Ind. city fire official seeks restriction on hotel stays | Chicago hotel allows guests to check in, enter room with a smartphone | ICSC: Security at shopping centers remains high priority
 
March 18, 2015
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Hospitality Risk Management
Ind. city fire official seeks restriction on hotel stays
Merrillville, Ind., Fire Marshal Phil Topor has proposed an ordinance limiting the length of time people can stay at hotels and motels, citing concerns about people who disable safety equipment to set up cooking appliances, which short-stay rooms are not equipped to accommodate. The proposal would limit stays in short-term facilities to 30 days in a row or 60 days within six months and to 365 days in extended-stay facilities. The Times (Munster-Hammond-Merrillville-Valparaiso, Ind.) (2/22)
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Chicago hotel allows guests to check in, enter room with a smartphone
The W hotel in Chicago now offers a smartphone application that allows guests to check in and enter their room without stopping at registration. While the technology is in demand, security experts warn users to lock down their phones. "Somebody picks your pocket, steals your purse, gets your phone. You don't have it locked. They can get into your room, get into your bank accounts. They can get into everything," said William Kresse, assistant professor at Governors State University. WLS-TV (Chicago) (3/13)
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Retail Risk Management
ICSC: Security at shopping centers remains high priority
Retail centers have long prepared for security threats by taking a customized approach to procedures, said ICSC representatives, addressing a recent video that encouraged terrorist attacks on retail centers. There's no "one-size[-fits-all]" security approach, ICSC said in a news release, but measures such as uniformed officers and surveillance cameras are visible, while many other measures are not. Associations Now online (2/24)
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Fraud with Apple Pay spurs banks to tighten security
Recent security breaches at major retailers have led to a string of fraudulent transactions with stolen credit-card data involving Apple Pay. Some banks are responding by changing how they activate customers' credit-card accounts to use Apple Pay, adding verification steps to the process. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (3/5), Bloomberg (3/5), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/Total Return blog (3/6)
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Innovation & Developments
Fujitsu announces new technology that can identify people in blurry security camera footage
Fujitsu Laboratories has developed new image-processing technology that the company says can be used to identify people and track their movements in low-quality or blurry security camera footage. The company says the technology will be best used by a business owner planning the layout of a new restaurant or store. Techworld (U.K.) (3/6)
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Robotic butler completes small tasks to take pressure off hotel staff
Butlr is a robot used at the Aloft hotel in Cupertino, Calif., to deliver small items and snacks to guests, setting the hotel apart from its competitors and easing the workload of hotel staff. Staff members use a tablet to punch in a security code and the hotel room the robot is being sent to; Butlr summons an elevator with Wi-Fi and calls the guest's phone to announce its arrival. Computerworld (3/12)
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Business Operations & Strategy
Small-business branding lessons from Etsy
Entrepreneurs can learn from Etsy, which has managed to grow quickly over the years while protecting its brand, writes Hilary Milnes. The company, which is preparing to go public, has succeeded by finding its niche, establishing a vision that customers are eager to support and implementing an effective digital strategy, she writes. Digiday.com (3/16)
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Tips for managing seasonal cash flow
Several strategies can help small businesses manage cash flow throughout the year, writes National Funding CEO David Gilbert. Consider preparing for slow seasons by getting a working capital loan, and be ready with adequate capital and inventory for your more active periods. American City Business Journals/Louisville, Ky. (3/12)
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Travel Watch
Ky. airport uses phone tracker to speed travelers through security
The median wait time at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport passenger security checkpoints dropped 30% from 13.2 to 8.9 minutes after the airport installed a mobile-phone-tracking system that estimates traffic in each security line. The Blip Systems technology lets airport officials post wait times at the security lines and shift resources as needed. The Verge (3/12)
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JetBlue to expand Mint business class routes by year's end
JetBlue plans to add Mint business-class seats to routes connecting New York and the Caribbean beginning in November. Currently, the lie-flat suites are available on transcontinental flights in the U.S. USA Today/Today In The Sky blog (3/15)
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Legislative & Policy Monitor
Retailers balk at proposed data-security regulations
Any legislation that would make nonbanks adhere to the same data-security regulations as banks would be misguided, according to the National Retail Federation. The group wants Congress to pass a uniform national data-breach law instead of expanding the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The Hill (3/16)
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News from Valor
Farewell from Valor Security Services
We would like to thank our clients and readers for your support over the years, and let you know that today's issue is the final release of the Valor Advisor. Valor Security Services has been acquired by Universal Protection Service, based in Santa Ana, Calif. Valor was founded by our President, Dan Rakestraw, in 1991 and for over 20 years, we developed a service of unmatched quality through true partnerships with clients all across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. We are proud of the success that Valor achieved and we could not have achieved that success without you -- our clients, partners, friends, and industry colleagues. Thank you for your support and we wish you continued success in all of your future endeavors.
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Valor Security Acquired by Universal Protection Service
On February 3, Valor Security Services was acquired by Universal Protection Service, based in Santa Ana, Calif. We look forward to continuing our tradition of quality security services with Universal. Universal is a great fit for Valor, as they are focused on delivering quality, have a track record of success, and have a stated goal to invest in and grow the business. The acquisition of Valor Security Services makes Universal Protection Service the single largest retail security provider in the U.S. We believe this union will create a significant growth opportunity for the combined companies, as well as the devoted men and women of Valor. With offices located nationwide, Universal employs hands-on, highly experienced management teams and continuous training to deliver consistent, high quality security solutions. We invite you to learn more about Universal Protection Service on their website.
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SmartQuote
The vitality of a new movement in art must be gauged by the fury it arouses."
-- Logan Pearsall Smith,
essayist
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About Valor Security Services
Valor Security Services provides security management services and risk management expertise nationally to over 260 retail, hospitality, and mixed use properties owned or operated by a variety of successful developers, owners, and management companies. Valor is exclusive to the hospitality, retail, and mixed use markets. As a result, our training, operations, and efforts are focused on, and based on the requirements of, these markets.
 
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Mert Price
Vice President of Business Development
mertprice@valorsecurity.com
770-218-6000 Ext. 150
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