Serving Installers, Dealers and Integrators Across Canada
Evolution of remote video monitoring
The industry must articulate the value of this developing technology to consumers p. 12
Selling the cloud for security solutions
How integrators can help their clients make the transition to cloud or hybrid networks p. 20
Addressing the recruitment crisis
It can be difficult to hire skilled labour today, but CANASA says it is working on solutions to this industry-wide issue p. 22
Azin Tabrizi, CEO, Met-Scan Canada
14 Integrator of the Year 2024
Met-Scan Canada is awarded Integrator of the Year based on its client service, strong support for employee development, and vision for the future
By Neil Sutton
20 Selling cloud-based solutions
As organizations adopt hosted or hybrid models for their security systems, integrators play a key role in supporting the transition
By Anastasie Najem
22 The ongoing search for skilled technicians
The security industry is experiencing a hiring crunch as it gets tougher to replace retiring technicians and installers with new recruits
By James Careless
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EDITOR’S LETTER
TBy Neil Sutton
A 20-year success story
he Integrator of the Year Award has been running continuously for almost two decades now.
During that time we have featured numerous customer engagement stories shared with us by the award-winning integrators. Projects have included hospitals and a courthouse in B.C., municipal facilities at the City of Calgary, student residences in Toronto, a smart building in Edmonton and a dozen other integration scenarios across the country.
These winning case studies have showcased some remarkable ingenuity and the ability of integrators to adapt to their customers’ needs.
was its commitment to making security a more visible career option for women. Led by Azin Tabrizi as CEO and a 70 per cent female executive team, the company is an example of the power of embracing diversity and raising awareness.
It’s no secret that the security industry is struggling to draw in new recruits and retain its existing talent, some of whom are inevitably leaving the business for retirement.
“Fresh thinking is required to keep propelling the industry forward.”
But after many years of pursuing a project-based approach, it was time for a change. For the 2024 award, we decided to shift the focus from client sites to the integrators themselves. While this year’s nomination process asked integrators to include customer service details, we also asked for information about employee support programs, company growth and participation in community-based endeavours.
We received a number of promising submissions and ultimately, Met-Scan Canada was declared this year’s winner by our advisory board (see p.20). The Toronto-based integration company is a success story in its own right, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Beginning as an engineering consulting firm, Met-Scan has evolved into a top-tier security provider.
One of the factors that made Met-Scan stand out
This is a topic explored at length by members of the Canadian Security Association and other security professionals who are witnessing it firsthand. In an article focused on recruitment challenges (see p.22), CANASA posits some potential solutions, one of which is promoting the security industry to young people by working directly with colleges.
Fresh thinking is required to keep propelling the industry forward and let more people know that security is a sector rich with career opportunities. Met-Scan has clearly embraced this philosophy, which is one of the major reasons they were selected as this year’s Integrator of the Year.
The annual contest will return in 2025, so if you work for (or with) an integrator that is moving the industry in the right direction, consider nominating them for the award next year.
@SecurityEd
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Its primary purpose is to serve as an information resource to installers, resellers and integrators working within the security and/or related industries. Editorial information is reported in a concise, accurate and unbiased manner on security products, systems and services, as well as on product areas related to the security industry.
Editor, Neil Sutton 416-510-6788 nsutton@annexbusinessmedia.com
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Patrick Soo, Alarm.com Floria Chiu, Telus Custom Security Systems Stephen Karchut, Alarmtech Val Michetti, HID Frank Pietrobono, RSPNDR
111 Gordon Baker Rd, Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 T: 416-442-5600 F: 416-442-2230
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Securitas Technology outlines sustainability initiatives at GSX
Securitas Technology provided more details about its sustainability initiatives at the recent GSX conference in Orlando, Fla., including a program that provides security equipment emissions data to current and prospective clients.
Securitas’ sustainability program is multi-faceted, and includes recycling programs ranging from the bands used for its Hugs infant protection technology to its own technicians’ uniforms.
Securitas has also committed to substantial emissions reduction targets — reducing absolute scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent by 2030 from a 2022 base year, according to the company.
Other avenues the company is exploring to reduce its footprint include offering remote work options for eligible positions, evaluating driving habits to reduce gasoline consumption across its fleet of vehicles, and providing remote
servicing options for clients in order to reduce truck rolls.
Top priority
Based on feedback from Securitas’ customer advisory board and survey data, sustainability is a top three priority for its client base.
“For us, sustainability is a shared responsibility,” said Julieta Verrier, global chief marketing officer, Securitas Technology during a briefing at GSX. “It’s not just about what we do but also how we help our clients, and how our strategic partners can help in the sustainability journey.”
Starting in the U.S. and Canada, Securitas Technology will provide its customers with data on greenhouse gas emissions related to security products. Sales quotes for clients will also include a sustainability summary.
The company says the information will be calculated based on a device’s annual energy consumption
and expressed in CO2 equivalent. The energy data was gathered in co-operation with Securitas’ product partners, representing manufacturers across the security industry.
Securitas says research indicates that 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions generated as a direct result of electronic security occur through product use. While individual devices may not seem like big consumers of power, they collectively have a large impact.
Supporting clients
In many cases, Securitas’ clients are also leading the way and have sustainability or emissions programs of their own. Some of these enterprise users will already have sustainability requirements for their suppliers and partners.
For smaller companies, or those starting to explore sustainability issues, Securitas can be a guide, said Verrier. “It’s about starting the conversation and providing knowledge
to our clients, because they are being asked by their leaders to report on sustainability,” she said.
Other ways Securitas can support its clients include helping them to set up smarter security systems in buildings, thereby providing occupancy data that can be used to reduce energy consumption. Increasing adoption of mobile security options would also reduce reliance on plastic access cards.
“Achieving a more sustainable future requires collective action, and sustainability is increasingly at the forefront of our clients’ priorities,” said Tony Byerly, global president and CEO, Securitas Technology, in a recent company press release.
“We are proud to step out and lead the industry to be more environmentally responsible, alongside our committed technology partners who have provided essential data for this important initiative. By offering clients accurate data on the emissions from the power consumption of our solutions, we empower them to make informed choices that not only enhance security but also reduce the environmental impact.”
— Neil Sutton
ASSA ABLOY partners with Boston Dynamics
At this year’s GSX conference in Orlando, Fla., ASSA ABLOY introduced a new digital access solution that allows Boston Dynamics’ Spot security patrol robots to unlock and open automated doors autonomously.
Spot robots equipped with PTZ cameras and thermal and audio sensors have been deployed by security professionals for performing patrols of property perimeters such as fence lines, exterior doors and outside buildings.
Now, with embedded digital access credentials that communicate via Bluetooth with Signo readers from HID (an ASSA ABLOY brand) Spot can freely pass through compatible automated doors.
According to Angelo Faenza, head of Digital Access Solutions at ASSA ABLOY Opening
Solutions Americas, “As soon as Boston Dynamics presented us with the door access issue they were facing, we immediately jumped at the opportunity. It’s such a natural fit and has been a thoroughly symbiotic and successful col-
laborative endeavour. Security solutions, after all, are what we’re all about. It’s always a pleasure and privilege to work with such an exciting technology innovator like Boston Dynamics.”
“Our partnership with ASSA ABLOY quickly resulted in the creation of a logical and practical solution to overcome what was originally a tricky problem,” added Tim Dykstra, director of strategic partnerships and channel sales for Boston Dynamics.
“Today, ASSA ABLOY has made it incredibly easy for Spot to go where it needs to in order to perform its critical autonomous security patrols.”
In addition to security operations, the new autonomous digital access capability will be available for Spot’s industrial inspection applications.
Spot robot equipped with HID technology can open doors
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Ont. hospital replaces mechanical keys with mobile
Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) an acute-care hospital in Peterborough, Ont., has replaced its mechanical padlocks and keys with keyless mobile access solutions from iLOQ.
The management of physical keys had become a challenge for the hospital and it was time-consuming to keep track of who had access rights and where individual keys were.
Using an iLOQ solution, physical keys were replaced with an NFCenabled smartphone and access rights are sent to iLOQ’s app running on the phone. They are recognized, and the locks are opened using the phone’s NFC induction. Staff members’ individual access rights can be granted, updated and canceled remotely in real time. A live audit trail enhances security and accountability, and the solution integrates into PRHC’s future access control platform.
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Indonesian mall operator invests in analytics
Shopping mall operator Agung Sedayu Realestat Indonesia (ASRI) is using AI video technology to improve security and boost operational efficiency.
ASRI operates five shopping and leisure complexes in Jakarta, four residential developments, and three office towers. The company has adopted an IDIS video solution that includes people-counting analysis integrated with ASRI’s centralized database. People counting and options to use heat maps, queue management and occupancy monitoring are provided using 15 strategically deployed cameras connected to IDIS AI-in-the-Box for Retail devices.
The upgrade also integrates legacy third-party cameras to reduce costs while expanding surveillance coverage of internal and external areas with IDIS HD cameras.
The contract was awarded to IDIS integration partner PT Mandiri Cipta Integrasi (MCI).
• Brian McIlravey has joined Swift Connect, a provider of mobile credential management solutions, as vice-president of its Access Management Automation Division.
• Integrated Control
Technology (ICT) announced it has appointed Daniel Miclette as regional sales manager for Eastern Canada.
