Key Partners to Gather for Strategic Discussions, Product Demonstrations and Networking in a Picturesque Setting

After several years of hosting the Partner Connections event in the USA and, most recently, Latin America, Alarm.com, the leading platform for the intelligently connected property, is pleased to announce its upcoming popular and highly respected European Partner Connections event, taking place on May 6–8, 2025, in the idyllic setting of Ibiza, Spain. This exclusive three-day gathering will bring together a selection of Alarm.com’s key partners from across Europe for strategic discussions, major feature announcements, product demonstrations and valuable networking opportunities.

Set against the backdrop of Ibiza’s beautiful weather and stunning coastal landscapes, the first-ever European Partner Connections event, known for its ability to unite and invigorate Alarm’s partner network in a welcoming and informative environment, aims to encourage collaboration and innovation among Alarm.com’s European partners while offering an inside track on the company’s technology roadmap presented by some of Alarm.com’s sharpest minds, including Reed Grothe, Dan Kerzner and AnneMarie Ferraro. Attendees from Alarm.com’s partner companies will gain insights into the company’s latest technological advancements, such as the recently unveiled AI Deterrence (AID) system, which utilises artificial intelligence to deliver adaptive verbal warnings to intruders based on their clothing and surroundings, and which gives users both enhanced security and smart peace of mind. Attendees will also learn how Alarm.com’s continuously evolving platform and its powerful back-end ecosystem empower dealers to grow their businesses with greater efficiency, intelligence and profitability.

The European Partner Connections event underscores Alarm.com’s commitment to strengthening its global partner network and delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance security and automation, connecting peace of mind for residential and commercial property owners. Some of the many topics up for discussion include upselling, tools for revenue growth and driving engagement.

If you are interested in learning more about the event or would like to contact us for media relations, please visit the official page: European Partner Connections 2025.

The rise of generative AI is expected to revolutionise the ways we use our security systems along with the information that these systems will be able to provide. These promises of new levels of efficiency, accuracy and creativity using artificial intelligence also come with great risks, thanks to the growing prevalence of tools to manipulate or create “deepfake” videos.

While some instances of deepfakes or manipulated video are easier to spot, other alterations to video can be seamless to the viewer because they don’t involve obvious changes in the video footage. For example, altering the timestamp of a video clip to a different day or time can provide incorrect information about when the event occurred. Taking out specific frames of a video clip from an event can remove the event or person of interest in the video, causing the clip to inaccurately portray an event.

Challenges trust in video evidence

This ability to alter video can ultimately pose significant challenges to organisational trust in video evidence and the industry’s ability to maintain the authenticity of surveillance footage. This can have severe consequences in many areas, including criminal investigations, court proceedings, and internal corporate security investigations. As these threats continue to grow, traditional forensic techniques to safeguard video footage will not be enough to protect against generative AI’s ability to covertly and overtly alter surveillance video. This growing need for new solutions highlights the importance for industry collaboration and a standardized way to preserve the integrity of video and institutional trust in the footage as an accurate view of a situation.

Media signing

As a global standards organisation, ONVIF is working on a method of video authentication called media signing that provides proof that the video has not been altered since it has left the specific camera sensor that captured the video. Securing the video at its earliest point, when the sensor in the camera captures the video, is key to ensuring the authenticity and trustworthiness of the video footage from camera to court.

Standardising video authentication using ONVIF enables a common way to verify the authenticity of the video it has received. By securing the video right from the specific camera that captured it, there’s no need to prove the chain of custody for the video. You can verify the video authenticity at every step — from the camera to a person viewing the exported recording. With authentication provided at the point of capture, the video can be traced back to the device that recorded it.

Standardising this process for the security industry and others that rely on camera footage for other uses will provide consistency and reliability in the authenticity of video. ONVIF believes that video authentication at the source (from the camera) through video signing will provide the assurances needed to preserve trust in surveillance video.

ONVIF chairman Leo Levit recently delivered a presentation on video integrity at ISC West 2025 in Las Vegas.

