16th Annual Top Systems Integrator Report: Forged by Fire

With systems integration revenues down by more than 4 percent, players hardened their stances in the market by retooling offerings to come out on top.

The hotter the fire the harder the steel, some say. Tough times often forge resilient businesses with unexpected outcomes — demonstrated by the Top Systems Integrators who turned last year’s challenges into opportunities to retool their offerings.

“We are most proud of our ability to getter better every year despite market conditions,” says No. 6 ranked Johnson Controls Inc. Like other security systems integrators, Johnson Controls invested in its people, technologies and processes to strengthen its capabilities in project delivery. “Our results were outstanding, too; fueled by strong increases in service and our federal government business, our top line sales grew 12 percent in the calendar year,” the company reports.

Other integrators reported similar accomplishments in 2010, including upgrading all customers to an IP platform; expanding technical IT staff; becoming a certified technology partner with an IT company; strengthening design and engineering departments in order to handle more complex projects; upgrading certifications such as ISO; expanding managed and hosted services; making acquisitions to expand geographically and from a services standpoint, deploying a new fleet of vehicles to reduce operating costs, and more.

Did all of the self-improvement have an immediate effect on performance in 2010? While the companies ranked on SDM’s 2011 Top Systems Integrators Report were mixed in how they categorized the opportunities in 2010 — some say the market was stronger than in 2009, others say it was weaker — their systems integration revenue declined a substantial 11 percent to $7.2 billion. This is a comparison between the top 100 companies ranked in 2010 and the top 100 ranked in 2011. However, two years ago SDM began to expand the Top Systems Integrators Report beyond the first 100 firms; in 2010, 107 companies were ranked and this year 130 companies are ranked. Thirty-nine systems integrators who were not ranked in 2010 are ranked in this report; however, some from among last year’s top 50 did not report this year, including SAIC, Red Hawk Security, North American Video, and National Security Systems, which skews the results. A more accurate view: Among systems integrators for which a year-to-year comparison can be made, there was a 4.4 percent decrease in North American Systems Integration revenue. Among the top 10 integrator firms, five reported decreases in 2010.

One important change is that systems integrators were asked to report their recurring monthly revenue (RMR) separately from their systems integration revenue to determine their qualification status in the SDM 100, which is a comparable report of firms ranked by RMR. Because RMR is not counted in systems integration revenue, in some cases this caused major shifts in the rankings compared with the prior year. Listings begin on the following pages.

SDM’s Top Systems Integrators Report (below) ranks, by reported North American systems integration revenue, the largest firms that contract electronic security projects for commercial, industrial, institutional, government, and other non-residential markets. For ranking purposes, these are businesses that derive more than half of their revenue from the sale, design/engineering, installation and service of multi-technology electronic security systems, such as access control and identification, video surveillance, alarms, perimeter security, and other network-based technologies.

