Loud Security Systems - Experts & Thought Leaders

Cobb County-based security company, LOUD Security Systems Inc., just got LOUD-er with the recent acquisition of Vytis Security Systems, an Atlanta-based company with a focus on 100% commercial systems. The acquisition will help solidify LOUD Security as a leading commercial security provider. Like LOUD Security, Vytis provides security solutions to business challenges through video surveillance, access control, fire systems and monitored security. The company services all levels of security needs, from small to large and multi-location businesses. 30 years of leadership Sandes left Ackerman in 2021 after the Norcross-based company sold its assets to ADT Along with an array of commercial clients, LOUD will also appoint Vytis CEO, Mike Sandes to Vice President of Commercial Services. He has over 30 years of leadership in the security industry, including 18 as President of Commercial Sales at Ackerman Security. Mr. Sandes left Ackerman in 2021 after the Norcross-based company sold its assets to ADT. In October of the following year, Sandes established Vytis Security, a company with a focus on providing exceptional custom technology solutions to businesses throughout metro Atlanta. Outstanding customer service “Bringing our clients to LOUD was an easy choice,” said Mike Sandes. “The company and its President share a similar vision for offering real business security solutions that align with today’s changing technologies and outstanding customer service. I couldn’t be more proud and excited to be a part of the team at LOUD.” “We are thrilled to have Mike join the team at LOUD Security,” said John Loud, President of LOUD Security. “He is an industry veteran who is well known for having a keen sense for tackling the unique and changing landscape of today’s commercial security challenges." Addition of new clients Loud added: "If ever there was a right time for understanding, growing and providing for the commercial side of electronic security and video solutions, its right now. And with Mike Sandes at the commercial helm, we are poised to continue to be the pioneering commercial security provider in our market.” With the addition of these new clients, LOUD Security Systems, Inc. is certainly one of Atlanta’s fastest-growing security providers, serving over 11,000 customers.

The Electronic Security Association, ESA is pleased to announce Kevin Stone, COO and Executive Vice President of Doyle Security Systems in Rochester, New York, as the Association’s Chairman-Elect for 2023-2024. As the association’s current Chairman, John Loud, finishes his term. Kevin will serve as Chairman-Elect from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.  Drive for excellence “The future of a thriving ESA depends on a pioneer who can help drive excellence and embrace our members to have a voice and an impact. Kevin’s passion for the industry and his track record of successful leadership make him an ideal person for this role,” says current ESA Chairman, John Loud. “I am confident Kevin will leave a lasting impact on ESA and its members. I look forward to transitioning to the chairman position, knowing the association is in good hands.”  Kevin Stone Work experience With a passion for peace of mind, Kevin helped launch and oversee the Doyle Medical Monitoring Division Kevin began his security industry career with Doyle Security in 1989. Starting off as a commercial security consultant, he has come to own responsibility for sales, installation, and service for Doyle Security’s eight branches. With a passion for peace of mind, Kevin helped launch and oversee the Doyle Medical Monitoring Division.  Awards  With 34 years of experience in the security industry, Kevin has collected a number of titles and varied expertise as a Rochester Business Journal 40 under 40 recipients as well as a Rochester Police Rosewood Club Distinguished Service Award recipient. In addition, he was also named Rotarian of the Year by the Local Chapter of Rotary International. Current positions Kevin also holds a CPP certification and served as a Crime Stoppers board member Kevin is also serving on the Advisory Boards of The Monitoring Association, Security Industry Alarm Coalition, Resideo, and the American Cancer Society. And previously, he served as President of the Akron Newstead Rotary, Vice-President of the Akron Central School District Board of Education, and Chairman of the Western New York Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS).  Beyond his titles, Kevin also holds a CPP (Certified Protection Professional) certification and served as a Crime Stoppers board member.  ESA's Chairman-Elect While he is already doing so much for the industry, Kevin is eager to dedicate his talents and experience to ESA as Chairman-Elect. He is a firm believer in ESA’s determination to develop and expand the organisation’s strategies and is committed to making its many services and benefits more widely available to industry professionals. Throughout his many years in the industry, he has found that few companies are fully aware of the vast and varied membership benefits ESA offers. He believes that it is time for that to change. It's time for the industry to take advantage of ESA’s resources and offerings.  Resources, training, and advocacy I believe in the greater good contributions the electronic security and life safety industry makes to society" “I’m at a point in my career where I want to give back to an industry that I’m passionate about. I love what I do each day and believe in the greater good contributions the electronic security and life safety industry make to society,” says, Kevin Stone. By building on the great work countless staff members and volunteers have done, Kevin wants to drive ESA’s mission and vision by providing resources, training, and advocacy for professionals.  Creating a positive impact He wants to leave ESA in an even better position for continued growing success in the future, and he is very excited to do it in collaboration with ESA’s existing dynamic team.  “Well respected by his peers, Kevin has a long history of leadership which, coupled with his experience and passion for the industry, makes him an ideal person for this role. I look forward to working closely with Kevin to continue to ensure ESA makes a positive impact for all stakeholders,” said Merlin Guilbeau, ESA CEO. 

