Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/40004
14 NEWS www.securitysystemsnews.com SEPTEMBER 2011 Cornerstone's ALARM Version 31 By Daniel Gelinas LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.—Cornerstone Billing Solutions, which last year announced security industry focused products like Billing Plus collections support and the Alarm- Payments.com online payment portal, in July announced Version 31 of their ALARM software. Version 31 allows for different net terms for recurring versus service and installation invoices. This means dealers who want short-term or immediate pay- ment for non-recurring invoic- es will have that option, while allowing longer for payment of recurring invoices. "Most central stations that work with us simply refer deal- ers to us," Cornerstone presi- dent Scott MacDougal told Security Systems News. "For those centrals, it's usually a way to attract new dealers, by positioning themselves as one- stop shops [and] a way to deepen the relationship with their deal- ers." MacDougal also said it was a way to ensure they're getting paid on time. Kerry-Anne McStravick is VP of Quincy, Mass.-based Alarm Central, Inc. ACI has been using Cornerstone for a number of years. Fiber Optic & Ethernet Network Solutions SECURITY SYSTEMS NEWS "I've learned in my 20 years in the industry that outsourc- ing is a beau- tiful thing," McStravick said. "Years ago, the only dealers who used our billing service were dealers who were in a financial bind. Now the service is a real value-add." SSN S. MacDougal Continued from page 11 eras are forecast to outsell net- work cameras by more than 3 to 1. SSN: How does the North Ameri- can market compare to the global market? Gary Wong: The North Ameri- can market for video surveillance equipment is transitioning towards network video surveillance equip- ment faster than the total world market. It should be noted that the world market is skewed by con- tinuing sizable demand for analog video surveillance equipment in China and that the EMEA market is forecast to "tip" before the North American market. SSN: What's been slowing the WONG Don't let Your Transmission Equipment be the Weakest Link in Your Security Network Th e best-engineered security network is only as dependable as the transmission products you use. Choose ComNet for superior product performance, outstanding support and the best warranty in the industry. Turn to ComNet for Fiber Optic and Copper Transmission Solutions Video – Audio – Data – Ethernet Choose ComNet • Th e Industry's broadest line of Fiber Optic and Ethernet Transmission Products • Environmentally Hardened for use in the Harshest Environments • Designed and Manufactured in the USA ComNet: A Company That's Easy To Do Business With • Free Design Center Application Support • Free Pre- and Post-Sale Technical Support provided by US Based Staff • Lifetime Product Warranty • "Customer is always right" attitude approach to the tipping point? Gary Wong: Two of the major factors inhibiting the growth of network video surveillance solu- tions have been price and end user education. On price—network security cameras have long commanded a significant price premium over analog cameras. In the past, this was seen to be a significant inhibitor to mass-market adop- tion. Whilst the use of a network video surveillance system offers benefits over that of an analog video surveillance system, the resolutions of network cameras were only comparable to (or worse than) those of analog secu- rity cameras. In the last 18 to 24 months there has been a shift towards HD and megapixel resolution network cameras. This shift in resolution capability has led to increasing interest and demand for network cameras. In terms of end-user educa- For more information about ComNet and our complete line of connectivity and communication network solutions visit www.comnet.net or contact ComNet at info@comnet.net or call 203-796-5300 or Toll Free 1-888-678-9427 Visit Us ASIS 2011 Booth 2167 tion—the "traditional" secu- rity industry has been slow to embrace network video surveil- lance solutions. At the systems integrator and installer level, this resistance to change is partly due to a knowledge gap in the transition from analog to network video surveillance ... In recent years, the level of education regarding network video surveillance has increased (through vendor and inter- nal education) and positively impacted network video sur- veillance equipment (albeit at the expense of analog sales). SSN —Compiled by Martha Entwistle