SDM 100 Report A yearly report ranking the top 100 U.S. companies that earn their revenues from the sale, installation, service and monitoring of electronic security systems to residential and non-residential customers.

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]]> https://www.sdmmag.com/rss/2593 en-us The 2026 SDM 100 Top Brand Choices hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) The top manufacturers and distributors used by SDM 100 dealers.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/105444 Mon, 18 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/105444-the-2026-sdm-100-top-brand-choices SDM 100: Top 100 Security Dealers of 2026 hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) The top 100 security dealers navigated a complex landscape in 2025, overcoming tariffs, economic uncertainty and customer hesitation by leaning on disciplined strategy and in-demand technologies like AI and video to drive impressive growth.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/105352 Mon, 04 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/105352-sdm-100-top-100-security-dealers-of-2026 The 2025 SDM 100 Top Brand Choices hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) The top manufacturers and distributors used by SDM 100 dealers.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/104327 Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/104327-the-2025-sdm-100-top-brand-choices SDM Top 100 Security Dealers of 2025 hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) 2024 was, by and large, an “average” year for many of the top 100 security dealers, but like seasoned chess players navigating a complex board, they still managed to find winning strategies despite the headwinds caused by external economic and geopolitical factors.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/104215 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/104215-sdm-top-100-security-dealers-of-2025 The 2024 SDM 100 Top Technology Partners hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) This SDM 100 brand-usage report details the top technology vendors and distributors that earned their business in 2023.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/103186 Mon, 27 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/103186-the-2024-sdm-100-top-technology-partners SDM 100: Mostly Strong, With A Focus on Video hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) The top SDM 100 companies reported that the market in 2023 — whether they deemed it average or excellent — was largely defined by a few key factors: inflation, an emphasis on video technology advancements and the continuing workforce shortage.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/103121 Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/103121-sdm-100-mostly-strong-with-a-focus-on-video The 2023 SDM 100 Companies’ Brands of Choice hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) The top manufacturers and distributors used by SDM 100 dealers.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/102103 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/102103-the-2023-sdm-100-companies-brands-of-choice The 2023 SDM 100: Solving the Labyrinth hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) SDM 100 companies reported a wide variety of experiences in 2022, very much depending on the path, location and unique set of challenges that made up their business conditions last year. As a group, however, they continue to rise to the challenges put before them and find their individual path to success.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/101911 Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/101911-the-2023-sdm-100-solving-the-labyrinth 3 Top SDM 100 Companies Talk Challenges, Successes hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) Each of these companies not only improved their 2021 RMR by double digit percentage points over 2020, but also moved several spots up on the SDM 100 ranking as a result. 

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/100840 Fri, 10 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/100840-3-top-sdm-100-companies-talk-challenges-successes Top Brands Among the 2022 SDM 100 Companies hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) The top manufacturers and distributors used by SDM 100 dealers.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/100836 Fri, 10 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/100836-top-brands-among-the-2022-sdm-100-companies The 2022 SDM 100: Navigating the High Seas hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) Despite the uncertainty and challenges it presented, however, the top security dealers held their own, and some even thrived, finding new paths and opportunities.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/100680 Thu, 05 May 2022 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/100680-the-2022-sdm-100-navigating-the-high-seas The 2021 SDM 100: Strong in the Face of Adversity hodgsonk@bnpmedia.com (Karyn Hodgson) If there is one word that could describe 2020, both in life and for the top 100 security dealers, it is unpredictable. Following several years of growth — and a very strong 2019 — SDM 100 companies found themselves on slippery ground beginning in March 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/99376 Fri, 07 May 2021 00:01:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/99376-the-2021-sdm-100-strong-in-the-face-of-adversity 2020 SDM 100 Report: After Peak Performance, What’s Next? stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) This year’s SDM 100 report and rankings show excellent growth for the SDM 100 companies in 2019. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic was just starting to hit as the security industry’s top companies were filling out the 2020 SDM 100 applications; to many of this year’s companies, it is like being on a mountaintop without a clear view of the landscape. Read on to look at this year’s top security companies ranked by recurring monthly revenue, along with their thoughts and projections for what lies ahead.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/97981 Mon, 11 May 2020 09:45:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/97981-sdm-100-report-after-peak-performance-whats-next 2019 SDM 100: Above Average stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) SDM 100 security dealers mutually tallied $655 million in RMR on December 31, 2018, on 12.6 million subscribers.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/96583 Thu, 09 May 2019 00:04:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/96583-sdm-100-above-average The Most Popular Brands Among the 2018 SDM 100 stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) The security industry looks to the SDM 100 — a group of the 100 largest security companies ranked by their recurring monthly revenue (RMR) — as a wellspring of industry trends and operational best practices. So, which manufacturers and distributors are behind the SDM 100, supporting them with the products, solutions and services that help make them successful?

