Dana Pruiett

Securing large campus environments can be particularly demanding and requires a range of technology solutions. In effect, a campus may represent a dozen or more individual facilities to be secured, in addition to protecting the overall environment. Seeking more insight into the number and variety of needs of securing a campus, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of protecting large campus environments?

The concept of how security systems can contribute to the broader business goals of a company is not new. It seems we have been talking about benefits of security systems beyond “just” security for more than a decade. Given the expanding role of technologies in the market, including video and access control, at what point is the term “security” too restrictive to accurately describe what our industry does? We asked the Expert Panel Roundtable for their responses to this premise: Is the description “security technology” too narrow given the broader application possibilities of today’s systems? Why?

The residential/smart home market is undergoing revolutionary transformation, with a flood of new products and technologies helping to make our homes more connected, easier to manage and, yes, smarter. These massive steps forward provide challenges, and also opportunities, for the security industry, which has played a major role in protecting homes and residents for decades. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are changes in the residential/smart home market impacting security?

Securing large campus environments can be particularly demanding and requires a range of technology solutions. In effect, a campus may represent a dozen or more individual facilities to be secured, in addition to protecting the overall environment. Seeking more insight into the number and variety of needs of securing a campus, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of protecting large campus environments?

Aiphone, the international manufacturer of intercom and security communication products, released ‘Best Practices for Keeping Students Safe: A Guide to Campus Security’, an eBook providing public and private K-12, college and university campus administrators with proven best practices for protecting an entire campus population. The free 31-page eBook looks at current technologies, policies and procedures required to handle a variety of security challenges. It includes interactive checklists to prepare for new security projects and for choosing a security integrator. There are quick safety tips, as well as a list of resources for finding additional security information. Determining the total cost of ownership Sections look at everyday occurrences such as theft and vandalism, along with every administrator’s nightmare – an active shooter. There’s information about determining the total cost of ownership of new projects; the need to properly maintain equipment; ways a security investment can be shared with other campus departments; and the use of environmental design to heighten security. Dana Pruiett, marketing manager, Aiphone, said the education sector has long been an important market for the company. Through the years, Aiphone has worked closely with administrators, law enforcement, integrators and others involved in campus security. Collated expert insights “We gathered insights from internal and external experts with decades of combined campus security experience to provide up-to-date, practical information that administrators can use before, during and after their next major security project,” she said. “Our convenient, interactive resource can be used to help keep students, staff and assets safe by addressing the overall security puzzle. We’re proud to supply an important piece of the solution.”

Aiphone, the international manufacturer of intercom and security communication products, introduces an updated JO series video intercom which enables homeowners and small businesses to control front-door access onsite or from virtually anywhere using a cloud-based mobile app. The new entry-level unit also has built-in options for recording visitors. The updated JO Series provides door access using the best of both worlds – a hard-wired, in-home master station with 7-inch screen for instant contact with visitors or wireless control inside or outside a home or business via the mobile app. Video answering machine Regardless of internet availability or speed, our on-site monitor ensures calls from the door can be answered" “Regardless of internet availability or speed, our on-site monitor ensures calls from the door can be answered”, said Dana Pruiett, marketing manager, Aiphone. “Whether it’s a package delivery, a child’s play date or an unexpected visitor, users will always be able to see, talk and then decide whether or not to unlock.” The Aiphone monitor acts like a video answering machine with built-in memory to store up to 10 audio and video recordings. If more memory is needed, there is space to add up to a 32GB Micro SD card. The only added cost is that of the SD card; there are no other storage or access fees. Accidently unlocking Up to eight smart devices can be connected to a single JO Series system. The app gives active, on-the-go users the ability to see and talk with visitors and unlock their door from both Apple or Android devices. The app also features a smart new way to unlock doors – a sliding button The app also features a smart new way to unlock doors – a sliding button. This requires a purposeful motion intended to prevent users from accidently unlocking their door. This added layer of security is perfect when opening the door for a cleaning service, dog walker or family members/employees who have forgotten their keys. Professional quality “The JO Series system is ideal for busy families wanting to control entry into their home or for roaming business staff and guards needing to remain connected to answer visitor calls and unlock doors,” said Pruiett. “And these simple-to-use stations have the same professional quality and reliability customers expect from the Aiphone brand.” The affordable JO Series is available at a one-time cost without long-term contracts or fees. Both the video door station and inside monitor have a clean, modern design providing an attractive solution to match home or office decor. For those needing a basic solution, Aiphone’s JO Series also offers a monitor without app connectivity.

