Looking for ways to protect or grow your bottom line? How about which technologies, services and markets you should pursue? Then look no further. SSI’s 2009 Operations & Opportunities Report is overflowing with the ideas and solutions you need to succeed.

Amid today’s business hardships, most security integrators (68 percent) kept their revenues stable or in many cases grew them by more than 5 percent in 2008. SSI’s Systems Integrator Study shows how the thirst for networked surveillance has yet to be quenched and reveals the real effects of the recession.

Nine people died each day in structural fires in the United States in 2007 — 3,430 people in that year. And while there was a 5.2 percent decrease of reported fires during 2007, property damage climbed significantly by 29.5 percent from 2006. However, the industry’s recent efforts to legislate better fire protection — taking advantage of improved technologies — have spurred changes in fire code that will help reduce the loss of lives and property.

In an era when superior manufacturing processes and commoditization have leveled the product playing field and economics have caused buyers to be more cost-conscious than ever, service has become the prevalent differentiator. Doing business as a premium service provider entails a top-down company culture predicated on a commitment to always place the customer first.

An intriguing market development in these tough economic times is fleshed out in SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION’s fourth annual Systems Integrator Study. The survey results show a majority of companies, based on size, are grouping in the middle echelon.

Every year hundreds of thousands of structural fires occur, causing billions in damages. In 2006, a residential fire was reported every 80 seconds, and while statistical data shows a significant decrease in civilian fire deaths and injuries, the number of fires in the United States continues on a steady rise.

Large corporations, industrial enterprises, retail chains, financial institutions, educational concerns, health-care providers and government agencies, among others, have been increasingly committed to and involved in ensuring their people and assets are as safe and secure as possible.

Consolidation has come to security systems integration and it is having a profound impact on the industry. With companies such as Stanley Works, Securitas, Johnson Controls, Siemens Building Technologies (SBT), ADT and many others aggressively pursuing the market, the percentage of integrators bringing in more than $100 million in annual revenues has nearly quadrupled from less than two years ago.

End users, particularly at the corporate security director/manager level, continue to better understand, embrace and demand advanced technological solutions. This places the onus on installing security contractors and consultants to challenge themselves to keep pace.

What’s the profile of a typical electronic security systems integration business? If you’re in that line of work, the odds are your company is 20 years old or less (73 percent); has 25 or fewer full-time employees (64 percent); has in excess of $1 million in annual gross revenue (62 percent); derives most of its business from the commercial and industrial markets (81 percent); and specializes in CCTV and access control (59 percent).

The professional security installation company title of “systems integrator” has been as casually tossed around as pancakes at Denny’s. But what does it really mean and what truly distinguishes an operator as such? SSI answers those questions with findings from the system integrator segment of its annual Installation Business Report.

What types of people run the thousands of security dealer and systems integration businesses across this great nation of ours? Find out as Security Sales & Integration reveals the findings of its 2005 Demographic Census. This comprehensive study establishes the profile and practices of a typical manager working in the security installation business today.