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Consensus Report
Assessment of Intraseasonal to Interannual Climate Prediction and Predictability (2010)Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate
Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review; while the reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed by the Academy. Learn more on our expert consensus reports.
Accurate forecasts of climate conditions over time periods of weeks to a few years—called intraseasonal to interannual timescales—can help people plan agricultural activities, mitigate drought, and manage energy resources. However, current forecast systems have limited ability on these timescales because models for such climate forecasts must take into account complex interactions among the ocean, atmosphere, and land surface, as well as processes that can be difficult to represent realistically. To improve the quality of intraseasonal to interannual forecasts, this report recommends the continued development of tools used in forecasting, and sets specific research goals for improving understanding of sources of predictability. In addition, the report also suggests best practices to improve methods of making and disseminating forecasts to make the information more accessible to decision-makers and researchers.
Key Messages
- Broadening the metrics used to assess forecast quality would provide more information. No perfect metric exists to convey all the information about a forecast; therefore multiple metrics should be used.
- Errors in the representation of physical processes in dynamical models should be investigated and corrected.
- Establishing public archives of forecasts, comparisons of past forecasts to actual climate conditions, the measurements used to produce forecasts, and the details of forecasting models could enhance transparency. Archives of the inputs, outputs, and tools used in forecasts could help quantify and identify sources of forecast error, assist users as they interpret forecasts to their own needs, and document how forecasts are made using a variety of climate prediction tools.
- Exploration of multi-model ensembles, tools that combine predictions from different climate models when making a forecast, should be continued. The development of standards and metrics could help to determine the optimal selection and weighting of ensemble members.
- Increased collaboration between operational centers and the research community would encourage the exchange of ideas between the two cultures. For example, operational centers could hold workshops focused on forecast development and grant short-term appointments for visiting researchers.
- Knowledge of the "sources of predictability," variables or processes in the atmosphere, ocean, or land surface that can influence climate in predictable ways on intraseasonal to interannual timescales, is critical to the quality of forecasts. Research efforts should be expanded to provide a better understanding of sources of predictability such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation, feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere and between the land and atmosphere, and interactions between the stratosphere and lower layers of the atmosphere.
- State-of-the-art data assimilation systems should be used by forecast centers, and the types of data used to make forecasts should be expanded.
- Statistical techniques should be used to complement predictions from models. Statistical techniques, especially non-linear methods, could identify errors in dynamical models, sets of equations that describe the motions of the atmosphere and ocean. Statistical techniques could also be used to translate forecasts to more local scales, which can benefit decision-makers.


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BLOG » TONIGHT (special EARLIER) 8pm PST "Boycrazy Radio" – Call in! xx
Tonight/Wednesday May 22, 2013 8pm pst join me during 'Boycrazy Radio'!
Call in and ask a question, so together we can discuss and solve all your love, sex, dating, & overall life problems:
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subset: commoncrawl


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K - Spiritual Experiences - 2011 National Church Life Survey: Sample Attender Survey
Publication Date
Publication Details
Powell, R. & . (2011). K - Spiritual Experiences - 2011 National Church Life Survey: Sample Attender Survey. Sydney: NCLS Research.
Data from the NCLS survey administered to Australian church attenders 15 years and over. Approximately 1800 respondents. The survey was administered to attenders of 23 Australian denominations, including Catholic, mainstream Protestant, Pentecostal, and other denominations. The questionnaire includes:
1) A core set of questions to explore attenders' self description and views on:
- attendance;
- faith;
- relationship to church;
- leadership and direction.
- spiritual experiences;
- approach to faith.
NCLS Research
Document Type
Research Data
Access Rights
Mediated access by contacting National Church Life Survey.
National Church Life Survey (NCLS), survey, church attenders, Protestant, Catholic


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GCH CH Padow's Twillight Embrey In a New Moon at Asans
We had another BACK2BACK BIS performance this weekend in Amarillo TX at the Saturday & Sunday shows of the Panhandle Kennel Club of Texas. You can win about the first BIS by the Chow Chow, GCH CH Padow's Twillight Embrey In a New Moon at Asans, here. On Sunday Embery was Dana Cline's Best over the Vizsla, GCH CH Regal Point Pinnacle Of Kilauea JH, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, GCH CH Sole Trader Maggie May at M&M, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Chancellor High Flyin' Gladiator, the Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Skyscots Texas Hold'Em, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, GCH CH Miletree Northern Star at Shirmont, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Aubrey's Tails of Mystery.
GCH CH Skyscots Texas Hold'Em
The Norwich Terrier, Decker, added the RBIS to his already formidable resume. Embrey has only recently joined handler Michael Brantley and he already has three BIS to show for it. He finished the weekend with Three Non-Sporting Groups, one RBIS, & two BIS. He's our second DOG2WATCH of the day! Look for him at a show near you.


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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Distinguished Professor of Music Maureen Carr's most recent book, "After the Rite: Stravinsky's Path to Neoclassicism (1914-1925)," was released by Oxford University Press on July 10.
The book traces the evolution of Stravinsky's compositional style as he searched for his own voice in the explosive musical world of the early 20th century, when there was harsh criticism of his work. The riot that erupted during the 1913 debut of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris has long been one of the most infamous and intriguing events of modern musical history. The third in a series of works commissioned for Sergei Diaghalev's famed Ballets Russes, the piece combined disjunct tonalities, provocative rhythms, and radical choreography that threw spectators and critics into a literal fury.
Throughout the book, Carr presents new transcriptions and sophisticated analyses of selected musical sketches to show the genesis of Stravinsky's musical ideas as he forayed into surrealism, classicism and abstraction to develop his signature neoclassical style. Exploring these annotated compositional experiments -- such as the earliest evidence of Stravinsky's appropriation of the "rag idiom" and the development of his so-called "sound blocks" -- "After the Rite" provides new insight into how Stravinsky challenged and guided the musical developments of the decade after that legendary Paris premiere.
"After the Rite" was published with the support of the Otto Kinkeldey Endowment of the American Musicological Society, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Carr's previous writings on Stravinsky include "Multiple Masks: Neoclassicism in Stravinsky's Works on Greek Subjects" and "Stravinsky's Histoire du soldat: A Facsimile of the Sketches." Her most recent publication, "Stravinsky's Pulcinella: A Facsimile of the Sources and Sketches," received a Citation of Special Merit from the Society for Music Theory (SMT).


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September 19, 2016 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Join us for phone banking - you can make a difference!
We have already made over 200,000 calls! But we need your help to accomplish more. Our calls so far are part of Phase 1 of our three phase Jewish outreach campaign. Phase 2 is underway through canvassing and phone calls.
- Phase 1 is focused on voter identification – gathering data on voter preferences in the Jewish community to identify potential swing voters. This phase has been going on throughout the year.
- Phase 2 is more advocacy focused as our calls and canvassing will target the right individuals with a message that will encourage them to support Republicans. This phase began around Labor Day and continues through October.
- Phase 3 is about getting out the vote (GOTV) and making sure our supporters show up to the polls on November 8th. This phase will begin in October and continue through the election.
If you plan to phone bank, please bring your personal smartphone, tablet or laptop if you have one. Our phone dialing system works a lot better when it is connected through your own smartphone, tablet or laptop. If you do not have one that you can bring, please let us know.
Refreshments will be provided.
5301 N Federal Hwy
Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487
United States
Google map and directions


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We have the first look at Ben Affleck as Batman!
Earlier Tuesday, director Zack Snyder shared the first photo of the Oscar winner in full Caped Crusader costume on the set of the upcoming "Man of Steel" sequel. "I shot this with my @Leica_Camera M Monochrom. #Batman #Batmobile #Gotham," Snyder captioned the Twitter shot.
In the pic, Affleck looks insanely buff under his Batman armor, which features muscle detailing over his pecs, abs and arms. The 41-year-old's face is covered by the pointy-eared Batman mask. His costume is complete with a long black cape.
U.S. & World
PICS: Batman through the years
Behind Affleck is the impressive Batmobile ride, which is surrounded by haunting fog.
Snyder's full-costume photo of Affleck is a follow-up to yesterday's Twitter pic, which teased a first look at the brand new Batmobile (see below). "Could be time to pull the tarp...Tomorrow?" Snyder wrote, along with a shot of the ride partly covered by a tarp.
Affleck landed the famed superhero role back in August 2013. The upcoming "Man of Steel" sequel, which will once again star Henry Cavill as Superman, hits theaters May 6, 2016.
PHOTOS: Affleck's biggest roles
I shot this with my @Leica_Camera M Monochrom. #Batman #Batmobile #Gotham http://t.co/WPHKLxgBLM pic.twitter.com/p5DEf6fLzJ — ZackSnyder (@ZackSnyder) May 13, 2014
Could be time to pull the tarp...Tomorrow? http://t.co/Nmm0QqWYYH pic.twitter.com/E6iKluZNDj — ZackSnyder (@ZackSnyder) May 12, 2014


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The Toas-Tite™ Grill recalls a nostalgic era for many baby boomers and their parents. Made of die cast aluminum, with steel rods and hardwood handles, just like the original, it comes packaged in a retro box along with reprints of the 1949 Instruction and Recipe Booklets.