2011 Rank	Company & Headquarters Location	North American Systems Integration Revenue, 2010	Number of New Projects, 2010	Value of Largest New Project	Full-time Employees
1	ADT Boca Raton, Fla.	$1,800,000,000*e	na	na	26,000
2	Siemens Industry Inc. Buffalo Grove, Ill.	$1,400,000,000*e	na	$16,600,000	na
3	SimplexGrinnell Westminster, Mass.	$925,000,000	na	na	9,500
4	Diebold Security North Canton, Ohio	$567,850,000	na	$5,500,000	4,723
5	StanleyConvergent Security Solutions Naperville, Ill.	$352,000,000	na	na	1,975
6	Johnson Controls Inc. Milwaukee, Wis.	$255,200,000	2,547	$11,301,813	840
7	Convergint Technologies LLC Schaumburg, Ill.	$202,699,302	10,000	$10,000,000	865
8	Niscayah Duluth, Ga.	$200,000,000	21,465	$28,000,000	5,422
9	HBE, a Kratos Company San Diego, Calif.	$93,000,000	na	$20,000,000	350
10	Schneider Electric Carrollton, Texas	$83,400,000	225	$6,500,000	1,754
11	G4S Technology LLC (formerly Adesta) Omaha, Neb.	$81,361,700	200	$68,000,000	224
12	Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies Carmel, Ind.	$78,802,294	2,673	$1,200,000	323
13	Kastle Systems Falls Church, Va.	$60,200,000	509	na	na
14	Carter Brothers LLC Atlanta, Ga.	$57,474,452	na	$6,000,000	240
15	NAVCO Anaheim, Calif.	$45,631,865	7,000	$800,000	154
16	South Western Communications Inc. Newburgh, Ind.	$40,610,473	na	$1,702,297	158
17	Tri-Signal Integration Inc. Sylmar, Calif.	$39,851,580	421	$2,500,000	230
18	RFI Communications & Security Systems San Jose, Calif.	$36,000,000	948	$1,600,000	220
19	ASG Security Beltsville, Md.	$30,258,717	5,465	$5,600,000	770
20	Tech Systems Inc. Duluth, Ga.	$28,772,086	450	$940,000	145
21	VTI Security Burnsville, Minn.	$28,250,000	670	$2,200,000	118
22	Allied Fire & Security Spokane, Wash.	$20,210,000	458	$2,100,000	131
23	Dallas Security Systems Inc. & DSS Fire Inc. Dallas, Texas	$19,138,223	1,270	$1,000,000	172
24	Security Corporation Novi, Mich.	$18,559,672	na	na	108
25	SFI Electronics Inc. Charlotte, N.C.	$17,000,000	310	$1,600,000	88
26	Northland Control Systems Inc. Fremont, Calif.	$16,930,816	200	$4,000,000	47
27	SDI Chicago, Ill.	$16,301,619	5	$1,600,000	105
28	EO Integrated Systems Inc. Washington, Mich.	$16,200,000	42	$5,000,000	39
29	Genesis Security Systems LLC Germantown, Md.	$16,000,000	200	$1,500,000	50
30	MidCo Inc. Burr Ridge, Ill.	$16,000,000	526	$1,200,000	104
31	ASSI Security Inc. Irvine, Calif.	$15,680,000	403	$548,065	58
32	Advanced Electronic Solutions College Point, N.Y.	$15,555,240	84	$500,000	60
33	BCI Technologies Inc. Grand Prairie, Texas	$15,545,000	4,500	$230,000	91
34	Entech Sales & Service Inc. Dallas, Texas	$15,338,132	297	$400,000	106
35	Idesco Corporation New York, N.Y.	$14,800,000	25	$1,300,000	43
36	SecureNet Inc. Carrollton, Texas	$14,730,683	156	$950,000	92
37	SDT Inc. Newtown, Pa.	$14,641,513	419	$1,251,220	94
38	CONTAVA Inc. Edmonton, Alberta	$14,360,000	280	$8,000,000	65
39	SSD Alarm Systems / Kern Security & Fire / Alpha Security & Fire Anaheim, Calif.	$14,234,000	na	$5,500,000	na
40	Tri-Electronics Inc. Hammond, Ind.	$13,249,000	100	$2,100,000	85
41	SIGNET Electronic Systems Inc. Norwell, Mass.	$13,000,000	710	$1,900,000	83
42	CTSI Chantilly, Va.	$12,323,861	381	$2,700,000	30
43	Intertech Security Pittsburgh, Pa.	$12,323,000	415	$1,100,000	128
