New CEO Notes Retail Theft on the Rise as Economy Dips

DALLAS, TX, February 23, 2009 - Westec Intelligent Surveillance, the nation's largest remote video monitoring company, announced today that it has secured an additional US $20M in equity funding. The investment was co-lead by Argonaut Private Equity and Egis Capital Partners with support from existing investors. The funding will be used to support the company's organic growth, as it continues to penetrate the retail, restaurant and hospitality markets. Westec has also announced Kelby Hagar, the current president, will now assume the additional responsibilities of chief executive officer.

Westec's services have never been more timely. A recent survey points to an increase in theft with the sinking economy. The Current Crime Trends Survey, released in January by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), has found evidence that crimes against retailers are rising in correlation with the sinking economy. Among the key findings: 84 percent of respondents report an increase in theft/amateur shoplifting, 76 percent say they've seen an increase in financial fraud, 80 percent note increases in organized retail crime, and 77 percent of specialty retailers say they've experienced increases in organized retail crime.

"Helping retailers be more profitable is an exciting proposition in this economy," said Steve Mitchell, Managing Director with Argonaut Private Equity. "We see Westec as the leader in an industry that is poised for growth."

"Raising capital at this time and in this economic environment had its challenges but we achieved a major milestone in the company's development which will allow us to maintain our leadership position" says Kelby Hagar "The capital will enable us to strengthen our balance sheet and provide growth capital for expansion of the business."

Westec is the only security provider to offer two-way audio connections directly in to each location they monitor. It has the unique ability to provide virtual guard services for a fraction of the cost of security guards and with better performance. For example, a trained professional can monitor a retail location live from Westec's command center in Iowa. With any threat, Westec's Intervention Specialists can push a button and talk to the potential thief at the store, notifying them that they are being monitored and if necessary dispatch police. Westec also provides savings to retailers with improved operations and a dramatic reduction in theft and loss.

"We're very familiar with the security industry," said Robert Chefitz of EGIS Capital Partners. "Westec is one of the best examples of providing both a return on investment solution and peace of mind for our commercial customers. It has the largest recurring monthly revenue stream, a unique and impressive product and service offering and it's led by one of the most successful executive teams in the business."

About Westec Intelligent Surveillance

The pioneer of interactive video monitoring, Westec delivers the industry's only intelligent business monitoring solution serving Fortune 500 companies and smaller owner/operators throughout the U.S. Its strategic business solutions help leading retailers, restaurants and other companies improve operations and profits through intelligent business monitoring services.

For more information on Westec Intelligent Surveillance, visit www.westec.net.

About Argonaut Private Equity

Argonaut Equity Partners is a diversified global private equity fund with more than $3.5 billion under management.

About Egis Capital Partners

Egis Capital Partners is a private equity fund focused exclusively on businesses in the security and homeland defense industries.

Burger King and McDonald's Franchisees Added to Video Surveillance Roster

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westec Intelligent Surveillance, the nation's largest remote video monitoring company, announced today that it has acquired Atlanta-based Vyne Industries, a video surveillance and monitoring company focused on the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry. This deal is the next calculated step for Westec, who received $20M in growth funding earlier this year.

With the acquisition of Vyne, Westec will now be the only nationally approved surveillance vendor serving both Burger King and McDonald's, among several other leading QSR brands. Specifically, the Vyne acquisition provides Westec additional capabilities to serve QSRs owned and operated by franchisees, complementing Westec's strength of serving corporate locations for leading brands including Jack in the Box, Dairy Queen, Chick-fil-A, and Hardee's.

With crime on the rise in this difficult economy, QSRs are turning to the latest innovations and techniques in video surveillance to keep employees and customers safe. With the acquisition of Vyne, franchisee owners and operators will now benefit from Westec's advanced monitoring technology. Westec is the only security provider to offer two-way audio connections directly into the locations they monitor allowing video monitoring specialists to "talk" and interact with potential thieves. The human element of interactive voice, along with Westec's advanced video technology, has proven extremely effective at preventing crimes and accelerating police response times, as well as providing improved accuracy when an incident does take place.

"With the addition of Vyne, Westec now offers the leading solution for corporate locations as well as compelling packages tailored specifically for a brand's franchisee owner/operators," said Kelby Hagar. "This acquisition gives our customers the best of both worlds to fully satisfy the needs of their brands."

"We see joining forces with Westec as excellent synergy," said Darrell Reed former President of Vyne Industries and current VP National Sales at Westec. "Westec has excellent national market penetration and will offer previous Vyne customers top-of-the line interactive services specifically tailored to the issues facing the QSR category today."