The 2021 Electronic Security Expo (ESX), presented by Electronic Security Association (ESA), releases the full educational line-up for its upcoming virtual experience, which will take place online from June 15-17. In addition to the main stage presentations and virtual networking opportunities, the three-day virtual event includes 24+ educational sessions across four tracks, designed specifically for security professionals. Specific business challenge In keeping with the event’s theme, ‘Security Inspired,’ sessions will touch on new technologies and services that empower one and the team to grow their business and remain competitive. Attendees who are looking to address a specific business challenge or opportunity can look to the Solution Sets – a collection of sessions that are tailor-made to deliver relevant insights and actionable guidance that take the business to the next level, including: Sales growth Video monitoring The future is now Customer experience Employee focus Financial performance Process optimisation Best possible program Changing competitive landscape The ESX 2021 virtual experience program includes more than 46 speakers representing the entire electronic security and life safety ecosystem from companies, such as Alarm.com, ADT, Bosch Security and Safety Systems, CPI, Loud Security, Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Ring, Stanley Security, and many more. "We're excited to bring our community together next month for best practise and idea sharing, anchored by a stellar speaker and session lineup," said George De Marco, Chairman, ESX. "Now more than ever, it is imperative for security professionals to take advantage of opportunities that drive growth and profitability, improve the customer experience, and prepare them for the future. ESX is focused on providing the best possible program for our community and we're confident that they'll walk away energised and inspired ready to take on today’s changing competitive landscape."

Deborah O'Mara explains how a little innovative thinking can help boost recurring monthly revenue By Deborah O'Mara, SourceSecurity.com's dealer/integrator correspondent For the security dealer and integrator, competition swoops in from every angle, including local and national companies, utilities and telecommunications firms, and even do-it-yourself systems. But that doesn’t mean you can’t successfully boost recurring monthly revenue (RMR) with a little innovative thinking. Field technicians are particularly well-suited to selling RMR through system add-ons, upgrades or new services. These technicians have a good understanding of the customer’s premises, how lifestyles may have changed, or new services that may be beneficial. They’ve earned the trust of the customer – especially after a successful service call or system inspection. That’s not to say the approach isn’t without challenges, although Bob Harris, owner and president of Attrition Busters® in Los Angeles concurs it’s a great way to extend the relationship with clients, make them “stickier” and avoid the trap of “leaving money on the table.” “I absolutely think it’s a great way to get more revenue, but the downside is that some service techs may not be on board,” Harris says. Harris, who provides sales and marketing training to dealers and integrators globally, says he often suggests the concept, which requires buy-in from top management. “The downside is that many service techs don’t feel comfortable selling. And some sales people don’t like the idea of technicians selling either, yet we’ve found they aren’t aggressive going after new business with existing customers. But then we stumbled on another way to do this - a reward for more information,” Harris says. Incoming intel Harris says the idea is to have technicians observe and bring intelligence back from the field for followup. “They see what’s going on at the customer premises, especially if they are instructed as to what new opportunities might consist of. They may notice the customer is still using a POTS (regular hardwired phone connection) and might jot that down on the service ticket for followup on cellular services. Or the technician can say: ‘I notice you have this type of connection or may benefit from this type of service; would you like someone to call you about new service options?’” He says alarm companies can offer technicians a percentage of the additional RMR or a flat fee, depending on the amount of the additional revenue. John Loud, president of LOUD Security Systems in Kennesaw, Ga., says the company empowers field technicians and service personnel to bring in additional revenue. Field technicians are particularly well-suited to selling RMR through system add-ons, upgrades or new services “We do so much in that area and have been for many years, so we have a good track record and experience in making it successful. When a sales rep goes to see a prospect, people are usually ready to buy. But buyers have a limited capacity for the extent of services available. When the technician shows up, it’s a new buying opportunity,” Loud says. Named the Bonus Dollar Program, Loud says the company’s technicians and field service personnel get a $10 flat fee or 10% of the new RMR, provided they do the additional work or install new service at the time of the client visit, thus avoiding a second costly truck roll. “If they sell an additional $200 in cellular alarm services they get $20 and then another 10% one-time payment for the increased value of the annual monitoring services contract,” he says. One sale that’s putting money in tech’s pockets is new system batteries. For this, techs receive $10. It’s an easy sale, Loud says. “The customer doesn’t want to be bothered when their keypad starts beeping because of a low battery, so the technician asks when they last had it changed and outlines the fact that an after-hours sales call would be $85, compared to changing out the battery now for $35.  It’s not a huge money maker, but it’s like finding a $10 bill. Other sales opportunities for techs are key fobs, add-on keypads and water detectors,” he says. LOUD Security’s program also encourages friendly competition within the operations team. “We’ve been doing this for at least 10 years, and it’s created a lot of opportunity,” he adds.