SDM 2019 Top Systems Integrators Report: Security Projects Coming From All Market Sectors

Security integrators ranked on SDM’s 2019 Top Systems Integrators Report describe the 2018 market for integrated security systems as “strong,” “hot” and “accelerated” — all apt terms, given that the nation’s largest integrators grew their systems integration revenue by at least 14 percent last year. In their estimations, the market was driven by elevated visibility of the myriad benefits of physical security, and was made possible by excellent economic conditions.

View the 2019 Rankings

View the 2019 Charts

Read the report from other years

“2018 was stronger across the board for security systems projects. The continued strong economy enabled strong customer spending,” according to GSI, ranked No. 14 with $37.3 million in systems integration revenue, a 16.7 percent increase over its prior-year financial performance.

Here is how MidCo Inc., ranked No. 25, describes the market: “Strong. Many leads coming to us for funded projects. Work coming from all markets.”

The market for integrated security systems was “stronger across the board,” notes Dallas Security Systems Inc. & DSS Fire Inc., ranked No. 26.

“The market was very strong. In fact, we consistently sold more than our capacity to install,” says No. 27, Mountain Alarm.

The 2019 Top Systems Integrators Report ranks security integrator companies by their North American systems integration revenue, which includes solutions such as design, project management, product, installation, programming, start-up, and training sold directly to an end-user customer or through a tier of contractors. 

Total North American systems integration revenue — which is different from total annual revenue — for the 100 ranked companies reached $3.77 billion in 2018, a 14 percent increase over 2017. In addition, security integrators started 167,894 new projects in 2018, up from 104,788 in 2017. (See the chart, “Top Systems Integrators: Group Synopsis,”.)

While the 14 percent growth rate applies to financial results for all 100 ranked companies in 2019 compared with 2018, there is also another way to look at their performance. Among companies for which a year-to-year comparison could be made (comparing only those 80 companies ranked in both years), security systems integration revenue actually increased by as much as 34 percent.

“The market was very strong with all segments having tremendous growth in 2018. We had significant growth with Fortune 500 campuses, national multi-site retail, higher education, K-12 education, commercial property management and government,” remarks first-time ranked Star Asset Security, No. 28.

The top three market segments that provided the most significant sources of revenue in 2018 were: commercial office space, education and healthcare (see list of top 10 market sectors here). The top three were unchanged from 2017. In addition, other sectors security integrators found to be productive were new construction, enterprise tenant space, state and local government, multi-family, national retail accounts, cannabis production and dispensaries, transportation, utilities, and financial — to name just some.

“2018 proved to be a big year for construction activity in and around the Boston area and therefore integrated system projects were definitely up compared to 2017. The market proved to be very strong. We saw major growth in the higher education, healthcare, and pharma market segments,” notes CGL Electronic Security Inc., No. 43. The company reported $11 million in security systems integration revenue, up 29.8 percent from the previous year.

“Market was strong. Our continued growth in healthcare and education/school security has been a very strong portion of our business and given the environment based on recent events it will likely continue to increase exponentially. Hosted/managed solutions is still a strong focus for us and we are seeing an increase in acceptance in these types of solutions in the marketplace,” describes No. 17-ranked Integrated Security Technologies.

Although the vast majority of integrators had a mutual experience of very high demand and above-average sales, several did not and they attributed it to competition and resultant pricing pressures. When asked if their net profit margin increased, decreased, or stayed the same last year, 53 percent of security integrators said it had increased; the average increase was 8 percent.

“The market was strong for business, particularly in the education sector. However, margin erosion occurred with increased competition and pricing pressure,” notes No. 23, A+ Technology & Security Solutions Inc.

Many of the security integrators cite an uptick in sales of cloud solutions to their clients. Although hosted/managed services, including cloud, currently account for only 3 percent of all sales revenue, integrators believe that will decidedly increase. 

“2018 saw a marked rise in security systems and integrated systems sales, particularly in the IoT and cloud services sector. Manufacturers continued to respond with solid and secure cloud services as end users looked to reduce the need for large servers and the resultant IT requirements, as well as free up wall space traditionally utilized by security requirements. The largest growth was exhibited in cloud-based access systems, up 17 percent by some industry measurements; and while smaller systems (four to 12 doors) were a key growth area, especially in tenant spaces and storefronts, larger enterprise-class customers are beginning to look to this model, as well,” describes RFI Communications & Security Systems, No. 13.

Cloud platforms often help end users secure funding more easily, perhaps a reason more than half (54 percent) of Top Systems Integrators think funding for security projects was generally better in 2018 than it was in 2017; 40 percent say it was about the same. There was “less growth in traditional hardware-based systems” and “more opportunities in cloud-based solutions,” concurs American Alarm & Communications, No. 35.

“In general, this is a function of a strong economy, and a continued heightened awareness of both security and the desire for deeper intelligence in facilities that incorporate automation, access control and an ever-growing demand for video surveillance that can both protect and monitor employees and visitors,” describes No. 24-ranked ADS Security of the funding environment.

What’s in store for the remainder of this year? More than nine of 10 Top Systems Integrators (91 percent) expect their 2019 revenues to exceed 2018’s, which is just slightly less than the prior year’s 94 percent of integrators who thought the same. 

