News, June 2021

June 2, 2021

Paxton10 Adds Multisite Capability

Paxton10, Paxton’s combined video management and access control platform, now allows administrators to manage multiple sites, spanning cities, countries and even continents.

Paxton has been developing Paxton10 based on real-time feedback from installers and end users to maximize the system’s future potential. As a result, by using Paxton10 Cloud Services, it now is possible for up to 100 sites to be managed by a single Paxton10 server.

To connect the sites via the user-friendly web-based software, an activation code identifies a Paxton10 controller at the destination, and the system does the rest. The Multi-site feature in Paxton10 can be set up in minutes with minimal technical knowledge. It doesn’t require a VPN or any additional infrastructure.

Even with Multi-site, a single Paxton10 system still supports up to 1,000 doors and 1,000 cameras. Site administrators can add up to 50,000 users, with no additional license fees. This makes the system cost-effective and scalable.

Thomas Faith, senior product manager for Paxton10 explains: “The most impressive thing about Multi-site is its pure simplicity. Straightforward maintenance and setup have been our goal throughout its development.

“Networking and achieving connectivity between sites can be notoriously complicated as there is a myriad of technology to navigate. With Multi-site, this is all in the background. What the installer or user sees is completely hassle-free.”

More info: https://www.paxton-access.com/systems/paxton10

Yankee Security Conference Canceled

The 2021 Yankee Security Convention has been canceled, although a virtual option might be offered. The convention’s board of directors say the decision was made out of an abundance of caution.

The 2022 convention is scheduled for Oct. 19-23 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Following is the official statement from the Yankee Security Convention Board of Directors:

“The Yankee Security Convention at the Mass Mutual Center will not be in person for 2021. We are currently looking into virtual options and will keep you advised of the progress.

“The Board of Directors carefully reviewed the COVID-19 situation. Current Massachusetts restrictions do not allow for an event of our size. Some of our key educators and exhibitors are under corporate travel restrictions. While we can’t know what will be allowed in October, we prefer to err on the side of caution and concern for our attendees, exhibitors, instructors and staff.”

More info: www.yankeesecurity.org

Automotive Key Group Buys International Key Supply

Distributor consolidation continues. Marking their second acquisition in less than a month, Automotive Keys Group, a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, bought International Key Supply. Terms of the acquisition weren’t disclosed. In March 2021, AKG announced that it purchased Midwest Key Supply.

IKS had been under the banner of Security Pro Supply in partnership with H.L. Flake, H.E. Mitchell and McDonald Dash. Those latter three distributors were purchased at the beginning of April 2021 by Banner Solutions.

At the recent virtual trade show held jointly by H.L. Flake and IKS, Ayal Sharvit, CEO at AKG says the IKS acquisition was part of the company’s strategy “to bring together the premier locksmith suppliers in the automotive space.” He further teased a local marketing strategy expected to be unveiled later in 2021.

Although neither company commented on how this deal would affect locksmiths, when AKG bought Midwest Key Supply, AKG representatives told us that they were expecting no change and that the Midwest name would remain in the market. A press release notes that IKS Founder and President Sean McAuliffe would join the AKG leadership team and continue to lead IKS operations.

“IKS has quickly established itself as a leader in supplying automotive remotes, and we will greatly benefit from welcoming Sean McAuliffe and his team to AKG,” Sharvit says in the press release. At the trade show, McAuliffe says he was looking forward to being a part of AKG’s burgeoning network.

People

SALTO Systems named Laura Turman retail vertical leader for North America.

“We are very excited to have Laura leading our retail vertical business,” says Steve Burk, SALTO Systems North America director of marketing & vertical businesses. “SALTO’s offerings in the retail space provide much more than world-class access control. They also drive operational efficiencies that customers can leverage to improve their businesses. With her strong security experience and deep insight, Laura is well-equipped to deliver SALTO’s best-in-class access control solutions deeper into the retail market.”

Turman has extensive experience in security and served as regional sales manager for Senstar, regional security expert for Schneider Electric, regional sales manager for Open Options and as an account executive for Anixter. She also served as vice president of operations for Ashland Integrated Inc. 

Turman can be reached at [email protected] or (470) 718-1143. 

The Door Hardware Institute has a new CEO. The DHI Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees for the Door Security and Safety Foundation appointed Cedric Calhoun, FASAE, CAE, as their CEO. Calhoun succeeds Sharon Newport, CAE, who served as interim CEO after the retirement of Jerry S. Heppes Sr., CAE, in October 2020.

Calhoun comes to DHI and DSSF with more than 20 years of association management experience, having served in CEO roles since 2007. Most recently, Calhoun served as president and CEO of Eclipse Business Strategies. Prior to that, he held the positions of executive vice president of the National Association of Enrolled Agents and executive director of the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals.

“The Board of Governors welcomes Cedric to DHI and DSSF,” states David Sylvester, PSP, president of the DHI Board of Governors. “Cedric brings more than two decades of expertise to our organization and has traveled extensively in Canada and internationally, developing strategic relationships and expanding product and service adoption. We were impressed by his exceptional presence and extensive association management experience. We look forward to having him represent our organizations for years to come.”

Calhoun looks to continue DHI’s work as the premier association for door security and safety professionals and raise further awareness of the importance of balancing life safety and security in the built environment to building design, code authority and facility management communities through DSSF. Calhoun will work closely with Newport over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.