The James R. Herman Cruise Terminal

KMD Architects and Pfau Long Architecture designed the James R. Herman cruise terminal, a deceivingly simple structure that serves as both a passenger funnel and event venue. The aesthetic reflects modern, minimalist designs with its corrugated aluminum sections and large glass windows.

Contrary to the reserved design of the structure, it cost close to $100 million to complete. The structure has advanced security features, a 12-megawatt shore power system for clean energy cruise liner charging, and an automated mobile gangway for ship boarding. The James R. Herman cruise terminal makes up for its lacking extravagance with amazing efficiency and features.

Be sure to check out the Port of San Francisco's site for more information and this San Francisco Chronicle article on the terminal's innovative design.

More from NECA's day at the Capitol

"Intrepid Electronic Systems, Inc., a leading Fire, Security, and Technology solution provider endorses VESDA-E VEA Aspirating Smoke Detector"

Intrepid Electronic Systems has recently endorsed the Xtralis VESDA-E VEA smoke detector, a UL-certified advancement in detection technology that runs seamlessly during customer demonstrations and in action. The VEA is affordable and has active early detection, along with many other impressive features, that help to minimize potential damage and evacuation. Intrepid was so impressed by the VEA's performance that they installed and evaluated it in their San Jose and Oakland offices. Read more about the Xtralis VESDA-E VEA smoke detector in PRWeb's article.  

NECA's Day at the Capitol

Wireless Fire Alarm Monitoring

Drop your phone lines and go wireless with IntrepidNet!

IntrepidNet is UL864 Listed - NFPA 72 Compliant Wireless Mesh Fire Alarm Network. 

Going wireless means no Central Station and no monthly bill for phone lines. 

Notifier Fire Alarm Control Panel with AES Wireless Subscriber Unit.

Copper-based phones lines are quickly becoming a thing of the past. As of November 2012, AT&T pledged $14 billion in new network investment in wireless with no investment in copper. This will have huge ramifications for customers who still rely in wire-line copper based telephone lines for burglar alarms, emergencies, and fire alarm systems. 

To upgrade to IntrepidNet wireless fire alarm monitoring, contact us!

The True Cost of Managing Paper

In an age of digital information, one would think paper usage would be declining. Not so. In fact, it is increasing. The cost of paper and associated costs of using paper are enormous but with procedures and systems built into most businesses for decades, many of these costs are hidden to the average business.  Therefore BuildingReports has compiled the below facts about the true cost of using paper from industry studies.  Compare the data below with the efficiencies gained by using a one-time digital capture method for any data recording procedure:

• A four-drawer filing cabinet costs about $25,000 to fill and $2,000 per year to maintain.  -- Delphi Group
• 45% of the files in filing cabinets are duplicated information, and 80% is never accessed again.  -- IDC
• Over its life span, a single sheet of paper ends up costing an average of $30.  -- Delphi Group
• US companies spend an estimated $20 on labor costs to file a document, $120 on finding a misfiled document and $220 to reproduce a lost document.  -- Coopers & Lybrand
• Associated paper costs such as copying, printing, postage, disposal, recycling and storing can be as much as 31 times the purchasing cost. Translated, a $5 ream of paper could actually cost up to $155—and that doesn't include labor.  -- Green Life
• 7.5 percent of all documents get lost, 3 percent get misfiled, and the average professional spends 50% of their time looking for information.  -- Gartner Group
• 90% of corporate memory exists on paper.
• 70% of today’s businesses would fail within three weeks if they suffered a catastrophic loss of paper-based records due to fire, flood or other natural disaster. -- Coopers & Lybrand
• 1 in 4 businesses will suffer a catastrophic loss.
-- U.S. Department of Labor

Intrepid-NET

INTREPID-NET by AES Intellinet, the future of alarm communication transmission!



What is INTREPID-NET?
INTREPID-NET utilizes AES Intellinet Wireless Transmitters to monitor fire alarm systems without the use of traditional dedicated phones lines. Wireless Fire Alarm Monitoring saves time, money and resources.


Why go wireless?
 INTREPID-NET is mesh radio based technology which means alarm signals aren't confined to just one route. In the event that one path goes down, the network self -heals to find alternate paths, 100% reliability. Traditional phone lines are becoming outdated. Because no telephone or cellular lines are needed, costs are reduced. No cables, trenching, or wiring. INTREPID-NET is also faster than any other alarm system available.

How does going wireless save money?
With INTREPID-NET there are no recurring phone telephone charges. Utilizing the AES wireless system, Intrepid provides a very low cost of ownership alternative to standard alarm communication systems. Intrepid-NET by AES does not rely on telephone lines. With traditional monitoring, when no existing dedicated phone line is available new wire needs to be pulled which can be costly. INTREPID-NET is a 2 way communication system. This means that the Central Station can perform remote diagnostics when needed, saving a service call or need for a technician.

AES Intellinet is
NFPA and
UL Listed