SentryPODS

What SentryPODS does

SentryPODS (Protective Overt Deployable Surveillance) is a U.S. security technology company operating as a product sub-brand of Smart Digital, headquartered in Ashland, Ohio. Founded in 2015 by former U.S. Marine Corps officer Brent Canfield, the company designs and manufactures autonomous, rapidly deployable mobile surveillance systems for environments lacking permanent power or network infrastructure. Its product portfolio includes solar-powered surveillance trailers (Chariot), solar skids (Spartan), panoramic and PTZ camera units (Phoenix, Hunter, Eagle, Recon, Scout, Mini), a thermal imaging system (Viper), and a permanent access control/alarm product (Echo). All units are managed through the proprietary Fortress cloud-based video management system, which supports remote monitoring, AI-powered analytics, system health tracking, and multi-site fleet visibility. The company is NDAA compliant and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certified, positioning it for federal and defense procurement.

The company monetizes through three primary revenue streams: hardware sales with unit prices ranging from approximately $7,427 to over $49,000; a zero-interest leasing program offering 12, 24, or 36-month terms with monthly payments from $640 to $2,900; and recurring remote monitoring services delivered through the Fortress VMS and Virtual Guard service offering. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales, a channel partner program (most recently adding Threat Detection & Safety Services covering NC, SC, and TN), and strategic technology partnerships including Starlink for global satellite connectivity and Global Guardian for professional 24/7 video monitoring. Primary customer segments are construction, critical infrastructure, military/DOD, and public safety, with additional exposure to correctional facilities, national parks, and renewable energy farms.

SentryPODS operates with 11-50 employees, is privately held, has no disclosed institutional funding, and is led by founder Brent Canfield as CEO. In October 2025 the company expanded into a larger manufacturing facility to scale production of its solar-powered product lines. The addressable global mobile surveillance towers market is estimated at $1.45 billion in 2024 with a projected 7.8% CAGR through 2033.

Name

SentryPODS

Legal name

SentryPODS

Website

https://sentrypods.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SentryPODS designs and manufactures autonomous, rapidly deployable mobile surveillance systems and a cloud-based video management platform (Fortress) for construction, critical infrastructure, military/DOD, and public safety customers lacking permanent power or network infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (Surveillance Units): Sale of mobile surveillance units including Chariot trailers, Spartan skids, Phoenix, Hunter, Eagle, Scout, Mini, Viper, and Recon systems. Purchase prices range from $7,427 to over $49,000 depending on configuration.
2. Equipment Leasing: Short-term and long-term leasing options for surveillance cameras with 12, 24, or 36-month terms and zero interest charged. Monthly lease payments starting at $640-$2,900 depending on unit type.
3. Remote Monitoring Services: 24/7 professional monitoring services through Fortress VMS dashboard. Includes live central station operators, real-time alerts via text/email/push, and virtual guard services.
4. Accessories and Add-ons: Sale of accessories including solar kits, mast collars, rapid attachment systems, rooftop skid mounts, mobility kits, battery expansion packs, and ruggedized cases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SentryPODS designs, manufactures, and sells autonomous, solar-powered mobile surveillance systems (Chariot trailers, Spartan skids, Phoenix, Hunter, Eagle, Recon, Viper, Scout, and Mini units) plus the Echo access control/alarm system, all managed through the proprietary cloud-based Fortress VMS platform. Offerings are available for purchase or zero-interest lease and target remote, off-grid, and infrastructure-poor environments including construction sites, critical infrastructure, military bases, and public safety events.

Product overview

SentryPODS (Protective Overt Deployable Surveillance) offers a portfolio of autonomous, mobile, wireless surveillance systems designed for remote, rugged, and high-value environments lacking permanent power or network infrastructure. The product line centers on solar-powered and AC-powered mobile surveillance units (Chariot, Spartan, Phoenix, Hunter, Eagle, Recon, Viper, Scout, Mini) and a permanent access control/alarm system (Echo), all managed through the Fortress cloud-based VMS platform. Accessories including the Rapid Attachment System (RAS), Mast Collar, Mobility Kit, Rooftop Skid Mount, Solar Kit, Battery Pack Expansion, and Extendable Masts enable rapid deployment across diverse mounting scenarios. The Virtual Guard service augments physical guard forces with remote monitoring, intercom, and gate control. Products operate via cellular, 5G, Wi-Fi, Starlink satellite, or point-to-point mobility kit connectivity, and are available for purchase or leasing (12-36 months, zero interest).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fortress: Cloud-based video surveillance monitoring dashboard for remote video monitoring, alert management, and multi-site visibility.
• The Fortress VMS
• Virtual Guard