About Westec Intelligent Surveillance

The pioneer of interactive video monitoring, Westec delivers the industry's only intelligent business monitoring solution serving Fortune 500 companies and smaller owner/operators throughout the U.S. Its strategic business solutions help leading retailers, restaurants and other companies improve operations and profits through intelligent business monitoring services. For more information on Westec Intelligent Surveillance, visit www.westec.net.

Remote video surveillance systems benefit from On2 video compression

CLIFTON PARK, NY - (April 1, 2009) - On2 Technologies (NYSE Amex: ONT) announced today it has licensed its proprietary On2 VP7 video compression technology to Westec Interactive, an innovator in the field of intelligent video surveillance. Westec will integrate the VP7 video codec to its Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to increase the quality of stored video without compromise.

On2 VP7 is a highly efficient video compression algorithm that provides up to 30% better compression than the best competing H.264 encoders on the market today. The codec incorporates several features tailored specifically for stable camera encoding, typical with security camera and video conferencing applications.

One VP7 feature, "Golden Frames," delivers substantial data rate savings by storing a reference frame from an arbitrarily distant past point in the video stream. A complete background image--for example, a street at a shopping mall--is stored as a reference frame with only the changes in the foreground, such as people walking by, needing to be encoded and transmitted.

For more information about the On2 VP7 please visit www.on2.com/on2video.

Westec's state-of-the-art Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is at the core of its video surveillance system. The DVR offers far more than traditional CCTV monitoring and analog video recording. The DVR is driven by a powerful software engine that controls digital video display and playback (both in multiplex view) and that also serves as the integration and control point for your security system. Capable of supporting as many as 16 surveillance cameras, the DVR is the central navigation point for a security system. Using the on-screen interface, you can view live digital video streams, access archived video for multiplex playback, and access system configuration screens.

"On2 and Westec have had a long-term strategic relationship, and we believe that Westec Solutions provides the best surveillance platforms available today," said Jim Bankoski, Chief Technology Officer for On2. "We are proud to play a part in helping them deliver outstanding video quality and clarity on their systems."

"Adopting the On2 VP7 video codec was a logical extension of our long-standing relationship with On2," said Jon Bolen, Chief Technology Officer for Westec. "By taking this important step forward Westec customers will see better images and will be able to store more video locally with no reduction in video quality. These improvements translate directly to improved security and improved return on investment for Westec customers at a time when both are incredibly important."

About On2 Technologies

On2 (NYSE Amex: ONT) creates advanced video compression technologies that power the video in today's leading desktop and mobile applications and devices. On2 customers include Adobe, Skype, Nokia, Infineon, Sun Microsystems, Mediatek, Sony, Brightcove, and Move Networks. On2 Technologies is headquartered in Clifton Park, NY USA. For more information visit www.on2.com.

About Westec Intelligent Surveillance

Westec provides video surveillance solutions to over 6,000 businesses across the US. Their customers range from small independent owner-operators to large Fortune 500 chains in the restaurant, jewelry, convenience store and specialty retail industries. Westec provides the latest in technology and interactive, real-time monitoring by trained specialists through their state of the art Central Command Center which operates 24/7 and is the only service provider to offer two-way audio capability which allows the intervention specialist to talk directly into the location. Customers can purchase the system or subscribe to the service which provides free maintenance, upgrades, replacements and diagnostics making usage absolutely hassle-free. Clients include McDonald's, White Castle, Jack in the Box, ConocoPhillips, E-Z Mart, Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, La Quinta, Red Roof Inn and Charming Shoppes. For more information visit: www.westec.net.

Trademarks mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.

For more information please contact:
On2 Technologies, Inc.
Chris Pfaff
chris@chrispfafftechmedia.com
+1 973 509 6565

Executive Team Growth Follows Recent $20 M in Funding

DALLAS, TX, April 14, 2009 - Westec Intelligent Surveillance, the nation's largest remote video monitoring company, announced today that it has selected John Curreri as Chief Financial Officer. Hiring Curreri as Chief Financial Officer for Westec is the next step in Westec's focused plan for growth, strengthening its national footprint.

Westec recently received national attention and $20 M in growth funding in large part for its unique 2-way audio technology. Westec video monitoring specialists can "talk" and interact with potential thieves in thousands of customer locations nationwide in real time. Westec's proprietary monitoring technology is saving retail and restaurant customers millions of dollars annually.

Curreri's responsibilities will include developing Westec's annual financial plan, managing internal and external financial reporting, providing leadership and technical expertise to the accounting, finance, and human resource departments ensuring compliance with GAAP, and providing financial oversight in mergers and acquisition activity as needed. Curreri will also work proactively with other executive management team members to drive strategy and execution while minimizing risk.

"Westec is aggressively expanding its leadership position in the security and video monitoring marketplace," said Kelby Hagar, CEO for Westec. "John Curreri is a valuable addition to the organization. We welcome his breadth of experience."