• James Rothstein has joined i-PRO as the company’s global executive advisor. Rothstein was previously
Ecuador airport updates security infrastructure
Terminal Aeroportuaria de Guayaquil S.A, TAGSA, which manages the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador has installed surveillance and access control solutions to support its operations.
With a facility of 180 hectares of area and an average of four million passengers annually, Guayaquil’s airport connects Ecuador with more than 15 international destinations.
The organization selected Motorola Solutions’ Avigilon Unity to help mitigate security threats.
“With our new video and access control management solution, we have been able to extend security to areas that were not previously covered while adding capabilities that allow our security staff to make more informed and efficient decisions,” said Ángel Córdova, general manager at TAGSA, in a statement.
Avigilon security cameras have been strategically installed across the airport and video analytics can detect and notify personnel of anomalies.
October 21-22, 2024
The National Monitoring Station Symposium Toronto, Ont. www.canasa.org
October 22-24, 2024 Sector Toronto, Ont. www.sector.ca
October 23-24, 2024
Security Canada Central Toronto, Ont. www.securitycanada.com
November 14, 2024 ADI Expo Montreal Montreal, Que. www.adiglobaldistribution.ca
November 19-21, 2024 ISC East New York, N.Y. www.isceast.com
December 3, 2024
Focus on Healthcare Security Toronto, Ont. www.canadiansecuritymag.com
December 4-6, 2024
The Buildings Show Toronto, Ont. thebuildingsshow.com
February 13, 2025
Security Summit Canada Online www.sptnews.ca
March 31 - April 4, 2025 ISC West Las Vegas, Nev. www.iscwest.com
chairman of the Security Industry Association board of directors.
• Farpointe Data announced the appointment of Brendon Allen as its new director of engineering.
• Allegion has appointed
Stacy Cozad as senior vicepresident, general counsel and corporate secretary.
• Kazim Akhtar has been appointed director of sales for Western Canada at Hikvision. He originally joined Hikvision in 2018.
Brian McIlravey Daniel Miclette
James Rothstein Brendon Allen Stacy Cozad
Kazim Akhtar
LESSONS LEARNED
TBy Victor Harding
Getting the spreadsheet right
While it may seem like a detail, formatting account data correctly is crucial to the completion of an alarm deal
hose of you who have sold alarm accounts know I am talking about the Excel spreadsheet that contains all the details of the monitored accounts and other Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR) being sold.
Writing a whole article about a spreadsheet may seem like overkill but it is a critical part of any deal involving the sale of alarm accounts for several reasons.
This article hopefully will explain why this spreadsheet is so important and list some of the details about data needed on it.
No deal for alarm accounts can be completed without this spreadsheet being done first. In most deals, filling in this spreadsheet with details of the accounts is by far the most timeconsuming and frustrating part of the deal.
I often think that buyers don’t appreciate just how much work it involves. When doing a deal, I send a blank template for this spreadsheet early on in the deal in hopes to get the dealer to start working on it.
Having clerical help from someone who knows how to use Excel helps a lot. Often a seller can cut and paste from their billing systems to fill in the columns of the spreadsheet. However, having their own clerical staff doing this spreadsheet can present a problem if the owner is trying to keep the sale confidential.
Given that most of the value contained in the sale of alarm companies is in the monitored accounts, it is not surprising that a spreadsheet with all the details on the accounts is as important as it is. In fact, in almost all acquisition deals, a shortened version of the full spreadsheet is attached to the Purchase and Sale Agreement. In essence this is what the buyer is buying.
What most sellers don’t realize is that this same spreadsheet is used for two other important reasons:
• Calculating the final purchase price –Alarm accounts deals are mostly expressed as a multiple (number of months) of RMR less the deferred revenue calculated as of the closing date. The spreadsheet lists all the RMR, the billing rotation (annually, quarterly or monthly) and the next billing date (after the closing date) all of which
“No deal for alarm accounts can be completed without this spreadsheet being done first.”
are used to calculate the deferred revenue. Any mistake of any of these variables will cause the final purchase price to be wrong.
• Giving the buyer the details of how to bill the accounts after – The buyer using this same spreadsheet to bill the accounts after. Nothing will increase the attrition on an account base after selling more than incorrect billing of the accounts. If the rate or where the bill is to be sent is wrong it will cause a problem with customers.
Most of the spreadsheets that I have seen have most of the same column headings and data required. Some other points to note about the data on a spreadsheet:
• All the RMR rates on the spreadsheet should be tax out.
• The spreadsheet RMR numbers all have to be expressed in terms of monthly rates.
• Only items that are truly Recurring Monthly Revenue can be put on the spreadsheet. For example, “pay as you use it” guard response is not RMR. Neither is time and materials service revenue. But managed access, if it recurs month in, month out can be included.
• Some buyers pay different multiples on the various types of RMR, for example lower multiples on guard and maintenance contracts.
Here is a list of the most important columns headings:
• Existing monitoring station system number
• Customer name and system address. Note that the system address can be different from the billing address.
• All the details of the RMR, including monthly monitoring, maintenance RMR, cell or Alarm.com RMR, guard RMR.
• Billing frequency: billing rotation, next billing date, closing date
• Billing details: invoice or PAP, credit card or bank, billing address
• Miscellaneous: signed contract or not, commercial or residential, panel type, last signal date
Most Excel spreadsheets are set up to automatically generate the deferred revenue which is dependent on the billing rotation, the next billing date and the planned closing date of the transaction. I always suggest that the seller double-check the deferred revenue calculation on several lines of the spreadsheet to make sure it makes sense.
As we know, the deferred revenue can add up to be a big deduction, particularly if a dealer bills many of their accounts annually.
In terms of data collection, what often takes a lot of time with the spreadsheet is having to pull the file on each account to see whether there is a signed contract on the account and what the panel type is.
With all this detail to get right on each monitored account, you can understand that getting the spreadsheet right for an account base of 1,000-1,500 accounts is a big job for anyone.
Usually, this spreadsheet is completed during the due diligence period after a Letter of Intent is signed and then turned over to the buyer to examine. If the closing date is still weeks away, some sellers will blank out the customer names when turning it over to the buyer, at least until they get closer to the deal closing.
Finally, it is up to the seller to keep the spreadsheet up-to-date for any new accounts or cancellations between when it is first completed and the closing date.
Having said this, most spreadsheets can still get corrected between the first and second payment on a deal which normally happens about 90 days after closing. Getting this spreadsheet done early and correctly is a major boost to any alarm account sale.
Victor Harding is the principal of Harding Security Services (victor@hardingsecurity.ca).
By Patrick Straw
Anticipation high for monitoring symposium and Security Canada Central CANASA UPDATE
After a successful spring and summer, fall events bring more education and networking opportunities
Thanks to a lot of hard work by CANASA regional councils, committees and staff, we have had a fantastic spring and summer of member events including our regional golf tournaments across the country.
We had record attendance, great weather and a lot of fun getting together with our friends and colleagues across Canada.
These opportunities to network are growing in popularity and we will continue to provide interesting topics and venues for us all to get together.
CANASA will soon be hosting its seventh annual National Monitoring Station Symposium.
The two-day program includes a visit to the A.P.I. Monitoring station on Monday, Oct. 21, followed by the Symposium the next day on Oct. 22. Security Canada Central immediately follows on Oct. 23-24.
These activities are a must-attend opportunity to meet with your peers, share and exchange information, and discuss common concerns in a very friendly environment.
With Security Canada Central just around the corner, all indications are that it will be our biggest show ever. Both booth sales and registration are surpassing pre-pandemic numbers.
As usual, Steve Basnett our director of trade shows and events, did an excellent job. This is the
largest security showcase in Canada — please make sure you pre-register so your badge will be waiting for you when you arrive.
Education is still a major priority for CANASA and we are currently in talks with several community colleges, working with them to find a way to weave a security component into existing electrical technician programs. We are confident that the right formula that works for our members, as well as the schools, is not far away.
To all of our vendor partners who have attended and sponsored CANASA events this year, we thank you as always. We could not do what we do without your outstanding support.
23 - 24, 2024
Patrick Straw is the executive director of CANASA (www.canasa.org).
Patrick Straw
PRACTICAL SECURITY
IBy Roger Miller
The evolution of remote video monitoring
Meeting customer expectations is paramount as this market continues to show promise
n the 1990s, the security industry was already talking about remote video.
Back then, companies known for their technical innovation were marketing “robotics” to security companies as a method of innovating their guard services.
I recall attending one demonstration, though the choppy video link never did work during the hour we spent there.
In fact, I don’t know if that product was ever fully brought to market.
“We will continue to see more security industry players in this segment.”
Move ahead to 2024 and remote video monitoring is a viable product today, with many variations of the service offered. We will continue to see more security industry players in this segment at the local, regional and national level.
If you are an integrator or installer and you’re not offering this service, you should be. At some point, this segment will be a more refined product. The challenge to refining, or even defining, this product is understanding what the customer wants, need or expects. This is what I want to talk about: expectations.
Let’s start with understanding the product offerings:
• Video verification: Operators verify the cause of alarm or other signal once they’ve been notified.
• Video response: Operators respond in some manner to the cause of a notification or request. This could be an audio response through speakers or activating devices at the premise location.
• Video monitoring: Operators are actively monitoring the premises for irregular or unauthorized activity.
• Video patrols: Operators provide scheduled or random patrols of a premises to observe, report and action activity at the premises.
I would expect that some of the companies
offering the services listed above may have another interpretation or provide a different description of their services. However, this is my opinion based on my professional security experience.