“The economy remained strong in 2018 and security had ever-increasing importance and visibility,” says Rapid Security Solutions LLC, No. 71.

“Consumer confidence should remain solid, at least until the next election cycle. Commercial customers are willing to invest to update aging systems, renovate and expand facilities. Recent events at schools and workplaces are driving awareness of the need to provide additional security protection,” says No. 75, EMC Security.

Awareness of the effectiveness of security, the greater affordability of solutions, and a thriving economy are the central elements of last year’s success among Top Systems Integrators — and key to keeping the work coming in from all market sectors in 2019.

The 2019 Top Systems Integrators Report

1/1

Top Systems Integrators 2019
24th Annual Report

View/Download this table as a PDF

2019 Rank	2018 Rank	Company & Headquarters Location	North American Systems Integration Revenue, 2018	Number of New Projects, 2018	Largest Project Size	Smallest Project Size	Top 3 Markets Contributing to Revenue	Full-time Employees	Business Locations
1	1	Convergint Technologies Schaumburg, Ill.	$1,068,385,542	18,550	$14,710,000	$2,500	office, financial, govt	3,689	113
2	2	ADT Boca Raton, Fla.	$471,734,000e	na	na	na	na	19,000	200
3	3	Securitas Electronic Security Uniontown, Ohio	$359,000,000	na	na	na	na	1,400	30
4	6	Vector Security Inc. Warrendale, Pa.	$252,214,889	6,400	$500,000	$99	office, retail, health	1,172	33
5	7	G4S Secure Integration LLC Omaha, Neb.	$172,694,270	2,041	$5,566,730	$600	na	634	20
6	11	Allied Universal Technology Services Santa Ana, Calif.	$121,000,000	1,768	$3,400,000	$1,000	industrial, education, utilities	519	27
7	5	Kastle Systems International Falls Church, Va.	$107,000,000	na	$1,400,000	na	office, financial, govt	545	13
8	9	Tech Systems Inc. Duluth, Ga.	$66,927,200	1,400	$1,144,280	$30,000	office, health, financial	350	2
9	10	Unlimited Technology Inc. Chester Springs, Pa.	$55,950,570	561	$5,764,138	$1,035	utilities, industrial, health	134	6
10		Surveillance Systems Inc. Rocklin, Calif.	$50,740,199	81	$15,000,000	$3,500	gaming, education, industrial	51	7
11	12	A3 Communications Inc. Irmo, S.C.	$45,326,049	1,212	$950,175	$102	education, govt, financial	142	6
12	15	AFA Protective Systems Inc. Syosset, N.Y.	$45,013,000	7,788	$1,100,000	$500	retail, airports, office	372	16
13	13	RFI Communications & Security Systems San Jose, Calif.	$41,300,000	1,923	$1,300,000	$2,300	na	176	4
14	19	GSI Troy, Mich.	$37,300,053	889	$2,097,400	$250	industrial, utilities, office	117	4
15		NextGen Security LLC Exton, Pa.	$36,400,000	1,369	$6,200,000	$12,350	industrial, utilities, health	116	2
16	18	Entech Sales and Service LLC Dallas, Texas	$33,170,000	na	$2,357,825	$1,000	health, education, telecom/data center	287	6
17	23	Integrated Security Technologies Herndon, Va.	$27,000,823	507	$3,479,756	$2,500	govt, education, health	112	3
18	25	Per Mar Security Services Davenport, Iowa	$26,306,167	1,703	$250,000	$0	retail, industrial, office	330	18
19	20	Security Corporation Novi, Mich.	$25,305,862	1,248	na	na	utilities, financial, office	113	2
20	40	DynaFire Inc. Casselberry, Fla.	$24,994,311	925	$2,200,000	$195	hotel, entertainment, education	253	6
21	27	Advanced Electronic Solutions College Point, N.Y.	$24,750,200	312	$7,200,000	$28,650	office, health, airports	88	3
22	26	Interface Security Systems Holdings Inc. Earth City, Mo.	$23,528,149	36,549	$850,000	$0	retail, hotel, office	617	12
23		A+ Technology & Security Solutions Inc. Bay Shore, N.Y.	$23,400,000	163	$2,700,000	$1,029	education, govt, law	96	2
24	32	ADS Security L.P. Nashville, Tenn.	$22,384,497	33,338	$417,361	$0	retail, office, industrial	480	25
25	29	MidCo Inc. Burr Ridge, Ill.	$22,290,100	1,550	$1,477,000	$4,500	office, industrial, education	98	3
26	39	Dallas Security Systems Inc. & DSS Fire Inc. Dallas, Texas	$22,219,959	1,250	$365,000	$299	health, office, education	153	2