Prior to joining Westec, Curreri was with Virtual CFO and served as acting CFO for a variety of VC funded tech companies. Additionally, Curreri served as CFO for Metreos, a voice over IP software firm (acquired by Cisco Systems), VP of Finance of Netrake, a session border controller firm (acquired by AudioCodes) and Controller of Hollywood Theaters, a movie theater firm (acquired by Wallace Theaters). Curreri served as a Senior Manager in KPMG's Audit practice, focusing primarily on publicly traded clients, and as a Senior Manager in Ernst & Young's Mergers and Acquisitions practice.

About Westec Intelligent Surveillance

The pioneer of interactive video monitoring, Westec delivers the industry's only intelligent business monitoring solution serving Fortune 500 companies and smaller owner/operators throughout the U.S. Its strategic business solutions help leading retailers, restaurants and other companies improve operations and profits through intelligent business monitoring services. For more information on Westec Intelligent Surveillance, visit www.westec.net.

CONTACT:
Emily O'Brien
New Leaf Public Relations, Inc.
Phone: (303) 377-3887
emily@newleafpr.com

Atlanta-based Chuck Moeling hired as Executive VP and CMO

DALLAS, TX, November 9, 2009 - Westec Intelligent Surveillance, the nation's largest remote video monitoring company, announced today that it has selected Atlanta, Georgia as the location for its national sales headquarters. Additionally, Westec announced Charles Moeling as its Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Marketing Officer.

Given the company's double-digit growth in sales this year, Westec plans to accelerate the expansion of its sales teams and recently secured new office space in Atlanta at the Concourse Corporate campus in the Central Perimeter area. Mr. Moeling commented, "Atlanta offers us an excellent talent pool as we look to expand our team of sales professionals, and the area provides exceptional infrastructure supporting the growth of a retail and hospitality focused organization."

Mr. Moeling brings 20 years of strategy, sales, operations and technology experience to the company. His responsibilities include developing Westec's sales and marketing strategies and leading the company's go-to-market teams.

Westec recently received national attention and $20 million in growth funding in large part for its unique 2-way audio technology. Westec video monitoring specialists can "talk" and interact with potential threats in thousands of customer locations nationwide in real time, helping to diffuse escalating situations that risk the safety and security of the location. Westec's proprietary monitoring technology saves retail and restaurant customers millions of dollars annually, and leading clients like McDonald's, Burger King, Waffle House, La Quinta, EZ Mart and Zales rely upon Westec's services to ensure the day-to-day safety and performance of their operations.

"Helping our customers save money and run more secure operations, Westec is strategically positioned to perform well in this tough economy as we continue to deploy our unique technology and services to leading companies in the retail and hospitality industries," said Kelby Hagar, CEO for Westec. "Securing top talent, like Chuck Moeling, plays a key role in our company's growth strategy, and our investment in Atlanta, and its pool of talent, provides a great platform for Westec?s continued leadership in the security industry."

Prior to joining Westec, Mr. Moeling served as Vice President of Retail at Radiant Systems where he played a key role in winning strategic customers, including The Athlete's Foot and Batteries Plus. Before Radiant, Moeling was a founding executive of BlueCube Software where Moeling's teams added strategic accounts such as Marriott Select Services and doubled the firm's subscription installations. Moeling holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BE in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University's School of Engineering.

About Westec Intelligent Surveillance
The pioneer of interactive video monitoring, Westec delivers the industry's only intelligent business monitoring solution serving Fortune 500 companies and smaller owner/operators throughout the U.S. Its strategic business solutions help leading retailers, restaurants and other companies improve operations and profits through intelligent business monitoring services. For more information on Westec Intelligent Surveillance, visit www.westec.net.

One of the First Video-Based Alarm Services To Make the Mark

DALLAS, TX, February 4, 2010 – Westec Intelligent Surveillance, the nation’s largest remote video monitoring company, announced today that it has passed an Alarm System Certification audit conducted by Intertek, an independent third-party testing lab and certification agency. The ETL Listing mark signifies Westec has been audited and met or exceeded industry-recognized specifications and rigorous safety standards

"Westec is a cooperative, efficient, and compliant burglar alarm central station. In the field evaluation, we noted their employee management processes, training programs, and tracking tools exceeded our expectations," said Ron Lemke, Lead Auditor for Intertek. "Westec’s staff had done their homework and any changes or needed contracts could be completed on the spot."

The ETL certification of Westec Intelligent Surveillance signifies that Westec meets or exceeds industry operational and safety standards according to the following specifications:

• UL 681 – Installation and Classification of Burglar and Holdup-Alarm Systems
• UL 827 – Central Station Alarm Services

"Receiving the ETL certification is yet another industry indication that our unique video-monitoring system is an excellent security solution which has been thoroughly tested and proven," said Kelby Hagar, CEO of Westec. "We’re proud the Westec video-monitoring facility, training and video response services were superior to others that had been evaluated."

