April 24, 2013
Security Systems News 

What's the fire survivability of the data center where your cloud provider retains your company's information?

By Tess Nacelewicz 

"Is my cloud provider secure?" That's a question security integrators often pose as they move their data off site to the cloud. But another important question they also might want to ask of cloud providers is: "Does the server farm where you're storing my valuable data have optimal fire protection?"

As more and more businesses turn to cloud storage, such server farms, also known as data centers, are growing, not only in number but also in size. In fact, some centers cover an area more easily measured in acreage than square feet, according to Mike Ramey, executive VP of Alarm Tech Solutions. That Severn, Md.-based life safety solutions company serves the District of Columbia, as well as Maryland and Virginia.

Ramey said that because of their size and the fact that they store the key data of so many businesses, the data centers need "to meet a higher standard of survivability" when it comes to fire.

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Fike Corp. announced that it has hired Brad Batz as president, effective immediately.

Headquartered in Blue Springs, Fike Corp. has more than 1,000 employees around the globe providing safety products to protect people and assets from fire and explosion.

Batz most recently led the company's oil and gas business unit and also has management experience in corporate operations.

Company CEO Chuck Kopoulos previously also filled the president role. Going forward, Batz will report to Kopoulos and be responsible for leading all corporate functions, including manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, human resources and information technology. Kopoulos will oversee Batz and focus more on profit and loss matters.

"On behalf of the entire Fike team, we are excited to have Brad in this position where his leadership and vision will help guide our future growth," Kopoulos said in a release. "Brad is a valued member of our global leadership team. His insight and experience make him a natural fit for this expanded role."

January 17, 2014
Security Systems News 

By Tess Nacelewicz  

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Fike, a global fire and life safety solutions provider based here, is starting the new year with a new president: Brad Batz.

Batz most recently led Fike's oil and gas business unit and previously led the company's corporate operations. Fike is the parent company of Fike Video Image Detection, a video smoke detection company formerly called axonX, which Fike acquired in 2009.

He told Security Systems News that Fike's goals for 2014 include "continuing to get closer to our customers and understanding their needs," and also investing in the organization, in everything from "manufacturing capabilities and talent and expansion across the globe."

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These are the stories in our last issue that got the most clicks. If you haven't already, check them out!

• Three Firms Sentenced After Man Killed by Rocketing Fire Suppression Cylinder 
• Whats Wrong With This Story? 
• Tyco Announces the Aquisition of Westfire, Inc. 
• DuPont to Divest Fluoroproducts Business 
• UTC Reorganizes