27	28	Mountain Alarm Ogden, Utah	$21,937,580	500	$200,000	$99	education, govt, utilities	244	11
28		Star Asset Security Orlando, Fla.	$21,350,000	2,409	$600,000	$1,000	retail, govt, health	158	10
29	30	Minuteman Security Technologies Inc. Andover, Mass.	$19,442,913	1,035	$4,515,680	$1,000	transport, health, education	70	10
30		Sound Inc. Naperville, Ill.	$19,000,000	na	$4,500,000	$1,850	office, health, education	112	1
32	34	TRL Systems Inc. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.	$18,000,000	1,515	$500	$1,000	office, health, education	49	5
31	42	RedRock Security & Cabling Inc. Irvine, Calif.	$18,000,000	300	$3,000,000	$30,000	office, industrial, education	220	3
33	44	Stone Security Salt Lake City, Utah	$17,669,670	669	$1,270,122	$225	education, office, govt	60	2
34	38	The Protection Bureau Exton, Pa.	$17,595,869	784	$1,700,000	$99	office, education, financial	88	4
35	35	American Alarm & Communications Arlington, Mass.	$16,167,798	4,001	$374,868	$50	property mgmt, health, office	237	6
36	49	3Sixty Integrated San Antonio, Texas	$15,873,367	300	$1,498,000	$10,000	retail, education, govt	53	1
37	43	Midstate Security Company Wyoming, Mich.	$15,846,090	520	$6,000,000	$450	correctional, education, health	79	1
38	37	Security Equipment Inc. Omaha, Neb.	$15,127,290	385	$255,180	$99	education, utilities, transport	165	5
39	51	JSC Systems Inc. Jacksonville, Fla.	$14,570,116	216	$625,638	$800	health, education, govt	126	8
40	45	FE Moran Security Solutions Champaign, Ill.	$12,963,510	3,075	$289,126	$0	retail, financial, office	153	6
41		Ojo Technology Fremont, Calif.	$12,372,549	217	$2,000,000	$25,000	education, transport, govt	36	3
42	48	PASS Security Fairview Heights, Ill.	$11,866,835	600	$2,425,000	$1,000	utilities, education, health	51	1
43	53	CGL Electronic Security Inc. Westwood, Mass.	$11,033,433	622	$1,766,000	$2,500	education, health, industrial	44	na
44	50	SSD Alarm Anaheim, Calif.	$10,814,496	na	na	na	na	220	10
45		Koorsen Fire & Security Indianapolis, Ind.	$10,359,400	1,322	$185,000	$350	industrial, education, financial	1,016	24
46	56	Bates Security / Sonitrol of Lexington Lexington, Ky.	$10,141,152	948	$158,870	$0	education, office, retail	85	3
47	57	Will Electronics St. Louis, Mo.	$9,617,340	426	$513,962	$895	utilities, health, office	31	1
48	58	Sentry Communications & Security Hicksville, N.Y.	$9,100,000	20	$850,000	$1,000	office, transport, health	65	4
49	59	Vision Security Technologies Birmingham, Ala.	$8,999,018	350	$900,000	$1,500	education, govt, industrial	41	3
50	63	Ackerman Security Systems Norcross, Ga.	$8,681,392	899	$950,000	$99	education, retail, transport	245	5
51	66	Atronic Alarms Inc. Lenexa, Kansas	$8,391,992	852	na	na	na	94	3
52	54	APL Access & Security Inc. Gilbert, Ariz.	$8,034,477	100	$750,000	$5,000	office, govt, industrial	43	2
53	52	Guardian Protection Services Warrendale, Pa.	$7,741,024	3,198	$536,271	$0	industrial, office, health	1,035	16
54	60	Ollivier Corporation Los Angeles, Calif.	$7,625,800	na	$948,205	$1,110	na	30	1
55	70	D/A Central Inc. Oak Park, Mich.	$7,000,995	82	$453,000	$5,000	utilities, industrial, financial	42	3
56	71	Scarsdale Security Systems Inc. Scarsdale, N.Y.	$6,970,952	2,301	$350,000	$0	retail, airports, office	93	2
57	82	Sonitrol New England Rocky Hill, Conn.	$6,576,845	1,103	$181,255	$500	education, office, industrial	108	6
58	61	Strategic Security Solutions Raleigh, N.C.	$6,464,927	500	$350,000	$500	office, health, education	16	1
59	76	Peak Alarm Co. Inc. Salt Lake City, Utah	$6,391,588	1,946	$775,000	$0	office, education, industrial	98	5
60	75	Sonitrol of Sacramento & Orange County, Cybex Security Solutions Roseville, Calif.	$6,368,854	973	$398,715	$80	office, govt, industrial	49	2
61	64	Atlantic Coast Alarm Inc. Mays Landing, N.J.	$6,207,535	na	na	na	govt, health, education	31	2
62	73	Engineered Security Systems Towaco, N.J.	$6,064,131	na	$2,000,000	$1,200	office, health, education	58	na
