Grupo Simplex
Grupo Simplex is a Panama-based systems integrator founded in 1975 that designs, installs, and maintains enterprise security, fire alarm, video surveillance, access control, and structured-cabling systems for banks, government institutions, hospitality chains, and multinational corporates across Panama.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersPanama City, Panama
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Grupo Simplex does
Grupo Simplex is a Panama-based systems integration company founded in 1975 by Nils Petterson that designs, supplies, installs, and maintains special security, telecommunications, control, and automation systems for enterprise, government, institutional, and high-end residential clients. The product portfolio centers on physical security infrastructure: addressable fire alarm systems (notably Simplex 4100U), wireless intrusion and robbery alarms, IP-based video surveillance with thermal cameras, biometric and proximity access control, Face ID with temperature detection, structured Cat-6+ cabling and fiber, voice/data networking, clean-agent fire suppression, electric locks, and video intercoms. A separate services line covers warranty inspection, technical support, ongoing maintenance and monitoring, and customer-staff training and certification. The company's technical and operational underpinnings rest on multi-vendor brand certifications (Simplex/Johnson Controls, Cisco, Mobotix, DMP, Visonic, Hanwha, Aruba, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise) and certification of personnel by Panama's Junta Tecnica de Ingenieria y Arquitectura, which is a gating requirement for system installation on commercial and government projects in the country. Notable flagship projects include the ATLAPA Convention Center, the Frank Gehry-designed Museo de la Biodiversidad, the CSS building fire alarm system, the Panama Canal, and the first internet data center in Central America at Ciudad del Saber.
Grupo Simplex generates revenue through a combination of hardware-led project sales (security equipment supplied and installed as integrated turnkey solutions) and recurring professional services (installation, warranty inspection, technical support, maintenance, monitoring, and training). Pricing is quote-based and project-specific with multi-year service contracts; opportunities are won via direct enterprise field sales and participation in public bids (licitaciones). The customer base spans multiple verticals — banks (BBVA, Citibank, Banco Nacional de Panama, Banesco, Banistmo, BAC Credomatic), government institutions (CSS, Canal de Panama, MiBus, Museo de la Biodiversidad, UTP), hospitality (RIU Hotels, Radisson), retail (Supermercados Rey, Payless ShoeSource), and large multinationals (Bacardi, Xerox, Chevron, Shell, AES, Tetra Pak) — with the company describing a total customer footprint of 'thousands' across 45+ years. Distribution is overwhelmingly direct and single-country (Panama), supported by a basic digital presence (website, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) used for inbound project inquiries.
The company is privately held, founder- and family-controlled (Nils Petterson as President and founder; Moe Petterson as General Manager; Euclides Gonzalez as Director of Finance; Arnulfo Castilo as Director of Operations and Technology; Hernan Taylor as Management Assistant and partner), with no disclosed external institutional investment or parent company. In 2004 the telecommunications and data division was divested to partner Emanuel Lyons (E Business), and in 2005 the company restructured and created STS to focus on corporate security, relocating the headquarters to Centro Comercial Bay Mall on Avenida Balboa in Panama City.
Grupo Simplex firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Grupo Simplex
- Legal name
- Grupo Simplex
- Website
- https://gruposimplex.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Grupo Simplex is a Panama-based systems integrator founded in 1975 that designs, installs, and maintains enterprise security, fire alarm, video surveillance, access control, and structured-cabling systems for banks, government institutions, hospitality chains, and multinational corporates across Panama.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Grupo Simplex industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Security System Integration
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Security Systems Monitoring & Dispatch (SOC/Remote Guarding) (IMAIAEAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Policy, Access & NAC Administration (AAA/802.1X) (HDAFAMAH)
Keywords
Where Grupo Simplex is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Panama City
- HQ country
- Panama
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Grupo Simplex business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Security System Integration: Design, sale, installation, service, and maintenance of special security systems including fire alarms, robbery alarms, video surveillance, and access control. Includes planning, programming, and training services.
- Professional Services: Installation, warranty inspection, technical support, maintenance, and monitoring services. Training and certification of customer personnel.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based pricing for enterprise clients |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Grupo Simplex product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Grupo Simplex is a system integration company that designs, supplies, installs, services, and maintains special security, telecommunications, control, and automation systems for enterprise, government, and high-end residential clients. Its offerings center on integrated physical-security infrastructure (addressable fire alarms, intrusion alarms, IP CCTV, thermal cameras, biometric access control) along with telecommunications infrastructure (voice/data networks, structured cabling) and complementary services including training, warranty inspection, technical support, and 24/7 monitoring.
