RFI Communications and Security Systems, No. 15 on the SDM Top Systems Integrators report, announced a strategic partnership with Rapid Response Monitoring Services (RRMS) for central station monitoring services. 

 

With locations in Syracuse, N.Y., and Corona, Calif., RRMS enables RFI to provide monitoring services in all 50 states with mirrored reliability on both coasts.

 

Dee Ann Harn, CEO of RFI, said RFI has had its own central station for the past 30 years. “My dad started it in the early '80s; we did wholesale monitoring as well as our own accounts.” Going to a new central station was not an easy choice, but Harn believed it to be a necessary one. “We are very active in ESA; looking at where the future was going and the size of our central station, we had to make the move just to remain competitive. I brought the suggestion to the board last summer [to partner with a monitoring service], and they agreed.” 

 

Harn said she knew from the beginning they wanted to go with RRMS. “From a business side it was a no-brainer,” she said. “We have known Morgan [Morgan Hertel, vice president of operations, RRMS] for many years and have had a good relationship. He is very progressive in technology. They are not complacent — they are looking for trends of the future, and they position themselves to be top notch. Their training program is top notch; they have high standards and good quality control.” 

 

Harn said that before the partnership, RFI covered about two-thirds of the states; now it will cover all 50. “As a business decision, there is no question we are doing what’s best for RFI and our customers. Rapid Response has a robust portfolio of features and services which will benefit our customers immediately.”

 

RRMS Vice President of Operations Morgan Hertel said, “Rapid Response is excited to be entering into a relationship with RFI and the opportunity to deliver customized solutions for RFI’s customers. Both companies strive to be on the leading edge of technology and customer service and will absolutely complement each other.” 

 

Brad Wilson, RFI president, said, “RFI continues to make decisions to drive our value proposition while strengthening our customers’ experience. This partnership will allow us to focus our resources to stay relevant in this ever changing dynamic industry.”   

 

Harn said RFI will absorb a few of its central station employees and that most are staying on for the 60-day transition. RFI is also working to assist in finding placements for its central station employees after RRMS takes over.

 

RFI, established in 1979, is a large systems integrator doing business across the U.S. with offices in California, Nevada and Washington.