Growing businesses require flexibility and easy scalability from their access management. Choosing a secure digital solution which easily adapts and grows as needs change, ensures the organisation is prepared not just for today, but for the future.

H.R. Owen is a dealership specialising in the sale, service and repair of luxury and sports cars. Its portfolio of high-end brands includes Lamborghini, Bentley, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Lotus. Based primarily in London, the company expanded operations with a new facility in Hatfield to accommodate its growing business. As with all of H.R. Owen’s premises, this new showroom required high security due to the nature of its vehicle stock.

“Security is paramount as we needed to ensure that we are not just protecting our high-value products, but also our staff and our customers,” explains Sean Nevatte, Group Aftersales Director at H.R. Owen.

For the new premises, managers sought a single, unified access management solution which could encompass a wide range of openings including glass doors, fire doors and parking barriers.

Security blended with design aesthetics

H.R. Owen customers expect a degree of refinement in the showroom environment. So, as well as security and reliability, access devices must blend with the high-end interior design.

Finally, they needed a solution which offered easy scalability. As a successful, growing company, they have to be confident their investment in digital access would meet evolving requirements for security, flexibility and aesthetics – now and long into the future.

Real-time control and easy scalability

“During the planning stages with H.R. Owen and the architects, it was clear that ASSA ABLOY’s Smartair solution was the only real choice for the site,” says Matthew Taylor, Operations Director at Knightsbridge Security, who installed the dealership’s system.

Smartair, part of a suite of connected digital access solutions from ASSA ABLOY, is an out-of-the-box system ideally suited to medium-sized premises with a broad range of openings to equip. Among more than 100 devices installed throughout the facility, Smartair Wall Readers and Smartair I-Max Escutcheons were selected for their sleek aesthetics and versatility.

The devices are wireless, and therefore fast and cost-effective to fit. With no need for extensive cabling, they are quickly installed, minimizing onsite disruption. Another benefit of choosing wireless, the reach of H.R. Owen’s solution can be easily extended or reconfigured anytime, protecting their investment for the long term.

Smartair is designed to be equally convenient to operate. The facility can manage access remotely, ensuring access rights may be monitored or amended in real time in response to any potential threat.

Access by mobile app

H.R. Owen also chose Smartair’s mobile access solution Openow: staff can use their smartphones for access, rather than physical cards or fobs. Access by secure mobile app boosts both security – fewer lost credentials – and sustainability performance by cutting single-use plastics. Particularly well suited to car showrooms and other premises with parking, Openow’s Parking Mode feature allows drivers to unlock barriers from 3m–5m away. They don’t need to get out of the car to open the barrier. This reduces the risk of opportunist theft or unauthorised access, which is a critical benefit for premises like H.R. Owen with high-value goods inside.

Axis Communications has completed a new integration with Eagle Eye Networks, a market leader in cloud video surveillance. Built with Axis Cloud Connect, the integration provides end-customers and system integrators with a robust device-to-cloud solution with high-quality products, one-click installation, renowned cyber security, and advanced AI capabilities.

The trend towards cloud adoption continues at pace within the VMS industry, with customers demanding the flexibility and security that hybrid solutions enable. Axis Communications recognised this shift and developed Axis Cloud Connect which seamlessly supports edge devices, enabling customers to effortlessly access, analyze, and share data from multiple sites without compromising on security.

Launched in 2024, Axis Cloud Connect is an open hybrid cloud platform which allows key partners to develop solutions and access capabilities to enhance their own cloud-based solutions and further meet the needs of customers. This new integration with Eagle Eye Networks will offer an easy and secure device onboarding, a smooth enablement of cutting-edge analytics from Axis devices, and a joint focus on robust cyber security – securing the solution from device to cloud. Axis Cloud Connect and Eagle Eye Networks have completed cyber security audits including ISO27001 and SOC 2 Type 1 (Axis) and Type 2 (Eagle Eye Networks).

Managed services help reduce risks

Managed services provided by Axis solutions and devices are enabled by Axis Cloud Connect, ensuring that the solution is constantly enriched with new features and the latest security updates to improve customer value and peace of mind. Managed systems ultimately reduce risks associated with self-managed systems and minimize manual maintenance. This increases reliability and efficiency, while enhancing security.

