Convergint launches UtilityShield education series to support global compliance and field readiness in the utilities sector. Registration for Convergint UtilityShield(TM) Virtual & Live Learning Series Now Open HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL, December 10, 2025 - Convergint, a global leader in technology enabled security and safety solutions, today announced the launch of UtilityShield(TM), an education series specifically designed for security, safety, and facility professionals working in critical infrastructure environments across regions including the US, Europe and Latin America. The series, developed in collaboration with the University of South Florida and leading technology partners, allows participants to gain practical strategies to enhance workforce safety, reduce risk, and improve uptime through expert, peer-led instruction. "We created UtilityShield to help professionals navigate a dynamic and rapidly evolving risk landscape," said Steve Sinclair, Director, Utilities Vertical, Convergint Technologies. "We are pleased to work with the University of South Florida and our technology partners to deliver a multi-disciplinary program that will add value across the entire utility ecosystem." Registration for the Convergint UtilityShield(TM) programs, offered both virtually and in-person, is now open to all utilities industry professionals, with no prior certification required. The in-person program will be held at the upcoming Convergint Utilities Unite Event, January 12-16, 2026 in Clearwater, FL. Visit the Convergint UtilityShield Learning Hub to register and learn more. The Convergint Utilities Unite conference will offer hands-on sessions, training labs, expert panels and keynote speakers including: * Kenneth F. McKenzie, Retired Marine Corp General and Executive Director of the University of South Florida Global National Security Institute; * Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Dr. Jennifer Hesterman; * Bob Delaney, former New Jersey State Trooper, NBA referee, VP and Director of Officials; * Luke Bencie, Managing Director, Security Management International, LLC; * Eric Lopez, Founder and CEO, Arrowhead Leadership Consulting. "Partnering with Convergint on UtilityShield reinforces our commitment to delivering credible and measurable educational value to the utilities industry," said Mark Koulianos, AVP of USF Community Partnerships. "As a nationally recognized leader in corporate training and professional education, we are proud to collaborate with Convergint to offer the UtilityShield program and issue digital credentials in support of this important initiative." The Convergint UtilityShield(TM) education series consists of a four-part, on-demand webinar learning series available via the Convergint UtilityShield(TM) Learning Hub. Attendees can complete the series at their own pace and earn one digital completion badge from the University of Florida per webinar by answering five qualifying questions correctly after each session. The four Convergint UtilityShield(TM) webinars are co-hosted by technology partners and include: * FLIR - "Early Detection and Wildfire Prevention" * Wesco - "Building a Compliant and Secure Supply Chain" * Motorola Solutions - "Building the Connected Utility Ecosystem" * 3B Protection - " Layered Safety: Modernizing Perimeter Protection" Professionals wanting a deeper learning experience are invited to take part in the in-person learning offered as part of Convergint's Utilities Unite Event, January 12-16, 2026 in Clearwater, FL. About Convergint Convergint Technologies is a global leader in technology enabled security and safety solutions. Convergint Technologies offer design, implementation, integration, management, and service solutions around the globe. Its 11,000+ colleagues partner with leading security technology companies to bring deep vertical expertise and field delivery capabilities. Convergint Technologies help customers manage complex regulatory and compliance requirements with certified and licensed technicians, who bring local expertise and global scale and consistency. Convergint Technologies is recognized as the #1 systems integrator in SDM Magazine's Top Systems Integrators Report for the past 8 years and a U.S. News & World Report 'Best Company to Work For.' With over 220 locations worldwide, Convergint Technologies aspire to be its customers' best service provider. To learn more about Convergint, visit www.convergint.com.

