1st Digital takes a unique approach

KENNEBUNK, Maine—A new security company has begun making inroads in the digital surveillance market by partnering with systems integrators, IT experts and salespeople across the country. But 1st Digital Surveillance is not your typical security company. Unlike other security companies that tout a security product’s ability to keep bad guys out and catch crooks on tape, 1st Digital is going to market by promoting that its surveillance system can help a business run better. Founded by entrepreneur Chris Moreno, and business partners Eric Leigh and Don DeGraff, the idea to start a security company came after Moreno interviewed a security salesman for a position at his company, Vapor Systems, a company that sells commercial steam cleaning systems. The trio spent a year researching the industry and looking for a digital surveillance system to bring to market. It’s 1st Digital Surveillance branded systems offers business owners the ability to remotely monitor their company, such as keeping watch on wait staff in a restaurant or tracking how a cashier interacts with customers. To bring its surveillance system to market, 1st Digital has partnered with 35 people so far, both seasoned sales people and integrators in the security market. Dale Young, owner of D.A. Young Custom Wiring in Wyoming, Mich., is providing the installation expertise in Michigan, northern Indiana and northern Ohio market. Young was contacted after a security product distributor shared his name with Moreno. “I wanted to be along for the ride,” said Young, who expects to install one system a week and also reap the financial benefits of additional business. Within a year of the company’s launch, Moreno expects the company’s network of partners to hit the 100 mark.