With longer handles, the XL Camper Grill is perfect to use for campfires, fireplaces or firepits! Quickly turns two ordinary slices of bread and your favorite sandwich filling into a hot, sealed toasted sandwich. The delectable little taste thrills made with the grill look like miniature pies, crispy brown outside and sealed all around the edge so the filling won't drip out the back while you're biting the front. Made in the USA!
- Item #: 7TT02


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Location: National Peanut Research LaboratoryTitle: Nondestructive moisture content determination of valencia peanuts by NIR reflectance spectroscopic method
|Kandala, Chari
|Sundaram, Jaya
|Govindarajan, K - University Of Nebraska
|Subbiah, J - University Of Nebraska
Submitted to: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/2/2009
Publication Date: 6/20/2010
Citation: Kandala, C., Sundaram, J., Naganathan, K.G., Subbiah, J. 2010. Nondestructive Moisture Content Determination of Valencia Peanuts by NIR Reflectance Spectroscopic Method. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE).
Interpretive Summary: Presently available commercial moisture meters can determine the MC of shelled peanuts only. It would be convenient if the MC of peanuts could be determined rapidly and nondestructively at the time of purchase and drying. Ability to determine the MC of in-shell peanuts would save lot of time and labor during these processes. In this work an indigenously developed NIR reflectance spectrometer was used to estimate the MC of both in-shell and shelled peanuts. The process is rapid. The results are very encouraging and this method could be used to develop a commercial NIR reflectance spectrometer that could rapidly and nondestructively measure MC of in-shell peanuts.
Technical Abstract: In earlier work, the possibility of determining moisture content (MC) nondestructively in in-shell peanuts was investigated by the authors, using a commercial NIR Spectrometer. It is well known that with most of the commercial moisture meters presently available, MC determination involves shelling and cleaning of the peanut samples, and in some cases some sort of sample preparation such as grinding. This is cumbersome, time consuming and destructive. If MC of the peanuts could be measured on the in-shell peanuts itself rapidly and nondestructively, it would be useful for the peanut industry. In the work presented here, an indigenously developed NIR spectrometer was used to make reflectance measurements on Valencia type peanuts in both un-shelled and shelled forms. The MC range of the peanuts tested was between 6% and 24%. NIR reflectance measurements were made at 1 nm intervals in the wavelength range of 1000 nm to 25000 nm and the spectral data was modeled using partial least squares regression (PLSR). Eight different models were developed by utilizing different data preprocessing methods such as Norris-Gap first derivative with a gap size of 3, peak normalization with 1680 nm (which is the no absorbance wavelength for water), and absorbance transformation. From these, a suitable model was selected based on model fitness measures. Predicted values of the samples tested in the above range were compared with the values determined by the standard air-oven method. The predicted values agreed well with the air-oven values with an R2 value of 0.91 and a standard error of prediction (SEP) of 1.37 for averaged spectra and an R2 value of 0.88 and SEP value of 1.55 for individual spectra. Both methods of analysis performed satisfactorily and being rapid, nondestructive and non-contact, may also be suitable for continuous monitoring of MC of in-shell peanuts as they move on conveyor belts during their processing.


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The Office of Policy and Planning (OPP) is responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and overseeing all OSERS activities relating to policy formulation, program and strategic planning, regulations, evaluation, grants and contract scheduling activities, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
In performing its responsibilities, the OPP serves as liaison with the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs and the Office of the General Counsel on OSERS legislative matters and the Department's budget offices on program budget matters.
In addition, OPP establishes and monitors the annual schedule of grant and contract activities of OSERS.
Key Staff:
Director: Mary Louise Dirrigl


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Canon today announced the acquisition of BriefCam, a provider of Video Synopsis and Deep Learning solutions. Closing of the deal is subject to customary closing conditions.
"The acquisition will create even greater synergies between the BriefCam Video Content Analytics platform and Canon's Network Video Solutions portfolio," Trevor Matz, president & CEO of BriefCam, told Security Systems News. "BriefCam will continue to innovate and deliver best-of-breed video content analytics enabling law enforcement, public safety agencies and major enterprises transform their video surveillance footage into actionable intelligence and dramatically shorten the time-to-target for security threats while increasing safety and optimizing operations."
Masanori Yamada, Canon Inc. managing executive officer and group executive, Network Visual Solution Business Promotion Headquarters, said in the announcement, "We are very excited to work with such an innovative organization and we welcome BriefCam into the Canon Group. With BriefCam, we can deliver an even broader range of leading-edge technology and solutions in the fields of network cameras, video management software and video content analysis software to customers and partners across the globe."
BriefCam will continue to operate under the leadership of its current management structure, remain an open platform, and continue to provide its software to the market through its own sales channels.
"We are thrilled to be joining forces with a global leader in digital imaging," said Matz. "The acquisition will allow BriefCam to continue to deliver industry leading video content analytics solutions, while remaining a standalone company within the Canon Group. The opportunity is a testament to the innovative technology we have built, the outstanding team we have assembled, and the rapidly growing business we have created." The acquisition will also enable BriefCam to enter new markets, deliver stronger vertical solutions, and serve global customers even more effectively, he said.
Founded in 2007, BriefCam's Video Synopsis and Deep Learning solutions are used for rapid video review and search, smart alerting and quantitative video insights.
Mission 500, a charitable organization that works closely with the security industry to serve children in need in the U.S., announced yesterday that it raised $113,000 at its ninth annual Security 5K/2K Run/Walk and related sponsorships at this year's ISC West.
Proceeds from the event will benefit children in need in the U.S., with a portion donated to a project in Puerto Rico which benefits children living in poverty who have been affected by Hurricane Maria, Mission 500 said in its announcement. Some ISC West attendees assembled Mission 500 Care Packs for 500 children in need living in Las Vegas, which were distributed by The Children's Health Fund and were personally delivered and donated by Mission 500, HID Global, Freeman and the ISC West Security Events team.
The Security 5K/2K is a joint collaboration organized by United Publications, the publisher of Security Systems News, ISC Events and Mission 500.
"ISC West continues to be one of the cornerstone events that Mission 500 participates in every year," Tim Purpura, chairman of the board for Mission 500 said in a prepared statement. "On behalf of Mission 500 and all of the children and families in need we support, I extend my sincerest thanks to all of our sponsors, volunteers and people who participated in the successful fund raisers staged at this year's show."
The Brink's Home Security team raised the most at the 5K/2K, a total of $9,880. Jeff Gardner of Brinks was the top individual fundraiser, collecting $8,750, followed by Altronix's Ronnie Pennington with $3,100. Heather Miller of Anixter raised $1,720, which will be matched by her employer for a total of $3,440. Two staff members from Brink's Home Security, along with Jeff Gardner, were awarded an all-expenses paid trip to Mission 500's next service trip in Puerto Rico.
Mission 500 acknowledged medal winners and sponsors at the Security 5K/2K awards ceremony. This year's fastest female was Karen Salerno of ISC Events with a time of 21:43. The fastest male and overall winner was Brian Matthews of Vingtor Stentofon, who completed the 5K course in 20:42.
Additionally, Mission 500 honored The Hurricane Harvey Heroes with its annual Humanitarian Award and Corporate Social Responsibility Award, which acknowledges individuals in the security industry who make important contributions to those in need. Winners of the Humanitarian Award include Curtis Kindred, president of American Defense Systems, Harley Schild, president of Vault Security, and Todd Fitch, president of Point Security. Altronix Corp. of Brooklyn, NY, received Mission 500's Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
Amazon announced last week that it is jumping into the home security business—with both feet I might add—with the unveiling of five security packages for both homeowners and renters. What is most interesting about this announcement, though, is Amazon's go-to-market strategy, which involves no monthly fees, just an upfront cost for the equipment package. Plus, all five equipment packages include free installation and visits from Amazon smart home experts to go over what is the best fit prior to choosing an option.
For those who have been following the success of Amazon's Alexa, this move really shouldn't come as a surprise, especially considering all of the inroads Amazon has been making in the smart home space, from its acquisition of Ring, the smart doorbell company, to its new in-home delivery service, Amazon Key, that features its Cloud Cam and partnerships with smart lock providers.
It will be interesting to see how this will shake up the current home security market, which traditionally has existed on a RMR model that includes spreading some of equipment cost out over several months or years. It will also be interesting to see how this move succeeds overall for Amazon, as the security packages get a bit costly on the higher end.
So, let's take a look at what packages they are offering, many of which work in tandem with Amazon's Echo and Alexa. Amazon is offering two outdoor security packages and three indoor packages. The first outdoor package, for $240, includes "expert smart lighting that will make it look like you're home," the website reads, while the Outdoor Plus package adds in a smart doorbell. For indoor security, the base package for $320, which is "perfect for renters" the website says, includes motion, door and window sensors, an indoor camera, smart siren and smart home hub. Homeowners can choose from Smart for $575 or Smartest for $840, each of which adds devices to the base package.
As consumer buying seems to be moving more toward a subscription-based model, this seems like a bit of risk to ask homeowners to pay that much up front, but it may be a risk that pays off for Amazon. For one, consumers who may not have taken the leap into the smart home or home security will see this as a way to get both—the Alexa voice assistant and home security—all from one provider in a very seamless way.
