100 embedded web application provides a complete access control
solution without the need for a dedicated host PC.

How is the economy affecting your plans for future development?

We’ve  seen more requests for offering managed access solutions where our customers
centrally manage multiple end-user sites and provide their services on a
subscription basis providing web access for each of their customers.

Why would a company choose an all in one access control system
rather than selecting individual “specialty” products?

With an all in one access control system, the operator requires less training and can
perform tasks more efficiently than having to deal with multiple systems and
multiple VARs. In addition, the overall costs are significantly more for
separate systems than one cohesive system that seamlessly integrates them all
together.

Imron was custom/privately branded by other companies?

Yes, Imron Corporation originally started as a software only company developing solutions
for the largest access control manufacturers in the world. In 2003, Imron
Corporation expanded its business model to include complete systems. We still
offer our custom/privately branded solutions to other manufacturers.

Things are changing fast in the hardware market; do you see any
new products or companies that are defining the future of access control?

Yes, HID
is at the forefront in our industry with solutions that provide convergence of
physical and logical security and IP based readers that offer intelligence at
the door.

http://www.imron.com/

Lars Thinggaard is the President and CEO of Milestone Systems a leading global developer of open platform software for managing IP network-based video surveillance. An open platform solution started in 1998 with over 45,000 installations worldwide.

What do you do for Milestone?

As the CEO and President of Milestone Systems, I am involved in corporate planning, strategizing the organization’s development and steering growth processes, investor relations, and key high-level partner alliances.

How did you get involved in security?

I was initially on the Board of Milestone from 1999, just one year after the company was founded. Coming from the IT industry it was easy for me to see the tremendous potential for the security market to convert to IP technology.

How did Milestone get started?

The co-founders John Blem and Henrik Friborg came from a company that developed software for real-time transfer of mission-critical financial data and envisioned bringing the same expertise to analog-based surveillance customers. Milestone just celebrated its first decade in business in 2008 and it was a very successful one where we were able to establish a very strong foundation to build on in the years ahead. Milestone had an international business model from the start, and focused on strengthening our partner channel worldwide – today in almost 90 countries.

I noticed on your web site that milestone is “Fully distributed architecture” can you explain what this means and how it is related to the Milestone open platform?

Milestone software is developed with an open architecture that allows the system to be connected easily to devices and programs made by other manufacturers. Open architectures use off-the-shelf components and conform to approved standards in the IT industry. Conversely, a system based on closed architecture is one whose design is proprietary (single-vendor compatibility only), making it difficult to connect the system to other systems. This open platform is critical for allowing the most flexible and future-proof solutions for customers: they can fulfill their needs today with a combined best-of-breed system and know that their investment pay off in the future as well, by the ability to scale up in size and capability through integrations with other systems as new innovations come along. No one vendor can keep up with the pace alone. This is also why our partner alliances are so important.

Will Milestone be developing analytics or collaborating to include deeper analytics in your offering?

We already offer a license plate recognition solution, but more importantly, last year we launched the Milestone XProtect Analytics framework which allows multiple analytics products from different vendors to be combined, viewed and managed in one simple interface. Enabling users to easily integrate various intelligent video analytics – both at the edge and at the server – helps decrease false alerts, reduces operating costs, makes the system much easier to operate, and ultimately increases safety.
Can you elaborate on the types of analytic offerings?
We work with Milestone Solution Partners who develop all kinds of analytics: trip wire and perimeter detection, object detection (left or removed), motion direction and speed, face recognition and other biometrics, license/number plate recognition, people counting, and many more.

What is Milestone looking at doing next?

Only 20% of the market has converted so far from analog to IP so there’s still a huge potential to convert the remainder over the next 5-10 years. We want everyone to be able to take advantage of the freedom of choice for best-of-breed and future-proof solutions that our open platform provides. We will be opening more offices to support our partner channel and continuing to develop innovative solutions and integrated offerings for customers.

What are the most significant changes you have seen in the security market?

The demands from the market have been increasing over the years, especially from larger size installations like public transportation projects and city surveillance needs to combat evolving security issues. Technology advances in chips are lowering the costs of storage, and offerings such as analytics, megapixel cameras and H.264 compression are also helping to drive the IP transformation.

What do you believe security (or security video) will look like in the future?

There’s a lot of talk about standards now and this refers especially to the hardware side of the business. Milestone is involved in both the PSIA and ONVIF work where we will support their standards when they are ready. Today, we have a large and very busy device support programming team that ensures our XProtect software works with the widest choice of network hardware – over 500 models from 50+ manufacturers

As power is moved toward the edge devices or appliances, does Milestone have any plans to move in that direction?

Milestone open platform software allows the flexibility for partners and customers to work with video and analytics that derive from any source – edge, database or server – wherever the innovations may come. We also have agreements with important appliance partners like JVC who deliver our software integrated within their hybrid NVR offerings.

What advice would you give a student who was looking at entering into the security market?

There is super potential in such a growth market, career-wise, since it is above other industry forecasts. Even with the current financial conservatism, no one doubts that the move from analog to IP will continue. And software is the key to this revolution, not the hardware, which manufacturers are realizing

If you had to select a product (other than Milestone) from the perspective of a security decision maker, what would that product be? Why?

It would obviously depend on the needs of my organization, but in general I think the mobile video solutions are very cool like those made possible by our Milestone Solution Partners Lextech Labs with the iPhone and MobiDEOS with Blackberry interfaces to our XProtect video management. Especially for first responders who can benefit from real-time information when reacting to incidences: crucial information helps them do their jobs better and even reduces problems by helping them react more appropriately and faster – before things can escalate.

About:

Milestone Systems is a company in fast growth, and that growth has been organic in response to the rapidly growing market demands of the security industry.

The Milestone open platform solutions for IP video surveillance continue to be on the forefront of developments in the security industry, sold and implemented through an international channel of authorized partners. These efforts have garnered thousands of satisfied customers in a wide spectrum of businesses worldwide.
www.milestonesys.com