We can package these products in many different descriptive ways. The above list is meant to try to define the basic services within the context of this article. This is more important to the consumer than it is to the service provider. The consumer needs to clearly understand the type of service that is being delivered, which in turn clarifies expectations for both parties. How else can the customer measure their satisfaction with the services?
Generally speaking, this is not a life safety system. Unlike traditional alarm monitoring, there is usually no requirement for full redundancy in the video monitoring world, no requirement for UL listing or full generator back up. These are all nice-to-haves, but there is no regulatory compliance component outside of a standard business registration. A professional station offering remote monitoring should have some of the expected redundancies in place.
From my experience, if the police agencies are able to prevent a crime or apprehend
a suspect with the assistance of remote video they would view the technology as an effective security tool.
Most provinces are reluctant to regulate integrators or installers, so they are unlikely to get involved in an area they are not familiar with.This ultimately means it is a “buyer beware” market which creates a responsibility for us to ensure our customers know what they are (or are not) buying.
I personally see remote video monitoring in any form as a security product first and technology second. Others will disagree and see it as technology providing a service. This is really going to be driven by customers having a need for the services listed above. It is up to their service provider to seize that as a business opportunity and determine how to implement the service with the best technology available.
But remember, the service is defined first, not the technology. As with any product or service, we need to know what the customer wants then deliver it.
Roger Miller is the president of Northeastern Protection Service Inc. (www.protectionpartner.ca)
Met-Scan Canada is awarded Integrator of the Year 2024 based on its client service, strong support for employee development, and vision for the future
By Neil Sutton
Met-Scan Canada is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
RISING TO THE OCCASION 2024 INTEGRATOR
Reflecting on those first two decades, company CEO Azin Tabrizi is proud of how far Met-Scan has come, while eagerly anticipating the changes that will set it on a path for future growth.
Met-Scan was founded by her father, Ahmad Tabrizi, and father-in-law, Rick Holder, as an engineering consulting company in 2004. The company soon pivoted over to the security business when it became clear that there were clientele seeking those types of solutions.
A veteran of the Bell organization, Holder had experience in television media and familiarity with broadcast standards. His expertise lent itself well to surveillance camera technology, another visual medium.
OF THE YEAR
The timing of the switch over to CCTV was ideal, says Tabrizi, as security was beginning its transition from analogue signals to IP.
“We had a group of engineers that really understand [that technology] and they brought that to the security world,” says Tabrizi, adding that the company has continued to maintain a strong discipline in IT networking technology, including fibre and wireless.
With a background in the pharmaceutical industry, and a technology-focused MBA, Tabrizi initially joined Met-Scan part-time to help with the operational and financial side of the business. She took over the role of CEO six years ago as her father-in-law retired and her father moved into a part-time position as company chairman.
For the first 10 years of its existence, MetScan was purely focused on CCTV. As the company’s clientele shifted towards wanting a single source to fulfill their security integration needs, Met-Scan expanded into access control and intrusion solutions.
Today, the company is on the cusp of major growth. A Toronto business with an Ontario customer base, Met-Scan decided the time was right to expand across Canada. In the last 18 months, Met-Scan has been adding customers across the country through regional partnerships. “Over the last year or so, we are working with partners across Canada. We [now] have clients nationally,” explains Antoinette Modica, Met-Scan’s chief operating officer. “We’ve set up some really good relationships.”
Tabrizi attributes Met-Scan’s two decades of success to its foundational principles. The company operates according to its “RISE” motto:
• Resilience
• Integrity
• Sustainable innovation
• Empowerment
“We pride ourselves on the fact that our clients are long-term clients. We’ve always been able to provide them very high quality work and gone above and beyond
what they initially expected from us,” says Tabrizi, referring to MetScan’s longstanding reputation for resilience.
As for integrity, she says that customers also appreciate honesty, transparency and a high level of ethics when it comes to business practices.
Sustainable innovation refers to future-proofing a security equipment set-up and protecting the client’s investment. “We are not a ‘cookie cutter’ house that will give you something that just meets your requirements today — it will meet your requirements in the future,” explains Tabrizi.
Clients may not even know what their future needs might be, she adds, so Met-Scan will provide them with consultation that takes this into consideration and advise them accordingly.
Finally, empowerment: “We firmly believe in training our customers, so they understand what we’re able to give them and empowering them to be able to make those educated decisions for themselves independently with our guidance,” says Tabrizi.
Met-Scan provides services to a variety of different clients including enterprise, government and other public sector organizations. A Met-Scan client with very specific needs is the Toronto Zoo, which has worked with the company for the last two years.
“We had a larger project coming up and it was time for us to refresh our security systems at the zoo, starting with our camera systems,” explains Toronto Zoo supervisor of safety and security Graham Birtles.
The zoo has greatly expanded its camera-count with Axis Communications technology and upgraded its video management systems with Milestone Systems. The zoo has also utilized Met-Scan’s services for intercoms and access control.
The Toronto Zoo is a unique customer, with a mix of indoor and outdoor environments and requirements that are particular to the zoo’s animals and their habitats. A high level of customization is required, and surveillance must fulfill a variety of needs including security, marketing analytics, guest and staff safety, as
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well as the safety of the animals.
“We have a great relationship with MetScan. They’re very professional,” says Birtles. “They understand they have to work around our schedule and our animals’ schedules … the nuances of running a zoo.”
Investing in employees
Met-Scan’s RISE philosophy also applies to its
employees. In addition to perks like flexible work hours, monthly social events and semi-annual company dinners, Met-Scan takes a serious approach to training and upskilling.
Met-Scan describes itself as principally a security design engineering firm and this is reflected in the training standards it maintains in its technical staff.
“Every single technician and engineer that
we have — when they’re deployed [in the field] and touching a piece of technology, they have been trained on that technology. They see the level of confidence we have in them, as we’re investing the time and money in them getting those certifications,” says Tabrizi.
Met-Scan also has a number of professional engineers on staff, most of whom earned their P.Eng certifications while employed with the company.
“I alway tell people, you’ve got to trust your team members. If you trust them, they’ll trust you back,” says Tabrizi.
Leadership and diversity
In addition to a focus on professionalism and skills development, Met-Scan has also made a commitment to promoting diversity among its ranks.
When Tabrizi moved over to the security industry full-time, she was struck by how few women she encountered. “It was shocking,” she says.
Since taking over as CEO, Tabrizi has made hiring women a priority “because I wasn’t seeing any.” Today, 70 per cent of the company’s leaders are women — something that is still very unusual in the security business.
“I am hoping we have an impact on that, and in the next generation we’ll see more and more women, not only in the engineering field but in
Projects and engineering (from left): Azita Parsa, Sharmeen Kabir, Saeed Tajvidi, Ravi Monaragala, Abouzar Shahraki-Kia
leadership roles as well,” she says. Some of the staff she has hired hadn’t even considered a job in security before, mainly because they weren’t aware such jobs even existed.
Raising awareness is paramount, she says, particularly since there are many highly skilled jobs available in security that are going unfilled.
To help address this, Met-Scan has also collaborated with education partners like Toronto
Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and the University of Waterloo.
Next steps
The security industry is going through a period of rapid technical development and expanding into new areas such as the application of AI and the optimization of data. Security technology can be operationalized beyond the security and
safety use-cases they were originally designed for, notes Tabrizi. Security tools are also sensors that generate vast quantities of data.
“At the end of the day, data is only valuable if you can apply it to specific things. [It’s about] shifting that mindset for the customer. You can take that security asset above and beyond...your security needs,” she says.
As an integrator you have to move faster than the manufacturers, and ahead of the trends so you can present the latest solutions to customers, adds Modica. You have to think how technology can best be leveraged to get the most out of your investment.
As the company sets its sights on optimizing technology integration for clients and growing its business across Canada, it is also developing its own products in-house. Met-Scan is currently working on AI-driven software that can be integrated with a video management system.
Integrators have a unique appreciation of customer pain points, says Tabrizi. Creating products that would address those pain points “just makes a lot of sense.”
Entering its third decade of business, MetScan will continue with the philosophy that has sustained it for the first two, says Tabrizi.
“The key for me, as we grow, is maintaining the ‘RISE’ aspect of who we are.”
Everything You Need for the 3G Sunset in Canada
The Right Panel for Every Application
Met-Scan directors (from left): Antoinette Modica, COO; Azin Tabrizi, CEO; Atieh Sabbar, director, people & operations; Rosanne D’Amico, business development director; Flora Ken, procurement director
AN EASIER, UNIFIED APPROACH
ICT started more than 20 years ago as Integrated Control Technologies, and as a manufacturer of security solutions, we’ve led the way with unified systems for access control, intruder detection, and building automation – long before this was fashionable.
For me, I’ve always worked for organisations that I think do some good. So, the attraction of ICT is making people and property safe - and not just to be safe, but to feel safe.
EVOLUTION OF INTERACTIONS
There’s massive variation in the environments that security systems go into, and therefore there are very different approaches in how those environments are managed.
We need to recognize that the training and experience of the person administrating the system day to day can vary wildly. Dependent on the system installed and the location, it could be anyone from an HR employee or an office manager, all the way through to a fully deployed 24/7 Security Operations Centre with full time eyes-on-glass.
There’s also a high variation in how people want to interact with their security system – again from a fully staffed 24/7 SOC to someone who just wants to be able to easily manage things from a mobile device on the go.