63	68	Trinity Wiring & Security Solutions Manassas, Va.	$6,006,000	145	na	na	office, education, industrial	61	1
64	67	Custom Alarm Rochester, Minn.	$5,787,980	749	$257,860	$99	health, education, multi-family	65	1
65		Briscoe Protective Garden City, N.Y.	$5,721,569	210	$171,000	$1,000	education, hotel, industrial	133	4
66	86	Titan Alarm Inc. Phoenix, Ariz.	$5,610,184	912	$95,000	$0	na	48	2
67		Detection Systems and Engineering Company Troy, Mich.	$5,479,139	60	$1,000,000	$2,500	financial, govt, industrial	31	1
68	78	Apex Integrated Security Solutions Inc. Garden City, Idaho	$5,451,371	na	$1,373,000	$2,800	health, govt, industrial	29	1
69	65	Electronic Security Concepts LLC Scottsdale, Ariz.	$5,443,188	350	$698,000	$450	na	37	3
70	74	Fleenor Security Systems Johnson City, Tenn.	$5,314,146	991	$391,292	$150	office, industrial, health	67	2
71	72	Rapid Security Solutions LLC Sarasota, Fla.	$5,029,923	191	$225,886	$850	gated community/HOA/condo, retail, education	36	2
72	89	New York Security Solutions Brooklyn, N.Y.	$4,814,383	350	$560,000	$1,000	correctional, financial, govt	48	3
73	77	Wilson Fire Houston, Texas	$4,775,400	90	$540,000	$10,000	office, education, industrial	125	na
74	87	Sonitrol of Buffalo, Rochester, Toronto Buffalo, N.Y.	$4,639,187	515	$900,000	$2,500	office, industrial, retail	81	3
75	83	EMC Security Suwanee, Ga.	$4,500,472	682	$581,866	$99	office, education, industrial	116	1
76	47	Sonitrol SW Ohio Mason, Ohio	$4,259,058	544	$106,558	$199	retail, office, education	63	2
77	84	Moon Security Services Inc. Pasco, Wash.	$4,250,000	250	$279,000	$0	na	89	3
78	91	Sonitrol Pacific Portland, Ore.	$4,197,539	475	$114,593	$250	office, education, retail	103	5
79	81	Kimberlite Corp. Fresno, Calif.	$3,859,182	31	$87,000	$499	education, govt, industrial	111	8
80	79	SCI Inc. Albuquerque, N.M.	$3,792,997	242	$540,000	$25,000	utilities, education, govt	18	1
81	88	Redwire LLC Tallahassee, Fla.	$3,671,285	na	na	na	govt, health, education	69	5
82		Richmond Alarm Company Midlothian, Va.	$3,550,000	550	na	na	na	85	3
83	99	General Security Inc. Plainview, N.Y.	$2,874,000	600	$310,000	$99	education, office, retail	146	8
84	96	Habitec Security Holland, Ohio	$2,680,000	1,000	$150,000	$100	govt, education, office	80	3
85		LOUD Security Systems Inc. Kennesaw, Ga.	$2,609,366	302	$117,635	$0	office, industrial, entertainment	46	1
86	95	Sonitrol Security Services Inc. Charlotte, N.C.	$2,563,969	489	$145,668	$150	office, industrial, govt	54	2
87	94	Acadiana Security Plus Broussard, La.	$2,551,001	372	$200,390	$99	financial, industrial, retail	75	1
88		Advanced Security Systems Eureka, Calif.	$2,229,066	901	$149,000	$1,200	education, health, office	48	3
89		Sonitrol Security Systems of the Triangle Raleigh, N.C.	$2,005,051	450	$125,000	$200	office, industrial, retail	31	2
90		Skynet Integrations LLC Tampa, Fla.	$2,004,824	na	$480,000	$1,000	na	7	1
91	92	Post Alarm Systems Arcadia, Calif.	$1,833,767	560	$200,000	$299	na	148	2
92	98	Valley Alarm Sun Valley, Calif.	$1,798,438	379	$172,873	$100	office, health, govt	34	2
93		Alert Protective Services Chicago, Ill.	$1,710,350	351	$35,400	$299	retail, industrial, entertainment	29	1
94		Key Security Designs Corporation Orinda, Calif.	$1,677,057	29	$340,000	$7,000	office, industrial, health	5	2
95	97	Secure Pacific Corporation Portland, Ore.	$1,593,341	350	$81,607	$250	construction sites, govt, property mgmt	34	6
96	100	GHS Interactive Security LLC Woodland Hills, Calif.	$1,581,000	225	na	na	office, retail, entertainment	97	6
97		Fortress Security Arlington, Texas	$1,388,622	488	$135,000	$99	industrial, office, retail	43	2
98		Sonitrol of Evansville Inc. Evansville, Ind.	$1,352,534	235	$76,800	$100	education, office, industrial	34	1
99		Marquee Security Morris Plains, N.J.	$1,246,997	37	$270,000	$5,000	office, health, financial	19	1
100		NVMC Solutions Marietta, Ga.	$1,188,286	94	$320,380	$650	transport, real estate, industrial	36	3

