December 2010 Product Solutions

Dec. 1, 2010
New products and case studies from December 2010.

Computer security

A layered security approach solves incessant malware problems

Faronics. Malware infections were incessant at the district, primarily as a result of online research and downloads conducted by teachers. The problems were so overwhelming for the district that the IT team spent the majority of its time troubleshooting computers.

"Ninety-percent of our IT support tickets revolved around viruses or anomalies with software and system performance," says Greg Atkins, director of technology. The IT department often battled advanced malware that modified the operating system files so they performed not only their intended function, but also served hackers who were looking to steal information. This type of stealthy malware was extremely challenging to find, diagnose and troubleshoot, and took a disproportionate amount of IT time.

Rogue anti-virus programs also were a persistent threat. In addition, the department was troubled by the lack of consistency among the computers’ software and configuration. It often took a few hours to rebuild a machine, resulting in even more lost productivity.

Glenpool Public Schools turned to a layered security approach, using Faronics Anti-Virus and Faronics Deep Freeze. Faronics Anti-Virus thwarts all the incoming malware threats throughout the day to ensure run-time protection, and Deep Freeze ensures complete system consistency by returning computers back to their original state with a simple reboot.

The IT team has designed a schedule to protect their network throughout the day. Between 4 and 6 p.m. each day, Atkins and his team uses the centralized scheduling capabilities of Faronics Core to power off all the computers to save energy. When the computers are automatically booted up in the morning, they are returned to their original configuration and wiped clean of any unauthorized system changes.

Glenpool Public Schools is a combined elementary and secondary school district in Glenpool, Okla., in the Tulsa County region. The district has about 2,100 students and 200 teachers, and operates in an all-Windows environment.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 172 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Radio guide

Discount Two-Way Radio. Two free guides are available to help schools reduce costly two-way radio repair fees and maintain their two-way radio systems to ensure a safe learning environment: "The Two-Way Radio Troubleshooting Guide: Six Simple Steps That Can Save You Headaches and Thousands on Repair Bills Each Year" and "Two-Way Radio Battery Maintenance Tips." These free guides are designed to help schools solve the common and persistent problems that shut communications down, regardless of manufacturer.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 160 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Free webinar

Videx.The company will host a free educational webinar, "Securing Your School on a Limited Budget," on January 13, 2011. Each 60-minute session will include a short Q&A. The webinar will walk attendees through the process of building a viable plan of action by identifying immediate and long-term security goals and formulating a workable budget. The webinar also will demonstrate how CyberLock can help education institutions meet their security objectives and stay within budget.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 161 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Labeling systems

Almetek Industries.Conservation Reminder Labeling Systems remind all on campus to conserve resources whenever possible. The labels—covering all conservation concerns from electricity and water usage to recycling and paper usage—educate all on the whys and hows of conservation. They enable students and staff and teach them that simple acts like shutting off lights or reducing water usage make a huge and positive impact on the environment. The resulting conservation reduces overall operating costs for the school—putting money back into the school’s budget for other needs at a time when money is limited.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 161 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Wet/dry vacuums

ProTeam. The ProGuard line of wet/dry vacuums has been designed to fit in and function for a wide range of maintenance challenges. The Emerson Professional Tools division worked with the design team to re-envision the ease of use and performance capabilities of the wet/dry. The new ProGuard LI 3 Cordless Wet/Dry provides portable, cord-free cleanup with the power of an 18-volt Lithium Ion battery and a three-gallon capacity. The ProGuard 4 Portable Wet/Dry offers compact power and versatility, with a four-gallon capacity and 360-degree mobility. The ProGuard 10 Wet/Dry combines power and performance with a two-stage bypass motor, 10-gallon capacity and 360-degree mobility with swivel caster wheels. The ProGuard 15/20 Wet/Dry maximizes power, size and versatility to take on the toughest wet and dry worksite cleanup challenges. A two-stage bypass motor, 15- or 20-gallon capacity and optional front mount squeegee boost productivity.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 163 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Access-control alliance