A universal theme, though, is that people want a system that is flexible and can be configured to their specific needs. They want choice on the supporting applications that make up the system (like VMS, or visitor management etc), and they want something that is approachable, intuitive and easy to use.
We must recognize that our user base is constantly evolving. Turnover in some roles can be high, so security systems need to be easier to learn, easier to use, and much more approachable. On top of this, we also need to train people who operate the
platform day-to-day to ensure they get the most benefit of their investment.
MAKING SECURITY MORE APPROACHABLE
Our CEO, Hayden Burr, talks about the transition towards allowing people freedom to access while controlling and managing movements in a more efficient way.
If we make it easier to use for the least qualified users, all users ultimately benefit. Securing an environment is serious, but at the same time it doesn’t need to be hard.
USER EXPERIENCE MUST DIFFER
A regular user wants a system that they don’t have to think about, it needs to be almost invisible for them without unnecessary hold ups.
For administrators, security may not be their primary role, so they need something which is easy to use & learn and helps them make the right choices to keep things secure.
And for integrators, while providing a product that has the flexibility to meet their customers’ needs is important, having easier to use systems that reduce training time and mistakes are an easier to sell to the end-user. And, easier to configure systems also minimize programming and lessen the physical time on site.
AN INTUITIVE JOURNEY
I’ve had many a customer tell me there is so much that you can do with an ICT system. Our Protege platforms are very configurable and offer such a wide range of options to the integrator. This means
they suit a wide range of environments, like these real-world examples such as remote monitoring of a road de-icing system in Ontario, an enterprise level local government install in Australia that spans across a city, to a recently opened selfservice hotel in Iceland.
Traditionally, capability has come at the expense of usability. That has meant that integrators really need to know the system well to get the most benefit out of it.
Last year we started to change that with a series of User Experience design workshops looking at how we make the lives of our administrators, users, and integrators better.
We’ll bring out a new look and feel starting with our mobile platform, before rolling out changes across other platforms and interfaces. And this is just the start of what we are.
A SAFE AND SECURE SOLUTION
But at the heart of it, no matter where people are around the world, they all want the same thing from a security system; something that’s easy to use and makes them feel safe. I’m confident that if we can continue to deliver a better user experience as part of a solution that provides flexibility and ability to scale, then we’re on the right path.
Sarah Thompson, Chief Product Officer at ICT, has a background in strategy development, business transformation, and executive leadership at global tech companies
Introducing ICT’s new Protege Wireless Locks, where modern design meets advanced security. Just one credential is needed for simple access from the perimeter to the penthouse. With wireless and hardwired doors, visitor entry, mobile app, and more – ICT has the complete multifamily solution. Cartridge mortise and deadbolt available to order now.
Pat Alvaro Senior Vice President, Canada
SELLING CLOUD-BASED SOLUTIONS
As organizations adopt hosted or hybrid models for their security systems, integrators play a key role in supporting the transition
By Anastasie Najem
The advent of cloud technology has facilitated faster, easier physical security deployments.
Recent research conducted by Genetec shows that 44 per cent of end users reported that more than 25 per cent of their physical security setups are now either in the cloud or use a combination of cloud and on-premises solutions. Organizations of all sizes have come to expect a hosted option as an alternative or addition to their on-premises physical security infrastructure. For systems integrators, this signals a new era of opportunity and adaptation.
Customers who are less familiar with cloud and hybrid-cloud solutions may not fully understand what these terms mean. There are a few different ways to approach integrating cloud solutions. One isn’t better than the other. The “right” solution meets client requirements along with factors such as industry regulations, network strength and business strategy.
Educating customers about the benefits of cloud and hybrid solutions
Integrators play a key role in supporting end users to
thoroughly assess their requirements, and guide them to the most appropriate solutions for their needs.
A growing number of organizations today are adopting cloud-first policies to reduce their hardware footprint and maintenance requirements, but there are still many customers today who don’t fully understand the pros and cons of cloud and hybrid solutions.
Systems integrators can help customers recognize that cloud and on-premises solutions have unique features and benefits. A full cloud deployment means video, access control data and sensor information are all stored and managed in the cloud by default. There’s no on-premises infrastructure to manage or maintain and you get all the latest cybersecurity updates pushed to your devices from the cloud.
Cloud computing allows for broad access, on-demand self-services, measurability and rapid elasticity. The end objectives of adopting cloud technology are many, such as reducing upfront infrastructure investments, improving an organization’s cyber posture, more flexibility and scalability, collaborating on a
larger scale, better disaster recovery, and so on.
A hybrid-cloud deployment gives you the freedom to choose exactly how you want to set up each system and site. That means you can have one site that’s fully on-premises, another site that’s full cloud, and another that’s connected to the cloud with edge devices or cloud-managed appliances. Video and data come back into a centralized cloud software that you can access from anywhere.
An open architecture, hybrid-cloud deployment also provides maximum flexibility that adapts to the evolving needs of the end user while preserving their past investment in infrastructure and hardware. Customers don’t want to have to rip and replace everything as they are starting their journey to the cloud. They can move systems and sites to the cloud at their own pace.
Cloud-managed appliances are often overlooked but powerful ways to bridge on-premises solutions to the cloud, so that clients can
“Organizations of all sizes have come to expect a hosted option as an alternative or addition to their on-premises physical security infrastructure.”
take advantage of scalable data storage and processing power. Computing, analytics or processing data at the edge reduces resources required in the cloud. This is an effective solution when internet connections are spotty, or simply to provide redundancy with local storage for essential data.
Which verticals are more likely to adopt cloud solutions?
Modern cloud-based security solutions are appropriate for all kinds of companies, large or small, as long as they have a strong and stable connection to the internet. Organizations with small to medium device density sites that have multiple dispersed sites, such as retail, education or banking among many others, have specific needs that are better met with cloud solutions.
Industries with large deployments or a multinational presence appreciate the scalability and centralization of resources made possible by the cloud. If they purchase servers to install at each location, it can be challenging to maintain them all.
Large organizations spend significant resources and overhead to maintain their dispersed servers, in addition to the space they lose from server rooms that are expensive real estate. A cloud solution for data storage makes it possible to easily add or reduce capacity as needs change and reduces the demand on resources needed for server maintenance.
More opportunities for integrators
Helping customers adopt the cloud opens new opportunities to expand your business and deepen your relationship with your customers. Systems integrators who sell cloud solutions have the opportunity to add new layers to services for more value for customers.
For example, you could offer remote surveillance monitoring for customers who need security but don’t want the headache of setting up and staffing their own security operations centre (SOC). Cloud adoption planning, IT readiness assessment, device selection, cybersecurity posture, SOC setup, rules and workflows setup, utilization-based training, outcome-driven product adoption, health monitoring, and hardware upgrades are other value-added services.
Some systems integrators have also carved
out new niches by building out custom integrations using APIs. Anything you can offer that will alleviate work or hassle for the end user is a service you can monetize.
Cloud-native systems can help reshape your customer relationships from transactional or commoditized to monetizing your expertise beyond your ability to repair cameras, wire doors or update software to increase customer engagement. It’s the kind of value that isn’t so easily replaceable, and that sets you apart from competitors, creating differentiation so that you don’t only have to compete on price.
With a cloud-native system that’s easy and fast to deploy, and managed and maintained by the provider, you can reduce overhead costs, staff training and truck rolls via remote customer support. As a result, you may allocate more time to new business possibilities, including new projects, services, consultation and customer engagement.
These benefits also allow you to spend time developing greater expertise in your customers’ processes. Using this knowledge, you can tailor your services towards potential productivity gains for your customers and turn them into additional sales. You ensure that your customers get the most out of the technology that’s available and that they have already purchased.
By adopting a consultative approach and proposing tailored solutions that align with the client’s objectives and budgetary constraints, integrators can position themselves as trusted advisors and valuable partners to empower their clients to embrace the future of physical security.
Embracing the future of physical security
As the physical security industry undergoes this profound shift, systems integrators must adapt to thrive in this new landscape. By embracing cloud and hybrid solutions, integrators can unlock new revenue streams, enhance customer relationships and stay ahead of technological advancements.
With the right partnerships and a forward-thinking mindset, systems integrators can navigate this transformation and take advantage of new opportunities being presented by evolving technology.
Anastasie Najem is a product marketing manager with Montreal-based Genetec (www.genetec.com).
THE ONGOING SEARCH FOR SKILLED TECHNICIANS
The security industry is experiencing a hiring crunch as it gets tougher to replace retiring technicians and installers with new recruits
By James Careless
The Canadian security industry is having difficulty filling jobs that require skilled labour, especially when it comes to finding qualified technicians for alarm and surveillance camera installations.
“It is a serious issue for many of the medium and smaller companies who are privately owned and who often do not have human resource people skilled at recruitment,” says Patrick Straw, executive director of the Canadian Security Association (CANASA).
“It is a frequent topic of discussion at CANASA events as companies struggle to find
qualified workers,” adds Art Katsaga, operations manager at Meridian Security Solutions and vice-president for CANASA’s central Ontario regional council. “In talking to many senior CANASA members, I can confirm this is at the top of their priority list.”
The effects of the labour shortage are rippling throughout the industry. “This shortage has become a significant barrier to growth, with many businesses needing more personnel to take on new projects,” Katsaga says. “As a result, the reduced workforce delays projects and drives costs higher, as companies must pay
premiums to retain the limited skilled technicians available.”
What’s causing the labour shortage?
