Motorola - Experts & Thought Leaders

Hexagon AB has announced the appointment of the board of directors of its potential spin-off company, Octave Intelligence plc. The Octave Board brings together senior leaders with experience building and operating global technology platforms, scaling enterprise software businesses, strengthening operational resilience, and governing public companies across industrial and digital markets: Leaders and their roles Brett D. Watson, Chair of the Board of Directors is President of Koch Equity, LLC, overseeing several Koch-affiliated investment groups and their diverse global portfolios. Mr. Watson is also an officer of Koch, Inc., where he serves as Vice President, Equity Development with responsibility for corporate development and M&A activity across the firm. Mr. Watson brings extensive experience in capital allocation, business scaling, and board leadership.  He currently serves on the boards of Getty Images, Infor, MITER Brands, Molex, and Transaction Network Services. Mr. Watson previously served on the board of Hexagon AB from 2021 until 2024. Magnus Ahlqvist, Director has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Securitas AB since 2018, leading significant transformations across the company’s global service operations. Mr. Ahlqvist brings deep international operating experience from prior senior leadership roles at Motorola Mobility, Sony and Ericsson, as well as extensive expertise in global business management. He is also chairman at the International Security Ligue. David J. Hollister, Director is a seasoned financial executive with extensive experience in financial management, operations, and investment oversight. He previously served in senior leadership roles at Bentley Systems, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Advancement Officer and Chief Investment Officer, and currently serves on the board of iDEAL Semiconductor and the advisory board for InEight Software. Mr. Hollister is a Certified Public Accountant. Meerah Rajavel, Director is Chief Information Officer of Palo Alto Networks and a recognised leader in cybersecurity, information technology, and digital transformation. Ms. Rajavel brings extensive operating and governance experience from prior chief information officer roles and public company board service, including service on audit and compensation committees. Jill D. Smith, Director is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience leading and governing global technology and data-driven companies, including having previously served as Chair of the board of AspenTech. Ms. Smith is a former chief executive officer and currently serves on the boards of Securitas AB, Evolent Health, Check Point Software, and MDA Space. She was previously a board member of Hexagon AB from 2013 until 2017. Mattias Stenberg, Director is Chief Executive Officer of Octave and was previously President of Hexagon’s Asset Lifecycle Intelligence and Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial divisions. Mr. Stenberg held leadership roles in strategy, M&A, and corporate development at Hexagon AB and currently serves as a board member at Sinch AB. All of the above members of the Octave Board, other than Mr. Stenberg, are expected to be considered independent under the listing rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Nasdaq OMX Stockholm. Delivering long-term value "Octave is entering the market with a Board that reflects the scale, responsibility, and operational rigor required to support customers running mission critical assets," said Brett Watson, Chair of the Board, Octave. "This group brings real operating experience across industrial markets and software platforms, along with disciplined capital allocation and governance. We share the goal of building a resilient, independent company dedicated to delivering durable, long-term value creation.” "It is a privilege to work with a Board of this caliber," said Mattias Stenberg, Chief Executive Officer and director of Octave. "Their depth of experience raises the bar on how we operate and ultimately makes us better partners to the customers who depend on our platforms every day."  Suppoting Octave's strategy The Board will support Octave’s strategy to deliver solutions that give asset owners and operators the intelligence and insight to improve safety, uptime, sustainability, and long-term performance across energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, utilities, and public sector markets.  The separation, spin-off and listing remain subject to this ongoing process and final approval of the Hexagon board and shareholders, as well as being subject to other conditions, consents and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that a separation, spin-off or listing will occur.

