As Maxxess Systems gears up for IFSEC 2014, SecurityNewsDesk spoke to Lee Copland, Managing Director EMEA, to find out what visitors to the show can expect.
What made Maxxess decide to exhibit at IFSEC?
IFSEC Global events and media serve over 70,000 security professionals every year. These sorts of figures are difficult to ignore and the calibre of visitors is always high at UBM events. At the same time, IFSEC International brings the entire security buying chain under one roof, which enables us to show how eFusion™ benefits manufacturers, integrators, consultants, and end-users.
Have you exhibited before and what success did you experience as a result?
We’ve exhibited many times and have reached new niche sectors and territories as a result. I think audiences increasingly want to learn at exhibitions, and so the educational sessions are definitely an attraction. This year’s Safe Cities Exhibition & Academy is of interest, since it has particular synergy with our new cloud-based data management offering, ambit, which has powerful functionality to connect entire cities.
Why are you based at the IDIS stand this year?
Both companies share a reputation for innovation and have international reach. We’ll be showcasing our eFusion open architecture software platform and demonstrating integration with DirectIP™ HD surveillance solutions from IDIS.
The joint activity at IFSEC, underlines both companies’ commitment to simple and cost-effective integration, and will illustrate how eFusion can exploit IDIS’ robust surveillance capability to provide a powerful off-the-shelf security solution.
Who from Maxxess can people meet at the stand?
I’ll be on IDIS stand G700, for the duration of the show. I’m excited to be demonstrating recent Maxxess innovations that show how we’re reacting to the changing security landscape. A lot of our UK-based EMEA team will also be at the show.
What are you most excited about exhibiting?
I think IFSEC visitors will be most interested to see how Maxxess has steered away from being a hardware-based manufacturer to a position where we’re a developer of a totally integrated solution, through our eFusion™ security management platform.
Importantly, eFusion offers an off-the-shelf solution with more integrations than any other competitive offering. We’ve eliminated the complexity of integration and we don’t lock in customers; instead we give them the flexibility to choose best-of-breed technology, while taking over existing and legacy hardware. eFusion basically embraces the Maxxess ‘can-do’ attitude we’re known for, while utilising a simple and pragmatic approach to integration. I think it will be clear to visitors when we show the integration of IDIS DirectIP into eFusion that we have a simple yet powerful proposition.
IFSEC 2014 will also see the Maxxess European launch of ambit, our workforce management app that operates within a structured security network. It helps organisations close security gaps and empowers staff by connecting mobile workforces. The app provides instant two-way communication worldwide via smartphones and tablets and becomes more proactive the more it’s used, prioritising and continuously adapting to an organisation’s needs. It’s pretty cool stuff!
How will your participation at IFSEC help your EMEA arm grow?
Maxxess knows that the infrastructure market in the Middle East is buoyant. IFSEC is a truly international show, so we’ll be speaking to consultants and integrators about some of eFusion’s functionality that is very applicable to the region, such as the ability to optimise protection for vulnerable field personnel at infrastructure sites with large perimeters. Our staff will also be promoting eFusion’s sophisticated role-specific access control offerings to CNI sites where intrusion can have political not just economic consequences.
What do you think of the show’s move to London?
The industry had 16 great years while the show was in Birmingham but international visitors will appreciate IFSEC being back in the capital. It provides access to a wider range of amenities including London City Airport and is close to the London 2012 sports venues.
Why do you think shows like IFSEC are so important to the industry and companies like Maxxess?
The Maxxess product offering is incredibly broad and SecurityNewsDesk readers should note that the eFusion integrator can serve as an adaptive solution for managing fire events. We’re well aware that UBM’s sister show, Firex International, is running concurrently at the same venue. We’re hoping for cross-over from visitors. ambit is also generating a great deal of interest from health and safety professionals so we also encourage those people to pop over and see us on stand G700.
What are you looking forward to most about the event?
Exhibiting at one of the major security event of the year and meeting old contacts and developing new potential business. As well as giving us a great platform to launch new products and functionally, I always look forward to spending time back in the UK and networking with colleagues and having some fun at the same time.
What can we expect to see from Maxxess during the rest of 2014?
You can expect to see excellence in engineering solution, continued innovation, our signature ‘can-do’ attitude, open protocols, and integration with other building and facility management disciplines. These are exciting times!
Lee Copland is a resourceful, innovative general manager and sales director with a track record in building strategic business relationships, which he has demonstrated while leading major infrastructure projects from conception through to client handover.
As Managing Director, EMEA, Lee directs the Maxxess strategy across the region in terms of choice of project opportunities, partners, and working methods. He is providing motivational leadership to negotiation and tender teams on flagship developments in the Middle East.
Lee is able to draw on experience of delivering complex physical security and building management solutions to clients including Regus, Saudi Aramco, The Open University, Emirates Airlines, and Ferrari World. He has first-rate lines of communication to key consultants and integrators in the region.
Lee trained initially as an electrical and mechanical engineer, a background that allows him to bring both technical excellence and commercial acumen to project and sector evaluation. He shows consistent judgement in matching project security requirements to the solutions offered by Maxxess and its partners.
At the technical level, he continues to lead by example when overseeing teams involved in pre-qualification, commissioning, and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs).
Lee underlines his first-rate communication skills by establishing productive alliances with other manufacturers whose product ranges complement the Maxxess offering. His peers consistently invite him to drive their joint marketing initiatives and he produces varied materials for information programmes aimed at consultants and other third-party influencers.
Lee has been Managing Director, EMEA, from 2000 to present.