Professionals in Canada’s security industry have thought long and hard about the labour shortage and what’s causing it. Their explanations for the problem are varied.
“The causes of this are two-fold,” says Straw. “Firstly, most companies are very busy due to a high demand for security installations. Secondly, the security industry is not recognized as much as other ‘trades’ as a viable career.”
“We see a general decline in the number of students pursuing trades or technical fields.”
—Art Katsaga, Meridian Security Solutions
“Looking at the bigger picture, we see a general decline in the number of students pursuing trades or technical fields, leaving industries like security, construction and manufacturing without a steady influx of new workers,” Katsaga observes.
“Compounding this issue for the security industry is that the security technician field is largely off the radar for many people. Many people are unaware the industry even exists. Another key issue is the limited availability of college or university programs focusing on the security industry and the need for clear information on career advancement pathways.”
Making matters worse is the steady departure of Baby Boomers from the security industry.
“The existing workforce is aging, leading to increased retirements and a shrinking pool of experienced professionals,” says Sam Shalaby, CEO of Wavestore Global.
And it’s not just the absence of these veter-
ans that hurts; it’s also the loss of their expertise with complex hardwired systems that is lacking in new-hires.
“The workforce has changed and the ‘peeland-stick’ approach (or ‘wireless warriors’) has become much more prevalent in the indus-
try,” says Ivan Spector, president of Alarme Sentinelle/Sentinel Alarm in Montreal, and a past-president of CANASA and The Monitoring Association (TMA). “Unfortunately, our clients want the reliability of hard-wired systems.”
Tackling the problem
There are four ways in which the Canadian security industry is tackling the labour shortage problem. They are recruitment, money, training and upskilling, and technology.
When it comes to recruitment, “many people enter the industry through family connections or by chance, with few intentional pipelines bringing skilled workers into the field,” Shalaby says.
“The industry struggles to attract new talent because it lacks widespread awareness compared to other technical fields.”
CANASA is doing what it can to address this problem by ramping up recruitment efforts across the country. “We have an incredible team of dedicated staff and volunteers working hard to tackle the labour shortage in the security industry,” says Katsaga.
“Our efforts overlap, but our primary goal is to put a security career on the radar — and ideally top of mind — for high school graduates, newcomers and anyone considering a new career path.”
To this end, CANASA is working with colleges to establish security-specific programs. “By collaborating with educational institutions, we aim to create clear and structured pathways into the security profession,” says Katsaga. “These programs will attract more people to the field and give them the essential skills they need to succeed.”
CANASA is also engaging with high schools to promote security technician careers. This is part of its effort to highlight the many benefits of a security career to younger generations.
“By raising awareness early on, we hope to inspire students to consider the security industry a viable and rewarding option,” says Katsaga.
As well, CANASA is reaching out to new Ca-
nadians with relevant experience, to bring them into the security fold. “This is the committee I am personally involved with,” says Katsaga.
“Through my work with government-funded career centres and interviews with newcomers, I’ve noticed that many immigrants with experience in security technology or related fields like networking don’t consider security technician roles when they arrive in Canada. These positions simply aren’t on their radar in the same way that security guard roles are. That’s why we aim to raise awareness about technician positions within these groups while encouraging our members to hire them. Security technology is similar worldwide, so in many cases, these candidates are already highly qualified and can quickly adapt to Canadian standards without much extra training.”
Then there’s money. Offering excellent pay and benefits is an effective way to attract new talent to the industry. But money doesn’t just extend to new-hires: “Many companies are now paying retention bonuses to keep good people,” says Straw.
“Training and upskilling” means teaching entry-level employees the skills they need to start working in the security industry, and then offering them educational opportunities to improve and expand their skills, and earn more money as a result of their efforts.
“Investing in training and certifications, such as those offered by CANASA or manufacturer-specific courses, can be essential for staying competitive and meeting industry demands,” Shalaby says. “Emphasizing these options can attract younger talent and those transitioning from other fields.”
Finally, there’s technology; namely the wireless security systems that are designed for easier installs.
“The industry struggles to attract new talent because it lacks widespread awareness.”
— Sam Shalaby,Wavestore
“Today, many modern surveillance and security systems are designed for ease of installation, incorporating plug-and-play features that allow for quicker setups with less technical expertise,” says Shalaby.
“This includes cloud-based platforms that can be configured with minimal manual intervention. Installers can also perform diagnostics, updates and configurations on these systems remotely, making the process more efficient and reducing the level of technical skills required on-site. This trend allows companies to hire workers who can handle basic physical installations, while more complex tasks are handled remotely by specialists.”
“Technological advances are simplifying the installation process in certain areas of the security industry, particularly with newer, much easier-to-install wireless products,” agrees Katsaga.
“This can open opportunities for hiring less specialized workers in some roles. Additionally, manufacturers offer extensive training and support through their sales and distribution channels, helping technicians learn the systems quickly. However, while these advancements reduce complexity, skilled technicians are still needed for more complex installations, system integration and troubleshooting. So the demand for technical expertise will persist, especially as systems become more sophisticated.”
Of course, no piece of technology is perfect, or as Spector puts it, “technology is wonderful until it is not.” This is why skilled technicians need to be available to troubleshoot wireless systems when something unexpectedly goes wrong. Every system installed will at some point require a capable service technician.
As well, the responsibilities assigned to some security systems means that their installation can’t be given to entry-level employees, no matter how simple these systems may be to set up.
A case in point: “Most of our security systems include life safety devices, both in our custom residential division and our fire division,” says Spector.
“In these jobs, there is no room for less qualified/less remunerated installers except as helpers who get on-the-job training, and once they have a sufficient number of hours and expertise, they are permitted to make the next level installer/technician. And yes, it is possible to use technology and have programming done by
the back end remotely but nonetheless mistakes can happen. Every job is important and we are not ready to put a long history of excellence at risk.”
Ironically, the same technological advances that are allowing less-experienced security technicians to do installations are also increasing the demand for security employees with other hot commodity skills such as IT and IP networking.
As a result, “technological advances are indeed simplifying the security industry — potentially reducing the need for highly specialized technicians — but automation and artificial intelligence and more user-friendly systems are a contributing factor in this trend,” Shalaby says. “So while these advances reduce reliance on highly skilled technicians, they do not entirely eliminate the need for expertise, especially for more complex systems and integrations.”
The good news
Clearly, there is a lot for security firms to consider when it comes to tackling the industry’s ongoing labour shortage.
The good news is, “For those seeking assistance, they can reach out to organizations like CANASA, which provides industry insights, training and advocacy,” says Shalaby.
“Additionally, consulting firms or recruit-
ment agencies specializing in the security sector can help businesses navigate the labour market. These resources will offer guidance on upskilling current staff, immigration options, and workforce development strategies.”
CANASA’s website (www.canasa.org) also has a job board where the association’s mem-
bers can post their open positions.
Job seekers are also invited to send their resumes to marketing@canasa.org.
Although the labour shortage dogging the Canadian security industry is an ongoing challenge, there are constructive and promising ways to address it.
Providing Safety Along With Superior Sound Quality
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ADDRESS SECTION
A.P.I. ALARM INC
700-5775 Yonge St
Toronto ON M2M 4J1
Tel: 800-897-1039
Web: www.apidealers.com
For over 41 years a.p.i. has been providing monitoring services to thousands of independent alarm dealers across the country. We are privileged to service the smallest to the largest independent dealers in the country. With best in class technology, automation and services as we grow so do our partners.
ALARM.COM
8281 Greensboro Dr. Suite 100
Tysons VA 22102-5213
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Alarm.com is the leading platform for the intelligently connected property. Millions of consumers and businesses depend on Alarm.com’s technology to manage and control their property from anywhere. Our platform integrates with a growing variety of Internet of Things (IoT) devices through our apps and interfaces. Our security, video, access control, intelligent automation, energy management, and wellness solutions are available through our network of thousands of professional service providers in North America and around the globe. Alarm.com’s common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ALRM. For more information, please visit alarm.com.
ARMSTRONGS - A BECKLAR COMPANY
144 Ilsley Ave Unit 100
Dartmouth NS B3B 1V1
Tel: 780-938-8879
Web: armcom.ca
Armstrongs, A Becklar Company, has been providing exceptional wholesale, ULC listed alarm monitoring services to independent security dealers across Canada since 1989. We are proud members of CANASA (Canadian Security Association), with a proven track record of reliability and customer satisfaction. Armstrongs does not sell, install, or quote on security tenders. We take pride in specializing in security monitoring services for Independent Security Installers. This is the sole purpose of our business and is why our company slogan is “Armstrongs Is Your Partner, Not Your Competitor.” Armstrongs is a ULC listed Shared Service company for Burglar, Fire & Financial services and currently monitor over 250,000 accounts across Canada.
As part of Becklar Enterprise Monitoring, we provide enhanced services such as remote guarding, video verification, expanded dealer tools and applications, and improved redundancy. In the past 18 months, Becklar Enterprise Monitoring has invested approximately $3 million in Canada’s operations and infrastructure. Becklar Enterprise Monitoring is TMA Five Diamond Certified, recent winner of TMA’s prestigious Monitoring Center of the Year, five ESX Innovation Awards, and three SSI Stellar Service Awards.
AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS
4005 Matte Boulevard Local D
Brossard QC J4Y 2P4
Tel: 450-659-0737
Web: www.automatic-systems.ca
Automatic Systems designs and manufactures secure pedestrian and vehicle entrance control equipment. With over 50 years of global presence and experience, Automatic Systems has become a leader in this segment. We provide innovative designs combining physical and logical security to respond to the customer’s varied needs, while exceeding the highest safety standards and best in in class reliability.
