Alula - Experts & Thought Leaders

Pleased to announce the merger of M2M Services, an award-winning provider of universal alarm panel communicators, connectivity, and interactive services, with Alula, a pioneer in the smart security and Internet of Things (IoT) industries. Operating under the name M2M Services, the combined entity will leverage the strengths of both companies. The merger marks a significant achievement in the industry, creating a company with unrivalled products and services that cater to the ever-evolving demands of the smart security market and the professionals who serve it. Unmatched security solutions The combined companies will be led by Peter Tzvetkov, CEO of M2M Services. Dave Mayne, President of Alula, will lead North American operations and oversee global sales and marketing. Gregg Waldon, CFO of Alula, will manage financial operations for the combined business. The company will have US headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, and headquarters in Sofia, Bulgaria. "This merger represents a strategic move to position ourselves as the premier market pioneer in the smart security industry,” said Peter Tzvetkov. “We are excited about the future and the offerings we’ll provide to both our current and prospective customers, making available unmatched security solutions that provide peace of mind and seamless control over the connected environments they create and monitor." Author's quote We are committed to continued innovation around the connected security market" Dave Mayne stated, “The merger with M2M opens up new horizons for Alula as we combine our expertise to set new benchmarks for quality, engineering and innovative security offerings. Together, we are committed to empowering our customers with advanced technologies that redefine the way they protect what matters most.” Mayne continued, “As a combined business over 1.25 million rooftops will be actively using our service platform to protect their properties and add convenience to the lives of those residing and working there. We are committed to continued innovation around the connected security market.” Key highlights Key highlights of the merger include: Expanded product portfolio: The new business will offer an extensive range of smart security solutions that encompass cutting-edge hardware, services, and cloud-based technologies. Customers will enjoy an even broader array of products tailored to meet their unique security needs. Enhanced R&D capabilities: By pooling research and development resources, the new M2M Services will accelerate the pace of innovation, creating new technologies that drive the industry forward and enhance the overall user experience. Unparalleled expertise: The new M2M services bring together a team of industry veterans and seasoned experts from both companies. This combined expertise will enable the company to address market challenges and anticipate future trends effectively. Customer-centric approach: Both M2M and Alula share a common commitment to exceptional customer service. As a merged entity, they will continue to prioritise customer satisfaction, offering responsive support and tailored solutions to meet individual needs.

Alula, the pioneer in smart security and system communications for professional installers, announces the promotion of Matt Gehr to Vice President, Sales and a new customer-focused organisation realignment to better serve its partners. Last October, Alula announced new partnerships with three large regional manufacturer representative firms to expand its footprint across the United States. These changes provide greater sales coverage for the East, West and Southern/Central regions for all of Alula’s partners and prospective customers. “With Gehr’s extensive industry knowledge, he will be a great asset to our leadership team as we continue on a strong growth trajectory and expand our product offerings,” said Dave Mayne, Chief Revenue Officer, Alula. “With the 3G sunset behind us, we are primed and ready to help alarm professionals get back to growing their businesses, and not just updating existing accounts." Gehr and his team "Gehr and his team will be instrumental in expanding the knowledge of our platform among dealers of all sizes and focuses. A broadened sales coverage will be paramount as we prepare to launch some big new additions to our platform in 2023.” Gehr started at Alula in 2015 as the Midwest Regional Sales Manager. Over the past eight years, he has held positions such as Business Development Manager and Director of Sales, Midwest and Strategic Accounts before accepting the newly formed Vice President, Sales role. With this new role, Gehr will be responsible for developing plans and strategies to meet sales goals, anticipating partner needs and identifying where improvements can be made. This change will allow Alula to provide better customer service throughout the United States.

Alula, the pioneer in smart security and system communications for professional installers, announces a partnership with three regional manufacturer representative firms to expand its footprint across the United States. The collaborative efforts with Thomasson Marketing Group (TMG), Lanier Rep Group (LRG), and Security Solutions Incorporated (SSI) will enable Alula to expand relationships and provide an extension to their existing sales team. Residential and commercial technology solutions First, the partnerships will focus on the quickly waning opportunity to help alarm dealers prepare for the Verizon CDMA sunset, scheduled for the first week of January 2023. Alula’s award-winning BAT-Connect and BAT-Fire communicators are equipped with LTE-M cellular technology Alula is focused on ensuring its residential and commercial technology solutions are available to those migrating to newer and more advanced technologies. Alula’s award-winning BAT-Connect and BAT-Fire communicators are equipped with LTE-M cellular technology. These communicators are designed for new installations, system upgrades, and takeovers, and allow dealers to lessen the number of communicators they have to carry in inventory. Security, automation, and smart property solutions “With over seven decades of security industry expertise between the three firms, we are excited to partner with TMG, LRG, and SSI to provide those in need of security, automation, and smart property solutions with Alula products,” said Dave Mayne, Chief Revenue Officer, Alula. He adds, “The relationships developed and forged by these three firms will allow our broad range of applications and consistent system management experience to reach more users.” Wireless smart security solution Connect+ provides a value-rich and versatile platform that can be used to cover simple to complex installations Secondly, Alula’s wireless smart security solution Connect+ continues growing in popularity among dealers who want a value-rich and versatile platform that can be used to cover simple to complex installations. These rep firms will help further expand the knowledge of this unique system to alarm dealers of all sizes and focus. A broadened understanding of Alula’s products and services will be paramount as Alula prepares for the launch of a new hybrid panel solution in 2023. Smart intrusion products and services “This partnership is a win-win for both Alula and these rep firms, with Alula getting assistance from firms that already have a great presence in the SMB and commercial segments of the security market, and the rep firms being able to leverage an industry-leading portfolio of smart intrusion products and services to their existing clients,” said Dave Mayne. Each representative firm will be focused on selling Alula products in a different region of the U.S. TMG is positioned to reach the Western region; LRG targeting the south and central part of the country; and SSI will cover the Eastern U.S.

