SimplexGrinnell teams with AVI-SPL for package deal

BOCA RATON, Fla.--Aiming to provide a one-source solution for customers looking for life safety systems and high-quality, concert-level sound systems, SimplexGrinnell announced May 14 a partnership with AVI-SPL, a global integrator for audio video systems and services.

"Many customers, such as school systems and hospitals, want to buy multiple systems from a single source," said Mike Swiecicki, SimplexGrinnell manager for sound and communications. This partnership will enable SimplexGrinnell to provide "best of breed sound systems along with SimplexGrinnell's fire, security and emergency communications systems."

AVI-SPL's portfolio includes sound and video reinforcement, video conferencing, collaborative communications and streaming media as well as services.

Simplex Grinnell "is already in schools and hospitals," Swiecicki noted. These customers will be particularly interested in AVI-SPL's offerings for auditoriums, gymnasiums and cafeterias. Likewise, SimplexGrinnell believes its clients in healthcare, government, hospitality, houses of worship, corporate facilities and performance venues will be interested in AVI-SPL's video solutions.

Service is an important component of the offering, said Swiecicki. Frequently, customers want to have the very best sound, fire and security systems, "but in these economic times, they don't have the capability to support and service the individual systems internally. They're looking for a single, reliable outside source for service," he said.

Swiecicki said that the partnership is a good fit because both companies have national footprints. SimplexGrinnell plays in all of the verticals where AVI-SPL does business, so while the partnership will not bring SimplexGrinnell into new verticals, it will introduce SimplexGrinnell in many cases, Swiecicki said, to "new individual opportunities."

In an email interview Chris Bianchet, senior VP of sales and service for AVI-SPL said, "The strategic partnership with SimplexGrinnell provides a way for AVI-SPL to increase our brand awareness, improve our reach to potential customers that we may not have exposure to otherwise, and to align ourselves with an industry leader in security and life safety, SimplexGrinnell. We are very pleased and excited about entering into this relationship and believe it will be beneficial for both of our organizations."