SSN would love to hear your thoughts on this, so feel free to comment below.
The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), an organization dedicated to defining and raising awareness of best practices to help ensure a secure cloud-computing environment, recently released its State of Cloud Security 2018.
The report, authored by the CSA Global Enterprise Advisory Board, examines such areas as the adoption of cloud and related technologies, what both enterprise and cloud providers are doing to ensure security requirements are met, how to best work with regulators, the evolving threat landscape, and the industry skills gap.
"The state of cloud security is a work in progress with an ever-increasing variety of challenges and potential solutions," Vinay Patel, chair of the CSA Global Enterprise Advisory Board and managing director at Citigroup, said in the announcement of the report. "It is incumbent upon the cloud user community, therefore, to collaborate and speak with an amplified voice to ensure that their key security issues are heard and addressed. We hope this document will serve as a roadmap to developing best practices in the establishment of baseline security requirements needed to protect organizational data."
Key takeaways from the report include:
• Exploration of case studies and potential use cases for blockchain, application containers, microservices and other technologies will be important to keep pace with market adoption and the creation of secure industry best practices.• With the rapid introduction of new features, safe default configurations and ensuring the proper use of features by enterprises should be a goal for providers.• As adversaries collaborate quickly, the information security community needs to respond to attacks swiftly with collaborative threat intelligence exchanges that include both providers and enterprise end users.• A staged approach on migrating sensitive data and critical applications to the cloud is recommended.• When meeting regulatory compliance, it is important for enterprises to practice strong security fundamentals to demonstrate compliance rather than use compliance to drive security requirements.
Noting that "innovators and early adopters" have been using cloud for years for quicker deployment, greater scalability, and cost saving of services, the report noted that the growth of cloud computing "continues to accelerate offering more solutions with added features and benefits, including security. In the age of information digitalization and innovation, enterprise users must keep pace with consumer demand and new technology solutions ensuring they can meet both baseline capabilities and security requirements."
Interestingly, the report pointed out that increased adoption in cloud services has followed consumer confidence with the security of cloud providers, who continue to invest in the security of their platforms. CSA referred to a McAfee survey, Navigating a Cloudy Sky, which found that complete trust in public cloud offerings increased 76 percent in 2017.
As CSA noted in this report last year, technology is outpacing the skills sets within companies and businesses to adopt them, according to CSA's report. "As organizations react to this demand to stay competitive, secure adoption of these technologies becomes an even greater challenge. With cloud and new IT technologies, the supply chain ecosystem needs to collaborate so that large enterprises and regulators can understand how to securely adopt new technologies and new features on existing provider technologies. Each party must play a role in securing customer data and sharing best practices for secure operations."
Ultimately, education and awareness still needs to improve around provider services and new technologies for the enterprise. "Small-scale adoption projects need to be shared so that security challenges and patterns can be adopted to scale with the business and across industry verticals. This skills gap, particularly around cloud and newer IT technologies, needs to be met by the industry through partnership and collaboration between all parties of the cyber ecosystem."
For the full report, click here.
PALO ALTO, Calif.—Nice S.p.A., a global home and building automation company, on April 13 acquired 75 percent of abode systems, a provider of DIY security and home automation systems based here, for $18.75 million. The remaining stock is held by abode's founders.
"We actually had a lot of interest from several larger [companies based] outside the U.S. … but we felt like Nice was the best fit for us. We really liked their team and their focus on design and user experience was one of the things that drew us to their founder, Lauro Buoro," Chris Carney, co-founder of abode systems, told Security Systems News. Nice and abode first met in 2017, Carney said.
Abode's security system is self-installed with a self-monitoring option as well as a professional monitoring option supported by UCC's monitoring center. Abode users can also pick on-demand professional monitoring options. The company has more than 15,000 users now, most of which are in the U.S., according to Carney, but abode has customers in 27 different countries.
"I think that we have the potential to grow into a very competitive company for the foreseeable future based on this," Carney said. "The main thing for us was getting additional investment and resources to continue to innovate the product, add to what we've already built, and then we have some opportunities for geographic expansion."
Following the investment, abode plans to increase its employee count, particularly in marketing, customer support, and development, Carney said. Abode has 33 employees now and could add between 20 and 25 employees in the next six to 12 months.
"The innovation will move—I think—at a quicker pace and we'll be able to build and scale to support a growing customer base alongside of that," said Carney.
The company is currently working on its new iota system, a new, smaller form factor that will be offered alongside abode's other product.
There are potential synergies with what Nice does, according to Carney, such as abode's systems integrating with Nice's products.
In a prepared statement, Lauro Buoro, founder and chairman of Nice S.p.A., said, "It is a strategic operation for the Group which will allow us to expand on our product range to include the Home Security sector for installers and end users, thereby strengthening Nice's leadership position in USA and North America, a market that is enjoying growing demand for connected home and building automation and home security solutions."
Buoro continued, "This partnership represents important leverage in the direct dialogue of Nice with its end user yet safeguarding the business to business distribution channels and services offered to professionals; it also offers up innovative opportunities of integration between various platforms and extraordinary, highly profitable cross-selling options with potential partners in the insurance sector, as well as the range of additional subscription services. [Twenty-five] years after Nice was founded, this is another step forward in the international growth process, in the portfolio of products and services offered by our group, characterized by a strong focus on digitalization, to become the point of reference in the supply of cutting-edge solutions on a global scale, in the home security and smart home industry."
BALA CYNWYD, Pa. and PETALUMA, Calif.—Connect America, a large independent provider of PERS devices in North America, in early April announced that it acquired the Petaluma Health Care District's (PHCD) Medical Alert System Program, Lifeline of the North Bay, based in Petaluma, Calif.
"Lifeline of the North Bay will become Connect America West and serve as a base to expand the reach of Connect America's Healthcare Division throughout the state of California, bringing medical alert and mobile alert products, as well as Telehealth services, remote patient monitoring and medication dispensing systems, to a broader range of customers," Connect America said in its announcement.
"Our Healthcare Division will continue to add to our nationwide footprint through similar acquisitions, as well as organic growth through our sales team," Richard Brooks, Healthcare Division president for Connect America, said in a prepared statement. "Strategic acquisitions like Lifeline of the North Bay, a premier Medical Alert System Program in California, enable us to establish a presence as a market leader in each new area that we enter and to build on the strength of the reputation and referral network of the companies that we acquire."
Ramona Faith, PHCD's CEO said in the announcement, "Transitioning our program and current dedicated staff to Connect America, a leader and long-time provider in the life safety industry, will bring our subscribers and providers a wealth of systems upgrades, including the latest advancements in technology and monitoring services, as well as new services to enhance their experiences over the long term. We are proud to have built a strong, life-saving system led by dedicated staff serving six North Bay Area counties, and we are thrilled to have attracted Connect America to acquire and advance our program."
We here at Security Systems News are excited to announce the dates and location for Cloud+ 2018, which will be held in beautiful Delray Beach, Fla., on September 5-6. The conference will take place at the Delray Beach Marriott—an intimate, Mediterranean-style hotel located on the Gold Coast at the corner of A1A - Ocean Boulevard and famed Atlantic Avenue, located directly across the street from the beach. This is also the same location where we host our TechSec Solutions conference each year.
Last year's Cloud+ education program received high marks from attendees, and we are hard at work putting together another top-notch program that makes Cloud+ the education destination for those who are pioneering within the cloud community.
Click here for more info on the conference, the location and to see last year's program and speakers, who are the "who's who" of the industry. And stay tuned for more on the show, including announcements of the keynote speaker and full education program.
Just before the show floor opened I met with some of the FLIR team. Brian Karas, the company's director of vertical market development, to hear a bit about the cameras FLIR plans to release later this year.
On the show floor I stopped by the MKS booth. The company recently announced a revamped approach to its dealer education, Micro Key University, and that has been going well, according to Joe Ligouri, company COO and CFO. "We've put out our first few videos and we've gotten some positive feedback from our customers," he said.
At ISC West this year, mPERS manufacturer Freeus, announced the latest iteration of its Bell mPERS offering. Brock Winzeler, Freeus' COO, discussed the newest features to the updated product including a 4G LTE connection, smaller size, reduced weight, and announcements to the user, such as letting them know the unit is charging, among other new features and aspects. Winzeler said the roll out is coming at the end of Q2.
I then met with Jim McMullen, president and COO of COPS Monitoring and David Smith, COPS Monitoring's VP of marketing and business development. McMullen mentioned that while at the show, Lydia Security Monitoring's brands collectively passed the 3 million account mark. McMullen also mentioned the company's recent focus on PERS and mPERS technologies.
I stopped by the Rapid Response Monitoring booth on the show floor and caught up with Christopher Denniston, the company's director of marketing and contract development. He was positive on the turnout for the show this year and stated that they had the opportunity to introduce their latest innovations to many dealers and integrators. "In the past 12 months we have added 30+ new services and feature integrations. This year's show attendance allowed us to widely spread the word on these solutions, further existing dealer relationships and start new partnerships" Denniston said in an email interview after the show.