The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) will be held at the Indiana Convention Center, June 3-6, in Indianapolis. The show focusses exclusively on the electronic security and life safety industry, including companies that service the connected Internet of Things (IoT) space for homes and businesses. The ESX Main Stage will highlight inspirational presentations from motivational speakers, Dr. Rick Rigsby and Kevin Brown. In addition, there will be a founder of a drone security company and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence from Kleiner Perkins for OpenXchange, and a Secret Service agent for the Closing Keynote. Sharing best practices and trends In breakout sessions, colleagues and business thought leaders will share best practices, trends and opportunities that helped their own companies and careers, so that others might replicate their successes or minimise their failures. These sessions are aimed at propelling attendees to reimagine their business models and go-to-market strategies, says George De Marco, Chairman of ESX and Managing Partner for DECO Ventures LLC. Examples of breakout sessions include: CounterPoint Forum – “False Alarm Dispatches - A Real Threat or a Nuisance to the Industry?” “Top 3 Ways to Grow Your Video RMR” “5 Faster, Smarter Ways to Improve Cash Flow” “Artificial Intelligence Real Time Video Monitoring Solutions” Promoting security professionals’ growth Our goal is to develop next-gen methods that deliver industry content and promote professional growth"“Each year, we challenge ourselves to raise the bar of the educational sessions and main stage events,” says De Marco. “One of the ways is introducing new faces and voices for the peer-developed and peer-driven educational sessions that offer best practices and identify trends, opportunities and challenges for industry professionals to consider today and in the future. Our goal is to develop next-gen methods that deliver industry content and promote professional growth as the industry pivots to the future.” New entrants and disruptors are challenging traditional go-to-market strategies, causing traditional companies to rethink how they rise above the noise in a changing competitive landscape and handle new consumer buying behaviours, says De Marco. Exhibitors at ESX Exhibitors that support ESX include Interlogix (Diamond sponsor), Napco (Platinum sponsor), Alula and DMP (Gold sponsor), and ADI, Altronix, Bold Group, Essence, ICT, Quick Response, Resideo, Secura key, Security Central and WeSuite (Silver sponsors). ESX seeks to connect exhibitors with the influencers and decision-makers from companies that represent a cross section of dealers, integrators and monitoring companies in North America. The exhibit hall will be the focal point for exhibitors to showcase their latest technology in the city’s impressive convention centre. The exhibit hall will be the focal point for exhibitors to showcase their latest technology in the city’s convention centre “We recognise individuals and companies during the Opening Celebration that help propel the industry forward and at our VIP Event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” says De Marco. “During the day, there are meals around the Main Stage sessions which gather attendees around the table for casual conversation before the presentation begins.” Indianapolis, home of the Indy 500, is a unique location that has a lot to offer the attendees of ESX. A special night at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will invite a limited number of guests to share great food and drinks, to experience a trip around the track in an official pace car, and to ‘kiss the bricks’, a speedway tradition. Centrally located in the US, Indianapolis is a convenient convention destination for travel, whether flying or driving. Connecting with peers and colleagues Another benefit of the show is the cross-section of companies represented in the industry, whether large, medium or small There are also networking opportunities throughout the week. The Pub Crawl, an attendee favourite, is a night where long-time friends gather, and new friendships are made. “This is where the real conversations happen between peers and colleagues about real problems of running and growing a company, and solutions that can make a difference,” says De Marco. Another benefit of the show is the cross-section of companies represented in the industry, whether large, medium or small players. This enables professionals to come together to connect with their peers and colleagues, allowing for deep discussions on how to grow their people, revenues and profits, including mentoring opportunities that encourage leadership development, says De Marco. The subject of finding qualified employees is top of mind for almost every industry today, especially the security industry. Sessions that address hiring and managing employees for industry professionals include  “Hiring from Outside the Monitoring Industry: Surprising Resources for Great Operators” “Maximise New Employees: Why Onboarding is Critical to Their Success” “5 Tips for Effective Employee Performance Evaluations” Helping attendees to reinvent their business “Our focus is primarily on the attendee, helping them connect with suppliers, colleagues and opportunities that reimagine their businesses, so they can be stronger competitors,” says De Marco. “If we can provide the right knowledge to inspire or transform the attendees to take meaningful action or implement change that helps them remain relevant, we believe we have succeeded.” There will be an undercurrent of sadness at ESX this year because the industry recently suffered a loss. George Gunning, former CEO of USA Alarm Systems and one of the founding members of ESX, passed away in February. “We would be remiss if we didn’t recognise his contributions and influence on the industry and ESX over the years,” says De Marco. Another founding member of ESX who has passed away is John Murphy, formerly CEO of Vector Security.