44	Unlimited Technology Inc. Chester Springs, Pa.	$12,245,000	157	$1,645,000	46
45	Midstate Security Grandville, Mich.	$12,082,945	122	$2,500,000	73
46	MSE Corporate Security Branchburg, N.J.	$11,543,889	50	$175,000	57
47	Integrated Security Technologies Herndon, Va.	$11,500,000	382	$1,400,000	65
48	UtahYamas Controls Draper, Utah	$11,480,000	280	$1,678,000	99
49	DTT Surveillance Los Angeles, Calif.	$11,200,000	1,630	$17,300	189
50	ARK Systems Inc. Columbia, Md.	$11,000,000	200	$1,000,000	112
51	Low Voltage Contractors Inc. Minneapolis, Minn.	$10,153,810	601	$1,033,598	63
52	The Protection Bureau Exton, Pa.	$10,000,000	325	$1,500,000	96
53	Safeguard Security Scottsdale, Ariz.	$9,950,008	400	$1,500,000	153
54	Intelligent Access Systems of NC Garner, N.C.	$9,886,159	650	$560,000	39
55	Integrated Controls USA Inc. Albuquerque, N.M.	$9,289,686	597	$1,100,000	53
56	Engineered Control Systems Spokane, Wash.	$9,100,000	55	$1,081,000	26
57	Security Equipment Inc. Omaha, Neb.	$9,000,000	725	$962,587	139
58	American Alarm & Communications Arlington, Mass.	$8,766,233	3,085	$475,000	158
59	Security Solutions Los Alamitos, Calif.	$8,631,296	170	$1,200,000	47
60	Devcon Security Services Hollywood, Fla.	$8,215,000	na	$200,000	434
61	ACT Clifton, N.J.	$8,056,211	106	$802,566	74
62	Custom Alarm Rochester, Minn.	$7,659,973	720	$577,204	68
63	Guardian Protection Services Warrendale, Pa.	$7,443,572	3,954	$248,529	984
64	Tele Tector of Maryland Columbia, Md.	$7,434,659	20	$323,164	41
65	Operational Security Systems Inc. Atlanta, Ga.	$7,329,231	420	$1,072,274	57
66	High-Tech-Tronics Inc. Oklahoma City, Okla.	$7,000,000	100	$1,710,000	47
67	PASS Security Fairview Heights, Ill.	$6,821,000	450	$350,000	40
68	APL Access & Security Inc. Gilbert, Ariz.	$6,538,201	50	$818,507	37
69	Universal Security Systems Inc. Hauppauge, N.Y.	$6,500,000	58	$600,000	53
70	Telenet VoIP Inc. El Segundo, Calif.	$6,499,416	36	$525,000	43
71	Automation Systems Group (ASG) Ferndale, Mich.	$6,494,026	126	$1,875,000	31
72	JMG Security Systems Inc. Fountain Valley, Calif.	$6,425,735	250	$1,200,000	44
73	Advanced Control Concepts Inc. Pensacola, Fla.	$6,404,234	119	$213,000	29
74	T&R Alarm Systems Inc. Clifton, N.J.	$6,273,985	70	$2,100,000	33
75	Enterprise Security Inc. Anaheim, Calif.	$6,200,000	75	$1,000,000	30
76	Protex Central Inc. Hastings, Neb.	$6,125,000	400	$425,000	58
77	Will Electronics St. Louis, Mo.	$6,114,230	72	na	na
78	GSI Troy, Mich.	$6,025,000	155	$817,000	35
79	Commercial Systems Group Apopka, Fla.	$6,000,000	25	$800,000	46
80	Firstline Security Systems Inc. Anaheim, Calif.	$5,750,000	65	$970,000	38
81	Security By Design Westbury, N.Y.	$5,742,540	284	$400,000	21
82	TEM Systems Inc. Sunrise, Fla.	$5,500,000	50	$300,000	42
83	Systems Integration Corp. Boulder, Colo.	$5,436,000	49	$928,000	34
84	Advance Technology Scarborough, Maine	$5,238,095	115	$652,000	34
85	CGL Electronic Security Inc. Norwood, Mass.	$5,166,919	250	$285,000	31
86	DACentral Inc. Oak Park, Mich.	$5,000,000	150	$800,000	38
87	Electronic Security Systems Warren, Mich.	$5,000,000	50	$250,000	24
88	Sentry Communications & Security Hicksville, N.Y.	$4,850,000	20	$575,000	44
89	ESIGroup Houston, Texas	$4,750,000	250	$800,000	19
