The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, the days are getting longer...that can only mean one thing...it’s almost IFSEC time.

From everyone I’ve been speaking to recently, it seems that in a kind of strange way, the economic crisis is actually driving interest in this year’s show up. People always attend IFSEC to network and get a look at the latest technology, and it will no doubt be the same this year. Many, however, are also paying closer attention and looking to the 2009 edition as a kind of bellwether for both the economy as a whole and the security industry in particular. There’s definitely a lot of anticipation out there.

The show’s organizers and exhibitors have picked up on this. The economic crisis is forcing everyone to focus more than ever, and the result is a whole lot of talk about ROI, running a smart business and making sure customers

get what they need.

Announcements from exhibitors in the run-up to this year’s show are mentioning a lot more explicitly how they can help integrators and installers make the most of the technology they’re producing to offer smarter solutions and

better returns for their busi-

Steven Sachoff

nesses. It’s true that some companies have decided to sit this one out, but others are really looking at this as an opportunity to reach out to prospective customers, and with that in mind are actually expanding their presence at this year’s show (See our IFSEC preview story on page 4).

Organizers too, seem intent on putting on a smarter, more user-friendly, tailored event. Everything from a new location in the NEC, to a new floor plan, to expanded VIP treatment for

exhibitors and their top clients points to the awareness that this year’s show can’t just be business as usual.

One seminar program that’s taking place during the show focuses on running a business during an economic downturn, which should be of particular interest to integrators and installers who are looking to not only get by but prosper during tough economic times. Topics include tips on how to expand your business abroad, make money from new technology and get skilled-up on things like IP.

There is no doubt that the economy is certainly far from ideal. When it comes to IFSEC, though, the silver lining for integrators and installers attending this year is likely to be more attention to what they need to succeed than ever before.

Tim Purpura, PUBLISHER tpurpura@securitysystemsnews.com

Steven Sachoff, EDITOR ssachoff@securitysystemsnewseurope.com

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Mark MacKenzie, EMEDIA MANAGER mmackenzie@securitysystemsnews.com

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Putting wireless alarm systems to work for you

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John Waddell
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Wireless alarm systems are an economical security solution that can be used by everyone.

The advantages of a wireless alarm system are obvious: No dirt and no noise during assembly, fast and inexpensive installation and high flexibility. In houses, rented flats as well as in condominiums and new buildings, a wireless solutions is, above all, the optimal answer if time-consuming cable laying is not desired or not possible.

Wireless systems are, therefore, a low-priced security solution that can be implemented in the shortest time.

In the electronic residential security market, these systems are in greater demand than ever, as the user can convert or expand his wireless alarm system at any time, or simply take it with him if he moves.

control center sends its data packets, with the result that a siren sounds, a light flashes and an alarm signal is transmitted via a speech dialer, either to an emergency control point or any telephone number, depending on the setting.

false alarms. A glance at police statistics, however, clearly shows that the main cause of false alarms in over 70% of cases is operating error. Bi-directional components increase security in dealing with the alarm system. Each command sent is displayed by the alarm center and acknowledged. So before entering the monitored area, users of a bi-directional alarm system can be completely sure that the system is not currently active. Therefore, accidental triggering of the alarm system when entering a secure zone is practically ruled out.

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Glen Halliday, PRODUC TION DIRECTOR

Brenda Boothby, CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

BI-DIRECTIONAL
WIRELESS SYSTEMS
INCREASE OPERATOR
COMFORT

Modern wireless alarm systems also support two-way radio communication, that is to say they are bi-directional. In this process, bi-directional radio components are a very convenient way of operating the alarm

system, as they not only send commands to the alarm system but can also receive and implement commands from the control center.

Another advantage to bi-directional systems is that they allow not only for operation from everywhere in the monitored area at the touch of a button, but also make it possible to query the system from anywhere. This means that a brief glance at the wireless remote control shows the user the current status of the system and whether it is activated or not.

ART CREDI TS Mark MacKenzie and Glen Halliday, MG Creations

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PRESIDENT & CEO VICE PRESIDENT J. G. Taliaferro, Jr. Rick Rector

Marco Niecke

COMMUNICATION BY RADIO

With a wireless alarm system, the control center stays in contact with all components via a specific radio frequency reserved for the security zone. The detectors send their status to the control center. The arriving data is securely received and evaluated here. Depending on the status of the system, the following occurs: the

FUTURE MARKET FOR WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEMS

Today, electronic security technology —first and foremost wireless alarm systems—is more in demand than ever.

The potential is enormous, as very few private households currently have electronic protection, and there is a very high demand in the business sector too.

A carefully chosen wireless alarm system from a manufacturer with comprehensive training and support can help you take advantage of the attractive margins that the booming market of electronic security technology currently has at the ready.

AVOIDING FALSE ALARMS

Even the most expensive and best alarm system is no guarantee against

Marco Niecke is public relations manager at German electronic security technology manufacturer Abus Security-Center ( www.abus-sc.com). He can be reached at: m.niecke@abus-sc.com.