November 15th, 2011 by Lisa Harrison
Tis the season for a fully saturated marketplace full of new gadgets and design twists on established products. One of the new gadgets you will see on the shelves the year is the Amazon Kindle Fire. The first thing most consumers will notice about this new tablet is the $199 price tag (compared to the $499 price tag for an Apple iPad or Blackberry PlayBook). Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com, boasts that the price point is meant to represent a premium product at a non-premium price. The Fire’s 14.6 ounce weight, 7-inch vibrant color IPS screen, easy to hold size, solid construction and flawless access to Amazon’s growing database of digital media are a few more features that will entice buyers this holiday season. Tim Stevens of Engadget.com does a great job reviewing the new Kindle Fire. To take a virtual tour please click here. However, if you would prefer to investigate the device in person, please visit your local consumer electronics (CE) store. Check with local store staff before embarking on your adventure as the Fire was released just yesterday. Local store managers are busy assembling the Volt security solution system to power and secure the Kindle Fire for your exploration.
Tags: amazon kindle fire, anti shoplifting devices, ereader display, ereader loss prevention, ereader product security, loss prevention security solutions, media tablet anti theft alarms, powering ereaders, retail security devices, tablet computer security tethers, Volt security solution system
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October 28th, 2011 by Lisa Harrison
 When you think about the history of consumer electronics, names like Zenith, RCA, LG Electronics, Motorola, Apple, Vizio and Samsung immediately come to mind. In the not so distant past, four of those six companies were based in the United States. Up until the late 1990’s, the US consumer electronics industry was practically nonexistent. Today only two of the aforementioned companies are part of the US consumer electronics market – Vizio and Apple. Together they have led a resurgence with Apple leading the way.
Vizio and Apple use similar formulas for designing and manufacturing products. Concept and design completed in-house then outsource all manufacturing. The time it takes to concept, design and deliver a new product to the consumer electronics market is significantly lower that it was only a few years ago. Apple has had enormous success cannibalizing their own ideas and reinventing products with new innovative features. They have also led the way in predicting the needs and wants of consumers – single handedly regaining a piece of the consumer electronics marked for the United States.
Similarly, Vanguard Protex Global (VPG) is constantly reinventing and designing new products. For example, when a new iPhone or iPad is released, VPG concepts and designs new offerings to keep that product powered and secured before it even hits the display. VPG’s solutions are customizable and are designed to help lift sales by protecting products and enhancing the customer experience by providing retailers secured, powered and protected live demos. VPG’s new G5 tablet solution offers fast setups and easy change outs for quick product merchandising and remerchandising. This allows any customer to easily switch old models for the new ones with minimal setup and practically no down time. For more information about G5, click here.
Tags: anti shoplifting devices, anti theft security devices, anti theft security solutions, apple ipad, apple ipad 2, increase electronics sales, increasing retail sales, ipad loss prevention systems, ipad retail security
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September 28th, 2011 by Bryan Marks
 It was not too long ago when devices like a personal computer or cell phone were relevant for at least six months to a year. Even accessories like a cell phone case and charger would last for a couple of years. Today, technology is moving at such a fast rate that at the time a new device is released, the next two generations are right behind them ready to launch. Shoppers be ready – laptops, net books, tablets, e-readers, smart phones, GPS devices, Compact DSLRs, and Mini HD Camcorders are just a few devices where many share the same functions.
As a result, retailers have had to play roulette with what to put on the shelf and how much stock to inventory in an attempt to make educated guesses on what will move. Beyond just the inventory forecasting, just finding a place to display these new models in the store can be a challenge.
Logic would lead you to believe that with the merger of devices, meaning, your cell phone is everything but a blender – that the total amount of devices would be on the decline and retailers would have more space for display.
The reality is that just because categories like “point and shoot” cameras may be on the decline, there are 10 new devices for each discontinued item to replace them on the display. Interestingly enough, there are also more CE players today that are fighting to get that same shelf space as they expand into new categories.
Securing these devices can also be a challenge. The phones and cameras of today have new shapes, new sensors, new stick free surfaces, all of which present the display and security world with a constant test of finding new ways to secure them while still delivering the active consumer experience.
Swift to adapt to the speed of device launches, Vanguard Protex Global is consistently modifying our product lines to work with these products before they even hit the shelf. For years our engineers have worked directly with the CE manufacture to help expedite the process. As a result, we have always met our customer’s launch dates and made product updates as the devices changed.
One can only imagine what tomorrow’s devices will bring, but if today is any sign of the future, there is no slowing down for retailers or their display partners like Vanguard Protex Global.