Johan Paulsson, CTO at Axis commented, “Following the successful launch of Axis Cloud Connect last year, we’ve seen an uptick in demand for cloud-enabled VMS solutions incorporating Axis’ wide portfolio of devices. This new and exciting integration with Eagle Eye Networks will enable easy onboarding and allows Axis to provide a top-level managed security solution to customers, enabling device-to-cloud and other key functionalities such as advanced edge analytics using best in class cyber security practices.”

A focus on cyber security

“This integration brings Axis Communications’ world-class security cameras and other devices directly to the cloud in a way that focuses on cybersecurity and is very easy to manage,” said Dean Drako, Eagle Eye Networks CEO. “Eagle Eye leverages Axis analytics and AI, incorporating results into search, alerting, and automation capabilities of the Eagle Eye Cloud VMS, delivering a powerful solution to businesses customers across the globe.”

Bosch has been researching in the field of quanta for more than ten years, and it is playing a decisive part in commercialising quantum sensors. Since 2023, it has had a development collaboration with Element Six, the world’s leading solutions provider of synthetic diamonds. Bosch is now significantly extending this alliance and establishing a joint venture, to be known as Bosch Quantum Sensing.

The joint venture will be based on the in-house start-up of the same name, which Bosch set up in 2022. Domiciled in Ludwigsburg, Germany, Bosch Quantum Sensing currently employs 30 associates. Bosch itself will be the lead partner and be responsible for operations. Element Six will hold a 25 percent stake. It has been agreed that further financial details will not be disclosed. The establishment of the new company is still subject to official approval.

Synthetic diamonds are a key component

Bosch Quantum Sensing sees many areas in which novel quantum sensors can be used, from exploration of natural resources to aircraft navigation and medical technology. By the middle of the next decade, Bosch estimates that the global market potential of medical and mobility applications will be in the mid-single-digit billion euros range per year. Synthetic diamonds are a key component of Bosch quantum sensors. In stepping up its partnership with Element Six, Bosch is making a determined move toward the commercialisation of quantum sensors.

“Quantum sensors are a future technology with huge potential. They will bring about fundamental changes in many sectors of our economy, and improve people’s lives. In setting up this new company, we are underscoring this technology’s strategic significance for Bosch. As innovation leader of commercial quantum sensors, we will work with Element Six to further extend our technological lead,” says Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH.

Quantum leap toward commercialisation

The distinctive qualities of these special-purpose synthetic diamonds allow quantum sensors based on them to detect even the tiniest magnetic fields. In this way, they satisfy the most exacting market requirements and make real innovations possible.

“We want to work with Element Six to make quantum sensors economical and allow them to be produced on an industrial scale. In this way, we will create the basis for innovative applications that set new standards for precision and efficiency,” says Katrin Kobe, CEO of Bosch Quantum Sensing.

“Through the new joint venture between Bosch and Element Six, which aligns with Element Six’ contribution towards De Beers Group’s Origins strategy, we will integrate our synthetic diamond technology with Bosch Quantum Sensing’s capabilities, unlocking new possibilities in critical sectors such as healthcare and navigation. Together, we will harness the respective decades of excellence and innovation to push the limits of what’s possible, heralding a new era of synthetic diamond-enabled technologies”, says Siobhán Duffy, the CEO of Element Six.

The synthetic diamond solutions provider is in a unique position to supply the highly engineered synthetic diamonds in the quantity and quality required for industrial applications, while Bosch will integrate them into robust and scalable sensor systems. It is a classic win-win situation.

The goal – quantum sensors on a chip

Even now, the latest Bosch quantum sensor prototype is the most compact of its kind for the level of sensitivity required – it is the same size as a modern smartphone. In the area of mobility, it could enable a robust navigation in the future, complementary to conventional GPS systems. It could also offer decisive advantages for the exploration of natural resources and, in medical technology, for the measurement of cardiac activity. The advantage of compact sensors is their portability, less expensive production, and better scalability. The long-term goal of Bosch Quantum Sensing is to make quantum sensors so small that they can be integrated onto a chip.