e = SDM estimate.
na = not available.

Abbreviations to markets:
airport = airports;
corp = corporate office space;
correctional = correctional;
education = education/campuses;
entertainment = entertainment/sports venues;
financial = financial/banking;
gaming = casinos/gaming;
govt = government;
health = healthcare;
hotel = hotels/hospitality;
industrial = industrial;
law = law enforcement;
retail = retail/restaurants;
transport = transportation/distribution;
utilities = utilities/critical infrastructure.

---

No. 1 – Convergint completed 10 acquisitions of various sizes and locations across the globe in 2018. Convergint achieved $1 billion in revenue for the first time in the company’s history. SDM’s 2007 and 2012 Systems Integrator of the Year.

 

No. 3 – SDM’s 2011 Systems Integrator of the Year (as Diebold).

 

No. 4 – Launching new retail storefronts in Canfield, Ohio, and Ft. Mitchell, Ky. Ongoing leadership in the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  

 

No. 5 – Company launched a formal Energy vertical, capitalizing on its deep regulated industry expertise. Separately, closed largest long-term service and installation contract for $40 million plus, over a five-year term. SDM’s 2013 Systems Integrator of the Year.

 

No. 6 – Deployed a more structured and defined Managed Services strategy. SDM’s 2016 Systems Integrator of the Year (as Securadyne Systems).

 

No. 7 – Opened several new markets, including Atlanta, Ga., Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colo. SDM’s 2015 Systems Integrator of the Year.

 

No. 8 – SDM’s 2004 Systems Integrator of the Year.

 

No. 9 – Successfully deployed EXERO, a cloud-based security device management and health management software in order to provide predictive analytics to customers.  Exero is a vital tool for predicting networks and maintaining compliance in regulated environments. SDM’s 2014 Systems Integrator of the Year.

 

No. 11 – Achieved highest revenue in company history in 2018.

 

No. 13 – Deployed cloud services and mobile apps for project management and the company’s service department.

 

No. 15 – SDM’s 2017 Systems Integrator of the Year.

 

No. 17 – Launched IST S.H.I.E.L.D LifeCycle Support & Managed Services Program, along with the associated marketing campaign and resource investment to meet expectations.

 

No. 20 – Added a Fire Suppression Division.

 

No. 21 – Company focused on education of and deployment of beta sites for AI, DAS, drones, etc.

 

No. 23 – Opened 24x7 Managed Services Center.

 

No. 24 – Acquired by Vector Security, June 2019 (www.SDMmag.com/Vector-acquires-ADS-security)

 

No. 28 – Landed three new Fortune 50 accounts.

 

No. 29 – Started new, national branch office expansion.

 

No. 31 – Accomplished fifth straight year of double-digit growth and consolidated two offices into one new corporate office.

 

No. 32 – In 2018, TRL completed $1.8 million worth of business related to the cannabis industry in California.

 

No. 33 – Company named 2018 Axis Education Market Partner of the Year, 2018 Milestone West Partner of the Year, 2018 Anixter Edge – #1 Edge Security Partner.

 

No. 34 – Signed three long-term contracts for future conversions and upgrades.

 

No. 39 – Achieved the best year in terms of net profit and total revenue in the company’s 49-year history.

 

No. 41 – Ojo started in 2003 as an IP video surveillance and IT networking company, and only became involved with other systems such as access, intrusion, intercom, etc., as recently as two or three years ago. In 2018 it set a specific goal to build sales in these new systems to exceed video system sales, and the company met its goal to become a true security systems integrator.

 

No. 42 – Company enhanced its project management capabilities, introduced a new website, and created business development strategies.

 

No. 46 – SDM’s 2018 SDM Dealer of the Year.

 

No. 50 – Launched a custom web portal that will allow the company to eclipse all of its previous internal capabilities. Also accomplished highly scientific measurements customer service processes.

 

No. 54 – Company went from $0 to $50,000 a month in recurring revenue.

 

No. 64 – Celebrated 50 years in business in 2018. Leigh J. Johnson started the company in 1968 by himself and it has grown to 65 employees. In 2018, the company’s 60-plus employees volunteered 1,000 hours to more than 40 organizations.  

 

No. 75 – Celebrated 20-year anniversary in 2018. Entered into partnership with new monitoring center partner, expanding from two monitored locations to three, including monitoring center operated in company’s Suwanee, Ga., location.

 

No. 83 – Company went through conversion and upgrade to entirely new business operating system, Sedona Office, in 2018.

 

No. 84 – Transitioned central station technology to the cloud.

 

No. 85 – Completed software conversion to Sedona Office and experienced greater control over metrics from job costing to collections.

 

No. 88 – Entire company received training from the service industry leaders, the Ritz-Carlton company. Company worked together to define service values and company credo and refine it into a pocket-sized guide. Integrated all of this into company’s culture and daily practices throughout 2018.  

 

No. 89 – Began implementation of the Sonitrol Standards and focused on creating processes for installation, service, customer service, etc., that will make these as efficient and customer-friendly as possible.

 

No. 92 – Completed two significant acquisitions and increased RMR by 13 percent.

 

No. 94 – Lost only a single customer in 2018.

 

No. 97 – Partnered with CIBC as a lender and secured a $5 million line of credit.

Top Systems Integrators 2019
Ranked by Project Size

View/Download this table as a PDF

Surveillance Systems Inc.’s $15M Project
Surveillance Systems Inc. (SSI) takes the spot of largest project winner in this year’s Top Systems Integrators Report, for its project at the recently opened Encore Boston Harbor Casino. According to Todd Flowers, president of SSI, the scope of work included pulling more than 1.3 million feet of cable to 48 IDFs. The system includes 987 alarm devices, 427 Lenel card reader doors, three Code Blue poles with one base phone, and 3,487 Synectics cameras. The video management system is Synectics and is supported by Extreme Networks. Installation of this project required more than 60,000 man-hours. “SSI’s Greg Stowers did an amazing job coordinating and managing this project,” Flowers notes.

