Thursday, 04 June 2015 14:06

3 Easy Ways to Turn Your Revenue Streams Around Featured

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Become a total services solution provider

Systems integrators don’t have to obsess with dwindling hardware margins anymore. Instead, they can focus on all the new ways to earn recurring revenue – especially with remote management of intelligent, networked devices.

Here are three ways to turn your revenue streams around:

1. Think services in everything you do—Customers demand 24/7 connectivity, and that trend will only accelerate as the Internet of Things (loT) continues to take hold. In fact, according to research from IDC, Framingham, Mass., the number of connected devices will increase from 10 million in 2014 to more than 29 million in 2020. That means increased opportunity for systems integrators to provide remote management of devices, such as battery testing. Solutions from LifeSafety Power provide the ability to monitor and test batteries and provide real-time status and system alerts on individual output conditions and that’s a game changer.

2. Make your company indispensable—System uptime is critical to all your customers, and today you can detect problems as they occur before they become monumental. You can remotely test and assess battery system health and even fix potential issues in many instances without a site visit and truck roll and often before your customer is even aware of any problems. And if it’s a problem such as a short circuit or an integrated lock running “hot” you could prevent a potential fire hazard. Even better: when you can proactively assess systems and keep solutions up and running, you’re more likely to keep that end user as a customer.

3. Open new avenues of profitability through remote power management—Today’s networked power solutions allow integrators to provide comprehensive remote diagnostics, including regular reports on each connected device and individual outputs. Using a simple graphical user interface, you can see the status of all power solutions and know if a battery is failing or there’s other trouble. Proactive system monitoring also allows you to generate regular reports, at will or on schedule for the user, and that means more recurring monthly revenue.

Focusing on profitability from hardware won’t get your company the return on investment it requires to become successful. Instead, join the new breed of progressive systems integrators who offer services—and watch new revenue streams flow.

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Monday, 18 May 2015 14:17

Remote Monitoring Services Add New Revenue Streams Featured

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Have you seen our recent publicity in SDM Magazine? You’ll find it here: http://digital.bnpmedia.com/publication/?i=257902&p=90

We appreciate the opportunity to be featured in this best-in-class industry trade publication, and especially to talk to integrators and contractors about a stark fact of life: percentage margins from hardware, once in the double digits, continue to dive to single digits! But this story is upbeat, because it talks about all the ways you CAN continue to boost your revenue streams — from essential, customer-centric services.

You see, power supplies have evolved dramatically, and LifeSafety Power is proud to say we are leading this evolution. It’s not about static product anymore, but about intelligent, networked devices and especially, total systems solutions bolstered by the ability to provide remote monitoring over connected devices and the Internet. It’s a winning situation for the systems integrators who take the time to learn why it’s important to select those devices that allow them to keep their customer’s systems healthy and with robust system uptime – by being able to keep track of devices on the network – day in and day out, averting potential adverse and even dangerous situations. (Pictured is a screenshot for LifeSafety Power's GUI for PowerCom, and a real time assessment of battery status indicated.)

LifeSafety Power Powercom GUI resized

Time is money

In addition, the integrator benefits with greater efficiencies, and the ability to often troubleshoot a system remotely without a truck roll, or ascertain the needed supplies, tools or other devices before heading to the job site.

Remote management solves many of the problems integrators have with earning additional revenue – while making them indispensable to the customer. But not all monitoring solutions are created equal. The greatest value is only available from those solutions with the ability to monitor and test batteries and those which provide real-time status and system alerts on individual output conditions.And that’s why LifeSafety Power is an integral partner in your profitability.

You can make money and add recurring monthly revenue – with remote monitoring services and capabilities available by specifiying the patented, award-winning technologies of LifeSafety Power.

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Thursday, 30 April 2015 16:54

On the Road to PSA-TEC 2015 Featured

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Espousing the value of intelligent systems solutions

We’re on the road next week to PSA-TEC 2015! This exciting conference, scheduled for May 4 through 8 in Westminster, Colo., draws the cream of the crop of systems integrators for education, certification, networking and just plain fun! We’re proud to announce that we’re an integral part of PSA-TEC and will be bringing integrators new and exciting educational information about the world of intelligent, networked power solutions.

Integrators are hungry to learn how they can network systems solutions, get remote status updates and bring the utmost uptime to their customer’s integrated solutions. With that in mind, industry veteran and LifeSafety Power’s Co-Founder and Vice President of Engineering Joe Holland is ready to bring new information to this inquisitive crowd in the session: 2015 Trends in Power Management, scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 from 10 to 11:40 a.m.