A seamless building benefits everyone, users and facilities managers alike. With streamlined interactions which start at the front entrance and continue through the site, workflows become more efficient and every stakeholder enjoys greater peace of mind. Most organisations already recognise the importance of connecting access with security systems like alarms and CCTV, as well as HVAC and a growing range of business software packages. To connect systems even further, security managers need complete, convenient, digital control over as many openings as possible – not just doors – rather than run digital and mechanical access management in parallel.  The most effective and cost-efficient way to extend their reach and oversight is with digital locks integrated with their system. In this roundtable Q&A, Walter Sackl from ASSA ABLOY discusses with representatives from Nedap, Honeywell and Motorola some key issues around integration of the latest digital access technologies like Aperio wireless locks. Walter Sackl, Partnership Manager DAS at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA: How do you see the importance of wireless lock integration, both for you as an OEM and for your customers? Jeroen van Os, Commercial Integration Manager at Nedap: It is always important to see things from the customer perspective: what is the benefit for them? We have integrated Aperio in two ways, both Wireless Online and the OSS offline version. Nedap was one of the first adopters of the OSS standard several years ago because we believe in open standards. This gives customers the opportunity to have mixed use of both formats. The Aperio E100 Escutcheon is the most popular door device in ASSA ABLOY’s offering. Frédéric Haegeman, Director Access Control International at Motorola: Wireless locks are more and more enquired about by our system integrators and end-users. They give huge flexibility to the customer from a scalability and modularity point of view, meaning they can mix and match. Online integration provides real-time security. The ASSA ABLOY Aperio portfolio of locks in combination with our software allows the end-user to achieve that. Servaas Kamerling, Offering Lead at Honeywell Security and Access Solutions Europe: The security industry is so expansive that multiple systems are often required.  What’s most important for customers using many, diverse platforms is that wherever a notification comes from – an alarm, a tamper detector, or another device – each one arrives and can be managed by the security operator in the same manner. With this integration, they don’t have to learn ten different systems to help drive building efficiency with all systems working together. Q (WS): In which sectors is there especially strong demand for wireless lock integrations? FH, Motorola: Where we see high attraction is in education, commercial real estate, and local government. SK, Honeywell: We have seen wireless locks have the greatest success in applications like educational campus buildings, particularly student accommodation, and office spaces where interior doors can be seamlessly integrated into our LenelS2 access control platform. In hybrid access control systems, readers are often used at the perimeter or department entries, and locks are used deeper in the facilities for individual offices. Wireless installations are typically more cost effective when simply replacing mechanical locks with electronic locks. JvO, Nedap: Education and healthcare, especially in Belgium – plus aviation at Schiphol Airport. It’s very beneficial in these environments that customers do not have to run cables to so many rooms. It saves costs. With Wireless Online they can also open doors remotely. It’s one example of a great fit between Nedap and ASSA ABLOY products. Q (WS): Looking forward, how important do you see mobile access? SK, Honeywell: Customers are always looking for the most convenient solution and it is hard to argue against the convenience of a plastic access card so it is unlikely that these will disappear completely. However, plastic is not the most environmentally friendly option and can be forgotten or misplaced. People rarely forget their mobile phone. In the end, it is the customer’s choice. The adoption of mobile credentials will grow quickly, but I think there will be a range of options to choose from for a long time to come, which also includes biometrics. FH, Motorola: Mobile access comes with a conflict: what is the customer’s willingness to pay for it? People really want it, but this issue remains. It is an indisputable technology trend that cannot be ignored for the simple reason that younger generations see the mobile phone as an extension of their arm. They want to do everything on the handset. For them, the digital wallet is more important than a physical wallet. This technology needs to be part of the default offering, but that will take some time. However, even regions where adoption has so far lagged, will quickly catch up. JvO, Nedap: We really see a breakthrough, especially now ‘big tech’ like Apple and Google are focusing on mobile access. This pushes the market towards mobile. It is a major focus of the Nedap access portfolio with better integrations in the mobile space. Wallet badge is a big priority for us. Our solutions like AEOS are mostly used in complex companies, with many sites, many users, different