About Westec Intelligent Surveillance

The pioneer of interactive video monitoring, Westec delivers the industry’s only intelligent business monitoring solution serving over 13,000 customers including Fortune 500 companies and smaller owner/operators throughout the U.S. Its strategic business solutions help leading retailers; restaurants and other companies improve operations and profits through intelligent business monitoring services. For more information on Westec Intelligent Surveillance, visit www.westec.net.

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 24,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world. For further information, visit www.intertek.com.

Dealers Point to Video Surveillance as a Market Leader

DALLAS, TX, June X, 2010 — Westec Intelligent Surveillance, the nation’s largest remote video monitoring company, announced today that it has been included in the prestigious ranks of the SDM Top100.

On the heels of a successful year, which included a double-digit growth in sales, the opening of an Atlanta-based office, the acquisition of Vyne Industries and the addition of 2,500 customer locations, Westec debuted on SDM’s Top 100 list at 24.   Westec also ranked 10th on SDM’s list for non-residential installation revenue. 

In 2009, Westec received national attention along with $20 million in growth funding in large part for its unique 2-way audio technology. Its video monitoring specialists can “talk” and interact with potential threats in thousands of customer locations nationwide in real time, helping to diffuse escalating situations that risk the safety and security of the location. Restaurant and retail locations including, Burger King, Waffle House, La Quinta, EZ Mart and Sterling Jewelers rely upon Westec’s services to ensure the day-to-day safety and performance of their operations.

“Keeping our customers safe while saving them millions of dollars garners some attention in this tough economy,” said Kelby Hagar, CEO for Westec. “We’re proud to have taken video surveillance and monitoring technology to the next level, and grateful the market is responsive.”

Now in its 20th year, the SDM 100 ranks the largest security dealer companies in the United States by recurring monthly revenue (RMR). Its primary objective is to measure consumer dollars gained by alarm companies, in order to present an account of the size of the market captured by the 100 largest security providers. SDM 100 firms are ranked by their recurring monthly revenue.

About Westec Intelligent Surveillance

The pioneer of interactive video monitoring, Westec delivers the industry’s only intelligent business monitoring solution serving Fortune 500 companies and smaller owner/operators throughout the U.S. Its strategic business solutions help leading retailers, restaurants and other companies improve operations and profits through intelligent business monitoring services.  For more information on Westec Intelligent Surveillance, visit www.westec.net.

CONTACT:
Emily O’Brien
New Leaf Public Relations, Inc.
Phone: (303) 377-3887
emily@newleafpr.com

Video-Based Alarm Service 1st To Achieve Both UL and ETL Certifications

DALLAS, TX, August 31, 2010 - Westec Intelligent Surveillance, the nation's largest remote video monitoring company, announced today that its monitoring facility and operations have achieved UL certification. With the addition of the UL certification, Westec becomes the only monitoring center to be both UL and ETL certified.

The UL Certification signifies Westec has demonstrated that its monitoring facility and operations have met or exceeded industry operational and safety standards according to the following specifications:

UL 827 - Central Station Alarm Services
UL 1981 - Central Station Automation Software
NFPA 72 - The National Fire Alarm Code

"Working very closely with the UL team, Westec put in the long hours and hard work to assure it was in full compliance with all of the applicable UL standards," said Steve Schmit, Operations Lead for UL.

"Westec is pushing the alarm and monitoring industry with unprecedented use of video and audio technology," said Kelby Hagar, CEO of Westec. "We're thrilled to be recognized by UL, a well-known gold standard demonstrating our technology and execution have been thoroughly tested and proven."

About Westec Intelligent Surveillance

The pioneer of interactive video monitoring, Westec delivers the industry's only intelligent business monitoring solution serving over 13,000 customers including Fortune 500 companies and smaller owner/operators throughout the U.S. Its strategic business solutions help leading retailers; restaurants and other companies improve operations and profits through intelligent business monitoring services. For more information on Westec Intelligent Surveillance, visit www.westec.net.

About UL

Underwriters Laboratories® is an independent product safety certification organization that has been testing products and writing standards for safety for more than a century. UL evaluates more than 19,000 types of products, components, materials and systems annually with 20 billion UL Marks appearing on 66,000 manufacturers' products each year. UL's worldwide family of companies and network of service providers includes 68 laboratory, testing and certification facilities serving customers in 102 countries.

CONTACT:
Emily O'Brien
New Leaf Public Relations, Inc.
Phone: (303) 377-3887
emily@newleafpr.com