90	Vision Security Technologies Birmingham, Ala.	$4,489,927	316	$420,000	31
91	Engineered Security Systems Towaco, N.J.	$4,200,000	na	na	na
92	Triad Security Systems Union, N.J.	$4,100,000	150	$300,000	19
93	Simpson Security Systems Inc. Alexandria, La.	$4,055,393	177	$5,200,000	56
94	SecurAlarm Systems Inc. Grand Rapids, Mich.	$3,970,000	220	$333,000	37
95	Per Mar Security Services Davenport, Iowa	$3,958,000	1,887	$264,000	284
96	General Security Inc. Plainview, N.Y.	$3,747,716	814	$1,026,400	155
97	Koorsen Fire & Security Indianapolis, Ind.	$3,654,120	1,350	na	na
98	SMG Security Systems Inc. Elk Grove Village, Ill.	$3,642,000	104	$400,000	55
99	Advanced Video Surveillance Inc. Fairfield, N.J.	$3,573,000	80	$450,000	16
100	Haig Service Corporation Green Brook, N.J.	$3,200,000	100	$200,000	44
101	Scarsdale Security Systems Inc. Scarsdale, N.Y.	$3,100,000	725	$425,000	75
102	Richmond Alarm Company Midlothian, Va.	$3,011,000	250	$125,000	74
103	SCI Inc. Albuquerque, N.M.	$2,965,000	60	$1,200,000	14
104	Custom Security Systems Lacey, Wash.	$2,893,000	437	$90,000	93
105	Sonitrol of Sacramento & Sonitrol Orange County Roseville, Calif.	$2,556,113	290	$162,000	47
106	Atlantic Coast Alarm Inc. Mays Landing, N.J.	$2,538,027	1,187	$232,777	41
107	Matson Alarm Co. Inc. Fresno, Calif.	$2,499,345	856	$497,000	58
108	Sentry Security Wheeling, Ill.	$2,407,107	195	$250,000	20
109	SNC Inc. Hutchinson, Kansas	$2,337,319	na	na	48
110	All Systems Designed Solutions Inc. Kansas City, Kansas	$2,282,922	109	$460,698	44
111	Sonitrol of Lexington Inc. (ADR) Lexington, Ky.	$2,262,099	335	$274,745	40
112	EPS Security Grand Rapids, Mich.	$2,233,974	969	$170,000	165
113	Sonitrol New England Rocky Hill, Conn.	$2,165,631	1,105	$220,000	112
114	Sonitrol Pacific Portland, Ore.	$2,038,107	325	$228,175	85
115	First Alarm Aptos, Calif.	$2,000,000	1,145	na	134
116	Interface Security Systems Holdings Inc. Earth City, Mo.	$2,000,000	10,398	$6,975,000	586
117	Secure US Morgantown, W.V.	$2,000,000	110	$300,000	54
118	Key-Rite Security Denver, Colo.	$1,750,000	36	$275,000	14
119	Atronic Alarms Inc. Lenexa, Kansas	$1,706,101	395	$69,502	33
120	EMC Security Suwanee, Ga.	$1,648,000	130	$140,000	75
121	ArCom Systems Inc. North Little Rock, Ark.	$1,608,721	128	$396,751	52
122	Audio Sentry Corporation Fraser, Mich.	$1,393,050	100	$72,000	35
123	NCA Nashville, Tenn.	$1,390,251	927	$7,500	22
124	Electronic Sales Company Inc. Gainesville, Ga.	$1,314,831	50	$650,000	21
125	All Guard Alarm Systems Inc. Hayward, Calif.	$1,271,285	303	$78,360	59
126	Habitec Security Toledo, Ohio	$1,200,200	743	$99,068	85
127	Accent Electronic Systems Integrators Inc. Bonita Springs, Fla.	$1,200,000	300	$2,000,000	61
128	Alert Alarm of Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaii	$1,200,000	648	$124,573	96
129	Sonitrol of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pa.	$1,200,000	167	$60,000	31
130	Sentry Alarm Systems Monterey, Calif.	$1,194,975	201	$61,450	35

*e marks an SDM estimate

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Laura Stepanek is a SDM contributing writer. Laura was the Editor of SDM from 2001-2020 and first joined the publication in 1984. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Barat College of DePaul University.