types of user: critical infrastructure, the finance sector, and in Poland especially the fast-growing real estate sector. Q (WS): Coming in more detail to the integration of ASSA ABLOY’s AperioÒ wireless locking technology: this was developed by design to integrate natively into large OEM systems, rather than just as an ‘add-on’. How does Aperio integration compare to other products? Are there important differentiators? JvO, Nedap: We hear good feedback from our channels. They see the differences in the integration between Aperio and some other manufacturers when it is implemented in their projects. Documentation is very clear. Customers don’t want hassle when they are integrating. They want to get on with their project. Something to highlight is the broad range of Aperio devices, from escutcheons to handles, cylinders, and locks.  FH, Motorola: This is a leading technology for the smart building environment. Aperio offers the flexibility to integrate, plus security, quality and aesthetics. This wireless lock enables customers to implement real-time security; it allows them to scale up, going into the hundreds of doors rather than just tens. For me, Aperio is an extension of a total access solution, an edge device. The question is – from a strategic, long-term view – how smart can you make your edge device to give even more benefits to the building user? Q (WS): What are the most important challenges for security management in coming years? SK, Honeywell: Building managers want to ensure everyone who visits has the best experience possible. Safe, secure, efficient buildings should make it easy to book spaces and visit people. Accessing and using a building ought to provide a frictionless experience, open and welcoming but at the same time providing the security and safety that people expect. This balance is going to be more important than it was in the past. These are interesting times for our industry. FH, Motorola: Probably whoever has the right answer will win the million-dollar prize! The future lies where smart building infrastructure makes a seamless bridge to user experience – from a technology point of view, the user’s interaction with a building in terms of storing goods in a locker, parking a vehicle, inviting visitors, booking meetings, visiting the food court and so on. These kinds of interaction which today require multiple technologies or systems, all driven from the mobile, which is where the answer lies for a truly smart building. JvO, Nedap: Friction is the most important challenge for the user. We are all accustomed to the most intuitive interface, on our phone. So, if a user trying to open a door has to think about the fact that two platforms are interacting, they don’t accept that anymore. We need to focus on what those in the field actually experience, not just the technical side. This is an issue for the whole security market. We are very technically focused and can all lean more on user experience. We need frictionless access. In addition, cyber threats are getting more important. An integration must not be the point of failure; it must be cyber secure because it becomes part of our platform. SK, Honeywell: Cyber security is extremely important. You only need to glance at the news to realise how critical it is that we ensure protection of data, protection of networks, protection of a system’s integrity. Standards are really important, from the EU and beyond, including ISO 27000, NIS2 and CRA. It can take effort for customers to stay abreast of rapid developments in regulatory compliance and requirements. It is up to us as manufacturers to provide help and support where required. WS, ASSA ABLOY: In meeting the many security challenges of the future, we continue to champion the benefits of native integration. Native integration between digital devices and an access solution ensures security teams have more control, extend their reach, without adding to an already busy workload. It does this by fully integrating new locks with the single system database. Administrators update one interface, one database, once. There is no more running systems in parallel or duplicating tasks. This is one of the advantages of Aperio wireless locks. In addition, when an OEM integrates Aperio with their system, all future Aperio products are already integrated. These are just two reasons why Aperio continues to win so many industry awards, from Intersec, Detektor and this year being named BW’s Most Innovative Security Product of the Year. With ASSA ABLOY’s broad experience in digital access, and specifically its integration expertise, our OEM partners can help their customers digitalise with confidence.