Rank by Project Size	Company	Value of Largest Project	2019 Rank
1	Surveillance Systems Inc.	$15,000,000	10
2	Convergint Technologies	$14,710,000	1
3	Advanced Electronic Solutions	$7,200,000	21
4	NextGen Security LLC	$6,200,000	15
5	Midstate Security Company	$6,000,000	37
6	Unlimited Technology Inc.	$5,764,138	9
7	G4S Secure Integration LLC	$5,566,730	5
8	Minuteman Security Technologies Inc.	$4,515,680	29
9	Sound Inc.	$4,500,000	30
10	Integrated Security Technologies	$3,479,756	17
11	Allied Universal Security Systems	$3,400,000	6
12	RedRock Security & Cabling Inc.	$3,000,000	31
13	A+ Technology & Security Solutions Inc.	$2,700,000	23
14	PASS Security	$2,425,000	42
15	Entech Sales and Service LLC	$2,357,825	16
16	DynaFire Inc.	$2,200,000	20
17	GSI	$2,097,400	14
18	Ojo Technology	$2,000,000	41
19	Engineered Security Systems	$2,000,000	62
20	CGL Electronic Security Inc.	$1,766,000	43
21	The Protection Bureau	$1,700,000	34
22	3Sixty Integrated	$1,498,000	36
23	MidCo Inc.	$1,477,000	25
24	Kastle Systems International	$1,400,000	7
25	Apex Integrated Security Solutions Inc.	$1,373,000	68
26	RFI Communications & Security Systems	$1,300,000	13
27	Stone Security	$1,270,122	33
28	Tech Systems Inc.	$1,144,280	8
29	AFA Protective Systems Inc.	$1,100,000	12
30	Detection Systems and Engineering Company	$1,000,000	67
31	A3 Communications Inc.	$950,175	11
32	Ackerman Security Systems	$950,000	50
33	Ollivier Corporation	$948,205	54
34	Vision Security Technologies	$900,000	49
35	Sonitrol of Buffalo, Rochester, Toronto	$900,000	74
36	Interface Security Systems Holdings Inc.	$850,000	22
37	Sentry Communications & Security	$850,000	48
38	Peak Alarm Co. Inc.	$775,000	59
39	APL Access & Security Inc.	$750,000	52
40	Electronic Security Concepts LLC	$698,000	69
41	JSC Systems Inc.	$625,638	39
42	Star Asset Security	$600,000	28
43	New York Security Solutions	$560,000	72
44	Wilson Fire	$540,000	73
45	SCI Inc.	$540,000	80
46	Guardian Protection Services	$536,271	53
47	Will Electronics	$513,962	47
48	Vector Security Inc.	$500,000	4
49	TRL Systems Inc.	$500,000	32
50	Skynet Integrations LLC	$480,000	90
51	D/A Central Inc.	$453,000	55
52	ADS Security L.P.	$417,361	24
53	Sonitrol of Sacramento & Orange County, Cybex Security Solutions	$398,715	60
54	Fleenor Security Systems	$391,292	70
55	American Alarm & Communications	$374,868	35
56	Dallas Security Systems Inc. & DSS Fire Inc.	$365,000	26
57	Scarsdale Security Systems Inc.	$350,000	56
58	Strategic Security Solutions	$350,000	58
59	Key Security Designs Corporation	$340,000	94
60	NVMC Solutions	$320,380	100
61	General Security Inc.	$310,000	83
62	FE Moran Security Solutions	$289,126	40
63	Moon Security Services Inc.	$279,000	77
64	Marquee Security	$270,000	99
65	Custom Alarm	$257,860	64
66	Security Equipment Inc.	$255,180	38
67	Per Mar Security Services	$250,000	18
68	Rapid Security Solutions LLC	$225,886	71
69	Acadiana Security Plus	$200,390	87
70	Mountain Alarm	$200,000	27
71	Post Alarm Systems	$200,000	91
72	Koorsen Fire & Security	$185,000	45
73	Sonitrol New England	$181,255	57
74	Valley Alarm	$172,873	92
75	Briscoe Protective	$171,000	65
76	Bates Security / Sonitrol of Lexington	$158,870	46
77	Habitec Security	$150,000	84
78	Advanced Security Systems	$149,000	88
79	Sonitrol Security Services Inc.	$145,668	86
80	Fortress Security	$135,000	97
81	Sonitrol Security Systems of the Triangle	$125,000	89
82	LOUD Security Systems Inc.	$117,635	85
83	Sonitrol Pacific	$114,593	78
84	Sonitrol SW Ohio	$106,558	76

These 84 security systems integrators reported having the highest-value security projects started in 2018. Projects less than $100,000 are not ranked here. Find out more about the largest project, done by Surveillance Systems Inc., on SDM's website at www.SDMmag.com/Top-Systems-Integrators-Report.