We are the the first manufacturer that offers an industry-
leading 5 year warranty and demonstrate exceptional performance with proven operation of 10 million MCBF. Along with input from consultants, engineers, and architects, Automatic Systems is constantly improving its standard product offerings as well as developing built-to-suit designs. We have built our business on integrity and reputation with strategic partners who put the customer first.
CAMDEN DOOR CONTROLS
2395 Skymark Ave.
Mississauga ON L4W 4Y6
Tel: 905-366-3377
Fax: 888-436-8739
Web: www.camdencontrols.com
Camden Door Controls is an industry-leading provider of innovative, high-quality, and competitively priced door activation, control, and locking products. Camden backs its products with superior customer service, technical support, product delivery and warranty. Camden is ISO 9001:2018 registered, with extensive product development capabilities, and maintains a 40,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.
CANADIAN SECURITY MAGAZINE
111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400
Toronto ON M2H 3R1
Tel: 416-510-5117
Fax: 416-442-2230
Web: www.canadiansecuritymag.com
For more than 40 years Canadian Security magazine has been the voice of the security industry in Canada. It is the leading publication in Canada for corporate security directors, life safety managers and loss prevention professionals as well as the integrators and service providers who work with them.
FITCH SECURITY INTEGRATION INC.
14 Meteor Dr.
Toronto ON M9W 1A4
Tel: 416-235-1818
Fax: 416-235-1226
Web: www.fitch.ca
For 40+ years Fitch has been designing-installing-servicing the most reliable and technologically advanced end-toend electronic security systems. Fitch prides itself on delivering superior human-verification, crime-prevention and detection and record-capture systems and with knowledgeable, friendly and fully-trained Sales-InstallationService staff, you get a complete electronic security service
– delivered with professionalism.
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2300 rue Émile-Bélanger
St-Laurent QC H4R 3J4
Tel: 855-464-2732
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GardaWorld is the world’s largest privately owned security services company offering a wide range of highly focused business solutions, including leading-edge security services and cash solutions.
Over 132,000 highly trained, dedicated professionals serve clients in America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Our specialities include:
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GRAYBAR CANADA
3600 Joseph Howe Drive
Halifax NS B3L 4HJ
Tel: 902-443-8311
Web: www.graybarcanada.com
Graybar Canada is a subsidiary of Graybar Electric Inc., a Fortune 500 company and one of North America’s oldest and largest electrical, automation, comm/data, security, energy, and lighting distributors. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, we operate over 30 branches across Canada.
From integrating the latest security products into smart
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GROOVE IDENTIFICATION SOLUTIONS INC
29 Centennial Road, Unit 3
Orangeville ON L9W 1R1
Tel: 888-940-3645
Fax: 289-201-3335
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Attention Security Resellers! Our New Wholesale Distribution Division provides you with Higher Profits on the Leading Photo ID Security Products. Groove Identification Solutions specializes in helping Security Integrators with Pro-active Support and high margins with innovative technology.
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HALL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
5447 R.R. #5 Hwy. 6 N
Guelph ON N1H 6J2
Tel: 519-822-5420
Fax: 519-822-5462
Web: www.halltel.com
Hall Telecommunications markets a focused range of quality products to the Canadian telecommunication industry (CATV, Telco, large private networks and Special Needs areas).
Since its inception in 1974, our private and entirely Canadian owned company has grown through leading edge technology solutions and excellent service to its customers. We support the commercial integrator channel in coordination with our world class manufacturers. We believe that the more effective we make our customers, the more effective we make ourselves and both of us win. We continue to challenge the status quo by sourcing new products and technologies that are simple to install, simple to use and provide a high degree of functionality for our customers.
If you’re looking for access control and hardware, video surveillance and software, temperature sensing solutions, or audio and video interrogation room solutions, plus all of the supporting materials, we’re here to help. Hall is your Call!
HANWHA VISION
500 Frank W. Burr Blvd.
Teaneck NJ 07666
Tel: 877-213-1222
Web: www.hanwhavisionamerica.com
Hanwha Vision has been leading the global video surveillance industry with world-class optical design, image processing and cybersecurity technologies for more than 30 years. As it broadens its business to become a global vision solution provider, Hanwha Vision will deliver more valuable and meaningful insights to customers by collecting key information and providing big data analytics using AI and cloud technologies. For more information about Hanwha Vision, please visit www.hanwhavisionamerica.com
HURONIA ALARM & FIRE SECURITY INC.
233 Midland Ave.
Midland ON L4R 3K1
Tel: 705-526-9311
Web: www.huroniaalarms.com
Huronia Alarm & Fire Security Inc. has been in business for over 50 years and is Central Ontario’s leading provider of residential and business security and monitoring services. We provide fire and life safety products and services, which can also be monitored by our locally owned and operated 24/7 ULC listed, Five Diamond monitoring station. The lock, key and safe division addition to the company rounds out our security offering. Lastly, we consult on, design and install: video surveillance equipment, cabling for audio and video, home theatres, sound systems, automated blinds, as well as smart home wiring for today’s home automation requirements. For all your security, fire safety, audio video and lock, key & safe requirements Huronia is committed to keeping our Clients; Safe. Secure. And Sound.
IICT (INTEGRATED CONTROL TECHNOLOGY)
6750 Langstaff Road, Unit 7 Woodbridge Vaughan ON L4H 5K2
Tel: 647-724-3428
Web: www.ict.co
Integrated Control Technology (ICT) is an award-winning global manufacturer of security solutions. For more than 20 years, ICT has led the way with their unified systems for access control, intrusion detection and building automation. Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, ICT supports customer success with local sales, support, training, and dispatch from offices in Toronto, Denver (USA), the UK, Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong & Melbourne (Australia).
The ICT difference is easy; It’s easy to install, easy to integrate, and easy to scale.
The modular DIN Rail design minimizes effort at installation and maximizes space in customer enclosures. All ICT products manufactured in New Zealand are fully tested, and the DIN Rail range has an extended 5-year warranty when installed by an IDN member.
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JCI SECURITY PRODUCTS - DSC / QOLSYS / SURGARD /
3301 Langstaff Road
Concord ON L4K 4L2
Tel: 888-888-7838
Web: www.dsc.com
Security is What We Do
IDN-CANADA ULC
70 Floral Parkway
Toronto ON M6L 2B9
Tel: 416-248-5625
Fax: 416-248-9945
Web: www.idn-inc.ca
IDN-Canada is a national distributor of door hardware and electronics. We’ve been proudly serving the Canadian security industry for more than 85 years. We have 9 stocking locations from coast to coast as well as a door company. We’re nimble and responsive, offering a top-tier, experienced customer service team, a robust ecommerce platform, individual or group training sessions, review of bids and takeoffs, as well as same day shipping. We stock products from more than 100 best-in-class vendors with access to 100’s more.
INSTALLTEAM
12151 - 59th Avenue
Surrey BC V3X 3L4
Tel: 778-565-1022
Web: www.installteam.ca/install-repair
Supporting Regional & National Security Providers with Professional Installation and Repair of Security, Video and Electronic Systems.
We have extensive experience with Commercial and Retail locations, installing and servicing a variety of Security Solutions throughout Western Canada. With well over 15,000 installation projects to our credit, we install each project to your specifications, while informing you of any city, municipal or regulatory agency requirements.
At Installteam we pride ourselves on working hand in hand with your General Contractors, Loss Prevention Officers and fellow trades to make our part of the project lines up with the priorities in play during construction.
We look forward to the opportunity of working on your projects.
DSC (Digital Security Controls) is a world leader in electronic security. Since the company’s genesis, the experts at DSC have been leading the way. From our revolutionary control panels, to our industry-leading IP alarm monitoring products and now to our sleek, contemporary self-contained wireless panels, DSC has always been front and center in the security space.
From a Proud History We Lead Into the Future
Founded in 1979, DSC has a proud history of innovation. We introduced the industry’s first small and attractive security keypads and micro-processor-based alarm panels that set new standards for performance, convenience and ease-of-use.
In 1990 DSC acquired Sur-Gard, a competitor specializing in central station monitoring equipment, and in 1998, added to the family of brands with the acquisition of Italian security product manufacturer, Bentel. The DSC Group was acquired by Tyco International in 2002 and DSC, Sur-Gard and Bentel became individual brands under the Tyco Fire & Security portfolio.
LUMINYS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
15245 Alton Pkwy, #100
Irvine CA 92618
Tel: 949-679-7777
MIRCOM GROUP OF COMPANIES
25 Interchange Way
Vauaghn ON L4K 5W3
Tel: 888-660-4655
Web: www.mircom.com
Mircom Group of Companies is global designer, manufacturer, and distributor, of intelligent building solutions, bringing innovation and flexibility to the industry. Reaching customers in over 100 countries worldwide, our unwavering commitment to technological advancement in the protection of life safety and property enables Mircom to offer the highest quality and strong competitive value across our vast range of solutions.
Independently engineered in North America, Mircom solutions and technology are tailored to the unique needs of our clients – and their customers.