Products and services

• Chariot Solar Surveillance Trailer Solar-powered towable surveillance trailer with a 30-foot extendable mast and six-panel solar array, designed for off-grid construction, critical infrastructure, military, and remote perimeter deployments requiring rapid relocation.
• Spartan Solar Skid Solar-powered skid-mounted surveillance platform with elevated PTZ or multi-head camera options for long-term stationary perimeter protection at utility substations, energy sites, and industrial facilities without permanent infrastructure.
• Phoenix 360° Panoramic Surveillance Unit Mobile 360-degree panoramic multi-sensor surveillance unit with up to 20MP total resolution, integrated infrared illumination, remote zoom and focus adjustment, and rugged outdoor-rated construction for wide-area monitoring with no blind spots.
• Hunter PTZ Surveillance Unit Rapidly deployable PTZ surveillance platform with 30X optical zoom, auto-tracking technology, mid-range infrared illumination, and Rapid Attachment System (RAS) for mobile security operations requiring long-range operator control.
• Eagle 360° Multi-Directional Surveillance Unit Continuous 360-degree multi-directional surveillance unit with four integrated camera sensors, motorized focus, remote adjustment, and infrared imaging for low-light environments, covering industrial, transportation, and large-area perimeter applications.
• Recon High-Security Surveillance Unit High-security surveillance platform combining integrated threat detection, intrusion analytics, 30x optical zoom, intelligent auto-tracking, 360-degree continuous pan, and GPS location tracking with hot-swappable components for demanding security environments.
• Viper Thermal Surveillance Unit Thermal surveillance system with uncooled microbolometer sensor (768x576 resolution), athermalized 19mm thermal lens, 5G/Wi-Fi/GPS connectivity, PoE with intelligent power management, and dual lithium-ion battery backup (576Wh total) for continuous perimeter security in complete darkness, smoke, and adverse weather.
• Scout Portable Surveillance Unit Entry-level portable surveillance unit with 10x optical zoom, continuous 360-degree pan, Axis Zipstream bandwidth optimization, two-way audio and I/O functionality, and configurable scene profiles for rapid deployment at property management and utility sites.
• Mini Compact Surveillance Unit Compact low-profile surveillance unit with 5MP high-resolution imaging, integrated infrared up to 130ft, digital PTZ, remote focus and optical zoom, and 8+ hours of battery backup for short-to-mid-range coverage at space-constrained and temporary installations.
• Echo Access Control & Intrusion Detection System Permanent access control and intrusion detection alarm system with keypad entry, thermal detection, 120 dB siren, strobe alerts, and Modbus TCP/IP integration for SCADA-connected facilities and ICS breach notifications.
• Fortress Video Management System (VMS) Cloud-based Video Management System (VMS) providing centralized command for all deployed SentryPODS units: live camera feeds, AI-powered real-time alerts, system health monitoring, site activity tracking, multi-location visibility, time-lapse, and prosecution-ready forensic video storage.
• Virtual Guard Remote Guarding Service Remote guarding service pairing cellular or Starlink-connected surveillance with Wi-Fi intercom and remote gate control, enabling live central station operators to verify visitors and manage access from a remote location, extending traditional guard forces without physical on-site personnel.
• SentryPODS Leasing Program Flexible 12, 24, or 36-month leasing options with zero interest charged, covering all SentryPODS surveillance units including Chariot, Spartan, Hunter, Phoenix, Scout, Mini, Viper, Eagle, and Recon. Hardware ships within 48 hours of lease approval.

Quantifiable outcome

• Units deploy within 24-48 hours of order; operational within 3-5 minutes of on-site arrival
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability6 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Threat Detection & Safety ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 April 2025Threat Detection & Safety Services, a Durham, NC-based security solutions provider, appointed as Preferred Channel Partner. Represents and distributes full SentryPODS product line across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee markets.
• Starlink (SpaceX)coreTechnology or Integration · 5 October 2023Integration with Starlink satellite internet service enables unlimited global data connectivity for SentryPODS surveillance units. This revolutionary integration removes geographical limitations, allowing surveillance deployment anywhere on Earth with satellite coverage.
• Global GuardiancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2023Partnership with Global Guardian, a global firm specializing in emergency response, security consulting, and video monitoring services. Global Guardian provides advanced video monitoring services that enhance SentryPODS offerings, allowing integration of professional monitoring with autonomous surveillance platforms.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Verkada: Larger, well-funded enterprise video security and remote monitoring platform with cloud-managed cameras. Competitor at the VMS/analytics layer but lacks mobile, off-grid, solar-powered hardware.
• Teledyne FLIR: Large incumbent in thermal imaging, sensors, and defense-grade surveillance systems. Comparable thermal-camera and defense-vertical positioning to the Viper thermal product line.
• Axis Communications: Global incumbent in network cameras and surveillance infrastructure; SentryPODS units integrate Axis Zipstream technology. Overlaps on camera and VMS technology stack but does not compete in mobile solar trailers.
• Brivo: Cloud-based access control and physical security platform with broader enterprise focus. Comparable in the access-control sub-segment to SentryPODS Echo system.

Direct peers

• Spotter Global: Provider of mobile surveillance units and AI-enabled perimeter detection with rental/leasing business model targeting construction sites and critical infrastructure. Comparable autonomous-detection and recurring-revenue profile.
• LiveView Technologies: US manufacturer of mobile, self-powered surveillance trailers with solar panels, cellular connectivity, and AI analytics for construction, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure. Closest direct competitor in product form factor and target verticals.
• WCCTV (Wireless CCTV): UK/US-based provider of mobile, solar-powered CCTV towers with similar rapid-deployment, off-grid surveillance offerings and recurring managed-services revenue. Direct competitor in construction, critical infrastructure, and public safety verticals.
• Stealth Monitoring: North American provider of remote video monitoring and virtual guard services for construction, commercial real estate, and critical infrastructure. Direct overlap with SentryPODS Virtual Guard and Fortress VMS service.
• Recon View: Specialist in mobile surveillance trailers with solar power and wireless connectivity, serving similar construction and infrastructure verticals with lease-based acquisition models.

Emerging players

• Deep Sentinel: AI-driven remote video monitoring with live guard intervention, focused primarily on residential and small commercial sites. Adjacent remote-monitoring model with narrower vertical coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights2 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@STPCast
• Xx.com/sentrypods
• Facebookfacebook.com/SentryPodsSurveillance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-digital-llc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 SentryPODS