I remember when IDIS made a big splash when it came to ISC West 2015 as both a first time exhibitor and one of the 10 largest booths at the show. At the company's booth this year, the company was showcasing its new H.265 IR PTZ surveillance camera, which has received two awards for its design: a 2018 international iF Design Award and the Red Dot 'seal of quality' Award.
From there I went to see Arecont Vision. Jeff Whitney, VP of marketing, showed me some of the latest offerings from the company announced at the show. Arecont is rolling out a new line of cameras, its Contera line, as well as its own software solution, ConteraVMS, a cloud managed recorder, Contera CMR, and a web service, ConteraWS.
My last meeting of this year's show was with I-View Now; I got the chance to catch up with I-View's president Larry Folsom. I-View Now has created a couple new integrations, including with Mastermind—along with a new service that will allow end users through Mastermind to cancel alarms request dispatch or call the operator in the event of an alarm. The company will also be able to connect with Ezviz cameras, a self-installed line, and act as the conduit for alarm and video to a monitoring center. On Thursday, I met with Marek Robinson, who recently joined the company to lead its dealer program and dealer engagement.
ISC West 2018 was a great show this year. As always, it was great catching up with professionals I've known since I started in the industry and meeting new faces.
While the show floor has a nice buzz of excitement, new technology, and the chance to meet face-to-face with professionals I haven't seen in a while, it's always nice to get out for some fresh air with the Security 5k/2k. It was a bit windy, but the sun was bright and it was a warm morning walk.
Back in the ISC West exhibit room, I first met with Keith Deaton, the recently appointed COO of Sargent and Greenleaf. Deaton gave me an overview of some of the company's solutions, such as the A-Series ATM lock that has a larger display which can offer more information to a technician.
Courtney Brown, Security Central's president and owner, greeted me at the company's booth. I also spoke with Jamie Byrd, Security Central's service delivery manager, and Craig Swallow, managing director for SoloProtect—a personal safety device designed for discreet alerting and monitoring escalating situations. The two companies recently formed a partnership, aided by SoloProtect's integration into Bold's automation. The device, which also holds an ID card, can alert a monitoring center of a user's potential risk. SoloProtect's device can then transmit audio for an operator to listen to and decide on further action.
At the Honeywell booth I met with Bruce Anderson, director of external communications and social media, Trent Perrotto, senior manager external communications and media, Michael Coniff, global product marketing manager, and Jay Ramachandran, director of product marketing. Ramachandran showed me some features of the company's upcoming residential platform, which will aid dealers and alarm users through having an easy process for users replacing components. Coniff gave me a demo of MaxProCloud and its updated interface.
Each year, Security Systems News does on-camera video interviews at ISC West. This year I interviewed Brian McLaughlin, CEO of Alula, the new brand for Resolution Products and ipDatatel; Mitch Klein of the Z-Wave Alliance; Joey Rao-Russell, PPVAR's vice president; Matt Narowski, Bold Technologies' VP of operations; and Avigilon's president and COO, James Henderson.
You can look forward to those videos being posted on SSN's website in the coming weeks.
Mike Zydor, Affiliated Monitoring's managing director, and Daniel Oppenheim, Affiliated Monitoring's EVP, talked with me about the effort the company has put into its relatively new Texas facility, which is redundant and load sharing with the company's main facility in New Jersey. Oppenheim highlighted three key trends he sees for Affiliated: PERS and mPERS, interactive video, and further development of its software.
I then went to meet with Justin Bailey, president and COO at AvantGuard Monitoring. Bailey mentioned that the company has had a strong start to 2018, adding on large dealers. He said that the company has been working with dealers on its hybrid monitoring options, which allow flexibility in control over monitoring, with options like part-time monitoring from an alarm dealer's facility and the other part with AvantGuard.
At the CMS booth, I was able to catch up with Tony Wilson, president, and Jennifer Marshall, CMS' marketing and communications manager. I also got to meet Heidi Hicks, the company's business operations manager. The three of them outlined for me CMS Message Center—a live answering service now integrated into its CMS Compass dealer portal. Wilson, Marshall and Hicks also went over the company's integration to monitor Reemo Health, a mobile health platform designed into a watch—the company's first step into mPERS-style solutions.
My last stop for the day was the Dahua booth, where I met Tim Shen, marketing director, Jennifer Hackenburg, product marketing manager, and Rebecca Colesen, digital marketing specialist. The three of them went over some of Dahua's working on, like AI built into cameras, showcasing uses with facial recognition and traffic at the booth.
My first show floor meeting of this year's ISC West was with video and IoT platform provider Gorilla Technology and the company's CEO Dr. Spincer Koh and Gorilla's senior business development manager, Winnie Koh.
I spoke with Spincer Koh more recently on the company's Security Convergence Platform that compiles data from cyber- and physical security sources. On the show floor it was great to see how Gorilla's platform helped with a string of ATM hackings.
My next meeting was with Cliff Dice, president and CEO of DICE Corp. DICE's sister company IPtelX, an alarm industry focused telecom, has now passed two million subscribers, Dice told me on the show floor.
I also caught up with DICE's vice president of operations, James Beaty. He told me about the similarities and differences between the new SMS Check-In mass notification system that DICE announced recently and other SMS capabilities the company has developed.
At Milestone's booth I met with Courtney Dillon Pedersen, the company's communications manager for the Americas. We talked a bit about the positive feedback the company has gotten following its MIPS 2018 event.
Mitchell Klein, executive director of the Z-wave Alliance talked with me about Z-Wave's approach and purpose at an event like ISC West. One is to promote the products of participating alliance members to the dealers in attendance; another is to represent the ecosystem that Z-Wave technologies create, showing the value to other potential partners.
IC Realtime earlier this year announced the company's new video search platform that uses natural language called Ella. Andrew Nassar, the company's general manager, talked with me about the new dealer portal for the Ella system. The company announced the new portal on Tuesday of this week, which is entirely separate from IC Realtime's portal for its current dealers; a dealer doesn't need to sell IC Realtime's other products in order to access the Ella portal.
At ADT's booth I got to meet with Bob Tucker, ADT's public relations director, Joe Nuccio, president of dealer partnership for ADT, Ken Rosen, senior director of training and recruiting, and Muawia Bishr, president of MAGNA Smart Home, a new ADT Dealer. Together, they gave me a picture of what it is like to be a new authorized dealer for ADT, such as the benefit of having a strongly recognized brand.
From there I went to the Bosch booth, which was quite abuzz with a variety of products, demonstrations and new booth features. I first spoke with Paul Garms, director—regional marketing, intrusion, for the company. Garms talked a bit about how the company has utilized cloud connectivity in some of its products to ease installs for Bosch's dealers. Sean Murphy, Bosch's director of marketing for North America, video products, showed me through a new feature to the booth: an interactive marketplace where attendees can get beverages or food while seeing real world applications for Bosch solutions in retail, loss prevention and marketing environments.
At the Mivatek booth I got to speak with Joe Liu, company CEO. Liu outlined some of the big changes for the company, such as switching to solely OEMing products and changing the name to "Mivatek Smart Connect," among others. Switching to be entirely an OEM allows the company to focus more on engineering instead of channel branding, Liu explained.
From there I stopped by the Kwikset booth. Chris Hummel, territory manager—Northeast, gave me an overview of five new locks that were either recently released or would be released in coming weeks, including its Obsidian lock and Convert conversion kit to change a normal deadbolt into a smart lock.
MONI in late February announced an exclusive, long-term licensing agreement, which would result in the company completely rebranding to BRINKS Home Security. This branding was present at ISC West this year, with the name all over the company's booth. Jeff Gardner, CEO for MONI—now BRINKS Home Security told me that this is the first public appearance of the new name, and that a full rollout of the brand is planned for May.
I walked over to the Nortek booth where Bill Hensley, senior director of marketing, and Anu Herranen, director of marketing and branding, gave me a tour of this year's booth. Herannen and Hensley highlighted a range of new products, including several new sensors—such as the Stove & Grill Guard, gate and driveway sensor, water sensor, outdoor door and window sensor and a trigger lock sensor—as well as the DIY installed and professionally monitored 2GIG Rely system.
My last meeting on the show floor was with EMERgency24, where I met with Kevin Lehan, public relations manager and branch manager, Kevin McCarthy, national sales manager, and Baird Larson, vice president and director of technology. Lehan said that while the company highlights its new offerings it also wants to convey the strength of its core monitoring capabilities.
I attended the DMP Owners' Forum this year, held at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center, an interesting building designed by architect Frank Gehry. The building features 75-foot ceilings and 199 windows, no two of which are the exact same in shape or size.
Jon Adams, DMP's dealer development manager—Southern California, was the host of the forum this year. He took the stage to kick off the event by welcoming all the attendees and giving each person the chance to introduce themselves.
The first keynote was presented by Jason Young, the president of LeadSmart Inc., as well as an author, consultant and trainer. Young discussed different states of being for employees, they can be either low or high in fulfillment, and low or high in performance. The ideal would be an employee who has a high sense of fulfillment as well as a high performance.
Company culture was a main point for Young. He compared, in one instance, the culture of a company to a tree; it is deep rooted, but what is above the surface (the employees) is the part most people see.