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NEDCO
5600 Keaton Crescent|
Mississauga ON L5R 3G3
Tel: 905-568-5085
Web: www.nedco.ca
Nedco is a banner of Rexel, a world leader in the distribution of products, services and electrical solutions. Nedco is one of the most comprehensive Electrical and Datacom distributors across Canada with 69 locations nationwide. Nedco offers a wide range of quality products in Lighting, Datacom, Wire & Cable, Power Management and Electrical supplies.
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SAFETY TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL (STI)
2306 Airport Rd.
Waterford MI 48327
Tel: 248-673-9898
Fax: 248-673-1246
Web: www.sti-global.com
SAFETY TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL (STI) is a long-time trusted and recognized manufacturer of fire, safety and security products that help deter false alarms, prevent theft, and minimize damage to equipment in public buildings around the world. For over 40 years STI’s mission and focus is to help address building safety concerns with disruption, vandalism, tampering and theft.
STI designs and manufactures innovative cages, enclosures, covers, alarms, touch free and custom push buttons. The reliable products help prevent false fire alarms, touch free and push buttons alert to emergencies or solve access control needs, alarms for doors and extinguishers help prevent misuse, and more to ensure problems are solved. STI’s solution-based security protection products can be found in virtually any public, industrial or commercial building and environment worldwide. Rely on STI® to protect the things that protect you.
SALTO SYSTEMS
950 rue Valois Suite 104
Vaudreuil-Dorion QC J7V 8P2
Tel: 514-616-2586
Web: www.saltosystems.ca
Salto is a leading global access solutions provider, part of the SALTO WECOSYSTEM. We develop pioneering facility access, identity management, and electronic locking technology that ensures seamless, reliable, and secure experiences. Through close customer relationships and innovative solutions, our global team of experts create timeless and meaningful products that positively impact people and planet.
SÉCURITÉ QUÉBEC
111 Gordon Baker Road, Suite 400
Toronto ON M2H 3R1
Tel: 416-510-5117
Fax: 416-442-2230
Web: www.securitequebec.ca
SECURITY RESPONSE CENTER
506 Christina Street North Sarnia ON N7T 5W4
Tel: 800-333-7721
Web: securityresponse.ca
Security Response Center is a family business that was established in 1970, owned and operated by David, Marie and Chris Currie in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. We began as a local monitoring station, serving only our immediate area. Due to our ability to meet the demands of the dealers we quickly expanded nationwide with two monitoring stations.
Currently the company employs 75 full time staff, including our own in house IT Department. Our Monitoring Station Operators are TMA 5 Diamond Certified and our Company has been U.L.C Listed for Burglary, Fire Protection Systems, Central Station Sprinkler Supervisory and Bank Safe and Vault Protection. In addition, we are a Manitou Elite
Certified Monitoring Center dedicated to motivating our staff, getting more from our monitoring operations, and maximizing our success.
We also implement our own experience-based training program, peer mentoring and time-proven procedures to give our operators the expertise to respond quickly and effectively
SP&T NEWS MAGAZINE
111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400
Toronto ON M2H 3R1
Tel: 416-510-5117
Fax: 416-442-2230
Web: www.sptnews.ca
of networking and surveillance solutions to small and medium-sized businesses, and home users. The company’s vision is to build innovative, easy-to-use, and reliable Networks People TrustTM. Their solutions network countless devices to enable your connected lifestyle and workplace, allowing users to share broadband access, multimedia content, and networked peripherals for anywhere connectivity. TRENDnet’s products are used in a wide-variety of commercial and residential applications, such as at apartments, universities, industrial factories, resorts, restaurants, sports and concert venues, and more. TRENDnet’s diverse product portfolio includes network switches, PoE, industrial, multi-gigabit, indoor and outdoor wireless, IP cameras & NVRs, fiber, KVM, USB, and more.
WAVESTORE
1785 Alta Vista Drive
Ottawa ON K1G 3Y6
Tel: 855-526-8887
Web: www.wavestore.com
TRENDNET
20675 Manhattan Place
Torrance CA 90501
Tel: 310-961-5500
Web: www.trendnet.com
Founded in 1990 in California, TRENDnet has grown to become a leading and award-winning global provider
Canada’s leading manufacturer of door activation, locking and control products offers a place where employee success is encouraged, recognized, and rewarded. We pride ourselves in supporting career development, a healthy work-life balance, and in offering industryleading compensation. Camden has immediate job openings in a variety of positions at our Mississauga head office.
Submit your resume today to careers@camdencontrols.com
Product Previews Surveillance Systems
Wall-mount cameras
Hanwha Vision
The new T series wall-mount cameras from Hanwha Vision deliver an “eye-level,” nearly 180° panoramic field of view while capturing detailed 5MP resolution video for people and object identification. The T series cameras (model TNVC8011RW) can fit a range of commercial surveillance applications requiring wide fields of view of any property or establishment without blind spots. Potential installations include gas stations, retail stores, drive-thru lanes, self-checkout kiosks, or other scenarios where users need to clearly see people and vehicles entering and exiting. hanwhavisionamerica.com
Corner camera
i-PRO
Built in Japan for the rigours of correctional fa cilities, this compact stainless steel camera is able to withstand a 70 Joule (70J) impact. The camera’s wide-angle view (131° horizontal, 95° vertical) limits blind spots, providing full room coverage. The sensor provides a ±5° yaw adjustment and a ±5° tilt to further conform to installation requirements. An invisible IR-LED illuminates up to 15 meters using a 940nm wavelength. Any attempt to tamper with the camera, from impacts to opening the case, instantly sends an alarm.
www.i-pro.com
Video management software
Johnson Controls
Clamp meter with thermal imaging
Teledyne FLIR
The FLIR CM276 is a professional clamp meter with infrared imaging, a visual camera, and solar photovoltaic (PV) direct current (DC) built for electrical test and mea surement. The CM276 empowers electrical professionals to troubleshoot electrical system components with Infrared Guided Measurement (IGM) and radiometric multispectral dynamic imaging (MSX), which overlays visible camera details onto the thermal image, helping users safely execute inspections and identify hazards before contact is made. www.flir.com
Solar-powered camera
VOSKER
The VKX now includes features like on-demand mode, better image quality for day and night usage, a 2X larger solar panel and new front-access design. The VKX can operate 100% autonomously for up to 6 months without an external power supply. Due to the camera’s larger solar panel, setup doesn’t require any wires or a Wi-Fi network, only LTE cellular connectivity. It’s designed for customers who have a need for portable security. www.vosker.com
IP cameras
Ajax Systems
Ajax Systems announced the release of wired security IP cameras. These video surveillance devices are de signed to provide high-definition surveillance. All cameras are now available for order. Ajax cameras are versatile, working both indoors and outdoors with an IP65 rating. Key features include: customizable virtual video wall; built-in AI recognition; customizable motion detection area; built-in digital microphone; support for an SD card of up to 256 GB; and more.
The new release of exacqVision video management software (VMS) is matched with network video recorders (NVRs) and the Illustra line of cameras for out-of-the-box installation and maintenance. All software is factory-installed on exacqVision recorders and provides free IP channel licences for Illustra Pro & Flex cameras, with automatic cybersecurity hardening as part of the camera discovery and onboarding process.
www.johnsoncontrols.com
Transit and fleet solution
ajax.systems
Cloud-managed video bridge
Genetec
Genetec Cloudlink 110 is designed to simplify video management in low-density deploy ments, providing a solution to transition to cloud or hybrid environments. With a micro form factor, support for up to eight cameras, and 1 TB of local storage on an ultra-endurance micro-SD card, Cloudlink 110 is designed for smaller sites within larger deployments and locations with limited hardware space. Cloudlink 110 enhances video workload optimization and cloud integration, enabling interoperability between local and cloud environments in hybrid deployments. www.genetec.com
IDIS Americas
The new I-Mobile System delivers 4K video resolution, scalability and an intuitive user interface, providing mobile security to businesses that operate transit and fleet companies. The system encompasses I-Mobile cameras, 4K Recorders, accessories, and the IDIS Solution Suite modular and scalable Video Management System (VMS). The proprietary iBankDB multi-media file system ensures stable multi-channel video recording. www.idisglobal.com
Product Previews The latest in security technology
Cylindrical lock
Corbin Russwin
The CLX3300 Series is a lock solution designed for sensitive environments such as restrooms, classrooms and nursing rooms. Clear visual indicators display if a door is locked or unlocked. Multiple indicator windows provide a wide 180° viewing angle for easy status checks from any position. Designed to fit standard door preps, these locks simplify installation for both new construction and retrofit projects. www.corbinrusswin.com
Safety monitor
Blackline Safety
The new EXO 8 portable area monitor is direct-to-cloud and capable of detecting up to eight gases and gamma radiation. Suited to large industrial organizations in the oil and gas, petrochemical, mining, water and wastewater sectors, EXO 8 helps teams rapidly respond to incidents involving hazardous substances and ensure the safety of workers, first responders, the public and the environment. Real-time connectivity provides situational awareness and automated analytics provide insights after the event. www.blacklinesafety.com
Wireless locks
Allegion
The Schlage XE360 Series Wireless Locks are a new electronic lock portfolio designed with multifamily market needs in mind. The XE360 Series was designed to complement a variety of design styles. It operates in an offline or No-Tour environment, which eliminates the need for property managers to visit the lock as credentials update the access rights. www.allegion.com
Remote management Aiphone
With Remote Management, security professionals can configure, monitor and troubleshoot Aiphone IP intercom systems from anywhere at any time. AiphoneCloud’s on-demand system design tool, QuikSpec, enables security integrators to create customized solutions tailored to their clients’ needs. The platform streamlines subscription management, providing a centralized hub for activation and renewal of services. www.aiphone.com
Simplify
next project
Hanwha Vision’ s intelligent surveillance solutions deliver what system integrators need: easy installation, flexible configuration, reduced maintenance, and aesthetic designs to fit multiple environments.
