ACRE, LLC News

Cloud-based access control is growing in popularity as more organisations are looking to adopt a flexible, convenient, and scalable security solution. Over the last few years, the presence of the cloud has generated significant changes in the range of access control, and for good reasons! Cloud-based access control not only produces reliable, real-time control of the organisation but can also be fully integrated with third-party systems to help mitigate and limit risks within the organisation....

The idea of touchless systems has gained new levels of prominence during the last year, driven by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Contactless systems have been part of the industry’s toolbox for decades, while technologies like facial and iris recognition are finding new uses every day. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which security markets are embracing touchless, contactless systems and why? 

Adoption of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by the European Union in 2016 set a new standard for data privacy. But adherence to GDPR is only one element, among many privacy concerns sweeping the global security community and leaving almost no product category untouched, from access control to video to biometrics. Because privacy concerns are more prevalent than ever, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the impact on the physical security market?

School is out for the summer, but as the new school year approaches and students return to the classroom, the need for streamlined security solutions has never been greater. Not only are the typical procedures needed to protect against physical security threats, but the increase of demand for touchless solutions also plays a significant role in educational facilities reopening in a post-COVID society. Currently, over 90% of public schools are already using some type of access control and video...

Many of us take critical infrastructure for granted in our everyday lives. We turn on a tap, flip a switch, push a button, and water, light, and heat are all readily available. But it is important to remember that computerised systems manage critical infrastructure facilities, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The recent ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline is an example of the new types of threats. In addition, any number of physical attacks is also possibilities. We asked this we...

There is a broad appeal to the idea of using a smartphone or wearable device as a credential for physical access control systems. Smartphones already perform a range of tasks that extend beyond making a phone call. Shouldn’t opening the door at a workplace be among them? It’s a simple idea, but there are obstacles for the industry to get there from here. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges and benefits of mobile access control solutions? 

ACRE, a provider of state-of-the-art security systems, announces the acquisition of TDS based in Dublin, Ireland. This purchase will enhance ACRE’s strategic expansion plans for strengthening the product portfolio and geography in the UK and Europe and bringing new cloud-based visitor management and access control products to North America. This is ACRE’s first acquisition since being acquired March 11 by Triton Partners. TDS provides cloud-based workspace solutions that will comple...

The SolarWinds cyberattack of 2020 was cited by security experts as “one of the potentially largest penetrations of Western governments” since the Cold War. This attack put cybersecurity front and centre on people’s minds again. Hacking communication protocol The attack targeted the US government and reportedly compromised the treasury and commerce departments and Homeland Security. What’s interesting about the SolarWinds attack is that it was caused by the exploitation...

ComNet, Communication Networks of Danbury, Connecticut, an ACRE company and a USA-based manufacturer of fibre optic transmission and networking equipment, has announced the introduction of its Generation 4 line of NetWave wireless products that offer greater performance and increased stability, in applications where throughput and increased bandwidth is increasingly important. NW1 Gen 4 wireless products The NW1 Gen 4 can exceed 500 Mbps throughput under ideal conditions and accommodates 10/10...

Funds advised by Triton (‘Triton’) acquired ACRE, an end-to-end security solutions provider based in Dallas/USA and Dublin/Ireland. Triton will invest alongside the current management team of ACRE. ACRE’s previous majority investor, LLR Partners, who has partnered with the company since 2013, will exit the business. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. ACRE is a pioneer in the delivery of security systems for access control and intrusion detection as well...

ComNet, Communication Networks of Danbury, Connecticut, an ACRE company, and a USA-based manufacturer of fibre optic transmission and networking equipment, is expanding the line of Cybersecurity products by adding to its line of intelligent media converters. These intelligent media converters with Link Guardian create a physical layer of protection that limits network traffic to one-way communication between the source and destination networks. The ComNet CNGEUMC4+2(TX, RX)/M is designed to pre...

Consolidation continued in the physical security marketplace in the turbulent year 2020. There were several mega-deals in addition to shuffling among small and medium-sized companies. Here is a sampling of M&A from this year, compiled from our archive of company news. With the changing economic climate, how much more is ahead in 2021? Stay tuned. Wesco merges with Anixter WESCO International, Inc., a provider of business-to-business (B2B) distribution, logistics services and supply chain...

ComNet, Communication Networks of Danbury, Connecticut, a USA-based manufacturer of fibre optic transmission and networking equipment and an ACRE brand, announced that ACRE has acquired Razberi Technologies and the product line will be added to and sold under the ComNet brand and portfolio of products. ComNet will now be selling Razberi products through its established channels. Intelligent video appliances The Razberi product line of intelligent video appliances, automated security software,...

ComNet, Communication Networks of Danbury, Connecticut, a USA-based manufacturer of fibre optic transmission and networking equipment and an ACRE brand, announced that ACRE has acquired Razberi Technologies and the product line will be added to and sold under the ComNet brand and portfolio of products. ComNet will now be selling Razberi products through its established channels. Razberi product line The Razberi product line of Intelligent video appliances, automated security software, and hea...

ACRE, a global brand providing state-of-the-art security systems, announced the acquisition of Razberi Technologies based in Farmers Branch, Texas. This purchase will enhance ACRE’s strategic expansion plans for strengthening its video and communications business and product portfolio. This is the latest M&A transaction since ACRE completed the acquisitions of two access control businesses - Open Options in December 2018 and RS2 in May 2019; both of which have continued to prosper and...