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/95353 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/95353-the-most-popular-brands-among-the-2018-sdm-100 Top Security Dealers Identify Top Issues stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) IoT, DIY/MIY, cyber security, active shooters — SDM 100 dealers talk about the issues that will have the biggest impact, either positive or negative, on their businesses this year.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/blogs/14/post/95241 Tue, 22 May 2018 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/blogs/14-sdm-blog/post/95241-top-security-dealers-identify-top-issues 2018 SDM 100: Security Dealers Prevail stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/95203 Thu, 10 May 2018 07:01:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/95203-sdm-100-security-dealers-prevail 2017 SDM 100: 27th Annual Report stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) The result of the 2017 SDM 100 was upbeat: Collectively, the industry’s 100 largest security dealers grew their recurring monthly revenue (RMR) 18.4 percent, from $612 million to $725 million, last year.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/93908 Thu, 11 May 2017 00:02:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/93908-sdm-100-27th-annual-report RMR: Up 18.4 Percent to $725 Million Eighty-eight of the 100 companies ranked on the SDM 100 experienced recurring monthly revenue (RMR) growth in 2016. Among the top 10 there were three stand-out companies that achieved double-digit increases: ADT, which when combined with Protection 1 for this report had an estimated 24.7 percent RMR increase; Vivint Inc. with a 17.8 percent RMR increase; and Safe Home Security Inc. with a 19.6 percent increase. Collectively, the SDM 100 grew its RMR 18.4 percent from $612 million to $725 million. Total Annual Revenue: $17.2 Billion Total annual revenue for the SDM 100 companies was $17.2 billion in 2016, a 6.2 percent increase compared with 2015. Some of the more notable changes were ADT’s total revenue increasing from $3.57 billion in 2015 to an estimated $4.40 billion in 2016; as well as Johnson Control’s total revenue increasing from $4.44 billion in 2015 to $7.88 billion in 2016 because of its merger with Tyco Integrated Security. SDM 100: 2016 Collective Strength The table above presents aggregate figures for the SDM 100 group of companies, which are ranked by their recurring monthly revenue (RMR) — an industry standard of valuation of a security installation/monitoring business. Most of the SDM 100 companies are privately held. Submitting RMR is required for ranking; other figures are not required but mostly provided. Most companies — but not all — also reported their total annual revenue, number of subscribers, installation revenues, and employees. Therefore, one should exercise caution in using this information to extrapolate industry totals or to benchmark. Note that some figures — such as total annual revenue, subscribers, and residential and non-residential sales revenue — fluctuate from year to year due to both acquisitions and inconsistent reporting by the ranked companies. On the Job: How Dealers’ Teams Are Comprised Sales and marketing jobs, installation, technical service, and customer service present the best opportunities for employment among SDM 100 companies. This chart shows the average percentage of each position within an SDM 100 company’s total employee base. There has been downward movement in the percentage of central station employees, from 14 percent of total in 2012 to just 7 percent in 2017 — perhaps indicating a trend for outsourced monitoring. Profit Margins Are Taking a Hit Fewer SDM 100 companies reported increased profits in 2016 — just 41 percent compared with 45 percent in 2015, 48 percent in 2014, and 53 percent in 2013. Among businesses that improved, their average rate of increase was 16 percent higher net profit in 2016 compared with 2015. Nearly half of security companies (45 percent) had no change in net profit year-over-year.  SDM 100 Average Profit Margin: 10.25% For the first time in the history of the SDM 100, companies reported their actual net profit margins. Responses ranged from -2 percent to 61 percent, with the average coming in at 10.25 percent. Dealers Expecting Robust Growth in 2017 When asked how they expect revenues in 2017 to compare with 2016, 85 percent of security dealers on the SDM 100 predict that their revenue will improve, and 15 percent expect the same. SDM 100 Revenue Split By Product Categories Security companies derive their total revenue from a wide variety of product segments, including the single most sizable — burglar alarm systems — which comprised an average of 29 percent of security companies’ revenue in 2016 (down three percentage points from the prior year), followed by integrated-technology systems for commercial customers representing 19 percent of total annual revenue. There were no other significant changes compared with the prior year. *includes badging systems, PERS, IT hardware/software and other systems Source: 2017 SDM 100, SDM Magazine, May 2017 SDM 100 revenue slipt by services Security companies derive their revenue from a wide variety of categories of service, including the most sizable — monitoring — which comprised an average of 46 percent of SDM 100 companies’ revenue in 2016. The second greatest source of revenue from services in 2016 was sales/installation, at an average of 32 percent of total annual revenue. There were no significant changes in this revenue split compared with the prior year. Source: 2017 SDM 100, SDM Magazine, May 2017 John Mack John Mack Michael Barnes Michael Barnes How Dealers Feel About the New Presidential Administration Reminiscing On 25 Years Of The SDM 100 stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) It’s used in many different ways by different people, but the primary objective of the SDM 100 remains the same after 25 years: to measure consumer dollars gained by alarm companies, in order to present an account of the size of the market captured by the 100 largest security providers.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/92451 Fri, 13 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/92451-reminiscing-on-25-years-of-the-sdm-100 2016 SDM 100: Home Run stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) In 2015 we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the SDM 100 and honored eight companies for being ranked on the first SDM 100 Report in 1991 and all of the reports thereafter.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/92367 Thu, 05 May 2016 14:49:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/92367-sdm-100-home-run RMR: $612 Million Due to Consolidation Eighty-four of the 100 companies ranked on the SDM 100 experienced RMR growth in 2015; however, because of major shifts in the ranking due to numerous acquisitions last year, total RMR dropped from $670.1 million to $612.5 million. Among the top 10 companies ranked in 2015, only six are ranked again in 2016 — missing are Protection 1, ASG Security, Diebold, and Stanley (the last not ranked due to a lack of publicly available information). With these companies removed from the calculation, the average rate of 2015 RMR growth was 10 percent. Total Annual Revenue: $16 Billion Total annual revenue for the SDM 100 companies was $16.2 billion in 2015, amidst many significant changes on this year’s report, including the removal of Protection 1 and ASG Security, as they were acquired by Apollo Global Management; the removal of Diebold Security, as it was acquired by Securitas; and the omission of Stanley Convergent Security Solutions due to lack of publicly available financial data. Both Protection 1 and ASG effectively will become part of ADT when Apollo’s acquisition of ADT is finalized. Most Popular Brands Among the SDM 100 stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) The security industry looks to the SDM 100 — a group of 100 of the largest security companies ranked by their recurring monthly revenue — as a wellspring of industry trends and operational best practices. So, which manufacturers and distributors are behind the SDM 100, supporting them with the products, solutions and services that have helped make them successful?