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

Alphabetical Index to Companies

View/Download this table as a PDF

Company	2019 Rank
3Sixty Integrated	36
A+ Technology & Security Solutions Inc.	23
A3 Communications Inc.	11
Acadiana Security Plus	87
Ackerman Security Systems	50
ADS Security L.P.	24
ADT	2
Advanced Electronic Solutions	21
Advanced Security Systems	88
AFA Protective Systems Inc.	12
Alert Protective Services	93
Allied Universal Technology Services	6
American Alarm & Communications	35
Apex Integrated Security Solutions Inc.	68
APL Access & Security Inc.	52
Atlantic Coast Alarm Inc.	61
Atronic Alarms Inc.	51
Bates Security / Sonitrol of Lexington	46
Briscoe Protective	65
CGL Electronic Security Inc.	43
Convergint Technologies	1
Custom Alarm	64
D/A Central Inc.	55
Dallas Security Systems Inc. & DSS Fire Inc.	26
Detection Systems and Engineering Company	67
DynaFire Inc.	20
Electronic Security Concepts LLC	69
EMC Security	75
Engineered Security Systems	62
Entech Sales and Service LLC	16
FE Moran Security Solutions	40
Fleenor Security Systems	70
Fortress Security	97
G4S Secure Integration LLC	5
General Security Inc.	83
GHS Interactive Security LLC	96
GSI	14
Guardian Protection Services	53
Habitec Security	84
Integrated Security Technologies	17
Interface Security Systems Holdings Inc.	22
JSC Systems Inc.	39
Kastle Systems International	7
Key Security Designs Corporation	94
Kimberlite Corp.	79
Koorsen Fire & Security	45
LOUD Security Systems Inc.	85
Marquee Security	99
MidCo Inc.	25
Midstate Security Company	37
Minuteman Security Technologies Inc.	29
Moon Security Services Inc.	77
Mountain Alarm	27
New York Security Solutions	72
NextGen Security LLC	15
NVMC Solutions	100
Ojo Technology	41
Ollivier Corporation	54
PASS Security	42
Peak Alarm Co. Inc.	59
Per Mar Security Services	18
Post Alarm Systems	91
Rapid Security Solutions LLC	71
RedRock Security & Cabling Inc.	31
Redwire LLC	81
RFI Communications & Security Systems	13
Richmond Alarm Company	82
Scarsdale Security Systems Inc.	56
SCI Inc.	80
Secure Pacific Corporation	95
Securitas Electronic Security	3
Security Corporation	19
Security Equipment Inc.	38
Sentry Communications & Security	48
Skynet Integrations LLC	90
Sonitrol New England	57
Sonitrol of Buffalo, Rochester, Toronto	74
Sonitrol of Evansville Inc.	98
Sonitrol of Sacramento & Orange County, Cybex Security Solutions	60
Sonitrol Pacific	78
Sonitrol Security Services Inc.	86
Sonitrol Security Systems of the Triangle	89
Sonitrol SW Ohio	76
Sound Inc.	30
SSD Alarm	44
Star Asset Security	28
Stone Security	33
Strategic Security Solutions	58
Surveillance Systems Inc.	10
Tech Systems Inc.	8
The Protection Bureau	34
Titan Alarm Inc.	66
Trinity Wiring & Security Solutions	63
TRL Systems Inc.	32
Unlimited Technology Inc.	9
Valley Alarm	92
Vector Security Inc.	4
Vision Security Technologies	49
Will Electronics	47
Wilson Fire	73

Top 10 Integrators by Total Revenue

Company	Total Revenue
ADT	$4,581,673,000
Convergint Technologies	$1,068,385,542
Securitas Electronic Security	$458,000,000
Vector Security Inc.	$302,429,918
Guardian Protection	$214,831,509
G4S Secure Integration	$198,807,310
Interface Security Systems Holdings Inc.	$163,119,858
Koorsen Fire & Security	$134,781,100
Allied Universal Technology Services	$121,000,000
Entech Sales and Service LLC	$118,000,000

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

Among companies ranked on the Top Systems Integrators Report, these businesses reported (or were estimated by SDM) the highest total revenue in 2018: ADT, Convergint Technologies, and Securitas Electronic Security are the top three; Convergint exceeded $1 billion in revenue in 2018 for the first time.

Top Systems Integrators: Group Synopsis

	2017	2018
Total North American systems integration revenue	$3.31 billion	$3.77 billion
New systems started	104,788	167,894
Total full-time employed	38,322	38,770
Business locations operated	1,145	833

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

Total North American revenue from systems integration for the 100 largest security integrators reached $3.77 billion in 2018 from solutions such as design, project management, product, installation, programming, start-up, and training sold directly to an end-user customer or through a tier of contractors. It does not include recurring revenue from services and monitoring, as integrators were asked to report that amount separately in order to be ranked on the SDM 100, a report based on RMR in the security industry. A comparison between the top 100 companies ranked this year and the top 100 ranked in 2018 shows a 14 percent increase in systems integration revenue. However, among companies for which a year-to-year comparison could be made (comparing only those ranked in both years), security systems integration revenue actually increased 34 percent.

Top 3 Sectors: Office Space, Education, Healthcare

Top Systems Integrators were asked to rank the sectors that provided the most significant portion of their 2018 revenue (compare to 2017).

2017	2018
1. Corporate office space	1. Corporate office space
2. Education/ campus	2. Education/ campus
3. Healthcare	3. Healthcare
4. Government	4. Industrial
5. Industrial	5. Retail/restaurant
6. Retail/restaurant	6. Government
7. Financial/banking	7. Utilities/critical infrastructure
8. Utilities/critical infrastructure	8. Transportation/distribution
9. Hotel/hospitality	9. Hotel/hospitality
10. Transportation/distribution	10. Entertainment/sports venues

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

These top 10 market sectors provided the most significant portion of revenues to security integrators in 2018 ― and although the top three sectors remained the same as in 2017, both industrial and retail moved up in standing over the previous year. For the past several years, corporate office space/property management, education, and healthcare have steadfastly been among the top market sectors for security integrators.