In his presentation Young drew from his experiences as a trainer with Southwest Airlines, a company with a clearly defined vision, purpose and mission around industry excellence and appealing customer service.
In creating a culture of service, Young highlighted two elements: cost and distinction. The costs for a company are easily measured, while creating distinction is more subjective and takes effort.
Next, Richard Turner presented "D.E.A.L.T.," which stands for the dreams, excellence, analysis, loyalty and tenacity need to achieve things in life.
Turner is a card mechanic, with the ability to manipulate a deck of cards for a desired effect. Turner gave a variety of examples, dealing out winning hands, shuffling a deck of cards in each hand, and shuffling a deck back to its original order—four intact progressions from ace through king.
The difficulty of each maneuver was made more impressive by the fact that Turner lost his vision when he was younger.
Turner told stories about other instances in his life, such as in gaining a black belt in karate, where he applied himself. Everyone is dealt a hand in life, sometimes a bad hand, but they choose how to play it, he said.
"In the game of life, stay focused on your game," said Turner.
Jeff Britton, DMP's vice president of product design, took the stage to discuss some of the company's newest developments, including a new integration with the Ring doorbell through DMP's Virtual Keypad app. The integration also allows DMP to work with Ring cameras, Britton noted.
Jeffrey Cummings is the director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, named after Lou Ruvo who died of Alzheimer's in 1994. The Cleveland Clinic facility collocated with the Keep Memory Alive Event Center.
Cummings gave an overview of the work that the center does to help put patients first, such as eliminating waiting rooms and focusing on hospital training. The center studies a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, which includes people with Alzheimer's or multiple sclerosis as well as boxers and MMA fighters.
Proceeds from events held in the Keep Memory Alive Event Center go to help the research, treatment and clinical studies of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center.
Throughout the event, attendees were shown brief videos that outlined features of DMP's Virtual Keypad Access, which provides users with a cloud-based access control interface. Several new features for this offering were announced at the forum. Brad Tucker, DMP director of product management and support highlighted some of these, including the recently announced holiday dates feature, allowing users to create exceptions or permissions specific to certain days.
Another new feature is a users page that allows for all users of a system to be managed through the interface. "We're very excited about this new feature," Tucker said.
The final keynote for the day was delivered by author Cy Wakeman. She advised the audience on the potential negative impacts—lost work hours—that come through drama in an office. The average person spends about two and a half hours per day in drama at work per day, she said, and that totals up to 816 lost hours per year.
Wakeman leveraged her background as a therapist and a human resources specialist to illustrate the ways in which drama manifests. An employee, for instance, can focus too much on the circumstances of their work situation—elements that may be beyond their control—such as the company's need to move their department.
An employee expending considerable energy on combating a perceived problem hurts the objective of the company, whereas taking that same energy and working with company leadership eliminates drama and helps the business' goals.
Each of the speakers had a valuable message for attendees, and I'm glad I was able to attend this year's DMP Owners' Forum.
Before the show, Monday
Soon I'll be heading out to Las Vegas for this year's ISC West. I've got a schedule full of meetings on the show floor, including apopintments at the media stage. I look forward to hearing the latest buzz in the industry and seeing what companies are exhibiting this year. Check back here for daily updates about news and events happening around the show!
ISC West 2018, held in Las Vegas, April 10-13, continued to build on the momentum it has built up over the past few years. From the educational sessions, many of which were standing-room-only, to a crowded and buzzing trade show floor, this year's ISC West did not disappoint. Will Wise and Sherida Sessa from ISC Security Events confirmed my initial impressions of the show during our video interview for ssnTV on the ISC West Main Stage, noting that although they didn't have final numbers yet, "key metrics" indicate that attendance is up again this year, in addition to an increase in the total number of exhibitors and new companies exhibiting.
In addition to the many video interviews I was able to do for ssnTV on the ISC West Main Stage, I was able to visit a number of booths throughout the week, as well as attend many key events and meetings led by industry leaders. The following is a recap of my time at ISC West.
Tuesday and Wednesday
Arriving on Monday proved wise, as I was able to attend some interesting educational sessions led by both SIA and PSA, which hosted a full day of educational sessions on Tuesday, many focused on leadership and helping integrators build and grow their businesses. For example, Chris Peterson, co-founder and principal, Vector Firm, presented a session, "Building Managed Service into your Business - Benefits to you and the Customer," and Paul Boucherle, principal/founder, Matterhorn Consulting LLC, presented, "The Key to Executing Business Strategy."
The SIA educational sessions I was able attend were spot on, including one of the most popular sessions on Tuesday, "The Future of Physical Security: The Decade Ahead," presented by Terry Gold, principal analyst, D6 Research, who looked at how physical security will significantly change over the next decade, mostly defined by end users looking for value and comprehensive solutions that address both the physical and IT challenges faced today.
As has become a tradition at ISC West, I began Wednesday bright and early with the great folks at Axis Communications, which hosted its 11th annual press breakfast. Celebrating 30 years as a company here in the U.S., Fredrik Nilsson, VP Americas, and Martin Gren, founder, led us through a fun game of security-themed Jeopardy, with questions and answers that highlighted the many video and other product accomplishments the company has made over its storied history. In addition to "being an innovator" in the video space, Gren noted that IP audio provides a "huge opportunity for us to grow," as the company continues to add new products within this category.
At the Feenics press event, the company made a couple of big announcements, including the steps it has taken in the area of cybersecurity, as well as its new pricing structure. Company president Denis Hebert pointed out that Keep by Feenics' API service has achieved VerAfied certification by Veracode. He also outlined the company's new pricing approach, Transaction-based Pricing, for large-scale enterprise installations or VAR's running managed service operations. As Hebert noted, "The client only pays for what they use."
At the Robotic Assistance Devices press event, company president and founder, Steve Reinharz, unveiled RAD's newest artificially intelligent guarding solution—the Security Control and Observation Tower or SCOT—a standalone, remote, portable, self-sufficient intelligence observation tower designed to expand an organization's security reach instantly. SCOT, combined with the company's robots, are part of what Reinharz calls a "paradigm shift for the industry," which is beginning to leverage AI and robotics as a force multiplier within many verticals.
Moving to the ACRE booth, I was able to chat with Kim Loy and Joe Grillo about both the Vanderbilt and COMNET brands, and how the two "complement" each other nicely. They also gave me an update on Vanderbilt's ACT365, a Cloud-based access control and video management solution that is now launched here in the U.S. after success globally. The company will be making "a big push" this year with ACT365 both here in the U.S. and globally, they said.
At the ASSA ABLOY booth, I attended the company's press event, which was led by Mark Duato, executive vice president, aftermarket, ASSA ABLOY who provided an overview of the company's strategy to stay at the forefront of innovation within access control. The company made several announcements during the show, including a new Intelligent Keys certification program developed to connect systems integrators with more business opportunities as well as a recurring revenue model for integration businesses. The company also announced new partnerships with Averics, BluB0X, Dot Origin, Identiv and Viscount.
Alarm.com made a big splash this year with the announcement of its "Alarm.com for Business," a solution for the SMB market that the company unveiled just before the show. Matthew Zartman, director of communications, walked me through the new solution, which combines intelligent intrusion detection, video surveillance, access control and energy management into a single solution that is controlled through Alarm.com's app. Zartman noted the focus is on "making it easy for dealers" to get more business, specifically on the commercial side.
At the Eagle Eye Systems booth, I chatted with company founder Dean Drako about the company's "continued growth," as well as many new announcements at the show, including the company's new HD video over coax solution; a globalization project to meet the needs of multi-national customers; enhanced video analytics offered within the Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS; and a partnership with Hikvision USA to extend the Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera Video Management System to include body worn cameras.
Over at the Genetec booth, I had a great conversation with Genetec VP of marketing Andrew Elvish, who spoke about the company's commitment and focus on the cybersecurity of its products and partners, as well as how the company is working closely with end users and integrators to meet their needs. The company highlighted its new range of market-specific solutions developed to address the needs of airports, cities, educational institutions, retailers, and transportation customers. Elvish also spoke about how Genetec is helping its North American security directors to get ready for the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Visiting the Hanwha Techwin booth, Miguel Lazatin, director of product and channel marketing, North America, updated me on the company's continued evolution and growth over the past year. Lazatin said the company continues to "make huge investments in people and products." The company announced five new IP-based Wisenet thermal cameras as well as a new line of mobile cameras, both of which are new categories for the company, Lazatin noted. The company also unveiled new multi-sensor camera options.
At the ISONAS booth, Melissa Stenger, VP of product management and marketing, and Rob Lydic, Global VP of Sales, talked with me about the evolution of the company's IP access control solution and its hyper focus on cybersecurity and network protection, including ongoing PEN testing and third party testing of its products and systems. The company launched its IP-Bridge 2.0, a more powerful tool to help migrate old legacy systems into the IP era, including more processing power and additional functionality local to the device. The company also announced a new integration with Genetec software.
Thursday and Friday
Sat down with Kami Dukes, director of business development for AMAG Technology, who walked me through the company's latest addition to their portfolio, RISK360, a global incident and case management system that investigates and analyzes incidents to help organizations operate more efficiently, save money, enforce compliance and mitigate risk. Dukes pointed out that the key is that RISK360 integrates seamlessly with AMAG's Symmetry Access Control software, so events in RISK360 are communicated to Symmetry Access Control, and alarms in Symmetry generate events in RISK360.