ASSA ABLOY.The company has joined the Lenel OpenAccess Alliance program (OAAP) and is in the process of integrating its offering of access-control devices with the Lenel OnGuard Access security-management system. Upon completion of the integration and certification, ASSA ABLOY’s family of IP-enabled locksets will operate seamlessly with the Lenel OnGuard Access system. This will enable facilities that employ the OnGuard Access system to extend access control easily to any opening using WiFi and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) locks from ASSA ABLOY Group brands CORBIN RUSSWIN and SARGENT.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 164 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Towel dispenser

Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. The Semi-Recessed Automatic Universal Roll Towel Dispenser reduces wall projection. Model B-29744 features non-proprietary, universal roll towel dispensing, saving as much as 30 percent or more compared with proprietary roll paper towel purchasing contracts. The unit dispenses universal, 1-inch- to 2-inch-diameter core, up to 8-inch-diameter, 8-inch-wide, nonperforated, non-proprietary rolls.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 165 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Steel grille

Greenheck. The new FEMA Model FSG-801 fabricated steel grille protects exterior wall penetrations on FEMA 361 or 320 compliant storm shelters or safe rooms. Fabricated of 0.25 inch thick hot-rolled steel and designed with inverted V-style blades, Model FSG-801 enables high free area and very little airflow resistance while providing maximum protection against extremely high wind-load and wind-borne debris. Most frequently installed in front of louvers on a building’s exterior, the FEMA grille can be installed in a cantilevered position or in a flush/recessed-mount configuration.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 166 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Stacking chair

ATD-American.Scholar Craft chairs are being used in the television series "Glee." The chairs can be seen whenever "New Directions," the McKinley High School Glee Club, gathers in the choir room.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 167 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Daylighting system

CPI Daylighting.SolaQuad glazing panels have been added to the IntelaSun Dynamic Daylighting and Shading System. The new, patented quad-glaze SolaQuad design is composed of two panels of polycarbonate NanoCell glazing to provide enhanced insulation that results in heightened energy efficiency, satisfying the latest energy-code and LEED criteria. The panels utilize glare and shade control to create the perfect environment from sun up to sun down by controlling the amount of natural light manually or automatically from within the panel itself. Offering both automatic and manual operation, the glazing panels can be applied in small and large spaces.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 168 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Towel system

Kimberly-Clark Professional.The new Scott Slimroll towel system, a high-capacity, touchless dispensing system, is nearly half the size of the standard Sanitouch roll-towel dispensers. Like its predecessor, the Kleenex Slimfold towel dispenser, the system fits into the tightest spaces—right next to a sink or near a nurse’s station—places where towel dispensers could never go before. It also offers efficient, touchless dispensing without the noise, costs and battery-disposal concerns associated with other touchless dispensers. The system provides a 10-inch pre-cut towel that is FSC-certified and exceeds EPA minimums for post-consumer waste content. Because the towels are on a roll, rather than folded, the system also offers higher capacity—up to 695 towels per roll—helping to reduce waste as well as maintenance time.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 169 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Electronic cylinder

Medeco Security Locks. The newest Logic electronic cylinder platform, M³ Logic, enables users to utilize one key to control a combination of mechanical cylinders for superior strength and electronic cylinders for accountability within the same system, creating the ideal combination of security and loss and liability protection. The very compact M³ Logic key is patent-protected against duplication, holds up to 1,000 audit events, features multiple time schedules, and incorporates both visible and audible status feedback.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 170 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Natural cleaning

Clorox. The Green Works Concentrates line of four new natural cleaning products for building service contractors is designed to meet the challenges of commercial cleaning, yet is 99 percent natural. Made with plant- and mineral-based biodegradable ingredients, the line includes General Purpose Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, Neutral Floor Cleaner and Glass Cleaner. The products are designed to be wall-mounted in a cleaning supply closet and hooked up to a water source.

Select the December 2010 issue RSN number 171 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

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