Tags: anti shoplifting devices, anti theft security devices, anti theft security solutions, apple ipad, apple ipad 2, apple iphone retail security
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September 9th, 2011 by Mike
 OK, this may be “old news” to some, but excuse us, we’ve been a bit busy over here since our formation of Vanguard Protex Global in July.
It’s high time we tip our hat to one of our customers, Sprint. Sprint was recently recognized by the prestigious JD Power & Associates as the wireless carrier who provides the best overall customer buying experience. Way to go folks, a big shout out to Overland Park and to all of your locations nationwide…and to your web team, too! By receiving the highest ranking among full service providers in the JD Powers & Associates Wireless Purchase Experience study, Sprint demonstrated that a commitment to excellence has its reward. And we here at VPG couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishment. For three years now, it has been our good fortune to earn the ability to serve Sprint by providing to them the best anti-theft and merchandising solutions, along with the best customer service in the industry.
Is there such a thing as excellence by association? It’s time you to find out how VPG can contribute to your excellence. Wouldn’t a JD Power & Associates Award look good in your trophy case (or maybe a couple while you’re at it)?
Tags: anti shoplifting devices, anti theft security devices, cell phone retail security, increasing retail sales
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August 23rd, 2011 by Mike
 An old business axiom states that in order for your advertising to be effective, your message needs to be heard a minimum of three times. Don’t believe me? I submit one piece of evidence: Geico. Heard of them? But I digress. This is not a message about excessive advertising of insurance, beer or wireless carriers. This is a message about wireless charging.
In the past 24 months we have witnessed multiple instances of wireless charging poking its head into the Consumer Electronics tent. Palm (remember them?) introduced the Palm Pre that offered wireless, or inductive, charging - I’ll let consumer acceptance results speak for themselves, but I will blow our own horn for the way Vanguard Protex Global (nee Vanguard Products Group) developed a unique merchandising and anti-theft solution for our friends at Sprint in support of the Pre. Again, I digress…
At the heart of the Energizer Dual-Zone Inductive Charging Pad lies the Qi (pronounced “chi”) technology. Pretty slick. Place your device (five watts or less phone, iPod, camera) into the specially designed, Qi enabling, bulk creating case, drop it on the charging pad and presto! Your phone will go from a dead device to a fully charged, ready to take on the world communications tool in about three and a half hours! What?!? Read that last line back to me. Three and a half hours to charge your phone? Really? I guess it comes down to deciding what you like least – waiting or wires.
In the meantime, while your merchandising needs require that your CE devices receive the good old battery charging methods that have gotten us this far, you need to consider how to enlist Vanguard Protex Global for your next project. Who knows, maybe this inductive charging concept may become a standard one day. What do you think? Is inductive charging here to stay?
Tags: cell phone sales, increasing retail sales, mobile phone sales
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July 20th, 2011 by Mike
 The iPhone Rumor Mill Hey gang, what’s that bright spot on the horizon? Not trying to rush through the summer, but when you look towards September, do you notice a whole bunch of bright, shiny and new things? Is it the arrival of more jobs signaling the end of our country’s current economic woes? Nope folks, it’s nothing like that. It’s even better! Its 15 million iPhone 5’s shipping!!
Yep, that’s right 15 Million iPhone 5’s are heading our way – or let’s presume at least somewhere near us – but what does that really mean? Will the illustrious device from Apple take on a new shape? Will the real change take place under the hood (think iPhone 3 and iPhone 3s)? What, oh what, dear reader, could the folks in Cupertino have in mind for us? I’m asking. Really. Do you have any idea?
Let’s lay out some speculation and later on, we can see how we do once those 15 million iPhones set sail. Here’s my two cents: I’m leaning towards a larger screen surface, faster processor speeds, better battery life and a contoured form factor. We’ll check back on this post in September and see how well I did.
Regardless of what those Apple folks come up with, you all can rest assured that Vanguard Protex Global will be prepared. When the iPhone 5 hits the market, we’ll help retailers bring it to life with the best anti-theft and powering solution in the industry. Until then, what do you think the iPhone 5 will do differently than the iPhone 4?
Need to secure display CE products in your stores? Check out our retail security systems.
Tags: apple iphone retail security, iphone 4, iphone 5, iphone anti theft devices
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July 14th, 2011 by Bryan Marks
 As eReaders have gained tremendous popularity over the past few years, many library administrators have been inundated with a variety of e-book related requests from their patrons. Library goers want answers to questions like:
• Does the library rent or check out eReaders?
• If so, how can I check out a book using my eReader?
• How do I read e-books on my laptop or tablet computer?
