Northwestern Ohio Security Systems

What Northwestern Ohio Security Systems does

Northwestern Ohio Security Systems, Inc. (NWOSS) is a privately held, veteran-owned security systems integrator founded in 1981 in Lima, Ohio, by Trell Yocum and Jim Kostelac. The company designs, installs, and services integrated physical security systems for two core customer segments: residential homeowners across Ohio and commercial/enterprise clients across North America. Its service portfolio spans intrusion detection, video surveillance, access control, fire alarm systems, video intercoms, and Z-Wave-based smart home automation, with 24/7 professional monitoring delivered from its own monitoring station in Lima, Ohio.

NWOSS operates a multi-vendor technology stack rather than a proprietary platform. Core residential and commercial systems are built on DMP intrusion and fire panels, with the Virtual Keypad mobile app providing unified remote control, video viewing, geofencing, and smart home device management. Commercial deployments layer enterprise-grade video management (Genetec, Milestone), cameras (Axis, Avigilon, Bosch, Hanwha Vision, Rhombus), and access control (Lenel S2, Genea, PDK, Geokey). Cloud-managed AI video (Rhombus, 2022) and pandemic-era health screening (FLIR thermal, ZKTeco mask detection) extend the portfolio into adjacent use cases. The company also offers autonomous outdoor surveillance (SentryPODS) for remote/temporary sites.

The revenue model combines one-time installation fees with a recurring 24/7 monitoring subscription base, supplemented by service/maintenance contracts, smart home device sales, and a bilateral customer referral program ($150 monitoring credit to both parties). Distribution is direct via field sales, inside sales (1-800-833-6416), and free on-site consultations across three Ohio offices (Lima, Columbus, Brecksville). A strategic partnership with Branch Insurance provides 9.5%-29.5% home insurance premium discounts, functioning as a sales accelerant. No external funding rounds, M&A, or institutional ownership are disclosed.

Name

Northwestern Ohio Security Systems

Legal name

Northwestern Ohio Security Systems, Inc.

Website

https://nwoss.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Northwestern Ohio Security Systems (NWOSS) is a veteran-owned, Ohio-based security systems integrator founded in 1981 that designs, installs, and 24/7-monitors intrusion, video surveillance, access control, and fire alarm systems for residential customers statewide and commercial clients across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Systems Integration & Monitoring Services

NAICS

Security Systems Services (56162), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)

SIC

Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Monitoring (Burglar/Intrusion) (HSAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Access Control & Smart Locks (Managed/Monitored) (HSAHAAAG), Control Panel, Keypad & Siren Installation/Replacement (HSAHABAE), Access Control Management & Credentialing (Badging/Visitor Management) (IMAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Residential security systems
• Commercial security systems
• Video surveillance services
• Access control systems
• Fire alarm systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Lima

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Security System Installation: One-time professional installation of security systems including cameras, access control, fire alarms, and intrusion detection. Includes custom system design, equipment procurement, and professional installation services.
2. Monitoring Services: 24-hour professional monitoring services for residential and commercial properties. Monitoring station located in Lima, Ohio provides round-the-clock surveillance and emergency dispatch coordination.
3. Referral Program Revenue: Customer referral program where existing customers receive $150 monitoring credit when referred customers purchase new systems. Drives new customer acquisition through existing customer network.
4. Service and Maintenance: Ongoing service, maintenance, testing, and inspection services for installed security systems. Includes emergency repair services and technical support.
5. Smart Home Device Sales: Sale of compatible smart home devices including Z-Wave light bulbs, appliance outlets, thermostats, and other IoT devices that integrate with the security platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Northwestern Ohio Security Systems (NWOSS) is a veteran-owned regional security systems integrator that designs, sells, professionally installs, and 24/7 monitors integrated physical security systems for residential and commercial customers. Core offerings include intrusion detection, video surveillance, fire alarm systems, electronic access control, video intercoms, and Z-Wave smart home automation, unified through a proprietary Virtual Keypad App and backed by the company's own UL-listed monitoring station in Lima, Ohio. The company serves homeowners throughout Ohio and commercial customers across North America across verticals including government, education (K-12), industrial/manufacturing, small business, and agriculture.

