Kwikset Convert is Z-Wave connected and works with a variety of existing deadbolt brands including many of the most popular ones such as Kwikset, Weiser, Baldwin and Schlage. While we have reviewed several electronic smart locks in the past, the Kwikset Convert is the first conversion kit we have run across. Billed as letting you […]
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An Inside view of Chicagoland Village’s Video Venture
Background The Village of Schaumburg is a well-known northwestern suburb of Chicago and recognized by many in our industry as the former home of Motorola. With a population of just under 75,000 residents, Schaumburg was recently ranked as the best place to live in Illinois (2018) and the 9th best place to live in the […]
Exploring the Unintended Consequences of Business Acquisitions
Acquisitions and consolidation have always been part of the security industry food chain, but end users are more frequently becoming collateral damage. Much has been said about the need for end users to select businesses that make a profit, and for integrators to price a job to make sure there are reasonable returns for their […]
An Inside Look at Beta Testing the IQ Panel 2
Bench Test reviewer Bob Grossman shares what it was like to beta test the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 over 18 months. Back in December of 2014 we reviewed the Qolsys IQ Panel as one of our earlier bench tests. When we review a product, it is generally done over a fixed time period ranging from […]
Video Search Function Need Not Intimidate Your End Customers
A large municipal client learns that VMS search functionality allays concerns about having to locate a “needle in the haystack” in large amounts of video data. Many people contemplating adding security cameras or upgrading their CCTV systems are intimidated by video search. Case in point: we are working with a municipal client on a large enterprise video surveillance system […]
11 Common Types of Security Cameras
Bullet, dome, covert, outdoor, varifocal and night vision are just some of the common types of surveillance cameras. Here’s a quick reference list. Selecting a type of security camera is simple, right? If you want a camera that follows people as they move, you want a pan/tilt/zoom or PTZ camera. Otherwise you want a fixed […]
How to Keep Customers Happy When Overworked
An improving economy means more work for integrators, but do they have the time? As we start the year with high hopes and expectations, I wanted to bring up a topic that impacted many of us last year. Too much work and too few resources, including time and manpower, to complete that work. Sounds like […]
Why Security Matters for the Greater Good
When evaluating a video surveillance installation, careful attention to camera placement, image quality and timeliness of repairs could ultimately have very real and positive benefits to our communities. One thing I find interesting about reading a blog is that they live virtually forever. If you search for a topic, click on a link and start […]
Want to Increase Bid Response Success? Consider Outsourcing an Eye for Detail
Attention to basic writing skills such as grammar, spelling and punctuation may count more than your technical response in many cases. Hiring a proofreader can differentiate you from the competition. Back in 2010 I wrote about how attention to detail in a written proposal (“Spelling Counts”) can make or break a bid response in unexpected […]
How to Solve a Potential Audio Dilemma Involving Your Amazon Echo Dot
Having this problem? Check out this product review of the Rolls MX51S Mini Mix II. As we start to add more accessories to our connected home, our efforts to simplify our lives can actually complicate them. I recently ran into one such example and wanted to share my way of solving the problem. I’ve been adding […]
