Connected Technologies - Experts & Thought Leaders

Connected Technologies is now partnering with two new manufacturer’s representatives: SRREP, Mount Vernon, Ohio, and REPWORKS, South Hadley, Mass., expanding the sales territory for the Connect ONE® unified cloud integration platform. Both companies have extensive experience in physical security, low-voltage, and audiovisual, bringing a fresh sales approach to Connected Technologies. SRREP, a company in business more than 30 years, will target Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Repworks, with nearly four decades in the industry, will cover Upstate New York and the New England states. Cloud integration platform “These partnerships will expand awareness of Connect ONE and help more dealers and integrators access the platform and its expanding portfolio of integrated technologies,” said Dan Simon, Technical Director of Connected Technologies. Dave Scheer, President of SRREP, said the company is excited to assist Connected Technologies in expanding its cloud integration platform in the Great Lakes region. SR has developed and nurtured long-lasting relationships with dealers, integrators, and A&E firms during its long tenure in the security market, Scheer said. Portfolio of integrated technologies “We know which of our security integrators use the manufacturing partners integrated with Connected Technologies. We will focus on these dealers to give them a powerful solution for managing those various security manufacturers from one platform. I know many of them will see the value and simplification Connect ONE can bring to their end users' experience. We look forward to the partnership's growth,” he said. Repworks brings a deep understanding of how to successfully introduce and grow new technologies within the channel, according to Bryndis Curtin, CPMR and President. Recurring revenue opportunities “For a growing company like Connected Technologies, that means boots-on-the-ground engagement with integrators, consultants, and distribution—along with the hands-on support needed to move projects forward and close business. As the market continues to shift toward cloud-based and managed solutions, we’re helping our partners position platforms like Connect ONE to meet evolving customer expectations for scalability, remote management, and recurring revenue opportunities,” Curtin said. Connect ONE integrates with existing infrastructure to enhance capabilities without costly replacements, unifying access, video, intrusion, fire, and environmental systems into a single platform that improves visibility and streamlines operations.

Connected Technologies announces a powerful update to the Connect ONE® platform that elevates the intelligence of video surveillance and strengthens integration with onsite security systems through expanded NVR integration. Video analytics is a game-changer for surveillance, turning cameras into proactive detection of critical events without constant human monitoring or reviewing generic motion triggers. Connect ONE’s Camera Motion & Analytical Event Capture leverages video analytics to automatically detect and capture camera alerts, simplifying the monitoring of single and multiple customer locations. Access control activity Real-time analytics are streamed into Connect ONE where they are logged, generate notifications, and can be viewed in context alongside related intrusion and access control activity. Video-detected events interact with other connected systems, turning on outputs, locking doors, and triggering mass notification for audio alerts and digital signage announcements. Live camera streams remain open while users review activity, control access doors or automation tasks, change user codes, or perform other functions. Quicker location identification Connect ONE’s Camera Motion & Analytical Event Capture features these capabilities: Video verification links alarms, access control, or other detected events to associated cameras, sending alarm/access events to the NVR for bookmarking, camera preset control, etc. Video-triggered events are viewed onscreen and alerts sent to users via email or SMS text. Connect ONE Event Rules can be activated in response to the NVR triggers, such as report logging, notifications to users, system control (arming, disarming, output control, lockdown, etc.). Event rules can also be configured to capture snapshots from cameras for archives and recordkeeping. Users can create Virtual Zones to represent cameras for logging Motion & Analytical Activity, such as vehicle or person detection. Detection zones may also be mapped on GeoView satellite imagery for quicker location identification. Embedded NVR health monitoring and status updates strengthen system monitoring and ensure uptime. Cloud management platform “Connect ONE recognises the importance of analytics and video verification for a safer, holistic security solution,” said Dan Simon, Technical Director, Connected Technologies. “Our goal is to continue to develop and release enhancements that help our partners and users make the most of the latest technology and simplify the management and control of all installed solutions.” Connect ONE is the unified, cloud management platform that puts system information and intelligence in one place for easy access, management, and control.