Product overview
Grupo Simplex is a systems integration company that designs, supplies, installs, and maintains special security, telecommunication, control, and automation systems. The product portfolio centers on physical security infrastructure including addressable fire alarm systems, wireless intrusion alarms, IP-based video surveillance (CCTV), thermal cameras, and biometric/proximity access control systems. Additional offerings include clean agent fire suppression systems, voice/data networks, structured Cat-6+ cabling, Face ID with temperature detection, video intercoms, and electric door locks. The company also provides installation, service, and maintenance support including staff training and certification. These products are typically sold and deployed as integrated solutions rather than standalone offerings, with the company acting as a systems integrator providing turnkey solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Addressable Fire Alarm Systems (Alarmas de Incendio Direccionable) Addressable fire alarm systems that detect and locate fires with zone-level precision, enabling rapid response and targeted evacuation procedures for enterprise, government, and high-end residential facilities.
- Automatic Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems (Sistemas de Extincion Automatico con agente limpio) Automatic fire suppression systems using clean chemical agents that extinguish fires without damaging sensitive equipment, suitable for data centers and server rooms.
- Wireless Assault and Robbery Alarms (Alarmas de Asalto y Robo Wireless) Wireless security alarm systems for detecting and alerting against intrusion, assault, and robbery attempts in residential and commercial properties, including Visonic Power G wireless equipment.
- IP Network CCTV Systems (Sistemas de Circuito Cerrado de Television en Red IP) IP-based network video surveillance systems enabling remote monitoring, recording, and management of security cameras over computer networks, with face detection and visitor counting capabilities.
- Thermal Cameras (Camaras termicas)
Quantifiable outcome
- First fire alarm computer system in Latin America installed at Atlapa Convention Center
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Grupo Simplex
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Grupo Simplex technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
Grupo Simplex partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Simplex (Johnson Controls)coreRepresent and install Simplex fire alarm systems including the 4100U addressable fire alarm system. Simplex is a flagship brand for their fire safety solutions, with Grupo Simplex having installed the first computerized fire alarm system in Latin America.
- CiscocoreFirst independent Cisco distributor in Panama. Install Cisco networking equipment including switches, IP phones, and structured cabling solutions for enterprise networks.
- MobotixcoreAuthorized installer of Mobotix IP surveillance cameras and video management systems for enterprise security deployments.
- DMP (Digital Monitoring Products)coreInstall DMP security alarm and access control systems including intrusion detection and building automation controls.
- VisoniccoreInstall Visonic wireless alarm systems manufactured in Israel (acquired by TYCO in 2014) including Power G wireless technology.
- Alcatel-Lucent EnterprisecorePreviously first distributor of Alcatel voice-data-image servers 4000 and partner for fiber optic network installations including Panama-Aguadulce fiber link and C&W public telephone network digitization project.
- Junta Tecnica de Ingenieria y Arquitectura de PanamacoreGovernment certification body that certifies the company's engineering team and technical personnel for system installations in Panama.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Grupo Simplex competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Grupo Simplex social profiles
Digital presenceGrupo Simplex financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Grupo Simplex leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Grupo Simplex funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Grupo Simplex M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Grupo Simplex
What does Grupo Simplex do?
Grupo Simplex is a system integration company that designs, supplies, installs, services, and maintains special security, telecommunications, control, and automation systems for enterprise, government, and high-end residential clients. Its offerings center on integrated physical-security infrastructure (addressable fire alarms, intrusion alarms, IP CCTV, thermal cameras, biometric access control) along with telecommunications infrastructure (voice/data networks, structured cabling) and complementary services including training, warranty inspection, technical support, and 24/7 monitoring.
Is Grupo Simplex a public or private company?
Grupo Simplex is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Grupo Simplex founded?
Grupo Simplex was founded in 1975. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Grupo Simplex based?
Grupo Simplex is headquartered in Panama City, Panama, in the Latin America region.
How does Grupo Simplex make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Security System Integration is the primary driver. The others are professional Services.
Does Grupo Simplex have an API?
No public API is recorded for Grupo Simplex.
What industry is Grupo Simplex in?
Grupo Simplex's product category is Security System Integration. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAEAF, Security Systems Monitoring & Dispatch (SOC/Remote Guarding), with a secondary code of HDAFAMAH, Policy, Access & NAC Administration (AAA/802.1X). Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 7373.