Product overview

Northwestern Ohio Security Systems (NWOSS) is a regional security integrator offering a comprehensive portfolio of physical security products and services for residential and commercial customers. The core offerings center on professionally installed and monitored security systems combining intrusion detection, fire alarms, video surveillance, and access control. Key products include Residential and Commercial Security Systems as the foundational offerings, complemented by Camera Packages, Fire Alarm Systems, Access Control, and Video Intercoms. The Virtual Keypad App serves as the unified mobile/web platform enabling remote control, video viewing, Z-Wave home automation, and push notifications. NWOSS provides 24-hour professional monitoring from their Lima, Ohio station and professional installation services. The company has expanded capabilities through vendor partnerships including Rhombus cloud-based AI cameras, SentryPODS outdoor surveillance, and COVID-19 health safety solutions (temperature screening, mask detection, people counting). Vertical market solutions serve Government, Education, Industrial, and Small Business sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Security Systems Comprehensive home security solutions including intrusion detection, smart home automation, surveillance cameras, smoke/CO2 detectors, and mobile app control, designed for residential customers throughout Ohio.
• Commercial Security Systems Business security solutions including fire alarm systems, video intercoms, access control, and camera packages for commercial customers across North America, including government, education, industrial, and small business verticals.
• Camera Packages
• Virtual Keypad App Proprietary mobile and web application enabling remote control of security systems, smart home Z-Wave devices, camera feeds, video verification, geofencing, and real-time notifications; compatible with Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple TV.
• Fire Alarm Systems Commercial fire alarm systems including initiating devices (smoke, heat, CO detectors), notification appliances, control panels (conventional and addressable), and 24/7 monitoring with emergency dispatch.
• Access Control Systems Electronic access control systems managing entry to commercial facilities via keycards, fobs, mobile credentials, or biometric readers, with real-time entry logs and emergency lockdown capabilities.
• 24-Hour Professional Monitoring Services 24/7 professional monitoring from NWOSS's own UL-listed monitoring station in Lima, Ohio, providing alarm response, video verification, and emergency dispatch coordination for residential and commercial customers.
• Professional Installation Services Certified-technician installation of security systems including free site evaluation, customized system design, professional setup, and hands-on customer training.
• Smart Home Automation Z-Wave based home automation including smart lights, thermostats, door locks, and appliance outlets, integrated with the security system and the Virtual Keypad App.
• Video Intercoms Commercial video intercom systems enabling visual verification and two-way communication at entry points, integrating with access control systems.
• Rhombus Cloud Video Surveillance Cloud-managed AI-powered security cameras (2MP, 5MP, 4K, 360° models) and smart sensors integrated via the Rhombus Console platform, offering facial recognition, license plate recognition, mask detection, people counting, and unusual behavior detection.
• SentryPODS Outdoor Surveillance Autonomous outdoor Protective Overt Deployable Surveillance solution providing video access in remote locations such as construction sites, agricultural facilities, and temporary perimeters.
• Elevated Body Temperature Screening Thermal camera-based elevated body temperature screening solutions (including FLIR E95) for mass entry points, connecting to existing surveillance systems to detect individuals with elevated body temperature.

Quantifiable outcome

• Homes without security systems are nearly THREE TIMES more likely to be burglarized than homes with one
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and strategic.

