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14 Sep 2022
ConnectWise, the software company dedicated to the success of IT solution providers (TSPs), is launching an updated version of its Modes Theory™ (aka Modes) methodology that helps partners identify and operationalise their businesses in alignment with their unique objectives.
By identifying their ‘mode’—Startup Mode, Balance Builder Mode, Value Builder Mode or Empire Builder Mode—the business model helps TSPs identify where they are in the business journey, where they want to go, and the best route to get there. Developing a deeper understanding of an SMB’s current and future ‘mode’ helps businesses take advantage of purpose-built training, peer groups, solutions, and ecosystem resources.
Developed in partnership with ConnectWise partners, and tested by more than 400 partners to date, Modes and its associated resources are now available to the entire ConnectWise partner community. The Modes assessment is also available for non-ConnectWise partners.
Since many SMBs have multiple owners and those owners often identify with different modes
The new version of the Modes Theory Assessment™ has been expanded to incorporate an Operational Maturity Level (OML) component that provides a more holistic view of where businesses currently are, what they’re trying to achieve and a roadmap to get there.
Geared towards small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners, the Modes Theory Assessment is free and only takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Since many SMBs have multiple owners and those owners often identify with different modes, ConnectWise encourages each owner to take the assessment, compare notes and get on the same page.
“The pandemic made it a necessity for businesses to take client relationships deeper, but this has to start with us understanding ourselves. We’ve discovered that partners can better support their clients if they know what they are trying to accomplish. This enables them to proactively plan with clients and provide better service because they’re having those conversations. We see significant value in salespeople understanding the partners they are trying to take care of,” said Arlin Sorensen, VP of Ecosystem Evangelism with ConnectWise.
ConnectWise plans to release a leadership-focused assessment and workshop at IT Nation Connect 2022, which includes scripted sessions where business owners can sit down with their teams to drive a collective vision.
At ConnectWise, we believe in a partnership that seeks to understand your most ambitious vision of success”
As an SMB’s business model, culture, strategy, and leadership approach come into alignment with behaviours and habits that are best practices for their mode, partners are able to achieve exciting results that will then usher them into the next phase of aligning owners with their leadership teams.
“At ConnectWise, we believe in a partnership that seeks to understand your most ambitious vision of success and enable good decision making along the journey. Modes helps you clarify that vision, align your team and chart your course to get there,” said Sorensen.
Less than half of new businesses survive at least five years, according to the Small Business Administration. If a business wants to move beyond the five-year mark, but its leaders feel limited or unsure of the right steps to take, Modes can help put them on a personalised path to success.
Through interrelated concepts, tools and benchmarks, business owners and their teams are able to engineer a resilient and profitable business, while still navigating uncertainty and continuous change.
Combined with IT Nation Evolve peer groups, Modes not only provides a roadmap but also accountability to assure execution. Looking further ahead, ConnectWise will continue the next stage of Modes in early 2023, which will include a client-focused Modes assessment.
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GSX 2022 this week in Atlanta highlights the changing role of security in the enterprise. The role of the security director increasingly will encompass facets of cybersecurity as well as physical security. Transitioning to an operation that incorporates both disciplines requires a workforce that embraces education and building new skills. Education and the opportunity to build new skills are evident everywhere at GSX, including in the hundreds of education sessions and also in the knowledge shared on the show floor in the exhibit hall. Risk-based decisions “I really just do physical security.” That used to be a common phrase in the industry, but no more. In addition to ‘upskilling,’ security practitioners also need to speak the language of business and to insert the concepts of security into that language. Fast changes in security are challenging today’s professionals to keep up. The GSX education sessions seek to meet the need. Embracing ESRM includes a complete change in the thinking and approach to security Among the topics at the GSX conference is ESRM (Enterprise Security Risk Management), a security approach that focuses on risk-based decisions and partnerships with asset owners. It’s an approach that requires a holistic view of security risk. Embracing ESRM includes a complete change in the thinking and approach to security. Rather than seeking ‘approval’ for security decisions, security professionals identify risks and possible mitigation strategies and present them to management. Shaping access control Activity in the exhibit hall was brisk on the first day, which was heartening to those who attended a vastly downsized show last year in Orlando. At this show, there is even carpeting. Trends lead the lively discussions at GSX. In a presentation on the show floor Monday, manufacturer Brivo shared top trends that are shaping access control. The trends include: Hybrid work is here to stay. Some 60% of respondents to a Brivo survey said access control is extremely or very important to the hybrid work model. Providing immense value to an organisation, access data helps to manage occupancy and is part of the larger discussion of facility utilisation. Data analytics is ‘mission critical.’ Combining data from multiple sources, including access control, becomes powerful when leveraged using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools. Applications such as anomaly detection help companies improve operations. Some 65% of respondents to the Brivo survey say integrating access control with other technologies is an important trend. Keeping people healthy Other trends identified by Brivo include mobile credentialing and security centralisation (cloud) Other trends identified by Brivo include mobile credentialing and security centralisation (cloud). Among other exhibitors, Johnson Controls is focusing in their booth on solutions, not products, including the convergence of physical security into the digital space. The OpenBlue system is a digital platform that incorporates security, HVAC, fire/life safety, and building operations in a single platform that is the ‘nerve center’ of an organisation. Increasingly, the areas ‘security’ is responsible for are expanding. During the COVID pandemic, for example, security had to embrace a role in keeping people healthy (as well as safe). The challenges of the pandemic accelerated the OpenBlue portfolio as more security professionals expanded their role. Security operations centre “Moving into the digital space, and digitising what used to be a security operations center, enables us to increase automation and enable security operations to respond more quickly,” said Kenneth Poole, Johnson Controls’ Vice President, National Accounts, North America Building Solutions. Security directors are responsible for things they have never been responsible for before” “Surprisingly a lot of customers are being forced into new areas,” Poole added. “Security directors are responsible for things they have never been responsible for before.” Poole says he is encouraged by the willingness of ‘old school’ security directors to embrace the new reality. Azena’s approach to supplying edge-based camera applications on an ‘app store’ is gaining momentum. Several new applications are being announced at GSX, among the 110 apps on the Azena app store. Apps can be loaded onto Azena-enabled cameras manufactured by Bosch, Hanwha, Vivotek, BST, TopView, and Ability. Video management system Azena has simplified the integration of its app solutions, enabling developers to make only slight changes to an app and ensure it is compatible with the largest video management system (VMS) platforms, including Milestone, Genetec, and NX Witness. A wizard on the camera enables simplified mapping of data analytics to events in a VMS system. New applications in the Azena app store include video sensors to prevent ‘bed fall’ accidents in hospitals and healthcare facilities, incidents that can cost $35,000 on average and account for $34 billion in the United States in a year. The app identifies video signs of an imminent bed fall, such as excessive movement in bed. The analytics run inside the camera and the video feed doesn’t leave the device, so there are no privacy concerns. An Azena app is installed in a camera mounted on ‘Yellow,’ the ‘robot dog’ manufactured by Boston Dynamics Effectiveness of metal detectors Another new application is gun detection that can augment the effectiveness of metal detectors. Also, an Azena app is installed in a camera mounted on ‘Yellow,’ the ‘robot dog’ manufactured by Boston Dynamics and configured for security applications by Prosegur. An Azena app is installed in a Vivotek AI box on the back of the dog; it can detect fire, smoke, and moved luggage. Azena apps for flare and leak detection are becoming more popular in the oil and gas industries, and there are camera apps that can monitor tank levels. Cisco Meraki is introducing two new camera models at GSX, with 4K and 4MP options, a terabyte of storage for 4K, and 256Gb of storage for 4MP. Air quality sensors The cameras will allow most customers to record 30 to 90 days of video in the camera at the edge The cameras will allow most customers to record 30 to 90 days of video in the camera at the edge. Also at the show, they introduced a push button and air quality sensors that are easy to incorporate into a Cisco Meraki application. Cisco Meraki also offers a dashboard that is integrated with the rest of the product portfolio to enable users to view devices on the same interface and in the same ‘pane of glass.’ For physical security users, there is the Meraki Vision Portal, which enables physical security users to run a more effective investigation. Features include a floor plan view and the ability to switch among multiple cameras. Users can instantly search videos using ‘motion search’ to easily find an event in a video.
As new technologies incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and overall uses of AI continue to expand, what protections are in place to prevent its misuse? Artificial intelligence, like any technology or security measure, is not inherently bad. It can, however, be used for nefarious purposes and in ways that were never intended or thought of. ‘Responsible AI Policy’ to protect users Prosegur has created a ‘Responsible AI Policy’ to protect users from potential AI threats As an AI company, Prosegur has created a ‘Responsible AI Policy’ to protect users from potential AI threats, and to prevent employee and partner misuse of AI-enabled technology, with guard rails in place to hold them accountable, if artificial intelligence is being used nefariously. “Any security or similar company that utilises AI with its products should monitor for potential misuse and implement a similar policy for protection,” contends Mike Dunn, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Prosegur USA. Requirements of Prosegur’s ‘Responsible AI Policy’ include: Human action and oversight – Prosegur heavily monitors their agents using an integrated international security operations centre (iSOC). Floor and shift supervisors ensure that everything is working properly and that incidents are handled. They also ensure employees are logging into AI-enabled cameras and other technologies for the right reason. Transparency – As with any new company-wide policy, Prosegur wants to ensure that every employee learns about the policy and their duties to uphold it. “In doing this, we are making sure that all processes involving AI development are transparent, so any employee can understand and implement the policy into these processes,” says Mike Dunn. Non-discrimination and equity – Prosegur seeks to make sure employees are using AI-enabled technology to look for known criminals, for example, and not profiling or singling people out. Having a policy in place ensures agents are aware. Accountability – The most important part of the policy is to hold people accountable, if AI-enabled technologies are misused. Violation of the policy will result in disciplinary actions, which can range from HR (Human Resources) intervention to possible suspension. For partners, Prosegur would cease and desist using their products immediately upon finding out about any misuse. Leading the charge for ethical AI practices Prosegur is proud to lead the charge for ethical AI practices, by creating this first policy of its kind” “Prosegur is proud to lead the charge for ethical AI practices, by creating this first policy of its kind, and we hope that other security organisations follow suit,” says Mike Dunn. Technology can do wonderful things. In security, technology can help to stop crimes and even to prevent them from happening with deterrents and alarms. Important to take action to stop ‘bad actors’ However, as with any industry or group of people, there will be ‘bad actors.’ Mike Dunn said “It is important to take actions to stop those people, but it is also important not to condemn all technology or practices when this happens.” Even proven, effective technologies can be used for bad (as well as good). An example is TSA Scanners at the airports. They were designed to provide safer air travel, picking up things that normal metal detectors could miss. Misuse of AI technology can cause lot of harm However, it came to light that a few ‘bad actors’ were using this technology and sharing silhouetted nude pictures of passengers. This has since been patched and fixed, but nonetheless, it’s a great example of how misuse can break people’s trust. As a whole, technology can be dangerous. If not used as intended, it can be used to hurt people. The U.S. government has found that China was using facial recognition and demographic analytics to classify and identify people, based on their ethnicity and that technology singled them out for tracking. Important to ensure analytics and AI used as intended As a society, I think it’s important for us to take that first step and self-police any use of these analytics” “As a society, I think it’s important for us to take that first step and self-police any use of these analytics,” said Mike Dunn, adding “At a minimum, (we should) set policies and procedures to make sure these analytics and AI are being used as intended.” As use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to increase, an industry standard would ensure companies have protections in place for their employees, clients, and partners. Having a policy is the first proactive step in ensuring AI protections. However, companies need to enforce accountability too. Effectively handle security threats and vulnerabilities Mike Dunn continues, “By heavily monitoring for unethical AI practices and enforcing disciplinary actions when needed, companies will be better prepared to handle security threats and vulnerabilities.” At Prosegur, monitoring agents are heavily trained, taught procedures and then closely supervised by several methods. “This is something that should be common practice in the security industry,” says Mike Dunn, adding “We have employed a compliance officer to help us stay ahead of the curve. Fortunately, we have seen many manufacturers and end users adopt this practice as well.” Compliance officers can act faster than new laws enacted Compliance officers can act faster than new laws being enacted, and often will hold their company to higher standards than a minimum threshold. Mike Dunn concludes, “Putting a responsible AI procedure in place is Prosegur’s way of taking on this problem we see in our everyday work.”
Antarctica is the Earth’s southernmost and least populated continent. It holds the world record for the lowest temperature ever measured: −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F). To help cover different scientific bases in the Argentine region of Antarctica, Dahua Technology has donated 15 security cameras specially developed to handle the harsh weather conditions in the “white continent”. These devices enable 24-hour footage, increase contact and connectivity with scientists on the ground and improve knowledge of local fauna and meteorology, allowing scientific research conducted in Antarctica to become more visible in Argentina. Handling extreme weather For this project, Dahua developed a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) solution that can handle extreme weather conditions. It consists of 4MP Vari-focal Bullet WizMind Network Camera and 2MP Starlight+ PTZ Camera with 33x optical zoom capability to provide clear images of flora and fauna in the region, connecting the distant continent closer to the capital city of Argentina in real time. A customised Thermal Camera was also deployed to monitor the security of the runway and arriving planes, as well as to record the habits of penguins living there even in the dark, paving the way for deeper understanding of scientific research in the region. Coping with low temperature The most difficult part of the project is obtain the specific cameras that can cope with the low temperatures “The most difficult part of the project was to obtain the specific cameras that can cope with the low temperatures and climatic conditions that the region suffers in order to offer an optimal result based on their needs,” explained Engineer José Varas, BDM of Dahua Technology. In fact, the continent’s temperature is so extreme that technicians could only stay outside for only 90 seconds. “The main complexity for the installation was obviously the extreme climate of Antarctica during the winter,” said Sebastián Mirich, President of Mirich Electronic Security, which was responsible for the installation. “However, the installation was a success and the cameras are working and withstanding the harsh and demanding Antarctic climate,” he added. Dahua Technology has donated 15 security cameras Providing greater security “In addition to increasing connectivity and showing more closely the activities that are carried out there. It also seeks to provide greater security to the runway every time a plane arrives, something fundamental to continue exploring in this area,” said Julia Anschütz, MarCom Manager of Dahua Technology. Bringing security technology to Antarctica This project has brought advanced security technologies to Antarctica, an unprecedented initiative in the world’s fifth-largest continent. It greatly reflects Dahua’s commitment to integrating digital intelligence technology into environmental protection and sustainability, as well as its unremitting support for ecological research. The equipment and solution provided by Dahua not only assists field researchers and technicians in their daily work, but also creates awareness about the scientific research activities and life in the region, breaking distance boundaries and extreme climate challenges.
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Dahua DHI-LPH65/75/86-MT440-C 65/75/86'' UHD Smart Interactive Whiteboard
Hikvision unveils the industry's first "True 8K" NVRs
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