Security in modern multifamily housing extends far beyond the safety of residents. End user demands — spanning convenience, scalability and seamless integration — are changing the way security systems are designed, installed and managed. Younger residents tend to want connected living, while older residents often seek out low-maintenance lifestyles. It’s a hard balance for integrators to achieve. 

Thus, ARS Technical Services, Jackson, Miss., had high demands to meet at the Saltaire development within Heritage Properties in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. The security integrator, bringing over 30 years of experience across residential, commercial, industrial and government security applications, used NAPCO’s Prima solution to deliver a fast, flexible and scalable deployment of security and lifestyle. 

ARS Technical Services specializes in intrusion and life safety systems, video surveillance, fire systems integration, smart home and automation, and multifamily and mixed-use developments. The integrator focuses on delivering practical, field-proven security solutions that perform in real-world environments. With deep experience across multiple verticals, the company is increasingly focused on multifamily projects. 

Founder Jeff Mabry built the company around a simple idea: systems have to work in the real world, not just on a spec sheet. “In multifamily, everything comes down to efficiency and usability,” Mabry says. “If it takes too long to install or it’s confusing for the resident, it’s not the right solution.” 

At Saltaire, ARS took the lead in turning multifamily requirements into a practical deployment. The team coordinated installation across multiple units, maintained consistency across the property and aligned the work with construction timelines. ARS also helped ensure that both residents and staff could quickly understand and use the system once it was live. 

For ARS, one of the project’s biggest takeaways is that successful multi-dwelling unit (MDU) deployments start with the application, then align with technology designed to support it. 

At Saltaire, the requirements were clear from the outset. The system needed to be installed without relying on prewiring, giving the project flexibility during construction and even after units were occupied. It had to support fast, repeatable installs across multiple units, while keeping training requirements low for both technicians and residents. It also needed to handle tenant turnover efficiently, without adding cost or complexity. 

Just as important, the system had to meet modern expectations. Today’s residents want security to feel like part of their everyday connected lifestyle, not a separate system they have to learn or manage. Solutions like NAPCO’s Prima are designed with these types of environments in mind, making it possible to meet these demands without overcomplicating installation or operation. 

Another factor in the project’s success was close coordination between ARS and the manufacturer behind the system, spearheaded by Karen Shall, Southeast regional sales manager, NAPCO. 

NAPCO’s Prima supports the installation with an all-in-one smart security and automation platform designed for modern residential environments. In this case, technology played a key enabling role. Prima’s self-contained design eliminates the need for prewiring, allowing installation to happen when it makes the most sense in the construction cycle. Its plug-and-play setup supports fast deployment across multiple units, while its portability allows systems to move with tenants, reducing long-term costs and complexity. The platform also combines security and smart home functionality into a single interface, with remote access that benefits both residents and property managers. 

ARS’s operations manager, Rebecca Lubejewski, was involved in hands-on product evaluation and installation workflow validation, providing feedback based on real-world conditions. Lubejewski, along with Heritage Properties’ personnel, provided input resulting in developing the management software. This backend portal ensured that the system aligned with the needs of multifamily deployments, where consistency and efficiency are critical across multiple units. 

This collaboration is resulting in future projects rolling out smoother with a system that is working as expected from day one. 

With the right approach and the right system in place, the Saltaire deployment delivered on the key priorities for multifamily projects. Installation moved efficiently across units, helping keep the project on schedule while reducing labor demands. Performance remained consistent throughout the property, and residents were able to adopt the system easily thanks to its intuitive design. 

As multifamily housing continues to expand, projects like Saltaire are helping define what effective security integration looks like going forward. The formula is becoming clear: start with the application, work with an integrator who understands the realities of the field and choose technology that supports flexibility instead of adding friction. 

“If it’s not easy to install and simple for the resident, it’s not going to work in multifamily,” Mabry said. “That’s the reality of today’s market.”

For more of the latest stories of real-life applications of security technologies, visit SDM’s Tech @ Work.