Nedap Identification Systems has entered into a strategic partnership with Datafox, a renowned expert in access control and time registration solutions. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, empowering Datafox to distribute and promote Nedap’s groundbreaking vehicle access control solutions throughout Germany.

According to the company, this partnership is a natural alignment of strengths. With Nedap’s pioneering identification technologies and Datafox’s established reputation and distribution network, businesses across Germany will gain access to state-of-the-art solutions that redefine security and operational efficiency. Together, we are poised to transform the market by delivering innovative and future-ready access control systems.

“Partnering with Nedap allows us to enhance our portfolio with some of the most advanced technologies in the industry. We’re proud to represent their solutions and look forward to driving growth and innovation for our customers in Germany,” comments Markus Heil, CEO at Datafox.

Driving innovation in vehicle access control

Nedap’s innovative product range—from the NVITE reader, offering seamless multi-technology identification, to RFID, UHF and ANPR systems for reliable long-range vehicle identification —is tailored to meet the diverse needs of sectors such as industrial sites, critical infrastructure, logistics and corporate environments. By partnering with Datafox, German businesses are promised to expect unparalleled support, streamlined implementation, and solutions that set new standards in access control.

Versatile technology for every application

Nedap’s NVITE reader is more than just Apple Wallet-compatible; it supports a range of technologies, including QR codes, BLE, RFID, and NFC. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for diverse access control scenarios, from commercial buildings to transportation hubs. The NVITE is ready to meet today’s demands while being prepared for tomorrow’s innovations.

“This partnership with Datafox represents an exciting step forward in our mission to make secure and efficient access solutions accessible to businesses in Germany. Datafox’s deep understanding of the German market and its strong relationships with customers make them the ideal partner to bring our solutions to new heights,” says Jan Hofman, Strategic Business Development at Nedap Identification Systems.

This impressive growth prediction, according to the researchers, is driven by increased global internet penetration, increased consumer awareness about advanced security systems, and higher reliance on mobile applications to make daily processes easier. Smart locks without power locks use Wifi or Bluetooth to connect to other home appliances installed. Locks can be operated by a special power cord or by installing a smart lock app on the phone.

Reliable and unique

The user can send temporary keys to people, giving them home access within a specified time. In addition, smart lock technology is easy to use and unique compared to conventional methods. For instance, security solutions with passwords, ID codes, machine keys, and code names are tedious to take care of and can potentially lead to theft or loss of data. Smart keys work on an IoT connection, which synchronises with the user’s smartphone to gain control. This smart lock feature makes it reliable, unique, and easy to use and strengthens its market presence.

During the first couple of quarters of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic slowed the pace of new smart lock installations. Drastic changes such as cross-border trade prohibitions, economic uncertainty, restrictive standards necessitating temporary shutdowns of industrial facilities, and stay-at-home orders for the general public produced a difficult situation for the industry. Nonetheless, measures such as embedding touchless technologies into their products, developing mobile apps for performing operations, and offering products at lower pricing on the available modes helped businesses increase their ROI during these essential lockdown instances.

Specific smart lock researcher highlights

• The deadbolt segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 42.7% in 2024, owing to its enhanced security features and easy integration into existing door systems.
• Based on application, the residential segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024, owing to the increasing adoption of smart home ecosystems, rising awareness about home security, and the convenience of remote locking/unlocking.

• The Bluetooth segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024. Bluetooth-enabled smart locks are driven by their offline accessibility, low power consumption, and straightforward smartphone pairing.

• Based on authentication method, the smartphone-based segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024.

Major players

Some of the key players in this market and also mentioned in the report include, August Home (Assa Abloy), Avent Security, Cansec Systems, Danalock, Dormakaba, Friday Home, Gate Labs, Havenlock, Honeywell International,  Kwikset (Assa Abloy), Remotelock, Mul-T-Lock (Assa Abloy), Nuki Home Solutions, Onity (Honeywell), Salto Systems, Schlage (Allegion), Sentrilock, Smartlock, Unikey Technologies, Yale (Assa Abloy), and Zigbang.