ACRE, a globally renowned provider of security products and solutions for the access control, intrusion, smart traffic and video surveillance markets, has announced that the ACRE brands – RS2, Vanderbilt and Open Options – will launch ACT ID, a new cloud-based mobile credential application that enables organisations to utilise both iOS and Android smartphones with existing WaveLynx multi-technology readers for secure access to doors in office buildings, government facilities, healthc...

ACRE brands Vanderbilt and ComNet have recently launched a giveaway of branded reusable face masks. The giveaway aligns with the return to work of many companies and employees across EMEA following the COVID-19 outbreak. There are many health and safety benefits to wearing a face mask, with reusable masks proving to be efficient and convenient for wearers. With this in mind, Vanderbilt and ComNet have decided to distribute free reusable face masks amongst their customer base. The masks are whi...

Regular service and maintenance of all security systems is very important to ensure a high level of security. With cloud-based solutions, updates and other services can be done remotely, which contributes to cost efficiency and sustainability. "There is no doubt that access control solutions will be increasingly cloud-based systems," says Alex Holmström, Sales Director at ACRE International, which includes Vanderbilt Industries. ACRE International - with the Vanderbilt brand - is a global...

In the first of Vanderbilt and ComNet’s upcoming webinar series, the ACRE companies will be tackling the topic of card cloning and reader hacking in access control. The webinar takes place on Wednesday 22 April, at 10 am (CET) and will last 45 minutes. The host of the webinar is Andrew Fulton, Director of Business Development for Access Control at Vanderbilt. “During this webinar, I will discuss and demonstrate the issues surrounding card cloning and reader hacking in the access con...

Globally renowned ACRE brands, Vanderbilt and ComNet began to operate in unison, as part of a strategic move by their parent company to streamline and cement the international divisions of the business. Following on from the initial integration, David Sullivan, ACRE International President, has claimed that the strategic alignment is now well-positioned for a successful 2020 partnership. "No matter what experience I've had in the past with integrating businesses, you end up with a few bumps an...

David Sullivan the President of ACRE International issued the following statement: As a global company with personnel stationed throughout the world, we are keenly aware of how the Coronavirus (COVID 19) is affecting people and business. For those who have been impacted directly by the Coronavirus, our hearts go out to you. We are closely monitoring the situation, making judgements and decisions daily with the rapidly changing environmental conditions. We have advised our staff to avoid travel...

ACRE, a global provider of state-of-the-art security and communication networking systems, announced that it will add two key industry people to the ACRE management roster. Jim Kelly will join ACRE as Chief Revenue Officer starting on March 1, 2020. Jim brings a wealth of experience having had successful positions at Software House, Sensormatic, Tyco International and Johnson Controls. Accelerating growth While at Software House, Jim led the sales and marketing efforts to build the business f...

Look who’s talking about the top issues in the physical security industry in 2019. Our website’s Expert Panel Roundtable discussions in 2019 reflected some of the most timely and important topics in the industry. The very most-clicked-on Expert Panel Roundtable discussion in 2019 was about the year before – reviewing what caused disruptions in 2018. The second most popular was about 2019, the year ahead. Other hot topics that made the Top-10 list of roundtable discussions incl...

Two of the most familiar names in the physical security market – Pelco and Panasonic – underwent ownership changes during 2019. Consolidation continued on multiple other fronts. Security service companies, video companies and access control companies were all among the entities involved in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity during the last 12 months. In short, the industry landscape continues to transform in response to a changing market. Here's a look at the Top 10 M&A s...

ACRE companies Vanderbilt, ComNet and Open Options are gearing up toward an exciting Intersec show that will highlight the collective experience and depth of solutions available from the ACRE portfolio. Key features on display will focus on the ACRE brand’s strength in cloud solutions, open platforms, smart integrations and cybersecurity. Core to this message will be the award-winning cloud-based solutions, SPC Connect and ACT365. ACT365 is Vanderbilt's platform for access control and vid...

GSX 2019 got off to a jaunty start Tuesday. The show was humming with activity much of the day, and most exhibitors said they were pleased with the numbers and types of potential customers visiting their booths. There seemed to be less emphasis on product introductions than at the ISC West show in the spring (although there is much that is on the new side), while the trend toward system sales is continuing. Here's a review of Day 1 from the show floor. Dahua continues to educate market ...

An aging employee population and the influx of a new generation of workers and customers is driving change in the physical security industry. Millennials – those born in the 1980s and mid-1990s – are especially impacting how the industry operates, the technologies it produces, and the customers it serves. This tech-savvy generation grew up with the Internet at their fingertips. They embrace innovation in all its glory and expect it to play a seamless role in their lives – and w...

What is a business, or an industry, but a collection of people and the results of their work? People make all the difference in the destiny of a business or industry. And the people involved in a business reflect the impact of demographic changes – and the passage of time. The security industry has been largely built by Baby Boomers, who are getting older and increasingly stepping aside to make way for younger folks. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Is there a “new...

Cloud platforms and applications are becoming prevalent across security solutions. In the simplest terms, cloud systems store and access data and programs over the Internet instead of using an on-premises computer server. The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet. This technology helps security integrators provide managed services and the advantages of off-site systems and services to customers, which is why cloud computing is often mentioned among the 'megatrends' in the physical security indu...

ACRE, renowned global provider of state-of-the-art security systems, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RS2 Technologies in Munster, Indiana. This purchase will enhance ACRE’s strategic expansion plans for strengthening its access control business and product portfolio. Following on from the recent acquisition of Open Options in December of 2018, ACRE continues to build its access control strength and reach in the North American market. ACRE’...