Source Security PSA TEC education 2

Holland will outline trends in power management, such as new networking capabilities and added intelligence; the advantages of smarter power; the future of PoE; the effect of UL 294 Sixth Edition; decoding specifications; transient protection; and component ratings.

LifeSafety Power is a leader in Smarter Power Solutions, providing patented technologies and modular AC, DC, and PoE power systems that meet the growing needs of the life safety industry.

The FlexPower™and NetPower™ product lines are high performance, network-connected, power management systems listed for access control, fire alarm, intrusion, CCTV and mass notification applications. LifeSafety Power, headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., has won six industry accolades, including a 2014 NPS award; Security Sales & Integration (SSI) magazine’s 2015 MVP Award and 2014 Top 30 Technology Innovations; and Security Products magazine’s 2011, 2013 and 2014 New Product of the Year Awards. 

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Wednesday, 22 April 2015 15:32

New Booth, More Muscle, Greater Exposure Featured

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LifeSafety Power stands out at ISC West

The dust has settled, somewhat, and feet are healing from ISC West 2015 in Las Vegas, April 14-17. The show exceeded our expectations, and we were kept busy with booth visitors-anxious to learn about our award-winning systems solutions, networking monitoring capabilities and unique patented technologies.

“I don’t see how the show could have been any better,” says John Olliver, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Development. “The new booth-the Power Cube-had a constant stream of visitors, including integrators, consultants, specifiers and others who wanted to find out how our networked technologies can increase installation efficiencies and promote proactive service capabilities.”

The new booth featured FlexPower® Unified Power Solutionsfront and center. This innovative enclosure family integrates the industry’s most widely used access controller board power solutions, including Mercury, AMAG Technology and Software House. Unified Power Solutions take up a much smaller footprint while providing new installation opportunities for integrators.

Life Safety Power booth photo 2

Integrators were also interested extremely interested in the FlexPower® Multi-Site Manager (MSM-200), a smart, network-based appliance that securely and proactively manages LifeSafety Power’s power management system across any enterprise or multiple customer locations. The remote network capabilities allow installers to save valuable service hours by having real-time data available 24/7 on one computer screen for viewing.  The web-based software and hardware solution uses a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server to securely interface with multiple NetLink communication modules and iSCAN® SmartPower Systems, providing real-time health activity of power systems on the network. NetLink is the industry’s only patented network power management system.

At the show, LifeSafety Power also recognized 1 Volt Associates Inc., Silver Spring, Md., as Rep Firm of the Year for overall sales growth and Access Direct, Kanata, Can., for the Best Sales Growth Performance.

This big one’s over, but we’re getting ready to launch more new products and gear up for other upcoming shows and conferences. Stay tuned!

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Friday, 03 April 2015 12:15

Countdown to Vegas, Baby! Featured

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ISC West will be upon us soon

ISC West is one of the longest continually running security shows in the physical security business. It’s a place for networking, education and learning about new and emerging technologies. And LifeSafety Power will have a huge presence at this year’s show – bigger than ever – as we step up our game with a brand new booth at #13115 and interactive displays. Heck, we’ll even have a comfy place to sit and watch PowerPro TV videos.

LifeSafety Power Power Cube April 2015

At the show, you’ll be able to see the ‘Power Cube’ – featuring LifeSafety Power’s Unified Power Solutions, configured on a front-and-center display. This innovative enclosure family integrates the industry’s most widely used access controller board power solutions, including Mercury, AMAG Technology and Software House. FlexPower’s Unified Power Solutions yield a smaller installation footprint, providing multiple efficiencies and greater effectiveness in the design and specification of integrated access control power solutions.

Best Solutions for Most Widely Used Access Security Controllers

The FlexPower Unified Power Solutions family includes the MCLASS™ for Mercury controllers, ACLASS™ for AMAG controllers and SCLASS™ for Software House controllers. These solutions take up less wall space, provide servicing efficiencies and include other embedded features that equal installation and labor savings for systems integrators.

We’ll also be featuring the FlexPower® Multi-Site Manager (MSM-200), entered in the 2015 Security Industry Association (SIA) New Product Showcase.  The MSM-200 is a smart, network-based appliance that securely and proactively manages LifeSafety Power’s power management system across any enterprise or multiple customer locations. The web-based software and hardware solution uses a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server to securely interface with multiple NetLink communication modules and iSCAN® SmartPower Systems, providing real-time health activity of power systems on the network. NetLink is the industry’s only patented network power management system.