Motorola Solutions has made investments in Brinc and Skysafe, forming strategic alliances to integrate Drone as First Responder (DFR) and drone detection technologies into its 911 command centre solution, Commandcentral, and expand the companies’ go-to-market opportunities. With more than 60% of North America’s public safety answering points (PSAP) already relying on Motorola Solutions’ 911 command centre software, this collective U.S.-made offering enables public safety agencies to seamlessly introduce drones to help protect the public’s safety and security.

“With over 240 million 911 calls made each year, a faster response time to the call can be the consequential difference in an emergency,” said Mahesh Saptharishi, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Motorola Solutions. “We’re integrating the powerful capabilities of drones into 911 software, enabling precious time saved to deliver that life-saving medicine or give officers eyes and ears on scene before they arrive.”

Drones as first responders

Brinc allows 911 call handlers to immediately dispatch drones in response to emergency calls or with the push of a button from a Motorola Solutions APX Next smart radio. According to the company, some 911 calls can be cleared solely with drones, which Motorola Solutions expects to augment with “Assist for 911,” its AI application that can automate incident analysis and help determine when a DFR-based response is appropriate.

“Of equal importance to the public’s safety is managing the growing threat of unauthorised drones,” Saptharishi said. “Greater security for our airspace is an imperative to safeguard our critical infrastructure, borders and communities. This alliance also brings drone detection to the screens of 911 and command centre operators across the nation.”

Airspace security

Skysafe can track and identify a drone, its operator’s location and real-time flight path and historical data. With Skysafe’s cloud-based SaaS platform, customers can have a reliable airspace security solution that requires no hardware or infrastructure investment. The company predicts the number of consumer drones in the U.S. can rise into the millions, highlighting the scale of risk that unauthorised drones potentially pose.

The new streams of drone intelligence enabled through these integrations can be streamed live into the command centre and shared with officers in the field on in-vehicle computers or mobile devices. It can further be stored in agencies’ evidence management systems as part of Motorola Solutions’ ecosystem of safety and security technologies. Agencies can combine other incident data, such as 911 call records, officers’ radio dialogue, officers’ location information and more, for comprehensive analysis and evidence, including AI-based redaction to protect privacy.

“Drones are often first on the scene, providing the initial set of eyes on an emergency and equipping first responders to arrive better prepared,” said Blake Resnick, founder and CEO of Brinc. “We’re proud of our work with Motorola Solutions to help make drones an attainable reality for public safety agencies, helping to safeguard human life.”

“Unauthorised drones at major events and airports can cause immediate, harmful effects on people and operations,” said Grant Jordan, CEO of Skysafe. “We share Motorola Solutions’ vision to empower PSAPs to detect and protect against the increasing threats from malicious drones.”

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Pedestal Pro, a US manufacturer of access control pedestals, bollards, and innovative mounting solutions.

This acquisition delivers on our strategy to strengthen our position in mature markets through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.

“Pedestal Pro is an established innovator that seamlessly integrates design, architectural elements, and access control technology, and I am excited for them to be part of ASSA ABLOY,” says Lucas Boselli, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of the Americas Division. “Their product portfolio enhances our offering for electromechanical solutions and solidifies our position as a go-to partner for access control equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and security professionals.”

Pedestal Pro was founded in 2002 and has some 50 employees. The main office and factory are located in Lindon, Utah, USA.

Sales for 2024 amounted to about MUSD 11 with a good EBIT margin. The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start.

The future of security requires smarter, more efficient and secure solutions, to help drive this transformation Hanwha Vision is launching, what the company is calling its most advanced AI-powered System on a Chip (SoC), the Wisenet 9.

After nearly four years of extensive research and testing, Wisenet 9’s advanced features help elevate Hanwha cameras into an AI-driven era, and aiming to set a new standard for performance, accuracy, and security.

