” Excerpt of Hunt Business Intelligence PSIM Market Overview 2010, reprinted with permission. One of the most frequently heard remarks by security executives I’ve interviewed was that the security command center did not seem to keep up with the other business units of the organization. For example IT has a type of command center called a network operations center. IT security departments have their SOC (pronounced sock) or security operations center. MORE

Articulating the Value of Security.It’s ’s an uphill battle to convince the decision-makers in any business that they need to invest in security. Because deep down, all professional business people think security is an annoying layer of cost and inconvenience. If you walk in and tell them, “We need more security,” they hear, “We need a more annoying layer of cost and inconvenience.” MORE

Excerpt of Hunt Business Intelligence PSIM Market Overview 2010, reprinted with permission. PSIM principles may be used to produce better situational awareness, and thereby promote better security and business decisions. One new type of software addressing situational awareness is called situation management. This application of PSIM unifies video, alarm, and sensor data to improve situational awareness and add efficiency to incident response. MORE

NICE Situator uses this RaCM standard, as recently demonstrated by NICE with a HIKVision DVR at ASIS 2010. NICE’s Situation Management solution, NICE Situator, means different things to different people. For many, it’s the ultimate Command and Control Center system, combining Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) workflows and assorted systems into a single GUI that masks the reality that there are multiple systems working behind the scenes. MORE

Recently, I attended the ASIS 2010 show in Dallas and stumbled across something that I had heard about but had never before had the opportunity to lay hands on. First off, you have to understand that I am, without a doubt, a Tech. MORE

This short YouTube video successfully highlights the key turning points for NICE’s new Video Management System, Net 2.0. It explains exactly why it is partner friendly and how we’ve been able to pass down the “DNA” from best practices gained through successful (and massive deployments) to NiceVision Net 2.0 Professional and eXpress which are cost effective and suitable for more modest size projects (anywhere from 16-200 cameras). MORE

If you’re anything like me, you can probably count on one hand the number of times that you’ve had Domino’s Pizza in the past. In the hierarchy of chain pizza restaurants, Domino’s was always about 34th on my list of options (even beneath places that I have since found out were no longer in business). Continue reading. The post The Domino Effect appeared first on CX Advantage. MORE

How situation management systems are evolving and what that means for you. Situation Management and PSIM (Physical Security Information Management) first arrived on the “security scene” a few years ago as a way to deal with a burgeoning number of security sensors/systems (video, access control, etc)., and the resulting challenges of managing this overwhelming amount of information. MORE

Have you heard that Comcast is changing its name? Starting Friday, they will be known as Xfinity. Most customers will learn about the change through an advertising campaign set to air during the Winter Olympics. Comcast is hoping the name change will emphasize their focus on innovation and new products, as well as better suit them to. Continue reading. The post Comcast = Xfinity appeared first on CX Advantage. MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about airport perimeter protection, here’s an insightful article (Smart Perimeter Protection for Airports) on the PRO security zone website authored by NICE video analytics expert Guy Lorman. Security Situation Management Video Solutions MORE

"Market orientation refers to the organizationwide generation of market intelligence pertaining to current and future needs of customers, dissemination of intelligence within the organization, and responsiveness to it." " Kohli, Jaworski & Kumar 1993, p. 468 My last post defined the concept of market orientation and how important it is to our understanding of customer centricity. I believe. Continue reading. MORE

Why hasn’t the scale tipped totally in favor of IP video? Why are different markets adopting IP video at different rates? Where is IP video becoming the de facto standard? And, what factors will likely swing the IP pendulum further? Read this article (IP video: Where’s the tipping point?) by NICE Systems’ Dr. Bob Banerjee to learn more. Security Video Solutions MORE

From the London Underground to Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway to the New Delhi Metro, travelers are reminded in not so subtle terms to “Mind the Gap.” ” Anyone who has not minded the gap knows that miss-steps can lead to unpleasant consequences. For security operations, taking that first step toward a new situation management solution brings to mind an interesting parallel. MORE

The post The Top 50 Customer Service Experts of the Decade (2010–2020) appeared first on Business VoIP, Customer Experience, Sales & Marketing Content - Nextiva Blog. Customer service has changed a lot in the last 10 years. Behind that change are customer service experts who helped redefine the customer experience. Look at any industry, and you’ll see a rigorous focus on keeping customers happy. MORE