The MSM-200 lets systems integrators and users assess, manage and monitor even the most complex campuses with multiple sites and buildings - such as healthcare facilities and schools - from the Internet and anywhere in the world.  To deploy, a single network connection is made at the MSM Server which then creates a VPN and automatically locates and adds LifeSafety Power network devices. While NetLink or iSCAN monitors the power system, MSM consolidates the monitoring of all devices to a single computer screen.

There will be much more to explore at the LifeSafety Power booth #13115 at ISC West in Las Vegas, so be sure to stop by and see why we are a leader in award-winning, smarter power solutions.

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Friday, 27 March 2015 12:35

A Day in the Life of LSP Customer Service Featured

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They never know what they are going to get!

All kidding aside, when you work for a quality power solution provider like LifeSafety Power, headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., there won’t be many dire emergency calls coming in on a daily basis. But when customers do call for assistance, there’s a good chance they’ll be greeted by the friendly voices of Customer Service Representatives Damien January or April Tudor.

Customer service representative’s roles can vary greatly depending on the day. They may handle an integrator question about which modular part would be best for a certain specification. They may also suggest add-ons or products that might be suited for a vertical market or customer – such as the Multi-Site Manager (MSM-200) which intelligently networks power solutions across the enterprise. But whatever questions or queries comes in, Damien and April are equipped with answers and handle all calls in a courteous and efficient manner – because they know systems integrators are busy contractors who need their expert guidance and help as quickly as possible.

Damien January has been with LifeSafety Power, coincidentally, since January 2014. He says that generally he doesn’t receive any calls that stump him or are particularly unusual – except one customer who requested that Jay Cutler be cut from the Chicago Bears!

Damien January Life Safety Power 2

 “Most of the questions that come in are pretty standard and easy to handle,” he says. In addition to fielding calls and entering orders, he also assists      with packing orders for shipment. Once orders are entered they are verified before heading to production. “Since I’m fairly new to the company, I’m  really interested in learning more about the product and also helping out with production so I have more of an idea of the overall process.”

 April Tudor’s role mirrors that of Damien’s. She answers customer inquiries by email or phone, enters orders and also assists with production from time  to time. April has been with the company since, interestingly enough again, April 2014, and she “takes pride in her work each and every day.”

April Tudor LifeSafety Power2

 While Damien and April are ready, willing and able to assist, the LifeSafety Power website is also chock full of information to help  integrators with their specification particulars. There’s a FAQ section, Application Notes, Power Calculators and  Software/Firmware Downloads. And don’t forget the LifeSafety Power PowerPro TV Video Training for a ‘live’ look at how to make your power solutions more effective, along with other need-to-know tips and tactics.

But of course, if you really want to get to know LifeSafety Power and its friendly and receptive culture, be sure to reach out to Damien or April.

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Wednesday, 18 March 2015 16:32

The World of Intelligent, Networked Power Featured

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LifeSafety Power brings tangible value to connected solutions

Did you know that it’s possible to securely manage your power solutions across the enterprise and get the latest, proactive information on their health and well-being? It is when you deploy the FlexPower™ Multi-Site Manager (MSM-200).

LifeSafety Power MSC 200 Resized for Blog 

The MSM-200 is a smart, network-based appliance that consolidates all your LifeSafety Power solutions for superior system-wide management.The web-based software and hardware solution uses a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server to securely interface with multiple NetLink communication modules and iSCAN SmartPower Systems, providing real-time health assessments of power systems on the network.

Intelligent power yields myriad benefits

The MSM-200 provides multiple benefits to the integrator and the end user. It allows systems integrators deploying the MSM-200 to manage even the most complex vertical markets and complicated sites – including healthcare, educational and industrial facilities. They can manage and monitor multiple power devices from the Internet, from anywhere in the world. The user, too, has greater control in managing and assessing the general health of power supplies, so systems are kept up and running 365/24/7. The MSM-200 uses one IP address for all connected devices and the centralized dashboard displaying current status consolidates all devices to a single computer screen.

Configuration and installation is easy:  A single network connection at the MSM Server creates a VPN and automatically adds any LifeSafety Power networked devices.  Any problems with power solutions or connectivity are automatically generated to the top of the computer screen log, for real-time, immediate assessment.

LifeSafety Power is the creator of smarter, intelligent networked solutions, with modular AC, DC, and PoE power systems that meet the expanding needs of the lifesafety industry. 

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Wednesday, 11 March 2015 12:46

Egress During an AC Loss Featured

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Are you in a region that requires egress doors to unlock on an AC loss?  Typically, this is accomplished by simply not placing a backup battery set on your 24V lock power supply and using fail-safe locks.

flashlight clipart flashlight md

But what if you have other locks or 24V devices you want to remain powered during an AC loss?  What if you are using fail-secure locks that need to unlock on a loss of AC power?  LifeSafety Power has a more elegant solution that offers more flexibility.

