Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the desire for better security products and services has kept security companies busy keeping up inquiries as well as a demand for the latest technology. Also, the need to maintain secure business and corporate information on customers as well as protect internal computer networks has skyrocketed within corporate America. The potential for corporate espionage, hacking, Internet snooping and identity theft has brought on more demand for security.

Avritt has positioned both his privately-owned companies well into the security and protection market with the latest in products and services.

“I have worked every aspect of the industry from alarm installer to central station owner,” said Avritt, who grew up in the Greenville area of the Mississippi Delta. “My goal is to be the best central station in the business at the best possible price.”

With his background in the security business, not being afraid to get his hands dirty or enduring near 100 degree heat to install a security system in his younger days, Avritt has built a reputation in the industry which has inspired confidence in both his customers and suppliers.

“I like what I do and I like being able to provide the best possible products and services to the customer. This is an industry that has grown tremendously – especially after what happened on 9/11. Things have changed even since then. My company can provide the latest in security needs,” said Avritt.

Starting out with Infipro in Greenville over 27 years ago, Avritt has managed to keep the business as an independent, locally owned and operated enterprise. With over 3,000 customer accounts, Infipro is the area leader in home and business security systems.

“We’ve grown tremendously over the years and I’m proud of the service we provide,” he said of the “one man company” he founded in 1976 and now boasts over 104 employees through various affiliates. The Greenville office, located on U.S. Highway 1 South near the Greenville Mall is the hub of activity for the Mississippi Delta region and other points around the country.

The Greenville location now sports a 4,800 square foot fully functional showroom which opened in 2001. The showroom, or “concept center,” allows homeowners the opportunity to see what is available in the security market and how those products can be worked into the context of the home or business.

By providing customers with hands on opportunities to see security products in use, a potential customer can have “true peace of mind” knowing what they’ll get for their money. The showroom also showcases the extensive product line carried by the Infipro company.

Here a customer can see such products or services as burglar alarms, fire alarms, access control devices with closed circuit television and monitoring, house automation, whole house audio, intercoms, control vacs, 24-hour emergency, sensors, along with free estimates on local monitoring services. Even financing is available for those who need it.

Avritt considers his companies the “premier provider of residential and commercial security systems for northern Mississippi and west Tennessee. We are a true integrator of low voltage products.

The effort has paid off for Infipro and Avritt who said his “goal is to be the premiere low-voltage product provider in the industry.”

Infipro also operates and maintains a Memphis Show Room and a Memphis Sales Location to handle business in southwestern Tennessee.

Along with Infipro, Avritt also heads SentryNet which provides a variety of computer security products and services.

In 1981, SentryNet opened a central monitoring services center in Greenville in order to enhance the capability and reach of the security functions of both companies.

In order for Avritt’s companies to grow and expand, he knows that customer service is a must and how you treat customers will determine how much and what kind of

“My operators need to be efficient, friendly and courteous for you and the customer. We know that customer satisfaction is the only thing that will keep us in business,” said Avritt.
That attitude helps propel Avritt toward another one of his goals and that is “to become the best in the industry. As the industry grew, we needed a name that reflected the changes in the industry as well as the need for more than just monitoring services.”

As the industry expanded so did SentryNet. Along those lines, Avritt’s companies also provide customers with answering services and business consulting to aid dealers in more effectively servicing customers.

Recently the company expanded to Pensacola, Fla. with a new office and a second central station which went on line in April of 1997. Now with the Greenville and Pensacola central monitoring stations, the stations will be able to provide backup for each other in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

The facilities are fire-resistant structures with direct links to police and fire departments or another central station. These added features should provide customers with a greater sense of security.

Should one of those events happen, all telephone lines and data will be transferred automatically to the other central station in seconds.

SentryNet provides customers with a central station around the clock which adds to the security of knowing that company information, records and other such data will be protected and secured, but will also keep coming despite some kind of a disaster.

Both stations are UL/FM certified and have generators to keep computers up and running in the event of a power loss.

That success and attention to customer service has helped SentryNet and Infipro to respond to over 70,000 customers with over 500 dealers across the country.

Available services are feature digital monitoring, VR1 (two-way programming), subscriber billing, NetConnect (a dealer access program), AlarmNet, UpLink services and a business consulting program.

“Long gone are the days when a central station was nothing more than a telephone line, receiver and an operator,” said Avritt. “These are now centers of technology with the latest in equipment and features in the industry. We have to keep up with the changes in the industry so that we have the latest and finest products to offer our customers. We aren’t going to be left behind because of technology.”

He is also pleased to know that his companies are leaders in their fields even though they aren’t located in a major urban center.

“With technology, we can so much more and provide the kind of one-on-one service our customers want and need. I love what I do and I like being able to provide a service that helps improve the lives of people. I can only see the industry continuing to grow and we’re going to be right there as it does,” said Avritt. DBJ