AMAG Rolls Out Roadmap at 2020 Security Engineering Symposium
The 20th annual SES attracted end users, consultants and systems integrators for a weekend agenda of activities intended to develop relationships.
John Kenning, CEO of AMAG parent company G4S (Americas), shared his vision and mission to deliver integrated and improved security solutions for their diverse client markets.
SAN DIEGO — AMAG Technology hosted an impressive group of 130 consultants, end users, technology partners and resellers here at the very posh Pendry Hotel, located in the downtown Gaslamp Quarter, Feb. 21-23, to share their vision of the future and roadmap of how they plan to get their customers there safely.
During the 20th annual Security Engineering Symposium (SES), John Kenning, CEO of parent company G4S (Americas), shared his vision and mission to deliver integrated and improved security solutions for their diverse client markets. That journey will be accomplished with a shared set of core values, which was led by Kenning and verbalized in unison by the AMAG faithful … impressive.
Howard Johnson, CEO of AMAG, continued the program with sharing his team’s priorities and setting expectations that this conference was all about one-on-one communication, sharing insight, sharing suggestions and building stronger relationships in their ecosystem.
What struck me was Johnson’s sincere message of wanting to hear where AMAG was doing well and where they needed to improve from consultants, resellers and end users.
Johnson introduced the keynote speaker, Patrick Schwerdtfeger, a futurist who gave us a look at where disrupters come from, how they will impact our business world, and some strategies to prepare for change. Get ready to retire your driver’s license as autonomous transportation is here today and will be a major disrupter in our lives.
The technology partners and AMAG provided individualized tracks that were tailored to individual group specific needs. I attended the consultants track and was impressed with the sincere desire to listen to what we need from a manufacturer. Technology partners combined to give insights of their new features, services, and advantages with being integrated with the Symmetry product lines.
G4S has built a ROC (Risk Operation Center) in Jupiter Beach, Fla, to support their technology integration vision between manned and physical security that delivers a stronger customer experience, while improving safety and security. This investment will enable AMAG and their technical partners evolve deployment of new technologies in the future. If data is the new wealth, then situational awareness is the bank that delivers investment returns.
The technology partners had well-timed presentations that were designed to inform and not sell, which is always refreshing as well as informative. They were well-disciplined to stay within their allotted time. They shared actual use case success stories that gave some backbone to the much-hyped trends we read about regarding artificial intelligence (AI), biometric credentials, and answers to risks associated with proximity cards. Were you aware you can copy prox cards with a $90 appliance available through Amazon? I wasn’t; who knew?
Some interesting trends were revealed in hybrid credential solutions that answer multifactor authentication needs in highly regulated markets. This combined existing traditional card credentials and mobile biometrics. Fun stuff with staggering deployment numbers that are operational today.
Some of my key impressions included:
- AMAG is focused on adding value to their customers and channels.
- AMAG was in the listen-and-learn mode; always a good business strategy.
- The company is taking a more rational and timely approach to software updates.
- New feature sets will be integrated into next gen software so you don’t have to make either/or upgrade choices.
- G4S is seriously focused on leveraging the four different legs of their business table: secure solutions manned security; systems integration group; AMAG; and Risk Consulting group to cross sell and create synergy to efficiently grow their business.
- Great strategy and progress are being made by aligning vision, goals and leadership sponsorship to gain traction.
- AMAG’s stated expectation was to have those attending connect by meeting new people and building relationships with very different roles.
- AMAG also likes to mix business with fun relationship building social activities.
- Bottom line: “Think differently, connect with people, build new relationships, and share innovative thinking.”
AMAG did a great job at a beautiful venue with their technology partners’ support. This consultant certainly appreciated that bright yellow ball in the sky some people call the sun out here, which we just don’t always have this time of year in Ohio!
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
About the Author
Paul Boucherle, SSI Contributor
Paul C. Boucherle, Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Certified Sherpa Coach (CSC), is Security Sales & Integration’s “Business Fitness” columnist. A principal of Matterhorn Consulting, he has more than 30 years of diverse security and safety industry experience including UL central station operations, risk-vulnerability assessments, strategic security program design and management of industry convergence challenges. Boucherle has successfully guided top-tier companies in achieving enhanced ROI resulting from improved sales and operational management techniques. He is a charismatic speaker and educator on a wide range of critical topics relating to the security industry of today and an accomplished corporate strategist and marketer whose vision and expertise in business performance have driven notable enterprise growth in the security industry sector.
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.
A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.