In an emergency, first responders, School Resource Officers (SROs) and responsible parties need to gain access to campus buildings to assess alerts and potential threats. With Connect ONE®’s new Emergency Response Platform (ERP), included with any service level at no additional charge, first responders and SROs can view cameras, unlock doors and outputs, activate task functions, initiate lockdown and see recent activity. Connect ONE ERP Connect ONE ERP unifies multiple school systems into one interface without separate site log-ins The Connect ONE ERP unifies multiple school systems into one interface without separate site log-ins. Integrators can offer 911 and dispatch centres viewing and access control of schools to assist responders during critical threats. The cloud platform ERP provides a separate agency login with specific designated permissions for first responders, who can only see customer site locations shared by the security dealer. Emergency Response Platform “The Emergency Response Platform allows Connect ONE dealers to partner with local law enforcement by providing the tools they need to diffuse an emergency quickly and effectively with powerful information to view and control facility security,” said Dan Simon, Technical Director, Connected Technologies.  He adds, “It’s a great solution to heighten safety and create safer experiences for the public, while ensuring you keep a customer long-term with a valuable service.” ERP: Use-case in action Nightwatch Security & Telephone LLC has executed the ERP at several of the area’s school districts Nightwatch Security & Telephone LLC, Sedalia, Mo., has implemented the ERP at several of the area’s largest school districts serving more than 5,000 students. Nightwatch Owner, Jeff Kesterson said it’s simple to update proximity key fobs and input agency officer’s access codes to stay current with staffing changes or modifications to permissions. “First responders and SROs maintain access to schools with proximity access control key fobs, but staying current with staffing changes was unwieldy before the ERP,” said Jeff Kesterson. Key fob credentials The Sedalia Police Department, which has access to schools in the city, said the ERP is a huge timesaver for administering key fob credentials. “Ease of administering credentials was important and adding or removing personnel from the system was clunky before the ERP. Instead of logging into all the school systems separately, we can look at everything in one place,” said Commander Joshua Howell, Operation’s Support Bureau, Sedalia Police Department. Connect One’s GeoView System Mapping Viewing and controlling options are also available via Connect One’s GeoView System Mapping Viewing and controlling options are also available via Connect One’s GeoView System Mapping – a real-time Google mapping feature, which adds the capability of seeing floor plans of the building along with point and click control of doors and cameras. Dispatch can easily respond to officers on-site and unlock doors for quick entry by clicking on GeoView’s map and door icon. Other features of the ERP A single application screen to add or remove agency personnel system codes/access credentials from shared customer systems. System codes are included in profile templates, so permissions come pre-defined for simple additions by the agency. Permissions may only be modified by the dealer to prevent misconfiguration; customers will maintain the ability to view the permissions without making changes. Activity by agency personnel is reviewable by the customer in reporting and notifications. Integrates with leading intrusion, access control, video, fire, temperature, humidity, MNS, environmental and weather systems. Connect ONE and the ERP is the unified, cloud management platform for schools that’s making a difference with easier access while increasing situational awareness.

Every security system is unique, of course. Specific to each installation are the problems the customer and the integrator may experience along their journey. However, given the installation of hundreds of physical security systems, there are commonalities that occur. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the major pain points when installing a physical security system?

With 2023 well underway, it’s a good time to look back on what we learned in the tumultuous previous year. In the security marketplace, there was no shortage of technology developments and a few challenges that kept 2022 interesting, to say the least. But what can we learn from the past? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What changes had the biggest impact on the security marketplace in 2022?

Cost is a reality to be managed. No matter how powerful or desirable a technology may be to a customer, the sale often comes down to the basic question: Can I afford it? And affordability extends not just to the purchase price, but to the cost of technology over its lifespan. In addition to advances in technology capabilities, the security industry has also achieved inroads to make its offerings more worth the cost. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the physical security industry doing to make more affordable and cost-effective technology solutions for end users?