Calgary high-rise office complex completes sustainable IP intercom upgrade. * A high-rise office complex in downtown Calgary wanted to upgrade from analog to IP intercoms across multiple elevators, parkades, and emergency call stations to improve safety. * Convergint chose NVT Phybridge Power over Ethernet (PoE) innovations to help enable the new IP intercom system. * The flexibility of the NVT Phybridge portfolio allowed Convergint to easily adapt mid-project, leveraging existing two-wire and coax cabling where needed to ensure reliable performance in every environment. * The organization maintained its commitment to sustainability by minimizing electronic waste and aligning with its LEED building certification. A premier high-rise office complex in downtown Calgary was operating an analog intercom system that no longer supported modern communication, reliability, or integration requirements. The complex required a SIP-capable IP intercom solution to enhance communication and seamlessly support call recording. However, the project faced significant challenges: * Infrastructure complexity: 113 analog intercoms that operated on two-wire cabling needed to be upgraded with no head-end strategy in place. * Elevator integration issues: The existing two-wire runs in the high-rise elevator systems had multiple splits and junctions, leading to signal degradation that was too unreliable for IP. * Space and power limitations: Alternative solutions would have required 113 separate media converters and power supplies, demanding large head-end enclosures and electrical upgrades. * Operational disruption and cost concerns: A rip-and-replace strategy would have created major business disruption, cost overruns, and harsh environmental impact. Convergint Technologies selected NVT Phybridge PoE innovations to overcome the project's infrastructure and deployment challenges. The solution's flexibility allowed Convergint to minimize head-end equipment, reducing space, hardware, and power requirements. Initially, the project team used the existing two-wire infrastructure to connect the new IP intercoms. However, the deployment team discovered new challenges in the elevators, as multiple splits, junction boxes, and poor grounding reduced signal strength. Fortunately, each elevator's traveller cable had a spare coaxial cable, allowing the team to pivot without redesigning the network. The team easily incorporated NVT Phybridge Ethernet over Coax innovations, leveraging the coaxial cables to enable IP intercom in the elevators. Rather than installing network switches throughout the building, switches were centralized in elevator control rooms, delivering PoE power and data down the coax cable to intercom devices inside elevator cabs. The result was a simple and secure network that reduced IDF closet requirements and ongoing management costs. The upgraded SIP-based intercom system also integrated directly with the property's Genetec security platform, enabling advanced functionality like audio call recording. With the support of Convergint Technologies and the flexibility of NVT Phybridge PoE innovations, the twin-tower office complex successfully transitioned to a modern IP intercom system without the cost, disruption, or complexity of re-cabling. By leveraging existing two-wire and coax cable runs, the team minimized risk, complexity, deployment times, and network costs - all while reducing physical space and ongoing energy requirements. The new SIP-based intercom system now provides crystal-clear audio communication across all 113 IP intercom devices, including 45 elevators and six parkade levels. The system provides improved audio clarity, reliability, and responsiveness, critical for emergency scenarios in both elevator cabs and parking structures. The integration with Genetec further enhanced the system's capabilities, enabling automatic audio recording. Beyond technical performance, the upgrade had a positive operational and financial impact. Centralized switching reduced the need for distributed infrastructure, streamlining ongoing network management while lowering long-term operating costs. "This project was about helping the organization deploy a modern IP intercom solution to improve communication and safety," said Alberto Olazabal, Convergint Technologies. "By using NVT Phybridge's flexible solutions, we avoided unnecessary infrastructure costs and gave the customer a robust system that met their safety, sustainability, and integration goals. They now have a future-ready platform that delivers immediate value and long-term savings." The team demonstrated true environmental and operational leadership by embracing innovations that enabled the reuse of existing assets. The organization modernized communication and safety by repurposing its existing network infrastructure, reinforcing their unwavering commitment to sustainability. This forward-thinking decision reduced electronic waste and material consumption, perfectly aligned with their LEED Platinum certification and whole-building approach to environmental responsibility. This strategic move not only minimized the ecological impact of their digital transformation but also enhanced cost efficiency and operational excellence. About Convergint Technologies. Convergint is a global systems integrator focused on delivering results for customers through unparalleled service excellence. At Convergint, the top priority is service in every way - service to customers, colleagues, and the community. As an integrator, Convergint works alongside a global network of partners and manufacturers to design, install, and service security, fire alarm, life safety, audio-visual, and building automation solutions for enterprise customers. About NVT Phybridge. Its mission is to help organizations maximize their IP migration return on investment by providing high-quality network solutions that are robust, secure, simple to implement, and environmentally responsible. NVT Phybridge is a global leader in PoE network innovations that eliminate the reach and cable type limitations of traditional PoE switches. Its diverse and award-winning portfolio of long-reach PoE switches and extenders help organizations deploy the latest IP technologies over any new or existing single-pair UTP, coax, multi-pair UTP, or 2-wire infrastructure without high costs, complexity, business disruption, or security concerns. If you have an upcoming IP/IoT modernization project, Phybridge Inc. would love to help! Click below to book a one-on-one meeting with one of its Digital Transformation Consultants.

Convergint, a global leader in service-based systems integration, today announced the acquisition of NuSource Financial LLC, a leading provider of branch tra...