Mayflex, the distributor of Converged IP Solutions, proudly announces that it has received two prestigious distributor awards at the Motorola Executive Partner Forum 2025, held in Madrid on Thursday, 10th April.  The awards were presented to Mayflex representatives Matt Brayshaw, Converged Technology Account Manager and Hani Roumieh, MEA Regional Director. Avigilon Alta range Mayflex was honoured with the Top Avigilon Unity Distributor EMEA award, recognising its outstanding performance in 2024.  Additionally, Sonepar, Mayflex’s parent company, received the Top Avigilon Alta Distributor EMEA award for their overall performance in 2024 for the combined efforts of Mayflex and CCF in France, for the promotion and sales of the Avigilon Alta range. Avigilon Unity and Alta product sets Mayflex kept the Top Avigilon Unity Distributor EMEA award, recognising its ideal version in 2024 Ross McLetchie, Mayflex Sales Director, expressed his delight, stating, “We are thrilled to win awards for the second consecutive year, this time for our overall performance for selling and supporting the Avigilon Unity and Alta product sets."   "Since 2010, we have been distributing Avigilon, and our teams of external and internal security specialists possess extensive knowledge and experience, ensuring our customers receive the highest level of support and advice.” Alta cloud solution Ross continued, “Over the last 12 months, we have witnessed a significant shift in sales for the cloud-based Avigilon Alta video (formerly AVA) and access products (formerly Openpath)."  "With the numerous benefits of the cloud solution, we anticipate this transition from the Unity on-premise to the Alta cloud solution to continue.” Inventory of Avigilon products Ross concluded, “We maintain a substantial inventory of Avigilon products, which are shipped out next day, free of charge, to our customers in the UK Mainland. However, our commitment goes beyond shipping products; it’s about adding value and supporting our customers."   "Through our Specialist Support Services, we can pre-configure Avigilon devices and cameras and even spray paint the cameras and brackets if required.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) had a major presence at the ISC West 2026 show in Las Vegas. Almost every booth offered some variation on AI and how intelligence is transforming the physical security industry. Several industry leaders led the way, showcasing how they are tackling complex security challenges with smarter, more efficient solutions. Obviously, the security industry will never be the same. Milestone Systems: Responsible AI and open platforms Milestone has declared 2026 the "year of delivery” on previously announced developments and enhancements. A standout feature is their new natural language AI search, which is being integrated across XProtect, Arcules, and Briefcam platforms to simplify how users interact with vast amounts of video data. A core pillar of their strategy is responsible AI development, which prioritises using licensed data over "scraped" data. They have introduced new anonymisation tools that protect privacy by replacing faces with AI-generated characteristics like hair color while keeping the person unrecognisable. Furthermore, Milestone is moving workloads to Linux to reduce costs, transitioning toward an app marketplace, and has partnered with NVIDIA for the "Hafnia" project to ensure high-quality data to train AI models. Ambarella: Powering the edge with AI chips With their presence at ISC West in a meeting room near the trade show floor, Ambarella is the "engine" behind many high-performance intelligent video products, specialising in low-power AI chips like the N1 and CV7 families. Their technology is moving beyond cameras, where they provide systems-on-chips [SOCs] to many manufacturers. They have expanded into "AI boxes" that can process 64+ video channels simultaneously. A standout feature is the Natural Language technology, which allows users to search for specific objects or abstract scenes using simple prompts. To address modern security concerns, Ambarella has implemented "agentic" programming for a no-code development of automated workflows and media signing to combat AI-generated deepfakes by verifying video integrity through metadata. Motorola Solutions: Simplifying intelligence Motorola Solutions shows physical security evolving into a real-time enterprise intelligence layer Motorola Solutions is prioritising user accessibility by integrating natural language processing into its system configuration. Motorola's portfolio demonstrates how physical security technology is evolving into a real-time operational intelligence layer across the enterprise. Instead of requiring custom coding, operators can now use simple commands—like asking the system to "show me when someone fell down"—to set up advanced analytics and search parameters. The company is also deploying AI agents designed to aggregate data and automatically flag safety or compliance risks, such as perimeter breaches or blocked fire exits.  To ensure maximum utility of the hardware, Motorola Solutions’ system can ingest massive, complex physical manuals and automatically generate monitoring rules based on those standard operating procedures. Furthermore, Motorola is focusing on interoperability, using industry-standard interfaces to ingest data from various hardware brands and networks. This approach aims to provide operators with clear, recommended next steps during critical events, streamlining the decision-making process in high-pressure environments. i-PRO: Putting generative AI at the edge i-PRO is bringing generative AI directly to the edge with a new fisheye camera i-PRO is bringing generative AI directly to the edge with a new fisheye camera, which processes complex analytics locally rather than relying solely on the cloud. These cameras, on display at ISC West, have moved beyond simple attribute-based tracking to identify complex behaviors like aggression, fighting, and slip-and-fall incidents.  