By simply integrating the AC fault relay into the FAI input circuit of the FPO power supply, you now have full control over what happens during an AC power failure using standard FAI-capable outputs.  This includes selecting which doors unlock and which don't for both fail-safe and fail-secure locks.  It also allows you to select outputs to remain powered during an AC loss.

For wiring diagrams and more information on this, see our Application Note AN-28.  And as always, our Technical Support department is here to help.

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Friday, 27 February 2015 14:10

Access Control and Earth Ground Fault Detection Featured

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Earth Ground Fault Detection was developed for the Fire Alarm industry to give enhanced fault detection on NAC loops.  Although Earth Ground Fault Detection is not currently required in access control applications, it can still be a useful feature - provided your system is compatible.

Earth Ground Fault

What is Earth Ground Fault Detection?

Despite what its name might imply, Earth Ground Fault Detection does not detect a missing earth ground connection to your power supply.  Instead, it detects a connection between earth ground and any positive or negative output circuit in the system.  This includes any part of the system that is common grounded with the power supply.  If the power supply with earth ground detection is powering an access control panel, any earth ground faults on the access panel circuits (readers, etc) will show on the power supply.  If your access control panel is then common grounded with your 24VDC CCTV system's DVR, any faults on the CCTV system would also show on your power supply.  Because of this, it is important to be aware of what is connected to your system - especially when troubleshooting.

How Does Earth Ground Detection Help?

An earth ground fault does not mean you necessarily have an immediate problem.  It is simply a warning that one leg of a circuit somewhere is either partially or fully shorted to earth ground.  Usually, a single short to earth ground causes no problem in the operation of the system.  However, a second short to earth ground - even on a completely unrelated circuit, can cause a direct short circuit, leading to blown fuses, erratic operation, or even a fire.

When should I not enable Earth Ground Fault Detection?

Earth Ground Fault Detection should only be enabled on one piece of equipment within the system.  In access control, this is usually the power supply.  If the access system is common grounded with the fire system, the FACP may already have earth ground detection enabled.  Also, if there are multiple power supplies connected to the access system, only one of these supplies should have Earth Ground Fault Detection enabled - this includes two supplies within the same enclosure.

In many access control applications, even if you follow all of the rules and none of your wiring or load devices is shorted to earth ground, you may still show an Earth Ground Fault.  This is usually caused by access control panels that don't "play nice" with earth ground fault detection.  As stated above, Earth Ground Fault Detection is not a requirement in access control.  Many access panels require shielded communications circuits and the panel manufacturers connect these shields to earth ground and DC ground for better shielding or other RF noise or transient requirements.  In these cases, the only option is to disable the Earth Ground Fault Detection entirely.

Troubleshooting Earth Ground Faults

For more information, our application note AN-32 (Troubleshooting Earth Ground Faults) goes in-depth on how earth ground fault detection works and the best method of troubleshooting earth ground fault conditions.  And as always, our Technical Support Department is always here to help.

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Thursday, 26 February 2015 15:20

Get on the FlexConnect® ‘Buss’ Featured

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Making your life easier with smarter solutions that equal easier specification is what LifeSafety Power is all about. Everything we do is created with a keen eye to the integration community – and how our intelligent, networked power solutions can make your job easier and more profitable.
 
Take, for example, the FlexConnect® dual buss structure, designed with an innovative distribution architecture that increases the versatility and ease of use of our flagship FlexPower® systems.  Traditionally, connecting a power supply to distribution modules requires individual wires to be connected between the boards using screw terminals. These distribution modules are also typically limited to a single voltage input.
 
Fewer boards, greater efficiencies
 
The FlexConnect dual buss structure allows the user to select each individual output for 12 or 24V in dual voltage supplies.  Most competitor’s products require you to select 12 or 24V for the whole output board - so if you needed two 12V outputs and two 24V outputs, you’d need an 8 output board set for 12 and an 8 output board set for 24.  With the dual buss structure, you can set outputs 1 and 2 for 12 and outputs 3 and 4 for 24. That makes for a simpler installation and a smaller footprint with fewer accessory boards.
 
LifeSafety Power continues to provide solutions that are smarter and super-flexible in their configuration. FlexConnect also allows connection of any LSP accessory board via quick disconnect terminals and plug-in wire harnesses, allowing virtually unlimited combinations of LSP accessory boards to be used together and expanded on the job site. All LifeSafety Power FlexPower power supply systems use the FlexConnect dual buss structure. 
 
 
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