SSU

What SSU does

SSU is a family-owned commercial systems integration firm headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, designing, installing, and servicing physical security, audio-visual, and connectivity infrastructure for commercial, industrial, government, healthcare, retail, warehouse, and multi-tenant residential clients across the New Jersey and greater Philadelphia region. The company traces its roots to a 1954 electronics repair shop founded by Harold Berkowitz, with Eric Berkowitz launching the modern SSU business in the mid-1970s around grocery-store sound systems; it now operates under the third generation of Berkowitz family leadership, with Dane Berkowitz assuming the presidency in 2022 after joining the firm in 2018 from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Headcount sits in the 11-50 range and the firm is explicitly self-described as a multi-million-dollar regional leader without external investors or parent-company affiliation.

The product portfolio spans three solution lines delivered as custom designs rather than standardized packages. Security and Life Safety covers access control (keycard, biometric, mobile credential), intrusion detection, fire alarm systems (Fire Lite, Silent Knight), mass notification, perimeter detection (microwave, radar, thermal imaging), drone/counter-UAS detection, ERCES (Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems), key management, and 24/7 alarm monitoring. Structured Cabling delivers data, voice, fiber optic, and Distributed Antenna System (DAS) infrastructure using ICC, Chatsworth Products, and Windy City Wire components. Audio/Visual covers meeting room and video conferencing systems (Crestron integration, Samsung/LG displays), foreground and background music, digital signage, and paging. A Lifecycle Management Program (Design, Build, Replace, Service) wraps vendor-certified technician installations in multi-year maintenance, inspection, and upgrade contracts.

Revenue is generated through two mechanisms: project-based installation and equipment revenue treated as one-time license value, and recurring subscription streams from 24/7 alarm monitoring and ongoing service/maintenance contracts. Pricing is opaque and custom-quoted against each engagement; there are no published tiers. Distribution is direct, via a consultative field-sales motion and a vertical-specific website inquiry funnel, with no channel partners or resellers visible in the data. Geographic reach remains concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic with no explicit signals of out-of-region expansion.

Name

SSU

Legal name

SSU

Website

https://ssupro.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SSU is a family-owned commercial systems integration firm headquartered in Mount Laurel, NJ, designing and installing video surveillance, access control, fire alarm, structured cabling, and AV systems for commercial, industrial, and government clients across New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Security Systems Integration

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Low-Voltage & Security Systems Contracting (Access Control, CCTV, Intrusion) (IMAFALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Security Systems Monitoring & Dispatch (SOC/Remote Guarding) (IMAIAEAF)

Keywords

• Commercial security systems
• Video surveillance integration
• Access control solutions
• Structured cabling infrastructure
• Audio visual integration

Headquarters

HQ city

New Jersey

HQ country

Trinidad & Tobago

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Security Systems Installation and Integration: SSU designs, installs, and integrates commercial security systems including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, fire alarms, perimeter detection, and related life safety solutions. Revenue is generated through project-based installation fees and equipment sales.
2. Audio Visual Solutions: Custom AV system installation and integration including meeting room technology, digital signage, paging systems, and foreground/background music systems for commercial spaces.
3. Structured Cabling Infrastructure: Data, voice, and fiber optic cabling installations along with DAS solutions. Project-based revenue from design and installation services.
4. 24/7 Alarm Monitoring Services: Professional monitoring services providing rapid response to alarms, offering ongoing recurring revenue through monitoring contracts.
5. Ongoing Service and Maintenance: Annual fire inspections, routine maintenance, software updates, and service when systems malfunction. Long-term service contracts provide recurring revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SSU is a commercial sound and security systems integration firm that designs, installs, and services custom security, audio/visual, and structured cabling infrastructure for businesses. Core deliverables include video surveillance, access control, intrusion/fire detection, perimeter/drone detection, alarm monitoring, fiber/data/voice cabling, distributed antenna systems (DAS), VoIP/PBX, and AV solutions (meeting rooms, digital signage, paging, background music). Projects are delivered through a four-stage Lifecycle Management Program (Design, Build, Replace, Service) supported by vendor-certified technicians and 24/7 alarm monitoring.

Product overview

SSU is a commercial sound and security systems integration firm offering a portfolio of services centered on infrastructure, audio/visual, and security/life safety solutions. The core offerings include Structured Cabling Solutions (data, voice, fiber optic cabling, and DAS), Audio/Visual Solutions (meeting rooms, video conferencing, music systems, digital signage, and paging), and Security and Life Safety Solutions (access control, intrusion detection, fire alarms, perimeter/drone detection, mass notification, ERCES, and alarm monitoring). These services are delivered as custom solutions tailored to each client's needs, supported by a Lifecycle Management Program covering design, build, replacement, and ongoing service/maintenance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Security and Life Safety Solutions Comprehensive suite of commercial security and life safety solutions covering access control systems, intrusion detection, fire alarm systems, mass notification, perimeter detection (microwave, radar, thermal imaging), drone detection, ERCES (Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems), key management, and 24/7 alarm monitoring. Designed for commercial, industrial, and government facilities needing scalable protection from single-door to enterprise-wide deployments.
• Audio/Visual Solutions Custom AV system design, installation, and integration for commercial spaces including meeting room and video conferencing systems, foreground and background music, digital signage, and paging systems. Built for huddle spaces, boardrooms, and large conference areas with seamless integration and long-term reliability.
• Structured Cabling Solutions Design and installation of data, voice, and fiber optic cabling infrastructure and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). Provides scalable connectivity solutions for commercial facilities requiring reliable wired and wireless network infrastructure.
• Connectivity and IT Services Internet and connectivity services, VoIP and PBX system design and support, and wireless coverage solutions via Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). Includes consultation, installation, and ongoing support for commercial voice and data communications.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Convergint Technologies: One of the largest global security, fire, and AV systems integrators with thousands of technicians. Comparable to SSU in core service lines (access control, video surveillance, fire alarm, structured cabling) but operates at national/international scale.
• Johnson Controls Security Solutions: Global building technology firm offering integrated security, fire detection, and building management. Comparable product lines (access control, video, fire alarm) and overlapping customer base in commercial real estate and government.
• Siemens Smart Infrastructure: Global building technologies provider covering security, fire safety, and communications infrastructure. Overlaps with SSU in commercial fire alarm, access control, and structured cabling for large facilities.
• ADT Commercial: National commercial security integrator with monitoring centers and broad coverage. Overlaps with SSU on commercial video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, and 24/7 monitoring, but at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• IES Communications: Low-voltage systems contractor specializing in structured cabling, security, audio-visual, and wireless/DAS installations. Direct competitor to SSU in the commercial low-voltage integration space.
• Koorsen Fire & Security: Midwest- and East-Coast-based commercial security and fire/life safety integrator with monitoring services. Closely comparable to SSU in offering mix, regional integrator model, and inclusion of alarm monitoring as recurring revenue.
• VTI Security Integrators: Mid-sized commercial security and AV integration firm serving enterprise clients. Direct comparable to SSU in offering mix (access control, video, AV, structured cabling) and project-based service model.
• BearCom: Nationwide integrator of wireless, security, and AV systems serving commercial and industrial customers. Comparable to SSU in two-way/wireless, video surveillance, and integrated communications deployments.

Others

• CI Guest LLC: Independent security consulting and project management firm. Adjacent to SSU in the low-voltage security value chain — represents owners in specifying and overseeing systems integrators like SSU.

Regional players

• Reliable Fire & Security: Midwest-based commercial fire alarm and security integrator with monitoring. Comparable services and family/regional operator profile to SSU, but serves a different US geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ssupro

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 SSU