Product Previews The latest in security technology
Wall-mount swinggate racks
Infinite Electronics
ShowMeCables has introduced a line of open-frame wall-mount swing-gate racks. The design features a hinged front gate that swings open 180 degrees for easy rear cable and equipment access. The 10 new models are the standard 19-inch width and come in two depths and five capacities up to 18U. The swing-gate series keeps equipment tucked away close to the wall without needing room to roll the rack forward or rotate it to reach rear cables and ports.
www.infiniteelectronics.com
3D LiDAR detection
Quanergy
Q-Track HD provides 3D LiDAR detection, tracking and classification performance for environments such as airports, malls and stores, industrial facilities, and education and corporate campuses. With a 360° horizontal field of view and very wide vertical field of view, a meshed network of Q-Track HD sensors can track over 1,000 people simultaneously. Q-Track Dome is designed to track and classify people in even smaller and more complex environments within office buildings, corridors, mantraps, transportation terminals, and various other queue applications.
www.quanergy.com
Notification appliances
Mircom Group
MGC 400 Series Low Frequency Notification Appliances are designed to comply with the National Fire Protection Association’s fire alarm and carbon monoxide 520 Hz code requirements for sleeping areas. Units feature field-selectable audible settings with adjustable sound options for Temporal 3 (Fire), Temporal 4 (CO), Continuous, and 20 BPM tones, along with normal and high-volume settings. Sounder/Strobe models provide standard and high candela options in one device.
Plug-in for UPS
Middle Atlantic Products
www.mircom.com
Middle Atlantic Products announced the Q-SYS Certified control plugin for its NEXSYS Series UPS Backup Power System with RackLink. Developed by Control Concepts, the Q-SYS plugin enables control of NEXSYS UPSs via Q-SYS. The plugin is now available for download in Q-SYS Designer Asset Manager. The new NEXSYS firmware update (1.10 0.08) is available from the product pages and Power Downloads page on legrandav. com and is required to activate the functionality. www.legrandav.com
Swing handle
ABLOY
ABLOY announced the launch of the ABLOY CUMULUS Swing Handle for keyless access via smartphone. The Swing Handle can be used across numerous industries with needs ranging from telecom, fibre and electrical cabinets to server environments. It is also suited for CCTV camera control, monitoring automation and storage cabinets. The waterproof CUMULUS Swing Handle is designed to endure harsh conditions and meets industry standards for durability (IP66) and resistance (IK10). www.abloy.com
Wall control panel
Bosch Security Systems
Bosch announced the latest additions to the Praesensa ecosystem, the PRA-WCP wall control panel and version 2.0 of the Praesensa Public Address and Voice Alarm (PA/VA) system software. The compact, IP-networked PRA-WCP wall control panel includes a 4.5cm colour TFT display and a single-knob rotary/push encoder. The PRA-WCP panel simplifies installation with its PoE capability. It also comes with interchangeable front covers in white and black. Praesensa software version 2.0 is available for free download.
www.boschsecurity.com
USB extenders
C2G
C2G announced an expansion to its family of Superbooster USB Extenders. C2G is adding three new models that support USB devices such as PTZ cameras, solid-state drives, interactive whiteboards, printers and touchscreen displays. The plug-and-play C2G Superbooster USB Camera Extenders are designed with chipset technology that offers a high compatibility rate. They provide USB data extension from a computer to a USB camera up to 45.7m over a standard Cat6 network cable.
www.legrandav.com
Emergency key kit
Morse Watchmans
The Emergency Key Grab (EKG) Kit provides first responders with secure, fast access to keys in the event of a facility lockdown. Using this solution, keys are stored securely in an electronic key cabinet, granting access only to authorized users with credentials. Integrated software expands its capabilities, allowing administrators to configure access, generate reports, and receive notifications. Software can connect with other systems such as video surveillance and access control for broader situational awareness. www.morsewatchmans.com
Product Previews The latest in security technology
Control room software
AMAG Technology
Symmetry Control Room is a command and control software that allows administrators to manage the alarms and events of multiple security systems in real-time from a single monitor. Administrators can quickly add more cameras to view or analyze a situation using the lasso tool. Simply draw the lasso around the desired cameras and choose which monitors to display them.
www.amag.com
Wireless presentation system
BenQ
BenQ has recently introduced its latest iteration of the InstaShow Wireless Presentation System. The new InstaShow VS10 has been adapted for hybrid collaboration in huddle rooms. The VS10 features plug-and-play screen sharing, fast wireless integration to conferencing platforms, interactive collaboration capabilities, and a router-level chipset for robust security.
www.benq.com
Protective cover
STI
Controller
Johnson Controls
STI’s Universal Stopper protective cover is designed to help deter false fire alarms or accidental activation of manual pull stations. The full range of covers offer protection against false activation, physical damage, dust and grime as well as severe environments. Available in a range of sizes and mounting options for indoors or outdoors, the covers are UL/ cUL Listed and ADA Compliant. www.sti-usa.com
The Facility Explorer FX90 Supervisory Controller features more than 20 productivity tools within the FX Appliance built on top of the Niagara Framework. These enable integrators to establish a system configuration database in minutes using automatic tagging, auto-generated 3D graphics and more. The IoT-embedded controller connects as many as 200 equipment controllers, creating a robust control supervision and network management system. www.johnsoncontrols.com
Product Previews The latest in security technology
Security site management
Gallagher Security
Gallagher Security announced the latest release of their security site management software, Command Centre v9.10. Digital wallet solutions further expand Command Centre’s credential capabilities, while automatic configuration for Gallagher’s next generation Controller 7000 offers streamlined upgrades and enhanced cyber protection. Command Centre v9.10 supports employee badges in Apple Wallet. security.gallagher.com
Electric strike
ASSA ABLOY
The HES 9100 Electric Strike for Tubular Vertical Rod Exit Devices introduces efficiency for single glass door applications. With its low-profile design, the 9100 ensures simplified retrofit installation, eliminating the need for frame alterations. The HES 9100 features integrated adjustability for optimal latch positioning, adaptable voltage sensing technology, and latchbolt and strike monitoring. It exceeds Grade 1 standards and meets UL outdoor rating requirements. The 9100 is the complement to the 9200 Electric Strike used for double doors. www.hesinnovations.com
Voice-down system Interface Systems
This intelligent voice-down system solution now in tegrates with Interface Systems’ Interactive Security Operations Center (iSOC). The voice-down system can proactively detect individuals and vehicles loitering or behaving suspiciously by leveraging AI-enabled camer as. It uses customizable audio messages, auxiliary lighting and sirens to alert potential troublemakers to the security presence and possible law enforcement response. If the threat persists, the system will escalate the issue to remote intervention at the iSOC. www.interfacesystems.com
Voice notification TOA Canada
Life safety solution Edwards
Edwards announced the availability of the ModuLaser integration for EST4 panels. The integration is specifically engineered for complex environments like data centres, warehouses and hospitals. This integration offers a comprehensive fire and life safety solution. ModuLaser’s flexible design enhances installation options with 180º degree pipe access to support challenging environments. Edwards uses patented ClassiFire AI technology to empower ModuLaser, identifying even the subtlest changes in air particles. www.edwardsfiresafety.com
Mobile LPR
Genetec
AutoVu Plate Finder is a new feature that enables parking operators and law enforcement to identify and validate licence plate numbers directly from their Apple or Android mobile devices. Instead of having officers exit their vehicles to input the plate number in the onboard system manually, Plate Finder enables them to take a picture of the licence plate from their phone. Once the image is captured, the information is encrypted and securely sent to the cloud-based AutoVu Managed Services ALPR system. www.genetec.com
Flat panel mount systems
Chief
The Chief Tempo Flat Panel In-Wall Mount System ships with two 15x10-inch Lever Lock plates, offering a minimum clearance for 1 RU of AV equipment. The system features one inch of post-install leveling for precision-alignment in dual display installations. Display depth adjustment options from 0.5 to 2 inches facilitate ADA compliance with flat panels up to 3.5 inches deep. Mount installation can also be adjusted to accommodate more storage behind the display (may affect ADA compliance). The flat panel can be tilted in a variety of positions to eliminate screen glare. www.legrandav.com
TOA Canada announced its newest sound solution for mass evacuation and voice notification for the Canadian market. An integrated voice evacuation, public address and BGM system, the new VX-3000 series is designed to be scalable and highly customizable, meaning that it can be configured to slot into a wide variety of different types of facilities. It ensures that announcements are heard by delivering clear and intelligible sound. The VX-3000 was also designed to be energy-efficient. www.toacanada.com
Thermal sensitivity
Teledyne FLIR
The ITAR-free Hadron 640+ and radiometric Hadron 640R+ provide thermal sensitivity. All models are size, weight and power optimized for integration into unmanned aircraft systems, unmanned ground vehicles, robotic platforms, and emerging AI applications utilizing Teledyne FLIR Prism software. The Hadron 640 modules include a 640x512 resolution Boson+ longwave infrared (LWIR) camera module with thermal sensitivity of 20 millikelvin or better. It sees through total darkness, smoke, most fog, and glare. www.flir.com
