Editorial: It’s Coming up FAST!

Nov. 19, 2012
SD&I's Fast50 program

Time flies. About this time last year we were looking for a way to engage with our audience of dealers and systems integrators like we had never done before. We were looking for a program that would not only award the best of the best in the installation side of the industry—but also provide a platform for best practices that everyone could learn from. The result of all this brain time: the SD&I Fast50 program (www.securityinfowatch.com/sdifast50).

There are many different awards programs in the industry, but this one is different, and that’s just what we wanted. We wanted a way to honor those alarm dealers and systems integrators who might be from large companies—or smaller firms with as few as one or two employees. And we were successful. In fact, last year’s overall winner was Mike Rogers, owner of Securityhunter Inc., a two-person team in the Baltimore, Md., area. Rogers, along with his wife Nancy, has parlayed hard work, and has worked several years to build strong relationships in the federal and government vertical market contracting space and that hard work has paid off with some hefty, ongoing contracts. Now, his company is the go-to company for many projects in the area—without even asking.

Of course I’m simplifying the whole process and I know all the systems integrators and dealers work long hours to get where they are today. But that means that no matter who you are, you can be honored by SD&I’s Fast50, and become one of America’s Fastest Growing Systems Integrators. Because if you have had three consecutive growth years of growth, you can be a top company, as we base our awards and best practices program on the percentage of growth from year to year, not simply on your overall size in the marketplace (www.securityinfowatch.com/ 10636155). So now is the time to get your financials in order and get ready to enter. Our entry form will be online in December and you’ll have until the early months of 2013 to enter, as our awards will be presented at a main stage event during ISC West in April 2013 in Las Vegas. And in case you didn’t know, our program is also endorsed by Reed Exhibitions (ISC West), the Security Industry Association and the California Alarm Association. Keep in mind that the financials you provide online are under a strict non-disclosure and these figures are not released; yet used in a percentage growth formula to determine our Fast50 members.

The differentiator you need to set you apart

But this is more than an awards program. This is a chance for you to showcase your best practices for the world, and there are so many out there and that’s why this industry is so amazing. Our April issue will showcase all the winners, and present many of their best practices that illustrate what they have done to achieve this growth.

More importantly, Fast50 can be your differentiator. Everyone needs something that makes them different, that helps them stand out in this highly competitive marketplace and this one is easy and best of all—absolutely free! Need I say more?

Keep watching my Twitter feed @SecurityDealer for more updates on the program and of course, the award-winning website where our magazine resides: www.securityinfowatch.com for updates on the program. I will look forward to honoring you and your company in 2013.