Top of Page

Charts

1/1

9 out of 10 Security Integrators Forecast Revenue Expansions in 2019

Top Systems Integrators were asked, “How do you expect revenues in 2019 to compare with revenues in 2018?”

*percentage of Top Systems Integrators indicating each answer; based on 95 responses

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

More than nine of 10 Top Systems Integrators (91 percent) expect their 2019 revenues to exceed 2018’s, which is just slightly lower than the prior year’s 94 percent of integrators who thought the same.

High-Level Confidence in the State of Security Project Funding

Top Systems Integrators were asked, “Do you think funding for security projects was generally better, worse, or about the same in 2018 as it was in 2017?”

*percentage of Top Systems Integrators indicating each answer; total not equal to 100% due to rounding; based on 94 responses

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

Top Systems Integrators have a positive outlook on the state of funding for their clients’ security projects, with 54 percent of integrators stating funding was better in 2018 compared with 2017 — down slightly from 56 percent the prior year.

Average Percentage of Jobs on an Integrator’s Staff

*average percentage distribution of staff titles among systems integrators; based on 93 responses

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

This chart, which you can use to compare job titles in your own company with industry averages, shows the average percentage distribution of job titles among Top Systems Integrator companies. Approximately one-third of jobs (34 percent) are comprised of installation and technical service positions.

Integrators’ Sales Revenue by Product Category

 

34%
Integrated non-residential systems

 

19%
Video surveillance

 

14%
Access control

 

11%
Fire protection

 

10%
Intrusion alarms

 

7%
Integrated residential systems

 

3%
Other (including IT hardware/software, perimeter security, badging)

 

2%
Intercom/communications

*percentage of Top Systems Integrators’ 2017 sales revenue categorized by type of product provided; based on 85 responses.

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

Top Systems Integrators were asked to break out their 2017 sales revenue by type of product. The single largest category of revenue from products is from “integrated non-residential systems” that combine two or more different technology solutions, comprising 34 percent of total sales revenue. This is followed by video surveillance, at 19 percent, and access control, at 14 percent of sales revenue.

Integrators’ Sales Revenue by Service Category

 

54%
Sales/installation

 

21%
Monitoring

 

11%
Service contracts

 

7%
Non-contracted service

 

3%
Test and inspection

 

2%
Hosted/managed services

 

1%
Equipment leases

 

1%
Other

*percentage of Top Systems Integrators’ 2017 service revenue categorized by type of service provided; based on 94 responses.

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2018

Top Systems Integrators were asked to break out their 2017 revenue by type of service. The single largest category of revenue is from “system sales and installation,” comprising 54 percent of total revenue, followed by monitoring, at 21 percent, and then service contracts, at 11 percent.

Top Systems Integrators: 8-Year Performance

Source: SDM Top Systems Integrators Report, July 2019

North American systems integration revenue (as reported to or estimated by SDM) reached $3.77 billion in 2018, based on reporting from 100 Top Systems Integrators. This amount registers a 14 percent increase. (Note: It is important to read the footnotes above when referencing the results of each year, because the addition or removal of a large security integrator can have a major effect on total revenue.) For integrators whose revenue could be compared year-over-year, total systems integration revenue actually increased 34 percent

*In the 2010 report, several notable companies did not participate, including SAIC, Red Hawk Security, North American Video, and National Security Systems Inc., which skewed the results. Among systems integrators for which a year-to-year comparison could be made, there was actually only a 4.4 percent decrease in performance between 2009 and 2010.

†Two major factors contributed to the decrease in systems integration revenue; ADT was not ranked, and Siemens Industry Inc. systems integration revenue was adjusted downward by an SDM estimate.

**Siemens Industry Inc., which had been ranked in 2014 using estimated systems integration revenue, was not ranked in 2015. On the surface, it appears that Top Systems Integrators revenue declined 7.1 percent in 2014. When Siemens is removed from this calculation for comparison purposes, however, systems integration revenue for the top 100 companies grew very slightly, at 0.35 percent year-over-year.

††A 17.34 percent decrease in systems integration revenue is attributable to the fact that several of the largest systems integrators either did not reply to SDM’s requests for information, could not comply due to restrictions of being publicly held, or were omitted due to acquisition (includes Diebold Security – will report in 2017 as Securitas Electronic Security Inc.; Stanley Convergent Security Solutions; Protection 1; Schneider Electric; SDI; DTT; and Dakota Security Systems, among the top 25).

***The 14 percent increase in systems integration revenue is attributed to the fact that several of the largest systems integrators that did not participate in 2016 are now ranked in 2017, including ADT, Securitas Electronic Security, and the combined entity of Johnson Controls/Tyco Integrated Security.

†††The 48 percent decrease in systems integration revenue is attributed to the fact that several of the largest systems integrators among the top 25 that were ranked in 2017 are not ranked in 2018, including Johnson Controls (due to lack of publicly available information on its systems integration business), Kratos Public Safety & Security Solutions Inc. (acquired by Securitas ES), VTI Security (declined to participate), NextGen Security LLC (declined to participate), and Genesis Security Systems LLC (acquired by Convergint Technologies).

Top of Page