From October 31 to November 3, 2010, the first Israel HLS International Conference will be taking place in Tel Aviv at the Dan Panorama Hotel. While it is a first-time event, it has attracted the attention and involvement of participants from all of over the world – Brazil, Italy, Germany, India, Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam, Africa, USA, Poland and others. MORE

To be showcased at ASIS 2010: details behind NICE’s IP-based video surveillance solution – revved up with new capabilities that are already being rolled out to existing sites. ’ The answer is here – in the solution we’ll be showcasing at ASIS 2010. I look forward to seeing you at ASIS 2010 – (we’ll be in booth 3836) – where for the first time, you can see these capabilities in action, and decide for yourself if NICE has hit a home run. MORE

NICE Systems (booth #3836), and partners AXIS (#3103), Esri (#441), Infinova (#1447), and Quantum Secure (#1349), are teaming up to bring you an ASIS scavenger hunt. Join the hunt on October 12th for a chance to win some great prizes. Simply visit each booth on 10/12 starting at 9am, pick up the designated items, and bring them to NICE’s booth by 2pm. You’ll be entered into a special drawing. MORE

Let’s talk about IP cameras. I like to think IP cameras nowadays are kind of like cars. Can you picture fuel economy as being very similar to bit rates? You’ve got your big honking Hummer which reminds me of MJPEG IP cameras – which are pretty to look at, if you can afford all the costs associated with them on the backside. You’ve got your hybrid cars which remind me of H.264 IP cams. MORE

Each year companies that manufacture technology for the gaming sector participate and compete for your time at all or some of the 30+ gaming shows that are held worldwide. In the US the major show is the G2E (held each year in November at the Las Vegas Convention Center), followed by the World Game Protection Conference hosted and managed by Willy Allison. MORE

Diamond Chaflawee made some excellent points about the benefits of Next Gen 9-1-1. But it was his blog title, “What does Next Gen 9-1-1 mean for you?” ” that struck me as poignant – because “what Next Gen 9-1-1 means to me” is something very personal. I have a daughter, and like most 21 year olds she uses a cell phone instead of a land line. And like most young people today she texts far more often than she talks. In that way, she isn’t so unique. MORE

I just returned from the National NENA 2010 Conference that took place in Indianapolis this week. Two weeks following the completion of NENA’s second Industry Collaboration Event (ICE2), competing vendors who took part in the conference were smiling at each other, happy to meet again and talk about interoperability, and working together to get NG9-1-1 stuff done. MORE

As a result of your feedback on my recent podcast on "Migrating from Analog to IP Video," I decided to also create some educational videos to convey the story in a more visual way, first from a purely educational perspective, and second, to focus on NICE-based solutions. My two part educational video series gives you a primer on migrating from analog to IP video (Part 1) and shows you how NICE can help (Part 2). Click on the links above to listen to the podcast and view my videos. MORE

If you’re going to PSA-TEC 2010 ([link] and want to learn about transitioning from analog to IP, please feel free to register and drop in on my three 90-minute sessions. The first is for more technical-oriented people who would like an objective view of what transitioning from analog to IP means, and the design options (and pitfalls) that are out there. MORE

Welcome to NICE Fusion, the NICE Systems’ Security blog. We’re excited to have an opportunity to discuss many thought-provoking topics and issues related to security and public safety with you. Our bloggers are some of the best known talents in security and public safety. The blog will feature: Dr. Bob Banerjee on all topics video Chris Wooten on public safety Douglas Florence on the gaming market. MORE

It’s well known that security – and everything that comes along with it (the human resources, the technology) can be pretty costly. But can it actually save money? The prevailing perception is that you can never know what security “saved” your organization. Because it’s difficult to know what could have happened had you not made those very same security investments. It’s tough to put a number on the unknown. MORE

It has been said that cameras are the “eyes” of modern-day video surveillance systems and video analytics the “brain.” ” Still, for the added intelligence they afford, video analytics deployments, especially outdoor deployments, are not without challenges. Factors such as rain, snow, wind, fog, scene illumination, seasonal changes, and the distance and size of objects you’re trying to identify, all come into play. MORE

Michael Rosen, Product Marketing Manager for PlantCML (an EADS North America Company), was one of several NG9-1-1 experts to join our NG 9-1-1 Panel Discussion at APCO recently.* In this Q&A interview, Michael touches on the impact of NG9-1-1 on operations and service levels, and shares some pointers on how you can ensure compatibility with legacy systems and processes, once you make the transition to NG9-1-1. How do you see Next Generation 9-1-1 impacting operations and workflow processes? MORE

