What does "SFI" stand for in your company name?

When SFI Electronics was established, the "SFI" part of the name was formed from the first letters in each word our parent company's name, Security Forces, Inc.  The legal name of our company is SFI Electronics, Inc. (not Security Forces Electronics). 

How long has SFI Electronics been in business?

SFI Electronics has been in business over 30 years (since 1977).  Our parent company has been in business since 1949.

What geographical area does SFI serve?

SFI Electronics is licensed to provide installation and service work in the states of North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida & Tennessee. SFI is also a member of SecurityNet, which has offices throughout the U.S. and other countries.  Through SecurityNet partners, SFI can service and support its customers over a wide geographical area.

How many local offices does SFI Electronics have?

SFI Electronics has offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville-Spartanburg (SC), Winston-Salem/Greensboro/High Point, Greenville (NC), Columbia (SC), Charleston (SC) and Richmond (VA).

How is SFI Electronics affiliated with Security Forces, Inc.?

SFI Electronics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Security Forces, a privately owned company that provides contract security officer/guard services.

From an operations standpoint, how is SFI Electronics related to its parent company?

SFI Electronics and its parent company, Security Forces, share common corporate officers, ownership, and overall goals and objectives. In daily operations, both companies are operated and managed independently of each other. Security Forces and SFI Electronics never lose sight of the fact that they are affiliated companies with the common goal of integrating people and technology.

Has SFI Electronics ever sought Chapter 11 protection or been in bankruptcy proceedings?

Neither SFI Electronics or its parent company (Security Forces, Inc.) have ever been involved in Chapter 11 or bankruptcy proceedings. On the contrary, both companies are exceptionally strong in the financial area, and each company has the highest possible Dun & Bradstreet composite credit appraisal in its rating classification.

What types of equipment and systems does SFI Electronics design, sell, install and service?

SFI focuses on CCTV (video), access control/card access, badging / ID, alarms, intrusion detection, audio/sound, and fiber optic transmission equipment and systems.

Does SFI Electronics do residential work?

No, since its inception in 1977, SFI has focused only on commercial, industrial, and institutional markets.

Does SFI Electronics offer leasing as an option in acquiring and using equipment

Yes, SFI offers several options, which are discussed in depth in the equipment leasing section. SFI carries its own leases and does not use a third-party leasing company.

Does SFI Electronics have  Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSE) on its staff?

Yes, SFI has MCSEs on its staff as well as several other employees with extensive information technology knowledge and experience. With the advent of complex networked card access systems and digital video systems, SFI has developed many resources in the IT area.

Does SFI Electronics offer service contracts?

Yes, SFI offers a wide variety of preventive maintenance (PM) and full-service contracts which are described in service contracts.

Does SFI Electronics offer emergency service?

Yes, in addition to service provided during regular business hours, SFI offers emergency field service and support on a 7/24/365 basis. All SFI offices offer after-hours emergency phone support and field service.

Why is using a licensed contractor important?

The Southeastern states in which SFI operates require state licensing to sell, install, or service equipment. Normally, an employee holds the state license for a company. Depending on the state, a licensee must pass stringent written tests on business practices, low-voltage electrical contracting, and/or alarms/electronic security systems before a license is issued. Company employees are registered under a license holder. In some states, employees must have criminal records checks in order to be registered and must carry ID cards while working for their employer. Many states have established continuing education requirements for license holders and registered employees. In addition, a licensed company must meet minimum business insurance requirements before a licensed is issued. Licensing assists both residential and business customers in dealing with reputable security suppliers. If there is any doubt about a vendor, a prospective customer should ask the vendor for a copy of its state license covering alarms or other electronic security systems.

Are there any issues involved in using covert (hidden) video surveillance?

Covert (discreet) video surveillance should not be used in certain workplace areas where employees or visitors have an expectation of privacy, such as dressing rooms, restrooms, and shower areas. If the privacy rights of others are ignored, the use of covert video surveillance can result in litigation.

What are the issues involved in using non-working (dummy) cameras in the workplace?

Non-working or dummy video (CCTV) cameras are sometimes used as an economical way to deter criminal or unwanted behavior from occurring. In most instances, these cameras appear to be real working cameras. When employees or visitors see a CCTV camera in a parking lot or parking deck, their sense of security in normally increased because they assume security officers or other persons are monitoring the camera output. If an injury, death, or other event occurs, the use of non-working cameras in that area may be an issue in the event of litigation.

How does SFI Electronics differ from other companies in selling security systems?

SFI Electronics differs from many companies because we use systems engineers to design and sell security systems. Some other companies focus more on marketing personnel to sell systems. All of SFI's sales staff have electronics backgrounds and have hands-on experience in electronics. All of our sales staff have technical field experience at SFI and in other jobs. We want to make sure our systems work the way they are supposed to.

What is the main complaint that customers have about their existing security systems?

In speaking with companies that have security systems, we and our parent company often hear these two complaints: (1) their systems do not work properly, and (2) they are unable to get service on their systems.

What does the term "trunk slammer" mean?

In our industry, this term often means a small company or one person who sells and installs a security system. This type of supplier often is not licensed; may not have an office, registered employees, or insurance coverage; and may not be around to honor equipment warranties. Because these vendors do not have the overhead of other companies, their equipment may be less expensive.

What are software protection plans?

A software protection plan is offered by the manufacturer of a software product and is passed to the end user by SFI Electronics. A software protection provides new features and enhancements that a manufacturer may release to a software product during the period the plan is in effect. This should not be confused with software warranty where a manufacturer must fix any bugs or deficiencies in a software product during a defined period after the sale. A bug or deficiency is considered a feature or function that was listed on the product data sheet or a feature or function that can reasonably be derived by the nature of the product that does not perform reliably.

What is the difference between warranties and service contracts?

These terms have different meanings for different vendors. At SFI, a warranty covers defective equipment and defective installation workmanship. Security manufacturers and suppliers have different warranties covering their products-ranging from several months to several years. SFI passes these manufacturers' warranties to the customer and in some instances may increase the manufacturers' warranties for customers. In the event a customer has defective equipment, SFI removes the equipment and works with the manufacturer to repair or replace the equipment while providing loaner equipment whenever possible. If there are ever any problems with the installation of equipment, SFI's workmanship warranty covers such situations. Service contracts cover maintenance, labor, and travel not covered by warranties. Customers elect to purchase service contracts. In selling systems, SFI does not automatically include service contracts unless requested to do so by the customer.

What is the responsibility of the SFI salesperson to the customer?

At SFI, our sales personnel (systems engineers) are actively involved in the management of their projects from beginning to end (design phase through installation and warranty period). After the sale, overall responsibility for the project will not be handed off to someone else. A customer always has the opportunity to deal with the sales engineer who designed the project in the event there are questions or problems of any kind.

Does SFI Electronics do its own installation and service work or sub to a third party?

Unlike many companies in the industry, SFI Electronics uses its personnel to install and service all the video, card access, alarm, audio, and fiber optic equipment and systems sold by our company. SFI uses carefully selected subcontractors to install cabling and 110VAC or specialized equipment.