Richard Pugnier

Offering enhanced security and personalised access control, Nortek Control has launched its new Linear BT135-W Access Control Reader and Linear BT125-W Access Control Reader. The new readers integrate Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies, providing users intelligent, contactless and secure access control in a slim design, which fits seamlessly into any office or building environment. Furthermore, the new Linear readers provide dealers and end-users several options to customise access control in a secured way. Linear BT135-W and BT125-W Access Control Readers Users are able to pair the Linear BT135-W Reader with the new Linear 13.56 MHz smart cards Users are able to pair the Linear BT135-W Reader with the new Linear 13.56 Megahertz (MHz) smart cards and key fobs for premium security. With 13.56 MHz information extremely difficult to clone, these new readers provide a strong security solution for additional user peace of mind. Plus, the Linear BT125-W Access Control Reader offers backward compatibility with current Linear 125 kilohertz (kHz) Prox cards and key fobs. By combining these solutions with the new Linear Access Control Mobile App, users get the added convenience of touchless entry, and the flexibility to have both physical and mobile credentials. Enhanced security wit Linear Access Control Mobile App Security is further heightened with the mobile app, which securely stores and delivers mobile credentials to personal devices. Along with providing the ability to customise options to specific end user needs, the app can also store multiple credentials with a colour-coded labelling system to distinguish between the credentials. “We’ve up-levelled the security in our new readers, leveraging all the capabilities of BLE technology. Users get secure access to mobile credentials, and their phone’s built-in biometric sensors increase security and expand credentials protection by utilising a user’s integrated personal biometric data on their mobile devices, such as fingerprint scanners or face unlock,” said Mark Prowten, Director of Product Management for Nortek Control’s Linear brand. Easy installation and deployment Mark Prowten adds, “We also designed our new readers with dealers and integrators in mind. They will appreciate how simple we’ve made installation and deployment for them. There is no portal login or on-boarding process necessary, allowing them to ensure a user’s information stays secure and private. In addition, the app only requires a one-time registration of a user’s cell phone number.” All Linear Bluetooth access control readers include a digital BLE range-setting card For the dealer, having the flexibility to determine read range at different levels uniquely solves perimeter access needs. All Linear Bluetooth access control readers include a digital BLE range-setting card. This card gives installers the ability to toggle the reader’s Bluetooth read-range between five different modes: Tap-and-Go, Short (up to 2 inches), Medium (up to 10 inches), Long (up to 15 feet), and Max (up to 30 feet). Contactless smart card technologies “These new Linear readers combine the latest, advanced BLE and contactless smart card technologies that allow our access control manufacturer and integrator customers to offer a total solution, one that supports mobile and physical credentials,” said Richard Pugnier, Vice President of Marketing at Nortek Control. Richard Pugnier adds, “As part of our total solution with expanded feature options, the latest Linear access control readers offer an easy upgrade path for existing customers, while also making them very attractive for new site installs that can lead to additional revenue opportunities for our dealers.” Available now, the new Linear BT135-W and BT125-W Access Control Readers, along with the new mobile and physical credentials, are the most recent introduction in the successful and growing Linear reader series. The new Linear mobile app is live on both the iTunes App Store, and Google Play Store.

Significant upgrades to the e3 Series firmware were announced in the Linear Essential, Essential Plus, Elite and ProControl commercial access control systems. The new firmware updates employ the latest code technology to provide improved security and web services protection against the rise in cyber threats for businesses of all sizes. Giving end-customers and users the features most in demand, the upgrades to the Linear e3 Series also include improved encryption, smart reporting and card types access control functionality. Access control security “Commercial businesses of all sizes are acutely aware of need for increased access control security due to the growing sophistication of electronic intrusion capabilities,” said Richard Pugnier, Vice President of Marketing at NSC. “The new e3 Series firmware updates and feature enhancements allow our dealers to offer heightened security confidence to deter intruders while keeping employees and facilities safe using the latest technological advancements.” “After listening to our dealer partners, this firmware upgrade is the first of several planned that will help address ongoing commercial security and access control needs for organisations large and small,” said Mark Prowten, Director of Product Management for NSC’s Linear brand. Commercial access control systems The Linear e3 Series firmware upgrades we’ve engineered open new customer opportunities for our dealers" “With tens of thousands of systems installed, customers depend upon the proven managed access and convenience of our systems, and we remain committed to constantly improving our security technologies to guard against the growing list of internal as well as external threats. Plus, the Linear e3 Series firmware upgrades we’ve engineered open new customer opportunities for our dealers to offer market-leading capabilities along with added security peace-of-mind.” The scalable design of Linear e3 Series is specifically engineered to minimise future costs and help lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) as organisational needs evolve and more functionality is needed. Based on a single hardware design, a single software code base and sophisticated integrated features, the Linear e3 Series can easily scale up to 128 doors. All Linear Essential, Essential Plus, Elite and ProControl commercial access control systems include the upgraded e3 Series firmware. Licence expansion capability Each is out-of-the-box ready to install, designed to match customer-specific needs and are readily upgradeable with a licence key. The top-of-the-line Linear Elite is a feature-rich system designed for four to 128 multi-door, multi-site facilities. The advanced capabilities of the Linear Elite system can accommodate more users, doors, readers, online transactions and overall capacity. The Linear Essential and Essential Plus access control systems give smaller and mid-size businesses access control that can grow with them. These systems provide entry-level value for one to four doors with immediate licence expansion capability to Elite system with no additional hardware needed.

Nortek Security & Control LLC, globally renowned wireless security, home automation, access control, and health and wellness technology solutions firm, announced the appointment of Richard Pugnier as the new Vice President of Marketing, reporting directly to Senior Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing, Bruce Mungiguerra. Intelligent home solutions “We are excited to have a marketing leader with Richard’s strengths lead our marketing strategy and initiatives, as we bring forward the solutions that deliver on the promise of smart security and the intelligent home,” Mungiguerra said. “Richard brings to NSC more than 20 years of technology marketing success that will immediately benefit all of our marketing efforts and the customers we serve.” Pugnier will be based in the company’s Carlsbad, CA headquarters and will be responsible for Nortek Security & Control marketing across all channels. Embedded and IoT solutions expert Our portfolio provides an incredible opportunity to create business opportunities for our channel partners" Pugnier’s experience is broad, deep and includes senior marketing leadership roles in technology and life sciences. Previously, he has served as Vice President and Head of Global Marketing at Kontron, a globally renowned embedded and IoT solutions provider, where he helped drive company revenues from US$ 150 million to nearly US$ 1billion. He headed a global team of marketing professionals in the EMEA, North America, and Asia-Pacific regions with responsibility for Branding, Product Marketing and Marketing Operations. He oversaw the launch of 50 products annually, spearheaded the marketing integration of four acquisitions and led the organisation’s global rebranding. Connected security and access control “I am excited to join the NSC team at this moment when we are innovating in so many important product categories,” Pugnier said. “Our portfolio of connected security, access control, automation, A/V, and health and wellness solutions provides an incredible opportunity to create business opportunities for our channel partners and deliver peace of mind, comfort, convenience, and entertainment to customers around the world.”