Volume 92 | February 22, 2025
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Welcome to Brief 92!
In this Brief we have two updates to share with you that I think you'll find pretty interesting.
First up is some news from the access control world: Recently, I attended MercTech, Mercury Security's annual specifier event. At the event, Mercury made a significant move by announcing an App Store platform that will allow third-party developers to create and deploy custom applications directly on Mercury boards. The platform is set to launch at ISC West. More details on that are below.
Now for the part I'm particularly thrilled about: We've given our Topology Map a major upgrade by updating it to aceb.ai. This means you'll be able to interact with the map using natural language, thanks to some pretty sophisticated AI technology. In partnership with Silverpine, recently showed this off to some community members (and their reactions were fantastic!). The best part? You'll be able to get your hands on this new tool in just a few weeks. Check out a copy of the webinar we did yesterday.
We'd love to hear what you think about the aceb.ai integration - your feedback will help us make it even better as we continue to refine it.
Thank you for all your support, partnership, and friendship.
PS: I am sure some of you may forward this, but please do so sparingly and encourage others to sign up here. Thank you
What's the common thread between Mercury Security and tech giants like Apple, IBM, Tesla, and Microsoft Xbox? At some point, they all embraced the power of an app ecosystem. Let me explain.
You have heard me say this before: The access control industry is evolving beyond simply keeping bad people out - it's now about letting the right people in while also enhancing operational efficiency and generating revenue. I also often say platforms and enablement.
Recently, I had the privilege of moderating a panel at MercTech, Mercury Security's annual specifier event, where they brought together 60 global industry leaders for three days of strategic discussions, networking, and forward-thinking presentations. While there, Mercury Security revealed something I heard was coming, and it supports my claims about the game-changing for the industry. It perfectly aligns with this evolution.
The Announcement
Imagine creating and deploying custom applications directly on Mercury boards through a dedicated store - that is the announcement: Apps and an App Store are coming to Mercury. This isn't just a concept - they said it is due to launch at ISC West. What makes this particularly exciting is that these won't be Mercury-developed apps or from their traditional OEM partners. Instead, third-party developers will create applications that enhance Mercury boards' functionality beyond what traditional Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) offer.
Picture downloading an app that provides real-time firmware status monitoring or advanced system analytics. Mercury's vision encompasses everything from intelligent lock control to AI-powered features. As developers discover these capabilities, we'll see an explosion of innovative solutions - some could revolutionize the industry. In contrast, others may not find their market fit, but the ecosystem will undoubtedly benefit from this diversity.
Why this shift toward what looks like a more βopen platform?β The answer lies in examining broader mainstream technology trends:
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Market Pressure & Competition: More open ecosystems are becoming the industry standard.
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Developer Demand: Innovation thrives when developers have the freedom to create.
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Customer Expectations: Modern enterprises demand customization and flexibility.
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Revenue Growth Opportunities: Open platforms create new business models and revenue streams.
Our industry is no different than the mainstream enterprise software industry. Mercury is seeing this opportunity and also feeling the pressure.
This strategic move benefits everyone in the ecosystem. OEMs gain access to enhanced capabilities and new markets. Technology partners can now integrate once and reach 25+ OEM partners. End users get more flexible, future-proof solutions. And Mercury expands its offering while fostering innovation.
The program has many supports: development environments, API frameworks, SDKs for various applications, and a robust licensing system. Mercury has thoughtfully designed the onboarding process, integration guidelines, testing protocols, and support infrastructure to ensure quality and security.
While this may not be entirely "open" in the purest sense, it's a significant step toward greater collaboration and innovation. Mercury is transforming from a hardware provider only into an enablement platform. Yes, there's natural caution - we've seen similar careful approaches from Apple, IBM, Tesla, and Microsoft Xbox in their early app store days. However, this measured approach makes sense in an industry where life safety is our core deliverable.
The genie is indeed out of the bottle. Welcome to the new era of enterprise access control, and I am here for it.
This development reinforces my conviction that we're looking at a $100B industry. It is time to explore the art of the possible.
Thank you, Mercury Security, for the invitation and sponsorship to attend MercTech. I recommend attending if you have the opportunity.
The Topology Map Gets an Upgrade
Click on the image below to see what we are about to roll out. I think you will like it.