By running on the latest Ambarella chips, i-PRO cameras can use generative AI to improve image quality and analyse scenes in real-time without external processing. This focus on edge-based intelligence ensures high-performance analytics are available even in environments where constant cloud connectivity might be a challenge. Brivo: The rise of agentic AI Brivo and Eagle Eye Networks have officially unified under the Brivo name, focusing on streamlining the experience for large integrators. They are pioneers in agentic AI, introducing features that allow users to talk to their mobile apps to initiate lockdowns or add users. Their Eagle Eye Video Assistant (EEVA) acts as a natural language AI agent that can monitor for specific threats, such as a brandished weapon or a specific vehicle, and automatically trigger access control responses. By treating access and video as a unified system, Brivo enables users to connect specific video skills—like detecting a red car or a brandished weapon—to automated access control actions. They are also using AI to achieve "zero-cost integration," linking disparate cloud systems using AI-generated instructions. Everon: Emphasis on video monitoring Everon is making a massive investment in active video monitoring, using AI-driven systems to deter crime even before it happens. “The market is ripe for it, and customers are demanding it,” says David Charney, Everon’s Sr. Vice President, Video Command Center. Employing virtual guards who can use voice commands, lights, and horns to "shoo away" unauthorised individuals. The company has implemented senior-level leadership that has facilitated more than 5,000 video-based apprehensions. Everon, specialising in integrated systems for multi-site businesses, uses a rigorous selection process to choose AI providers that can accurately filter alerts for specific applications, such as identifying when a fire door is blocked. As a "trusted advisor" to their 300,000 customers, the company focuses on delivering professional-level results that move beyond basic recording to proactive threat mitigation. Hanwha: New hybrid VMS combines cloud and on-prem Hanwha Vision highlighted the official public launch of Blaze, a hybrid video management system (VMS). The platform uses a hybrid architecture to manage on-premise and cloud-connected devices across multiple sites without complex port forwarding. Blaze features native AI capabilities, including semantic search that allows operators to find specific incidents using natural language queries, such as "person with a safety jacket." The AI security platform lets teams search surveillance footage the way they search Google. AI similarity detection allows operators to quickly trace a person’s movement and investigate incidents faster (useful in active shooter behavior, medical emergencies, or crowd panic scenarios, and more). The system also provides a "histogram" view of traffic patterns to help security professionals quickly identify anomalies in historical footage. OpenEye: Operational intelligence and shift to OpEx OpenEye unveiled AI-powered features such as visual chat and scene analysis OpenEye is redefining video surveillance by moving intelligence from the camera level to the cloud, significantly reducing the need for on-site server management. At ISC West, OpenEye introduced new AI-driven tools like visual chat and scene analysis. Beyond security, these tools provide valuable operational alerts, such as identifying overflowing dumpsters, dirty tables in restaurants, or vehicles blocking dock doors.  The system also utilises natural language for search, allowing users to find specific attributes like "people wearing backpacks" within designated timeframes. OpenEye also highlighted an industry-wide shift toward operational expenditures (OpEx) billing models, as users increasingly prefer predictable monthly or yearly payments over large upfront capital expenditures (CapEx). This model aligns with their channel-based operations, meeting customers where they currently operate without the burden of high fees. IQSIGHT: New name, same mission for Bosch video Formerly Bosch Video, the newly named IQSIGHT seeks to maintain the “Bosch pedigree” under the new name. It’s the same engineering, manufacturing, etc. IQSIGHT also pledges to be "easier to do business with" by improving user interfaces and end-to-end user experiences. Despite the transition, the company has increased their pace of innovation and reinforced the open systems philosophy with enhanced integrations with Milestone, Genetec, and others. The major product release at the show is IVA Pro Context, which uses generative AI to provide human-level scene understanding. Through a partnership with Laelaps AI, a robotics startup, IQSIGHT is exploring autonomous dispatch and response. When a camera identifies a scene, it triggers a robot to provide a tailored response. Commercialisation is expected in 12 to 18 months. Verkada: How their system can solve a crime But how does AI operate in the real world? Verkada had a “themed” exhibit demonstrating how their system could solve a hypothetical theft at the Louvre museum in Paris. The exhibit took attendees through and showed how Verkada technologies (e.g., license plate recognition and search capabilities) could provide fast results to solve the crime. AI-powered tools, like their newest unified timeline, demonstrate value in the real world of investigations.

