IPVM's new integrator statistics show what sales people say regularly: Sales people are very important. From 150 integrator responses: While some manufacturers see reducing headcount of field sales people as a way to cut costs and boost m...
By Ari Erenthal - about 5 hours ago
One of the top trends in the industry over the past few years has been the rise of across-the-board sales (e.g.: Hikvision Sales, Dahua Sale, Multi-Manufacturer Sales ) as part of the race to the bottom. Once something rare, now such sales are hap...
By Brian Karas - 3 days ago
45 Drives claims the "lowest cost per Hard Drive Slot in the industry." But who or what is '45 Drives'? What started as a product design to enable Backblaze to offer a low-cost/high-reliability online backup service is now available as a storage ...
By Brian Karas - 5 days ago
Several VMS manufacturers have the ability to choose a user interface with either a light or dark color theme. 150+ integrators told us which they preferred, and why. Inside, we examine the reasons integrators choose light or dark user interfa...
By Ari Erenthal - 10 days ago
The ESX (Electronic Security Expo) day 3 / Thursday is done and the exhibits are over. IPVM was in Nashville covering it in-depth. Below covers days 1, 2, and 3. Inside this report: "It's riskier to be in the alarm industry today" Very str...
By Ari Erenthal - 10 days ago
Bluebeam Revu is a construction design markup tool that claims it is "used by 94% of top US contractors", but what role does it have for physical security professionals? In this report, we share our tested findings of Bluebeam Revu, including 2...
By Brian Rhodes - 11 days ago
Non-competes are controversial legal agreements that prohibit parties (typically employees) from working in a similar role or trade of their employer. So if Al works at ABC integrator and signs a non-compete, Al might be sued by ABC if he goes to ...
By Ari Erenthal - 14 days ago
Panoramic cameras are a growing trend within video surveillance. The two main options are fisheye cameras using a single imager with an ultra-wide angle lens and multi-imager cameras using (typically) 4 imagers in a single housing / unit. Both re...
By Ari Erenthal - 17 days ago
How do integrators feel about offering RMR / recurring revenue services? For many, their business revolves around RMR, while others see no benefit. 150+ integrators answered our survey on the importance of RMR to their business. We examine the t...
By Ari Erenthal - 19 days ago
Milestone has declared they are going to "Conquer The Mid-Market" with new "+" releases. Will they? In this report, we examine Milestone's "+" additions to their XProtect lineup, pricing changes, examines the upgrade process and logistical eleme...
By Brian Karas - 19 days ago
Many security integrators use signs or stickers with their company name and logo. Posting these in front the homes of residential customers encourages neighbors to purchase their own systems and, hopefully, discourages potential burglars. In this ...
By Ari Erenthal - 21 days ago
A source for incredible deals, or too good to be true? In our Distributor Favorability Survey integrated shared their experiences and opinions on buying product direct from manufacturers in China through websites like Alibaba and AliExpress. Res...
By Brian Karas - 24 days ago
For access control jobs, a single person can be the difference between finishing a job, costing thousands in extra dollars, and being profitable and safe for all. That person carries the title 'Authority Having Jurisdiction', commonly just 'AHJ' (...
By Brian Rhodes - 26 days ago
Another Chinese disruptor, Reolink, is gaining attention. This one is selling direct from its own website, with fulfillment by Amazon. And a number of their prices make Dahua and Hikvision look downright expensive. For example, a fixed lens 4MP c...
By Ethan Ace - 27 days ago
150 integrators explained how they use IPVM and how it helps them stay informed and improve their business. The 4 main uses integrators cited for IPVM were: Tests Product tests and shootouts were the most commonly cited use by integrators. I...
By Brian Karas - about 1 month ago
Remote video monitoring can help integrators generate RMR plus end users lower their security costs and/or improve response to critical events. The four main types of video monitoring services commonly offered are: Video verification Video gu...
By Ari Erenthal - about 1 month ago
Everybody likes free stuff, and FLIR is using that concept to attract dealers by giving them $3,000 worth of demo gear for attending a certification session. Of course, nothing is ever really "free", and there are caveats to FLIRs promotion. In t...
By Brian Karas - about 1 month ago
This ia a tutorial in how to (1) determine your security integrator's value and (2) to sell your security integrator. If you own an integrator, want to buy one or even are thinking of starting your own one day, this is a must read. We spoke with ...
By Brian Karas - about 2 months ago
Panoramic camera usage (including fisheye and multi-imagers) continue to rise rapidly. However, the race to the bottom is hindering even stronger panoramic uptake. In this note, we compare to 2014 panoramic camera usage, sharing 140+ integrator r...
By John Honovich - about 2 months ago
Code Blue is a US-based manufacturer of emergency call stations, call boxes, and incident management software. Over time, the company has shifted from building metal enclosures to providing turn-key products for emergency communicates or visitor m...
By Brian Karas - about 2 months ago
Most manufacturers would be accommodating if an integrator asked to return product they never ordered, shipped to them by mistake. But, this company is not "most manufacturers", and has a different approach to dealing with this scenario. A large ...
By Brian Karas - about 2 months ago
Varifocal camera lenses provide more flexibility at installation time, but come at a higher cost. Fixed lens cameras reduce hardware costs, but can make getting the right Field of View more difficult or costly. How often do integrators choose one...
By Brian Karas - about 2 months ago
Mobile video systems - those mounted on buses, trains, cars, boats, etc. - are a niche within video surveillance with its own particular challenges. 160 integrators provided feedback to IPVM on: Installing mobile video systems Most common app...
By Brian Karas - about 2 months ago
The function of an alarm panel is to gather information from sensors and respond to this information by triggering actions. While it is possible to program these responses manually, most alarm panels have a variety of responses preprogrammed and g...
By Ari Erenthal - about 2 months ago
Anixter's CEO has admitted to (1) price deflation impacting IP camera sales and (2) not always being 'exclusive' with security integrators. In this note, we look at what Anixter's CEO has gotten wrong about IP camera price deflation and non-exc...
By John Honovich - 2 months ago
