Blue Ridge Monitoring remodels, rebrands

ANDERSON, S.C.—Blue Ridge Monitoring, a third party monitoring company based here, is remodeling its central station, adding capabilities and a renewed focus on video monitoring, as well as rebranding the company.

“We decided we would go to something a little more ergonomic,” Marc Winton, central station manager for BRM, told Security Systems News. “Of course, managing a 24-hour-a-day facility, you want to make sure your employees are comfortable and it's a relaxing atmosphere.”

BRM last remodeled its monitoring center in 2001. Now, it is expanding the monitoring space from between 500 and 600 square feet to 1,000 square feet, putting more space between operators.

Prior to the remodel, BRM had 10 monitoring stations handling alarm signals and video. Afterward, there will be 12 stations dedicated to alarm signals and an additional four stations dedicated primarily to video monitoring in a newly repurposed, 400 square-foot space. “Part of my vision … is trying to give us a path to make sure we're relevant in the security industry and take a more proactive approach, rather than reactive,” Winton said.

The renovation of the central station is nearly finished Winton told SSN in mid-July. Next, the company plans to renovate other areas of the building, he said, which could take another couple of months.

The rebrand focused on a new logo and an emphasis on the “BRM” acronym. Priority One Security in April 2017 acquired Blue Ridge Monitoring from Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, and BRM's previous logo was related to the cooperative's, Winton noted.

The new logo features a camera emblem—in addition to fire, police and medical emblems—to reinforce the company's focus on video monitoring.

The company exhibited for the first time in its 24-year history at ESX 2018 as a way to debut the new branding. “The real idea was that ESX was when everyone would see the new logo,” Winton said.

BRM has nearly 70 dealers and monitors for more than 40,000 alarm accounts and 1,500 video accounts. The station is FM approved and UL-listed and BRM is working to become TMA Five Diamond certified.

“On top of bringing the facility up to date we're bringing … the employees up to date as well, working through the newer video technologies, through some of the new standards. That is very important to me, that we not only in appearance but physically stay up to date,” Winton said.

The monitoring center has 32 employees, with 150 total including the parent company Priority One, and BRM is working on adding sales staff as well as new dealers.

“We're hoping to expand and grow the possibilities of our third party, whether through acquisition or … bring new dealers on and grow them,” Winton said. “We find that we do very well with the guys that are starting up.”