• Rhombus SystemscoreTechnology or Integration · 22 April 2022Authorized Rhombus reseller partnership providing affordable cloud-based video surveillance with enterprise-grade technology including AI-powered cameras, smart sensors, and unified console management. Partnership enables NWOSS to offer Rhombus solutions combined with their service and technical expertise.
• AiphonecoreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner providing intercom solutions for residential and commercial security applications. Aiphone is a recognized leader in intercom and communication systems integrated into NWOSS security offerings.
• Axis CommunicationscoreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner and industry leader in network cameras and IP network solutions. Provides high-quality surveillance cameras for NWOSS security installations.
• AvigiloncoreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner providing unified physical security solutions including video surveillance and analytics for commercial applications.
• Bosch Security and Safety SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner providing security and safety equipment including video surveillance, fire alarm systems, and people counting analytics (Bosch PeopleCount).
• DMP (Digital Monitoring Products)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationFamily-owned independent manufacturer of intrusion, fire, access control, and cellular alarm solutions. Core technology provider for NWOSS systems including Virtual Keypad platform and video verification.
• Edwards Fire and Life SafetycoreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner specializing in fire alarm systems, life safety solutions, and the FireWorks incident management platform for commercial fire alarm applications.
• GeneteccoreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner providing unified physical security platform including video surveillance, access control, and security intelligence.
• Hanwha VisioncoreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner providing comprehensive video surveillance cameras and security solutions for commercial applications.
• Lenel S2coreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner providing advanced physical security solutions including access control and video surveillance management.
• Milestone SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationVendor partner providing video management systems (VMS) for IP-based video surveillance across commercial installations.
• Branch InsurancestrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance partnership offering substantial savings on home insurance premiums for NWOSS customers. Discounts range from 9.5% to 29.5% depending on type of devices connected to security system. Customers with smoke and water detection receive highest discounts. Partnership provides measurable cost savings that support sales efforts.
• ZKTecocoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology vendor partner providing temperature screening systems (SF1005-V+/SF1008+), SpeedFace+ face mask detection units, and facial recognition access control solutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vector Security: Regional-to-national full-service security systems integrator offering intrusion, video surveillance, access control, and 24/7 monitoring to residential and commercial customers. Most comparable to NWOSS on business model (installation + recurring monitoring) and multi-vertical go-to-market.
• Pye-Barker Fire & Safety: Multi-state commercial fire alarm and security systems integrator serving enterprise and mid-market customers. Directly comparable to NWOSS's commercial fire alarm, access control and surveillance offerings and to its growth-via-M&A integrator playbook.
• Koorsen Fire & Security: Commercial fire alarm, security, and life-safety integrator operating across multiple U.S. Midwest and South regions. Similar to NWOSS in combining installation, monitoring and recurring service contracts across fire and intrusion.
• Convergint Technologies: Large-scale global systems integrator specializing in electronic security, fire alarm, and building automation for enterprise and government customers. Comparable to NWOSS's commercial security vertical (government, education, industrial) while operating at much larger scale.
• Guardian Alarm: Midwest-based security and life-safety systems integrator with in-house 24/7 monitoring offering intrusion, video, access control and fire alarm services. Closely comparable to NWOSS on regional Midwest footprint and owned-central-station model.
• CPI Security: Regional security systems provider offering professionally installed intrusion, video, and life-safety systems with 24/7 monitoring, serving residential and small business customers across the Southeast U.S. Compares to NWOSS on hybrid residential/SMB go-to-market and recurring monitoring revenue.

Regional players

• Security Instrument Corp: Mid-Atlantic regional security integrator offering commercial and residential intrusion, fire, video surveillance, and access control with its own in-house monitoring center. Comparable to NWOSS's owned-monitoring and full-stack integrator model, but operating on the East Coast rather than in Ohio.

Broad incumbents

• ADT Inc. Largest U.S. professionally monitored security provider for residential and small business customers, with national sales, marketing and 24/7 monitoring infrastructure. Competes with NWOSS for residential monitored accounts in Ohio but offers broader brand reach and significantly larger scale.
• Stanley Security (Securitas Electronic Security): Large-scale commercial electronic security integrator and managed services provider, operating across intrusion, video, access control and monitoring for enterprise customers. Overlaps with NWOSS's commercial security offering as a much larger, broader-scope incumbent.
• Brink's Home (Moni / Vivint aligned installer channel): National provider of professionally monitored home security systems with direct-to-door sales and field installation across many U.S. states. Comparable to NWOSS's residential installation-plus-monitoring model but at multi-state national scale with much heavier marketing spend.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nwoss

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwestern Ohio Security Systems