• And many more…
To proactively engage their patrons with all things eReader related, the Columbus Ohio Metropolitan Library deployed an eReader initiative, complete with informational stations designed to put e-book readers in patrons’ hands, without fear of having them stolen.
The library system looked to Vanguard for a solution that would allow them to make the initiative successful. In turn, the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries now have 6 eReader stations throughout their system. And their program has become a benchmark for other library systems throughout the country.
To learn more about the Columbus Library System eReader program, visit their website.
Tags: ebook reader anti theft devices, ereader display, ereader loss prevention, ereader product security, ereader retail security tethers, increase ereader retail sales, powering ereaders
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June 27th, 2011 by Bryan Marks
 Vanguard and Protex Combine Forces Vanguard Products Group and Protex International, two industry icons in retail merchandising and anti-theft protection, have combined forces to form Vanguard Protex Global, the most experienced team ever assembled in the history of retail security.
The result is a company with a united vision and the ability to offer best-in-class, patented security systems to an even broader market. In turn, customers can expect a new era of product innovation and a continued focus on delivering the best customer support in the industry.
Learn more about the benefits of our two companies coming together as one.
Need to securely display your demo products in your stores? Check out our retail security systems.
Tags: anti shoplifting devices, anti theft security devices, anti theft security solutions, cell phone retail security, cell phone security tethers, ereader product security, iphone anti theft devices, loss prevention security solutions, retail security devices, smartphone retail security, tablet computer security tethers
Posted in Camera and Camcorder Loss Prevention, Cell Phone Display, Events and Tradeshows, Laptop and Netbook Retail Security, Press Releases, Product Security, Retail Securty Systems and Alarms, cell phone retail security, eReader Retail Security, iPad Security Solutions, iPhone Retail Security | No Comments »
June 17th, 2011 by Bryan Marks
 The Front of the Toughbook Tablet Panasonic announced this week that it will soon offer a Toughbook line Android-based tablet.
According to a press release from yesterday, Rance Poehler, president of Panasonic was quoted as saying “Enterprise customers are very interested in the tablet market, but have been frustrated by the lack of appropriate solutions.”
“The vast majority of tablet devices—regardless of the OS—are engineered for consumers and don’t offer appropriate levels of security and durability or the functionality needed for business use. Like all Toughbook products, our Toughbook tablet will be designed and constructed with the mission-critical mobile user in mind.”
Well there is no ambiguity in who Panasonic is trying target for this product. The question I have is, “Will the demand really be there when this tablet becomes available?” White collar tablet users typically wouldn’t need a “rugged-ready” tablet, as they wouldn’t us it in a rugged environment. Besides, sales numbers clearly indicate that iPad reigns supreme in tablet demand. The recent iPad 2 release only solidified that.
When it comes to gray and blue collar users, how many of them will want to have to clean their screen multiple times a day? As tablets are touch-screen interactive, I would think that the screen is going to get pretty roughed-up by users on construction sites, government employees and field workers, etc.
As a result, it appears that this will likely be a dud. What do you think? Will a Toughbook tablet really take off?
Need to secure display iPads and tablet display products in your stores? Check out our retail security systems.
Tags: media tablet anti theft alarms, tablet, Tablet Computer Retail Security, tablet computer security tethers
Posted in Product Security, Retail Loss Prevention, Retail Securty Systems and Alarms, Tablet Computer Retail Security, Tablet Computers | No Comments »
June 8th, 2011 by Mike
 The recent announcement by Apple introducing the cloud based data storage service iCloud marks another milestone in the evolution of mobile devices. Mobile devices? Yes, that’s what I said, mobile devices! Here’s why.
For as long as we can remember, the computer has served as our information hub. Of significant importance is the fact that until recently, only laptops afforded to the masses the ability to take their information hub with them; freeing them from the shackles of a desk and power outlet. But today it’s a different story. The laptop is bowing to the smartphone which, in turn, is winking at the tablet that is all the time smirking at the both of them! Why? Because the tablet is fast becoming the preferred portable vehicle of choice for accessing and manipulating our data from wherever we may be! Given the fact that the cloud, in this case the iCloud , promises to provide us with access to all of our data through the use of a sleek mobile device from anywhere on the earth, wouldn’t you figure that folks will gravitate towards purchasing a mobile device?
So, there you have it. That is why the iCloud is going to bring about another surge in the growth of sales of mobile devices. If you are a retailer, you best be prepared for what is about to come your way. This cloud brings with it a storm of sales! Will you be ready?
Need to secure display CE products in your stores? Check out our retail security systems.
Tags: apple ipad, apple ipad 2, apple ipod, cloud storage
Posted in Product Security, Uncategorized, apple ipad | No Comments »
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