Aiphone, the international manufacturer of intercom and security communication products, announces the next generation of video intercoms has arrived with the IX Series 2 Peer-to-Peer Video Intercoms. The new intercoms offer Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) compatibility, enhanced CCTV control, line supervision, backwards compatibility with the original IX Series and many more features and benefits to help create safer buildings with increased system flexibility. End users can create more efficient security operation centers (SOCs) using the IX Series 2 system as a single command point to control a variety of security layers. SIP compatibility The IX Series 2 can page across multiple stations with general or emergency announcements and scan through video intercoms and CCTV cameras to monitor locations. There’s no break in security with the IX Series 2. New door, master and emergency stations can tie-in to a SIP IP PBX server to forward calls to an external phone number, such as an off-site call centre. SIP compatibility allows the IX Series 2 master station to be used as a telephone, replacing VoIP phones and helping to clear desktop clutter.  The IX Series 2 intercom system can more quickly and accurately assess situations with a new picture-in-picture feature The IX Series 2 intercom system can more quickly and accurately assess situations with a new picture-in-picture feature. Master stations can view images from an associated ONVIFÒ Profile S CCTV camera and close-up images from the 1.2-megapixel IX Series 2 camera. Emergency situations With the optional CCTV camera arm on Aiphone emergency towers, users can quickly toggle between the CCTV camera image and the intercom’s eye-level video feed to better assess emergency situations. And there’s confidence the system is functioning as intended with line supervision and device check allowing for scheduled or manual health checks of all stations and their individual components. A clear visual alert indicates when a station is offline so staff can respond to the situation quickly.  “The new IX Series 2 is designed for almost any budget yet packed with features our customers have told us they want and need,” said Dana Pruiett, Aiphone’s marketing manager. “The performance and flexibility of the IX Series 2 makes it ideal for virtually any video intercom installation.”  Individual communications needs Other benefits of the IX Series 2 include: Zero annual licensing fees for intercom features. Users save money while avoiding repetitive, sometimes forgotten costs. No added server costs. As a peer-to-peer solution each IX Series 2 station acts as its own system — a PoE network drop is all that’s needed. That also means there’s less equipment to maintain and if one station goes down, the others are unaffected. Future-proofing an organisation’s security investment. The Aiphone IX Series 2 stations are compatible with existing IX Series systems and will be compatible with future IX Series generations. Scalability. The IX Series 2 can start with a single door and master station then expand as needs change or a business grows. This flexibility ensures the system will continue to meet individual communications needs. Along with the arrival of the IX Series 2, Aiphone has become a Cisco Certified Partner, further showcasing its expertise in specific network architectures and solution areas.

Kimberly Kapustein has joined Aiphone, the international manufacturer of intercom and entry security products, as the company’s meeting event and trade show planner. She will be responsible for strategic event planning including the management and coordination of all trade shows and meetings. She will also handle promotional products for Aiphone events. Kapustein comes to Aiphone from SanMar, a supplier of imprintable apparel and accessories, where she was responsible for planning company and customer events and managing an extensive trade show schedule. She has held several marketing and event planning positions for companies including Arylessence Inc. and Newell Rubbermaid. Elevating trade show and promotional campaigns Kapustein’s strong background in strategic event planning and trade show management fits well with Aiphone’s current direction, according to Dana Pruiett, marketing manager for Aiphone Corp. “We are taking a strategic approach to our overall marketing plan with a new look for the company, including a new website,” she said. “Kimberly’s background and expertise will help us likewise elevate our trade show, events and promotional programs as we move forward.” Kapustein attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in communications and media from Drexel University.

Pruiett is a specialist in providing marketing and communications expertise to high-tech companies Aiphone Corp., a manufacturer of intercom and entry security products, announced Dana Pruiett has joined the company as the new Marketing Manager. She will be responsible for managing the marketing team and overseeing corporate communications, including the development of brand guidelines and strategies for marketing key products. Marketing and communications expertise Pruiett joins Aiphone with more than 15 years of experience providing marketing and communications expertise to high-tech companies including Fluke, a provider of networking solutions, electronic test tools, and biomedical equipment; Vertafore, a designer of software to the insurance industry; and Bodypoint, a medical equipment manufacturer. Bruce Czerwinski, Aiphone’s U.S. General Sales Manager, said Pruiett’s high-tech background, broad marketing experience, and strategic approach to communications gave Aiphone confidence in her ability to meet the needs of an expanding company. Providing unparalleled customer service “These are exciting times at Aiphone as we continue to achieve record growth in existing and new markets through the expansion and enhancement of the industry’s broadest intercom portfolio and customer service teams,” he said. “We look to Dana and her marketing team to continue providing targeted messaging to our channel distributors, integrators, and end users, while growing the team to meet the new challenges of our expanding market opportunities.” Pruiett said she looks forward to working with such a well-established brand and leader within the industry. “The key to Aiphone’s success has been its unique ability to partner award-winning products that customers can depend on with unparalleled customer service and support,” she said. “I’m fortunate to be leading a highly talented marketing team eager to embrace new processes, systems, and approaches to help propel the company to the next level.”