At the Boon Edam booth, Tracie Thomas, VP of marketing, explained how the company's "increased brand awareness" has led to "double-digit growth in the U.S." The company has been growing its enterprise team as it expands on its full range of products that go way beyond the "turnstile" products to a full suite of access control solutions from the exterior of a facility to the most important spaces inside as well. Thomas talked about how the company is allowing security providers to be more proactive and predictive using its solutions to mitigate risk and avoid liability.
I spoke with Galaxy Control Systems' president Robert Loughlin at their booth about new enhancements and integrations for the company's flagship System Galaxy on-site access control software, and its cloud-based Cloud Concierge SaaS offering, which has gained tremendous traction with resellers since its introduction last year. Additional news includes the launch of a new A&E Program, and an OEM agreement with an international company based in Singapore to design, develop, manufacture and deliver OEM access control hardware and software that will be white labeled for sale exclusively in the EMEA region.
At the Altronix booth, Kirby Han, art director, gave me an overview of the company's newest additions and updates to its growing product line, including its Trove series, which has added kits "to help dealers," Han noted. The Trove Access and Power Integration Solutions simplify board layout and wire management, while providing extreme flexibility and scalability when designing and deploying access systems. Also new are the Altronix Dual Voltage Access Power Controller, which reduces costs and saves valuable enclosure space, and the NetWay Spectrum 2-Port Media Converter/Injector, which converts one fiber cable into two Ethernet ports.
Over at the IrisID booth, I spoke with Mohanned Murad, VP, global sales & business development, who showed me the company's iCAM M300 Biometric Multimode Android Phone, a SIA New Product Showcase winner in the Mobile Apps category. Murad noted that the goal is to create the most "non-frictional biometric" as possible, providing a reliable and cyber-secure mobile app that is cloud-based and offers an easy path to a mobile credential solution for all levels of security, including critical infrastructure.
At the Lenel booth, Ross McKay, director of products, spoke about how the company continues to focus on leveraging the cloud, providing more browser-based products and developing reliable and safe mobile credentials. Key Lenel products showcased includeOnGuard version 7.4, which supports several browser-based clients, eliminating the need for onsite server hardware; the LNL-4420 intelligent controller, which has been added to the GSA's approved product list for use by agencies implementing programs to meet Federal Identity, Credential and Access Management (FICAM) requirements; and a new version of the BlueDiamond app that can anticipate users' door and reader selections to reduce authentication time.
I sat down at the Pivot3 booth with Bruce Milne, VP & chief marketing officer, and John D'Avolio, analyst relations director, who both spoke about how the company continues to partner with other companies to provide "end to end" solutions for their customers. Milne listed companies like Lenovo, Hytrust and Iron Mountain as key partnerships toward that goal. For example, he pointed to how the partnership with Iron Mountain led to the introduction of Iron Cloud, which delivers a secure and scalable cloud-based solution for managing video content.
At the OnSSI booth, I spoke with Ken Lamarca, VP, sales and marketing, who noted that "business is strong" as the company showcased its latest Ocularis 5.5 Video Management Software (VMS) platform, which includes new integrations and automation functions that increase overall performance and cost-efficiency. Lamarca said the platform uses the "highest encryption" standards available as well as proven hardening protocols. The company also highlighted several partnerships, including with ConvergenceTP (C2P), CyberExtruder, Jemez Technology and NetApp.
At the Oncam booth, I chatted with Jumbi Edulbehram, regional VP, Americas, about the company's growth and increased demand for 180- and 360-degree video solutions that deliver "higher levels of situational awareness" than traditional fixed cameras. He also highlighted the introduction of the Evolution Stainless Steel form factor in both the 5MP and 12MP versions to meet the needs of customers operating in extreme environments where resilience and compliance to stringent regulations are critical. The company also launched its revamped Technology Integration Partner Program, which is built to ease integration with Oncam technologies and provide extensive support to aligned technology partners.
Over at the Manything… booth, Laura O'Sullivan, head of marketing, and James West, CEO & Co-Founder, talked about how the company is responding to the needs of integrators, developing a "much cheaper pricing" model that "integrators love," West noted. Manything, which began as an app allowing users to turn spare smartphones and tablets into home security cameras, has now grown to empower professional security dealers and integrators to offer remote viewing and offsite cloud surveillance recording, creating a new source of RMR, he noted. The company also unveiled its Manything Pro, a cloud SaaS solution that allows users to access their video through an Apple or Android mobile app.
NOTE: In addition to daily reports, look for ssnTV video interviews from the show floor under the Video tab on this website, including top execs from Brivo, Northland Controls, ONVIF, ISC Security Events, IHS Markit, Bates Security, and many more.
ACRE, a global leader in providing security products and solutions for the access control, intrusion, smart traffic and video surveillance markets, announced today the promotion of Andrew Acquarulo Jr. to president of ACRE Americas. Ronald Virden, who was recently named ACRE COO, will also assume the role of president of ACRE International. The evolution of the company's leadership roles will allow ACRE to refocus its efforts based on geographic regions, providing greater alignment between its Vanderbilt and ComNet brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and APAC.
Virden, who will assume his expanded role effective June 1, 2018, will be based in Dublin, Ireland, and take over the Vanderbilt CEO role from Joe Grillo, who will continue to serve as ACRE CEO. All of the management of Vanderbilt's international operations, as well as ComNet's UK-based operations, will fall under Virden's purview. Virden will also remain COO of ACRE.
"Joe [Grillo] has had the foresight to create a successful independent security company, and as I contribute to adding to that legacy, it's critical to ensure ACRE continues upon its growth trajectory," Virden said in the announcement. "I'm eager to take on the additional responsibility as President of ACRE International, focusing on growing and streamlining operations across its global markets."
As president of ACRE Americas, Acquarulo will be responsible for the strategic vision, operations and sales initiatives for both of the company's ComNet and Vanderbilt brands in the Americas under the ACRE moniker, effective April 1, 2018. Acquarulo has served as president and CEO for ComNet since 2010, leading the company's strategic vision across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and APAC. He played an instrumental role in positioning ComNet into developing more networked-based solutions and guiding it to offer a combination of fiber optic, electrical and wireless solutions to increase options for its global customer base. Acquarulo also helped transition the brand into the ACRE group in 2016.
"As the market continues to transition into one driven by emerging technologies, such as cloud services and intelligent platforms, ACRE is poised to continue its leadership role in these segments," Acquarulo said in a prepared statement. "This evolution marks a tremendous opportunity for ACRE to extend its leadership position in the industry, and I look forward to being a part of it."
Acquarulo will oversee sales and revenue growth, and prepare the brands for new expansion opportunities. He will report directly to Grillo and Virden.
"Andy had the foresight to help shift ComNet toward the emerging trends across the security and intelligent transportation systems market long before many of the company's competitors, and Ron brings a significant amount of global executive experience to our team," said Grillo in the announcement. "ACRE continues to look for ways to streamline operations and make continued investments in its leadership team, which will help propel our brand forward and solidify our strength in the marketplace. We are also interested in positioning the ACRE brand for future expansion that will allow additional revenue streams and the addition of key markets across the globe."
Founded in 2012, ACRE's Vanderbilt and ComNet brands deliver advanced solutions to thousands of customers around the world. Today, ACRE employs more than 325 employees in more than 15 countries.
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Date(s) - 05/17/2019
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WikiFur:This week's featured article/Week 47, 2011
Jack is a furry webcomic by David Hopkins. It is set in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals and focuses on judgment and afterlife.
The titular Jack is a wizened green rabbit who lives in Hell. He is the embodiment of the deadly sin wrath, whose punishment is being the Grim Reaper. In life, the unfairness of some deaths, particularly towards the ones he loved, made him angry. In his position as Grim Reaper, he now has to witness more death, the cause of his wrath. Jack attempts to remember the sins he did in life in order to be forgiven for them. This is hard for him as his other punishment is having no memory of his life on Earth.
Jack has had a mixed reception. Positive reviews claim Jack is enjoyable because the story arcs contain meaning and comments on morality. Critics respond that the comic is "glitz over substance", and have complained about the use of graphic violence.
Jack was joint winner of "Best Dramatic Comic" (alongside Demonology 101) at the Web Cartoonist's Choice Awards in 2004. (more)


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An Extreme Press Makeover
|This completely rebuilt 150-ton Bliss straightside now boasts a new nerve center: an OmniLink 5000 press and automation controller, selected to support numerous press-line inputs and outputs to optimize quick-setup and mistake-proofing efforts.
Last but not least, the press line received a new nerve center: an OmniLink 5000 press and automation controller from Link Systems, Nashville, TN, selected to support numerous press-line inputs and outputs to optimize quick-setup and mistake-proofing efforts.
Lower Volumes Bring New Challenges
The factory supports the firm's assembly plants, providing metalformed and fabricated parts and assemblies. Eight coil-fed presses and five manually fed presses occupy the plant's pressroom, including two brand-new 600-ton presses brought in to support the company's efforts to produce larger and more complex parts.
