By Ashley Willis
ORLANDO, Fla. —SecureWatch24 (SW24) launched a dealer and distribution channel for its video management and access control services at ASIS 2011 to help dealers build recurring monthly revenue (RMR).
The program helps alarm companies provide video management and access control monitoring to their customers. SW24 based the channel on its services platform that offers virtual guard tours, real-time system health checks, as well as a variety of management services and reports. Network attached storage (NAS) devices can also be supported in IP or digital environments.
As a lynchpin to the dealer channel, the company is currently building a 24,000-square-foot electronic monitoring facility in Moonachie, N.J. The Fusion Centre, scheduled to open in 2012, will support at least 200,000 cameras, SW24 President Desmond Smyth tells SSI.
"We got this idea from other alarm, guard, and security services companies that have no monitoring component for their video management systems," he says. "I had no idea the industry was so starved for this, but nobody wants to spend $3.5 million on a Fusion Centre."
The channel benefits companies with close ties to law enforcement agencies. Smyth, a former police officer, says the program allows dealers to help municipalities save money and reduce manpower by effectively monitoring video.
"We do a lot of work with municipalities," Smyth says. "They don't want someone staring at a monitor all day. It's not functional. They want someone to verify that there is a burglary in progress. Our partners can help by logging in, taking a look at the facility, and seeing what's triggering the alarm."
The national network allows dealers to benefit from SW24's services, while maintaining their own brands, Smyth explains. The company is working on streaming various video protocols from different manufacturers as it can, so companies can screen footage from their existing networks.
The company will be qualifying dealer and reseller partners, giving priority to those who serve the commercial market, according to Smyth and Chief Marketing Officer Jay Stuck.
"We're looking for dealers with similar types of philosophies in that they sell right, install right and then service right," Stuck tells SSI.
The channel allows dealers to differentiate their services by providing video verification technology.
"We feel this is a significant RMR opportunity for our reseller partners," Stuck says. "Everybody understands the state of the economy right now, and this is a great way to pick up some additional RMR."
Based in New York City, SW24 has installed almost 23,000 cameras at 1,900 locations.
Ashley Willis is associate editor for SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION. She can be reached at (310) 533-2419.