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/91389 Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/91389-most-popular-brands-among-the-sdm-100 2015 SDM 100: 25th Anniversary Report stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) Most of the largest security dealers in the industry confirm they were on solid footing in 2014, and their 3.8 percent aggregate growth in RMR proves it. But for many dealers, new competitors are too close for comfort.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/91250 Fri, 08 May 2015 00:01:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/91250-performance-remains-solid 2015 SDM 100 Report: The Rankings The 2014 SDM 100 ranks U.S. companies that provide electronic security systems and services to both residential and non-residential customers. This ranking is based on information provided to or, in few cases, estimated by SDM. Ranked companies were asked to submit an audited or reviewed financial statement, or a copy of their income tax return.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/91249 Thu, 07 May 2015 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/91249-sdm-100-report-the-rankings 2014 SDM 100: Small Gains, Individual Successes stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) World Wide Security & GC Alarm Inc., ranked No. 73, concurs there was “greater demand for security services and an increase in budgets to accomplish security goals.” The company, which logged a 3.2 percent increase in RMR, notes the best growth areas were video and managed services.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/90192 Tue, 20 May 2014 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/90192-sdm-100-small-gains-individual-successes 2014 SDM 100 Report: The Rankings The 2014 SDM 100 ranks U.S. companies that provide electronic security systems and services to both residential and non-residential customers. This ranking is based on information provided to or, in few cases, estimated by SDM. Ranked companies were asked to submit an audited or reviewed financial statement, or a copy of their income tax return.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/90209 Thu, 08 May 2014 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/90209-sdm-100-report-the-rankings 2013 SDM 100: Power Surge stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) The metamorphosis of the security industry into a services-based business capable of serving many sectors has taken hold, evidenced by the largest security providers — the 2013 SDM 100.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/89192 Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/89192-sdm-100-power-surge 2013 SDM 100: The Rankings The complete ranking of the 2013 SDM 100.

]]> http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/89191 Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/89191-2013-SDM-100--The-Rankings 2012 SDM 100 Breaking Through stepanekl@bnpmedia.com (Laura Stepanek) http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/87769 Mon, 21 May 2012 02:00:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/87769-2012-sdm-100-breaking-through 2012 SDM 100: The List http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/87772 Mon, 21 May 2012 01:55:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/87772-2012-sdm-100--the-list 2012 SDM 100: Facts and Figures http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/87770 Mon, 21 May 2012 01:08:00 -0400 https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/87770-2012-sdm-100--facts-and-figures