Lately, says the plant's value-stream manager, the plant also has been focused on supporting rapid growth of a new line of lower-volume products. A critical success factor has been becoming more lean and robust in the pressroom.
For starters, lower-volume production has meant a shift in focus to setup-time reduction and quick-die change initiatives. This is what led to the Bliss press rebuild project. The parts being stamped aren't big, but they are heavy gauge and of high strength steel. The 150-ton press rating was sufficient, but when the firm brought the work in, early in 2010, it immediately discovered that it needed a new feed line. The feed line features a roll feed with an adjustable-height mounting bracket, and motorized pass-line height adjustment; a threading table designed for 23-in. effective loop length; and a power straightener with a 15-HP AC variable-speed drive. The peeler station enables hands-free threading of the heavy-gauge high-strength coil. To minimize downtime for changeovers, the line includes a double-ended coil reel with powered holddowns and coil guides. The customer specified the line for strip 6 in. wide by 1/4 in. thick; width capacity is 20 in.
Press Availability Soars
As part of the pressline rebuild project, a primary focus became removing as much setup responsibility from the press operator as possible. Instead, the project team looked to automate press and feed-line changeover tasks, so that the operator need only worry about setting the die and threading the coil. As a result, pressroom's lean team tapped the brains of the OmniLink controller to automate setup functions, and the results are just as impressive as any home make-over you've watched on television.
Setup time has dropped, on average, from 2 hr. to as little as 20 min., say customer representatives, resulting in a 30-percent gain in press availability.
Here's how they got there:
• Addition of magnetic die clamping (a Quad Stamp system from Technomagnete), controlled by the OmniLink;
• Use of the press control to manage setup features such as automatic counterbalance adjustment, pass-line height adjustment of the servo feed and feed-line parameters such as feed speed, length and acceleration; and
• Tasking the press control with automatically turning on auxiliary devices typically turned on and off by the operator, such as scrap systems and part-out conveyors.
|To feed thick, high-strength steel coil, the OEM pressroom added this servo-feed line to its newly refurbished press. The line handles strip 6 in. wide by ¼ in. thick; width capacity is 20 in.
All of this integration, as well as equipment-selection advice, came from TCR Integrated Stamping Systems, Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Says TCR president Todd Wenzel:
"There is a master operator station that is pendant mounted. In it are all of the key controls to run not only the press control, but also the feed line, magnet and other auxiliary devices. All of that was installed on a pendant arm, allowing the operator to position it where best suited. The main control panels are removed from the operator's and all electrical wiring crosses over well above their heads to create a clean workspace."
Adds the pressroom manager:
"We do not have the resources internally to pull off this kind of project. We rely on outside technical expertise to bring the latest and greatest ideas to us, and my job is simply to decide on what makes the most sense. TCR truly hit a homerun by designing this total package for us."
Communication Cuts Down on Mistakes
About 40 percent of the rebuilt press's run time is dedicated to the new low-volume project, running five different progressive dies, each with three to five stations. The company is changing the line over at least once per shift, sometimes two or three times per shift.
An additional feature of the control that contributes to speedy, accurate changeovers: The ability to input and display plain-language notes on the control. These notes alert the operator to any special setup requirements.
For example, a couple of parts stamped on the line require particularly long feed progressions—20 to 30 in. When this job runs, a note appears on the control panel to reference the unique feed-line program requires, just to warn the operator to check and make sure the proper feed program has been called up by the controller.
Another enabler of mistake-proof set-ups is the controller's ability to automate pass-line height adjustment of the feed line. The previous feeder was difficult to adjust. As a result, operators tended to use the same pass-line height regardless of the job. That led to several instances of stock buckling and other issues.
Sixteen Channels of PLSs and Die Protection
|The addition of magnetic die clamping to helping helped trigger a reduction in setup time from 2 hr. to as little as 20 min., resulting in a 30-percent gain in press availability.
In addition, the control boasts 16 channels of die protection. Here, operator-programmable inputs monitor a variety of sensors in the tooling as well as those used to monitor the feed line and other auxiliary equipment. End-of-stock sensors and sensors that monitor the scrap system (as previously noted) can prevent hours of downtime and crashes.
Tonnage monitors mounted to the press frame gauge the tonnage being exerted on all four columns of the press, displaying the information numerically and graphically in concert with ram position. Out-of-tolerance tonnage conditions will cause the monitor to stop the press. And, the operator can review tonnage trends to prevent parts with quality issues from getting to customers, and even prevent major tooling and press damage. In some cases, they have made tooling adjustments—staggering punches, for example—to reduce tonnage and/or snapthrough forces.
In addition, the press control's various inputs and outputs monitor and control everything electrical on the press. If any machine subsystem asserts a fault to stop the press, the control displays a message matching the fault, easing operator troubleshooting. This diagnostic feature allows any fault, such as a low lube level or a safety device detecting an unsafe condition, to be displayed in plain language. MF
Editor's note: At press time, managers at the OEM described in this article asked to have the company name removed from the text. We apologize for the inconvenience.
See also: Link Systems
Related Enterprise Zones: Automation, Sensing/Electronics, Tool & Die


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The Wines of Australia – with Tahbilk
Established in 1860, Tahbilk is one of Australia's most beautiful and historic family owned wineries. Located in the Nagambie Lakes region of central Victoria (120kms north of Melbourne). The vineyard has some 200 hectares under vine which includes Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne, as well as Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre. Also planted are the traditional varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho, along with Tempranillo and Savagnin. Purchased by the Purbrick family is 1925, Tahbilk is home to 5 generations.
Join us as we talk with General Manager Alister Purbrick about Tahbilk's history, its wines, and some of its unique vinification methods. If you thought you knew everything you needed to know about Australian wines, we've got some surprises for you.
For more info:
Tahbilk Winery: www.tahbilk.com.au
Sponsor: Pinpoint Technologies – Your Business List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com
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|BioInfo 4U
Primary professional ambition: Contribute to the understanding of fundamental questions in molecular biology -- evolution, structure/function, development, and regulation -- with computer-aided genomics and sequence analysis tools, and make these powerful bioinformatics resources available to the scientific community through cooperative collaboration, instruction, and writing and editorial assistance, with curricular implementation at all levels of higher education.
Independent Bioinformatics Consultant, Instructor, Author and Editor -- BioInfo 4U: Current client, Edanz Group Global Ltd., freelance scientific editing (hired October 2013). Previous clients have included Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, College of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biophysics, and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (April 1999-September 2010); University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research (April 1999-June 2000); and the Genetics Computer Group, Madison, WI (January 2000-March 2000). Services include scientific writing and editing, research consultation/collaboration, data-mining, bioinformatics computational analyses, and the design and implementation of sequence analysis workshops, particularly those emphasizing molecular evolution.Instructor: South Georgia College Entry Program, Valdosta, GA (January 2012-May 2012). Taught non-major, undergraduate students first semester and second semester introductory general biology, and environmental science. Instructor: Valdosta State University Department of Biology, Valdosta, GA (August 2009-May 2011). Taught non-major, undergraduate students first and second semester introductory general biology, and a graduate-level molecular phylogenetics course (Spring 2010).
Course Faculty Member/Laboratory Instructor: The Workshop on Molecular Evolution, at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA (1992-2009, each late July/earlyAugust); and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA (February, 2008). Responsibilities - included lecture, instruction, and assistance in the computer laboratory portion of the course, particularly that related to multiple sequence alignment and analysis. Students were graduate candidates, post-doctoral fellows, and university faculty members from worldwide, diverse scientific backgrounds. Computational techniques taught included GCG's SeqLab, SeaView, MAFFT, T-Coffee, PAUP*, PHYLIP, PAML, and MrBayes.
Assistant in Research: the Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (non-tenure track faculty August 2001-April 2009, visiting scientist September 2000-May 2001). Provided bioinformatics support -- research collaboration; curriculum development, instruction, and coordination (workshops, modules, and two different courses: An Introduction to Bioinformatics and Comparative Genomics); and maintenance and management of bioinformatics software and databases.
US CRDF Peer Reviewer: U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation Cooperative Grants Program competition (2005). Member grant proposal review committee.
Staff Scientist, Consultant, and Instructor: Center for Visualization, Analysis, and Design in the Molecular Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (August 1990-May 1998). Responsibilities included user assistance, consultation, and collaboration; software evaluation and installation; facilities maintenance; resource administration; technical writing; public relations; formal and informal instruction; and curriculum development, particularly of self-paced tutorials.
Section Co-Chair: Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing -- Education Sessions (January, 1996 & 1997). Responsibilities included organization, participant correspondence, and direction of symposium subsection concerned with the methodology, pedagogy, and curricula for teaching bioinformatics and computational biology in higher education.
USDA NRICGP Peer Reviewer: Mechanisms of Animal Disease Program (1993) and Sustaining Animal Health and Well-Being Program (1997 & 1998). Member of ad hoc grant proposal review committee.
Project Associate: Biochemistry/Biophysics Department, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (September 1988-August 1990). Responsibilities included independent site-directed mutagenesis research on isocitrate lyase, general laboratory management and maintenance, radiation safety and control.