ISC West 2025 in Las Vegas showcased the latest advancements in security technology, offering security professionals a glimpse into the future of the industry. This year's expo highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and enhanced integration. The pioneering comprehensive and converged security event attracted nearly 29,000 industry professionals to the Venetian Convention Centre.  Integration into unified platforms Several companies emphasised the importance of cloud-based solutions and the integration of diverse security components into unified platforms. For example, Brivo's Security Suite provides “everything in one platform” – not just access control. Customers only pay for what they use because the system is flexible and scalable from a single door to enterprise level applications. Brivo’s suite includes video, but the system can also tie in with third-party “partners.” Genetec's Security Centre allows for more frequent updates through the cloud. Milestone is undergoing a two-year transition to bring its Xprotect system into the future by incorporating Arcules and Briefcam into a video-as-a service product. Suprema introduced BioStar X, which integrates access control and video analytics into a single platform. AI and mobile credentials  Axis Communications’ Cloud Connect product announced three new partnerships at ISC West 2025 Axis Communications’ Cloud Connect product announced three new partnerships at ISC West – Eagle Eye Networks, SecuriThings, and Wesco. They join the three partners announced during the first year of Axis Cloud Connect – Genetec, Kone (elevators) and Milestone. AI and mobile credentials were still hot topics at ISC West 2025, but the conversation has evolved beyond amazement at the technologies’ capabilities and now centres on more practical aspects. From the theoretical to the practical “AI and mobility are still the ‘flavors de jour,’ but messages are evolving to manifest AI for better outcomes,” says Heather Torrey, General Manager, Commercial Security, Americas, for Honeywell Building Automation. The company has reframed its security portfolio to be very building- and business-focused, continuing to grow and evolve after the recent acquisition of LenelS2. “From the theoretical to the practical, we want customers to be part of the conversation so we can deliver AI that is meaningful to them, focusing on what’s most important,” says Torrey. Under Honeywell’s new ownership structure, “each part of the business can be more focused on customers’ needs,” she says. Honeywell continues its journey around mobile access and credentialing and migrating to cloud solutions. Innovations in Access Control Gallagher’s new Quickswitch access control board simplifies the migration from legacy systems Access control remains a critical component of security systems, and ISC West 2025 showcased several innovations in this area. Acre is releasing “Gallery,” its version of the App Store for access control. DormaKaba is launching the Keyscan KC Series door controller with TCP/IP connectivity and enhanced features. Gallagher’s new Quickswitch access control board simplifies the migration from legacy systems. Johnson Controls highlighted its C-Cure command centre and C-Cure IQ web client, offering a unified approach to access control and video. Hardware integrations for security panels For service provider Alarm.com, hardware products prepare a path to greater customer experiences, says Abe Kinney, Alarm.com’s Director, Product Management, who oversees hardware integrations for security panels, sensors, video, etc., and drives new product development. “We are looking to bridge the physical world to digital world,” he says. “We want to bring an advantage to our dealers that they can bring to customers.” Because Alarm.com’s customers pay a monthly fee, the products must be durable and economical, says Kinney. “It should work with no need for truck rolls.” The importance of longevity and flexibility Products are evaluated based on features, price, and ease of installation Products are evaluated based on features, price, and ease of installation. In particular, longevity is important for the Alarm.com’s pro channel. There is also a growing emphasis on deterrence industrywide. Says Kinney: “We recognise that detection is part of it, but we need to prevent problems from happening in the first place. And the industry is re-evaluating.” When it comes to cloud intelligence, Eagle Eye Networks puts the emphasis on flexibility. They offer AI that can perform anywhere on the system infrastructure, on the camera, on their on-site bridge device, or in the cloud. They support their own AI and also any AI product from a third party. “We focus on what customers want from the data AI detects,” says Hans Kahler, Eagle Eye Networks’ Chief Operating Officer. Integration with other systems A timely alert from gun detection could save a life, but AI can also generate information that might be used and analysed later, such as point-of-sale information, dwell time, foot traffic, etc. “What people want is the ability to work with the data for business intelligence,” says Kahler. Integration with other systems provides new opportunities for customers: For example, a licence plate reader at a restaurant drive-thru could trigger customisation of the menu board digital signage based on the customer’s previous buying pattern. Relentless Innovation Assa Abloy handles more than 40 million SKUs for all its various brands, faked in 28 factories in the US Assa Abloy handles more than 40 million stock keeping units (SKUs) for all its various brands manufactured in 28 factories in the United States. Merely complying with regulations such as the “Buy American Act” is a monumental effort considering the massive product line, attendees heard at Assa Abloy’s Annual ISC West Breakfast focusing on compliance challenges in the security market. Meanwhile, back at the trade show booth, Assa Abloy focused on “relentless innovation” in every corner of its product line. Assa Abloy’s message: Innovation in security does not have to be about AI or automation. In fact, inventive approaches to products come in all shapes and sizes and at every level of the product portfolio, and innovation is happening faster than ever. For example, the Safebolt product from Securitech, a brand recently acquired by Assa Abloy, can quickly lock down existing doors with the press of a red button on a cylindrical or mortise lock. Temporary Systems to Secure Events Securing events is the focus of Allied Universal's Unified Command Solutions, which specialises in setting up temporary security systems for conventions, trade shows, festivals, construction sites, parades, and other events. They can add technology to situations where previously mostly security officers were used, providing safety/security and enabling more efficient event operation.  “We can put cameras anywhere, whether they need power or not, use cell service or WiFi, a localised network or the internet, or whatever,” says Andrew LaMadrid, VP, Sales for Allied Universal's Unified Command Solutions. Event operation and management IDIS came to ISC West looking to leverage new products that they did not promote in the past The focus is on easy implementation, flexibility, and fast setup and removal. “We look for a solution to solve each customer’s pain points,” says LaMadrid. They specialise in setting up and deploying surveillance cameras for safety/security and for event operation and management. Mobile surveillance is a relatively new “piece of our puzzle” when it comes to protecting high-profile events. “People are excited about what we can offer that’s new,” says LaMadrid. Unified Command Solutions has been around for about 12 years and was acquired by Allied Universal last summer. IDIS came to ISC West looking to leverage new products that they did not promote in the past, and visitors were very interested in those solutions, says Scott Switzer, IDIS CEO. “The progression of our product line has been tremendous,” he says. Last year, the IDIS booth offered only basic analytics, but this year they had 30 different advanced analytics including gun and aggression detection using the advanced solution “IDIS Vaidio AI.”  What Makes You Different? The most common question IDIS hears at their trade show booth is: “What makes you different?” The answer: They offer an end-to-end solution, including cameras; they manage, control, design from end-to-end; and there is no need for multiple integrations. The time needed to install an IDIS system is significantly less because of the simplicity. “We have customers we have supported and grown together for over 20 years,” says Switzer. The company previously deployed IDIS cameras under the Costar brand before the Korean IDIS brand was introduced into the U.S. (IDIS purchased Costar and changed the name to IDIS America.) “This has been a tremendous show for us; we are looking to build our momentum and let more people know about IDIS,” says Switzer. Managing real AI at the edge The depth of their metadata enables new applications, whether for security or business operations Based in Prague, Czech Republic, and with U.S. offices in Pennsylvania, FF Group provides licence plate recognition for harsh environments. Using Axis cameras, they offer “managed real AI at the edge,” selling through a nationwide distributed network, says Alex Osypov, CEO and Founder of FF Group. Markets include parking lots, cities/municipalities, police, government, water systems, etc. The depth of their metadata enables new applications, whether for security or business operations. They are looking to combine and correlate data including LIDAR, RADAR, etc. to exploit the advantages of “data fusion.” Osypov says: “The market is growing because we are involving other adjacent markets.” Unified platforms and advanced tools Several companies are focusing on enhancing security operations centres (SOCs) by providing unified platforms and advanced tools. Axon’s Fusus system “layers” onto existing infrastructure, tying together various sensors into a single interface for real-time monitoring and information sharing. Increasingly, enterprises have invested in a lot of technologies – ac, video, asset trackers – but none of it talks together. Fusus ties all the systems together so that operators no longer have to look at 10 different screens. Rather, there is a “single pane of glass” that shows everything and facilitates sharing of information with law enforcement.  Motorola also showcased its Security Operations Centre, which integrates hardware, software, smart sensors, communication radios, and broadband devices to streamline incident management.

The security trade show season is resuming this fall with the GSX show in the United States and Security Essen in Germany, among other upcoming industry events. The return of trade shows is gathering momentum following the COVID lockdowns and cancellations with plenty more shows coming soon. But how useful is attending industry trade shows? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What do you accomplish by attending a security industry show?