SIA New Member Profile: Transition Networks, Inc.

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member Transition Networks, Inc., works to help companies advance their networks by providing built-to-perform hybrid fiber/copper network integration solutions that increase bandwidth, extend distance, improve security and simplify management of networks. The company is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with staff and customers all over the world.

SIA spoke with Luis Coton, director, North American field and channel sales at Transition Networks, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

Tell us the story of your company.

LC: Transition Networks (originally Transition Engineering) was founded in 1987 in Minnesota. Our work began in media converters. In fact, we developed the first media converter. Since then, we have grown to provide intelligent edge solutions for connecting, powering and managing Internet of Things devices for security and smart infrastructure, including Ethernet switches, network adaptors, small form-factor pluggables and network management software.

Our history in the security industry comes from the nature of installing, managing and maintaining devices essential to security. Cameras, locks, alarms, biometrics and other sensors are often installed in challenging places where you can’t just plug them in for power and connection to the network. For example, cameras are often installed high above, and there isn’t going to be an outlet there. Our Power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions create the opportunity to connect and power the camera with the cabling already installed in the building. Our solutions significantly reduce the time, hassle and cost of bringing power and connectivity to the device.

What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings/company unique?

LC: To connect and power cameras to the network core, we offer a full range of network switches from one to 48 ports with Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+ and PoE++) and hardened options. To help transition from installed analog cameras to IP, we offer innovative solutions to deliver IP over existing RG coaxial and two-wire/phone line cabling, which saves on costs and results in faster time to service.

To deliver the benefits of fiber, we offer a full suite of media converters and network interface devices with PoE injector capability. If there is no power at the remote site, we offer devices that support the use of hybrid fiber/copper cables to deliver standard power and data to remote locations.

To make management of the switch network easy, our Device Management System (DMS) software provides security integrators with tools to ensure lower overall cost, less downtime and easier management and maintenance of PoE networks. For example, one feature in our DMS, auto power reset, monitors and automatically restarts edge devices without ever having to schedule a truck roll to look at the switch. This feature alone saves companies time and money in maintaining their PoE networks.

We are also the only switch maker integrated into Milestone XProtect software. When someone launches XProtect, they can control our devices that help connect and power their cameras without ever having to leave the Milestone system.

Over 96 percent of our products are Trade Agreements Act compliant and are manufactured in the U.S. or a compliant country. They have passed strict security standards, ensuring they are high quality and free of spyware.

What is something we might not know about your company – or something new you are doing in security?

LC: We have forged strong relationships with our security integrators, and we value them immensely. We leverage the technical and industry expertise of our integrator partners who know customer pain points and needs firsthand because they procure and install solutions every day, which guides us as we decide what challenges to tackle and what improvements we can make to our solutions.

What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership with SIA?

LC: SIA membership allows us to connect with other innovative security experts to learn new trends and challenges in security deployment. It keeps us fresh and focused. It directs us to see where we can add value. Through SIA, we will continue to deepen our relationships in the security industry to provide solutions that are simple, secure and reliable.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.