Bill Savage

Security-Net, Inc., a global provider of security system services, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, a testament to the strength of the organization that today brings together the best independent security systems integrators to collaborate on enterprise-level projects, technology acumen and business practices. Security Systems Integrators Group Since its founding in 1993, Security-Net has been recognized as the top group of security systems integrators within the industry Since its founding in 1993, Security-Net has been recognized as the top group of security systems integrators within the industry. Its members are regularly included in the SDM 100 Top Systems Integrators list, an annual listing of the top security systems integrators in North America, and the Security Systems News 20 Under 40, an annual award that recognizes the top up and coming security systems integrators. “The idea for Security-Net originated during a manufacturer’s award trip when several security systems integrators expressed a desire to discuss common problems and business best practices with industry peers,” said Bill Savage, President of Security Control Systems of Houston and one of the four original founders of Security-Net. “A year later we had an organization formed.” Security-Net Project Management Platform Over the past 25 years, Security-Net has evolved into an organization that now collaborates on national projects, helps its members stay up to date on the latest technology issues and trends, and provides sales and project management training to its members. The group has also launched its own project management platform. “We’re proud of how Security-Net has grown dynamically over the years,” said J. Matthew Ladd, a member of the Security-Net Board of Directors. “Within the past 10 years we’ve added numerous sub-committees, including Tech-Net, Ops-Net and Sales-Net, and provided member companies with access to programs to strengthen their sales and project management skills.” Global Security Services Today, Security-Net members regularly collaborate with other member companies on projects that expand beyond their geographic areas of business, providing customers with global security services through its network of security systems integrators. Security-Net’s membership based currently includes 21 members a combined 50 offices in North American, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Security-Net has grown significantly in stature as a global national accounts organization Back in the day, security companies kept their business close to the vest, didn’t collaborate and worked locally, without expanding beyond limited geographic boundaries. Security-Net™, Exton, Pa., came about in an effort to find a better way. So some 22 years ago, in 1993, the organization began a journey – one that would eventually establish it as a highly respected national accounts-based group of systems integrators. SourceSecurity.com went to Security-Net founding member Bill Savage, president of Security Control Systems Inc., Houston, to recount the organization’s journey from past to present. SourceSecurity.com: Overall, what is the goal of Security-Net and its members? Savage: Security-Net was founded to give independent integrators the ability to collaborate on various fronts. In 1993, there wasn’t much industry collaboration. Everyone worked within their own geographic areas and product lines. Several of us began talking about the challenges of maintaining good relationships with manufacturer partners and customers as we grew outside our areas. As a result, our members, now with 50 regional offices and 1,200 professionals across the U.S., Canada and abroad, have grown significantly in stature as a global national accounts organization, representing significant purchasing power. SourceSecurity.com: What do Security-Net and its members see as some of the most important technological changes? How is the organization poised to make the most of them? Savage: Certainly one of the most significant trends is the globalisation of security. When I started in the business 35 years ago, if you had a handful of access control readers at the protected premises that was considered significant, but integration unlikely. Today we see security extend its reach around the globe at even modest-sized companies. The way systems are configured and scalable, smaller facilities in remote areas are just as important as larger ones. Large-scale systems are spread across the globe, and that takes knowledge and expertise not all integrators have. The other thing impacting our approach to system design is the need for the highest levels of security, including data security. We recently launched a pilot program to foster collaboration and secure data exchange using individual member companies as test beds to ensure the information customers entrust to us is safe not only internally but as we distribute it across their networks. Security-Net recently launched a pilot program to foster collaboration and secure data exchange SourceSecurity.com: How has the organization changed and adapted to the morphing technology landscape? Savage: We always saw technological innovation at the highest levels of the systems integration industry where Security-Net was involved. Systems integration has continued to advance, in the distribution of data; resiliency of networks; and emerging technologies such as biometrics. As the economy has improved and the consolidation of manufacturers continues, there’s renewed investment in research and development, and we are right in the thick of advising supplier partners. The Tech-Net subgroup of Security-Net represents a wonderful resource for manufacturers thinking about product roadmaps who want to pick the brains of top companies. They come to us to get insights from some of the greatest minds in the systems integration industry. SourceSecurity.com: What's coming in the future; any changes for the organization, in philosophy or other? Savage: One of the things we have been working on is the continued international expansion of Security-Net. We’re trying to expand our offerings and attract more partners in different areas across the globe. Yet we’re always cautious and must maintain the utmost levels of professionalism as we grow and expand. We continue to focus on providing local, high-quality services to our customers and don’t want to lose sight of that. We also spend a lot of time huddling about the service delivery process and have invested substantially in custom software to manage large-scale projects, which is important to our customers moving forward.” SourceSecurity.com: Any closing thoughts about Security-Net and its contributions to the security industry? Savage: I think one of the things we need to remember is that we originally got together based upon an atmosphere of control and mutual respect. This isn’t like joining a club. Non-participation is not an option. We expect members to participate fully in meetings and projects and the various programs Security-Net offers its customers. We must not lose sight of the fact that we are independents, but as we grow continue to put the customer first and offer great products and services. We are proud of our organization and what we have been able to accomplish.”