Graduate Assistant: Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ (September 1983- May 1985). Responsibiliies included set up and teaching of undergraduate laboratory courses: Cellular & Molecular Biology, Medical Anatomy & Physiology, General Genetics, General Biology, and Microbiology.
Classes, workshops, seminars, and course modules:
Specialized methods and techniques:
cash and inventory control, employee supervision, public relations.
heavy equipment, chain saw, and skiing skills.
maintenance, use, repair -- all construction equipment.
automotive parts, sales and service.
audio/visual technician, graphics, darkroom, and photography skills.
backcountry skiing, hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, and camping;
Master of Arts in the Teaching of Biology (May 1988), Northern Arizona University. Admitted to program, February, 1983; supported Fall Semester, 1983 through Spring, 1985 with tuition waivers and Graduate Assistantships. 52 graduate hours: 31 biology/microbiology, 6 chemistry, 3 computer programming, and 12 community college education. Major emphasis: molecular and cellular biology, minor: community college education. Graduate GPA: 3.9.
Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, Magna Cum Laude (May 1978), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ; supported by Raymond and Frier foundation scholarships throughout undergraduate terms. Inaugurated to Phi Kappa Phi (October 1977). 130 undergraduate hours: 48 biology, 26 chemistry/physics, 12 calculus, 44 liberal studies education.
Public school education, Mesa, AZ (1962-1974); graduated Mesa High School, 17 of 700.
Publications and Meeting Presentations
© 2013 Steven M. Thompson, acknowledgements and thanks to the Florida State University Biology Department for generously extending Web hosting and e-mail services beyond my FSU tenure. email@example.com


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Editions & Adaptations of Shakespeare
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The Chamonix website says in the main text description regarding the 8x10 camera weight 3900g. At the bottom of the page in talking about improvements it say that these improvements have added 1 kg
OK, so what is the true weight of the latest 8x10 camera 3.9kg/8.5LBs as one might understand form reading the body of the page
Or 3.9kg + 1kg = 4.9kg/10.8 Lbs as one might understand from the whole page?
thanks for the help!


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Home / Modern-feminist / Article
January 7 2013
Charlotte Hays
At the ripe old age of 25, former Dartmouth Review editor-in-chief Emily Esfahani Smith is making a national name for herself as a cultural critic. Smith is an editor at Roger Kimball's highbrow New Criterion. The 2009 Dartmouth graduate also blogs at Ricochet, the Hoover Institution's Defining Ideas and posts on pop culture at the Acculturated blog. She lives in New York.
"The real battles in this country are cultural battles," Smith says. "If you are trying to talk to people about issues, it's smarter to talk to them about it from a cultural platform." Smith has tackled such cultural subjects as the "faux creativity" of Lady Gaga, the decline of chivalry, and the hook-up culture.
Smith isn't limiting herself to conservative publications. She recently penned buzz-producing pieces for the Atlantic and the Daily Beast—hardly stalwarts of the right. Smith most recently profiled Camille Paglia for the Daily Beast—an appropriate match since Smith sometimes comes across in her writing as the next Camille Paglia. Both women revere tradition without being the least bit hidebound. Both women have lamented that we are marooned in the present, cut off from the great ideas of the past.
"When I got to Dartmouth I considered myself to be pretty apolitical but I always had a respect for tradition and loved religion in its many variations," says Smith. Her own religious background is interesting: Smith grew up in Montreal, where her parents--an Iranian mother and an American father--ran a Sufi meetinghouse. Sufism is a mystical version of Islam. In an Acculturated piece on the importance of silence for artists, Smith fondly recalled growing up Sufi:
When I was a child, I lived in a Sufi meetinghouse in Montreal. The twice-weekly meetings there, where dervishes–largely Iranian, but some Western–would gather in a large room in our brownstone, was centered around silent meditation. People would sit on the ground, legs crossed, on cushions, their eyes closed, their chins to their chests, and lose themselves in a silence that would be considered oppressive to most ordinary people. The idea was to achieve oneness with God by transcending your ego and the distracting trappings of everyday life.
At Dartmouth, Smith's Sufi background would, interestingly, be a factor in her becoming a member of the Dartmouth Review, the conservative publication that blazed its way to fame in the 1980s when such conservative firebrands as radio host Laura Ingraham and author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza were on staff.
"I found my way to the Dartmouth Review," Smith recalls, "because I realized that there were some like-minded people there who also respected religion, classical learning, and tradition and didn't consider them to be forms of white, male oppression of minorities. Since I am Iranian, a lot of people on campus simply would keel back in shock when I told them that I worked for the Dartmouth Review."
A philosophy major at Dartmouth, Smith—who happens to be fluent in Farsi—held internships at National Review, the American Spectator, and the New Criterion. She was also awarded an Intercollegiate Studies Institute Fellowship that took her to the Weekly Standard, where she reported to veteran Washington writer Fred Barnes.
Smith recalls that "like many wayward seniors," she toyed with the idea of going to law school after college. But a 2009 Robert L. Bartley Fellowship at the Wall Street Journal caused Smith to set another course. Smith was assigned to work in the Wall Street Journal's editorial department and there she realized how much she loved writing and determined to make a life of it. She remains more intensely drawn to cultural issues than the overtly political.
"The point of the Acculturated blog," she says, "is that young people get so much of their news, what they take to be pure reality, from the pop culture. And so what are the messages the culture is delivering to people, young and old, and what does that say about where we as human beings stand? As a cultural conservative, I believe in the values of tradition and restraint. A lot of the negative parts of our culture such as sexual promiscuity and violence that are degrading and not morally elevating result when we give up these cultural constraints."
But she concedes, "Politics are important and certainly inescapable, especially if you work in the media," adding, "I consider myself a cultural conservative above all. When it comes to politics, I tend to be a libertarian, simply because I believe the less government is involved in life's endeavors—especially cultural ones—the better. But I define my conservatism in terms of the culture which makes me a bit more of a traditionalist when it comes to a lot of issues. I am pragmatic and I take it issue by issue when it comes to politics."
She names as favorite writers David Brooks of the New York Times, Who Stole Feminism? author Christina Hoff Sommers of the American Enterprise Institute, eighteenth century statesman and orator Edmund Burke, and Emile Durkheim, the father of sociology.
Smith calls herself a feminist in the Hoff Sommers sense of believing in equality but not going to the wilder shores of so-called "gender feminism." She thinks that it is time to end the seemingly endless debate over whether women can "have it all." "If we are going to keep this up, then shoot me now," she says with a laugh.
"I think the questions of sex and civility are where feminism should go next," she says. "I think women are already realizing that they can't have it all and that that debate is coming to a close. I have friends who are clearly ambitious and who are saying they want to get married and have a career and kids, and if having kids means stepping out of their career for awhile, that is fine. It's amazing, but I think that is where our culture is heading. I think women are realizing that the conceit of having it all is crazy. No man expects to have it all. It's a crazy conceit, you have to make sacrifices in your life, and you have to decide what you want to prioritize.
"The debate that is taking its place—and you see this in Judd Apatow's work—is has the sexual revolution been good for women when it comes to sex and relationships. I think there is a push back that is saying no it's not. We don't want this," she says.
One of Smith's recent forays into the feminist culture wars was a piece in the Atlantic headlined "A Plan to Reboot Dating," on the campus hook-up culture, which she says is harming young women. Smith took on another prominent Atlantic contributor, Hanna Rosin, who in her Atlantic article "Boys on the Side" hailed the hook-up culture as essential to women's continued progress.
"What [Hanna Rosin] was saying is that feminism not only gave rise to the hook up culture but depends on the hook-up culture," Smith tells IWF. "She argues that the hook-up culture allows women to delay marriage and provides opportunities to advance in their careers. Other feminists—and I don't know if Rosin goes this far—believe that the hook-up culture isn't just indispensable to women's liberation but it is actually a way to communicate that women are empowered and can truly reach equality with men.
"If you watch shows like Sex in the City or Grey's Anatomy, you'll see that the women behave with as much sexual promiscuity and license as you would expect from the most predatory men. Not only do they behave that way, but they assume this masculine air of 'Oh, I just had a one-night stand.' The girl acts like she's brushing the guy off. It is kind of this role reversal of the female and male role…. The whole problem with the hookup culture is that you are using somebody else."
Smith thinks that women have more power than they realize.
"Women have historically always had power when it comes to sexual decisions," Smith says. "In the hook-up culture, women completely abdicate any kind of power that they have in the sexual arena.
"I think that they need to take the power back and realize that if they abstain from the hook-up culture, it's not going to ruin their chances of dating period. I wish all women would get together and have the moral courage to say, 'We want to be respected more, We're not going to participate in the hook-up culture, we're not going to frats where guys are participating in the hook up culture. We're not going to frats where men are abusing women or putting things in women's drinks'.
"If women would band together and say 'We aren't going to put up with this,' it would go a long way. If they had the moral culture to do this, they would be helping not only themselves but hundreds and thousands of other women who are afraid to take a stand against this culture. They need to stand up and demand dating, and if a guy doesn't want to date, then he's somebody you shouldn't be wasting your time with. "
Older conservatives who share the goal of returning to a more civil culture can take comfort not just in Emily's writing, but in the very existences of such a young, powerful advocate for these ideas.
Read more Portrait of a Modern Feminist features >>