I’m just getting ready to head out to Houston, TX for my next stop on the PSA Security Network’s Education Tour, September 14-15, 2010. The two-day session is open to PSA members and non-members. I’m sure this event will build on the success of the first one in Pine Brook, NJ a few weeks back. MORE

Karin Marquez participated in the recent NG 9-1-1 Panel Discussion at APCO along with other industry representatives.). Whether you’re a 9-1-1 telecommunicator, director or vendor allied to the industry, or a 9-1-1 supervisor like me, we all need to prepare for Next Generation 9-1-1. Here are some things I’ve learned along the way that you might find helpful. First of all, the migration to NG9-1-1 is a journey, a process. Don’t feel like you have to do an all-at-once transition. MORE

By Sharon Counterman, Deputy Director, Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network (Sharon Counterman was one of several panelists who participated in the recent NG 9-1-1 Panel Discussion at APCO.). As you know, APCO National took place this year in Houston, Texas, and I had the pleasure serving on a panel assembled to discuss the transition to NG9-1-1. MORE

In my experience working with systems integrators and customers in the security space, I’ve always found a picture – or in this case a video clip – is worth a thousand words. So here they are – some video clips of NiceVision video management software live in action. Just click here and when you get to the page scroll down to “Product Training.”). ”). MORE

Just returned from the first stop on the PSA Security Network Education Tour in Pine Brook, NJ. Sharon Shaw, PSA’s Director of Education did an excellent job of coordinating all the presenters, topics and logistics, and most importantly – managed to sum up all of the material presented in the two-day training event into a coherent whole, which made it more valuable than the sum of the parts. MORE

Wherever your PSAP stands, you are invited to attend an NG9-1-1 panel discussion at APCO 2010 on August 4th at 8:15am (“Get Behind the Wheel – Building Your PSAP’s Roadmap to Next Gen 9-1-1”). The stars seem to be aligning for Next Gen 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1). NG9-1-1 standards are taking shape and, by all reports, some emergency communications centers will be ready to receive live Next Gen 9-1-1 type calls as early as this year. MORE

As Director of the Fairfax County, Virginia Department of Public Safety Communications, I have the distinct honor of heading up a new full-service, state-of-the art, next generation 9-1-1 public safety communications center that serves Fairfax County. Our center is co-located with 3 other agencies (the Virginia State Police Dispatch Center, the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management and Emergency Operations Center and the Virginia Department of Transportation Traffic Management Center). MORE

“The deal is a lock. The customer loves us and we’re written into the RFP by name,” or so the sales guy told me. So you can imagine how surprised I was when several weeks later I received an anxious call from the same sale guy. “Our partners aren’t bidding. They say the deal will go to an electrical contractor. What are we going to do?” MORE

Prove the ROI of customer experience with our step-by-step process. Guides MORE

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC for short) is an organization whose mission is to ensure the reliability of the bulk power system in North America. Founded in 2006, NERC does this through a set of standards and through its strong enforcement program. NERC’s standards specify requirements for planning, operating and maintaining the bulk power system. MORE

The Clery Act is the governing regulation that requires institutions of higher education to release campus crime statistics and security policies and give timely warnings of crimes that represent a safety threat to students and employees. The law was named after Jeanne Clery, a 19-year old student who tragically, was raped and murdered in her campus residence hall in 1986. Since the Clery Act was passed in 1990, several amendments have been enacted. MORE

Some questions are easy to ask but hard to answer, like how dangerous are our schools? In 2007 the CDC reported 5.9% of surveyed US students admitted to carrying a weapon (gun, knife, etc.) into school within the past 30 days. It also reported that 7.8% of students admitted to having been threatened or injured by a weapon in the past 12 months and that 12.4% had actually been physically involved in fight at least once. MORE

OK, that might sound like an unusual title for a security blog, but bear with me. It will all make sense. Every day, we’re bombarded by interruptions. Some would say security is all about handling the interruptions. Handle the interruption, minimize the impact, and recover to normal operation as quickly as possible. It’s that simple. Except it’s not. All too often we hear of delayed responses, missed alerts, a lack of planning – resulting in financial or even human loss. MORE

Security has evolved at an almost dizzying pace. Technology, scope, management, processes, are all in flux. Meanwhile, the stakes have never been higher. The cost of a breach can include the loss of assets, even loss of life. And then there are litigation and regulatory compliance penalties. What do you see as the underpinnings of the security business? Let me offer what I believe are three critical drivers behind the changing face of security operations. First is the criticality of integration. MORE