“With Wisenet 9, you can count on the superior image quality that delivers the best possible video in the toughest environments, as well as the accuracy of the AI-generated data, whether statistical or event-driven,” states John Lutz Boorman, Head of Product and Marketing at Hanwha Vision Europe.

AI revolution at the edge

Wisenet 9’s enhanced edge AI capabilities are essential in this innovation era, where the volume and complexity of security threats demand real-time, accurate analysis. By elevating edge-device performance, AI empowers systems to quickly analyse vast amounts of video data and discern crucial patterns and anomalies.

A key differentiator driving this transformation is the two Neural Processing Units (NPUs), which have improved inference performance three-fold compared to Wisenet 7, the previous SoC generation.

While one NPU handles image processing, the other focuses on object detection and advanced analytics. This dual NPU concept was introduced to ensure video quality and analytics have independent resources, preventing one function from impacting the performance of the other.

Unveiling hidden details

Wisenet 9 uses AI to analyse visual data with greater precision. By leveraging a powerful NPU, the system moves past traditional image processing to extract critical information, unlocking previously unseen details with remarkable clarity in tough environments.

This enhanced visual intelligence is achieved through a suite of sophisticated AI features, including AI-based extreme Wide Dynamic Range, AI-powered noise reduction, alongside image enhancements.

Combined, these technologies promise to deliver exceptional clarity, even under the most challenging conditions. The AI-driven image enhancement, powered by an independent NPU, ensures that every detail, no matter how subtle, is captured and analysed.

AI efficiency redefined

AI is powerful, but it can also be resource-intensive. Wisenet 9 flips that script. It’s not just smart, it’s efficient – optimising every aspect of its operation.

By intelligently reducing noise, Wisenet 9 achieves a remarkable level of efficiency in data volume reduction, resulting in significantly reduced bandwidth consumption and storage requirements.

This core efficiency is further bolstered by the latest H.265 compression technology. The H.265 codec provides high video quality with optimised bandwidth, ensuring reliable, real-time video processing and transmission – critical for uninterrupted 24/7 security. Furthermore, this optimised H.265 support enables consistently high performance in demanding environments, essential for system stability, and streamlines data management in cloud environments, efficiently controlling storage and transfer costs.

Wisenet 9’s H.265 codec, aligned with current industry standards and ONVIF profiles, ensures broad hardware compatibility and seamless integration with your existing security infrastructure and provides a dependable foundation for long-term system reliability.

Beyond this, Wisenet 9 leverages AI for advanced analytics. Its enhanced AI technology provides detailed attribute analysis, including colour, bag, face mask, glasses, age, and gender, along with other key analytics like people and vehicle counting, slip and fall detection, crowd detection, heatmap, queue management, and more, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.

To further amplify its capabilities, Wisenet 9 incorporates several key technologies that power the next generation of efficiency, including, Re-Identification (RE-ID) for enhanced person tracking and searching; Dynamic Privacy Masking (DPM) to efficiently safeguards biometric personal data using AI, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

Expandable AI

Recognising that security demands are as diverse as the industries they serve, Wisenet 9 has been engineered with so-called unparalleled AI capabilities. This empowers users to tailor their security systems.

Additionally, Wisenet 9 is compatible with AI Packs (Traffic, Retail, Factory), designed to deliver actionable insights specific to various sectors.  And, AI-based sound classification enables rapid detection and directional awareness of critical events like gunshots, glass breaks, and screaming, to enhance situational awareness.  Also, Wisenet 9 empowers users to create customised security solutions by providing the flexibility to tailor their systems with custom applications for video analytics, storage, and other functionalities.

Improved end-to-end protection

Wisenet 9 significantly enhances end-to-end protection by building upon the robust security foundation of Wisenet 7. It inherits essential features like Secure Storage, OS, and Boot, which protect critical chipset data and prevent unauthorised software execution.

Moreover, the inclusion of a FIPS 140-3 Level 3 elevates security to an exceptional standard. This certification guarantees that the chipset adheres to rigorous security protocols, assuring users of comprehensive data protection.