Retrieving video is faster, easier and smarter than it was just a few years ago. What does that mean for H&S customers?

Simply put, it means using video surveillance to protect your premises is more effective than ever.  And while leading-edge technology comes at a price, it may be exactly what you need for your business.

Here’s why.  Today’s video systems have smart-search capabilities that make finding recorded events a breeze.  For example, let’s say there’s a theft in the parking lot and you’re trying to figure out what time it occurred.  Our software allows you to simply highlight the targeted vehicle, which generates a color-coded timeline showing any movement activity.  Click on the timeline and presto…you’ve not only found the time of the theft but the culprit(s) too.

In the retail arena, you may suspect the Frosted Flakes are getting squashed by an irate customer.  No problem.  Upload a picture of the perpetrator into the system and the next time he walks into the store, the cameras will recognize him and alert you.  Not bad, huh?

The point is you don’t always need to watch a larger area. You can dial in and target something or someone specifically.  H&S will help you with that.  We’ll provide you with experience and expertise to determine where, how and when to set your cameras and software to your advantage.

This can save a lot of your time in going through video to find out what exactly is going on in specific situations. Call us to see these advantages of our premium video systems. We’ll design a custom and comprehensive solution for you.

In central Wisconsin, reach us at 715.344.0727. In southeast Wisconsin, call H&S at 262.574.7777.

Holy cow, it’s 2023! At the height of Covid two years ago, who would have thought a locally-owned business like H&S Protection would not only navigate those troubled waters, but come out of that period stronger than ever?

As we enter 2023, there are new goals and resolutions. But, if Covid has taught us anything, it’s that contingency plans and adjusting on the fly are an important part of the business landscape. We’ve written about a number of these issues in the past to keep our customers informed not only about where we’re headed, but more importantly how we can best serve you in these dynamic times.

While we don’t expect major disruptions in 2023, we do recognize (more than in years past), the potential for a hiccup or two to occur. We’re experienced and prepared for far more supply chain and logistics situations than we were two years ago. That means continued timely service to our customers. When we know we can’t meet a deadline, we’ll communicate quickly with you to ensure you the next steps in an installation or service call.

As we do every year, H&S has set goals for our bottom line. That’s important for the long-term health of our business. But for 2023, there are no specific new year’s resolutions. Instead, we pledge to maintain our focus on finding the best tailored security solutions for our customers.

We pledge to be responsive to your calls. We pledge to keep you informed about the status of projects. We pledge to give you our best and listen attentively to any areas  of concern. We continue to develop as a business and as individual team members, learning as we go. Those may not be goals per se, but they are important operating principles we embrace year after year.

Steve Garritson is leaving the security industry after 43 years, selling his share of H&S Protection to Co-Owner Mike Horgan. His last day with H&S will be December 31.

Steve and Mike have run H&S for 15 years after getting to know each other at Wisconsin security industry meetings some 20 years ago. At the time, both ran their own Wisconsin-based security companies, but as they compared notes over the years and recognized similarities in their business lines and approaches, they decided to join forces to capitalize on their complementary strengths.

 

Steve brought the operations expertise to the business, while Mike focused on the financial side. Steve plans to continue to be available as the business moves forward, helping with advice as needed.

“I’m happy for Steve. I’m glad he is able to take this next step for himself and his family. It will be a blow for me because we’ve had a good partnership. We have two different ways of thinking, and that makes our decision-making more solid.  I will definitely still bounce ideas off him,” Horgan said.

Mike called their co-ownership the “right mix,” with Steve covering his area of expertise on the operations side. Ultimately though, Mike said Steve’s leadership transcended operations and crossed all areas of the business. “We had the ability to talk about things and one of us would have a different twist on the issue, and it would make you think, ‘Oh yeah, I hadn’t thought of that’,” Horgan explained.

Steve said he will miss the people, seeing the H&S team in the office, making coffee, chatting to catch up with employees. “That’s what I hated about Covid – I couldn’t handle being by myself in the house working. You learn more about people in five minutes face-to-face than you would otherwise,” Steve said.

He acknowledged the importance Mike provides H&S. “I know my limitations on finances.  And Mike would provide the level-headed approach when I sometimes would fly off the handle. He helped us sit back and talk about things,” Steve observed.

Heading North

With more free time, Garritson plans to head north to enjoy more time at his vacation home in Presque Isle, WI. He’s had a seasonal cabin for a number of years, and three years ago Steve and his wife Barbara closed on the Presque Isle home, about four-and-a-half hours north of Brookfield.

He has been spending a couple of weekends a month during the winter at the new home and would like to increase that time in retirement. “We spend as much time up there as we can during the summer. It’s awesome. We have five grandkids, ages 2-7, and it’s real fun for them at their ages,” he said.

Steve’s decision mindset started a couple of years ago, but the lake house lit the fire to make a final decision to sell his side of the business. “I think the lake house made Steve’s retirement more real and urgent,” Mike said.

Next Steps for H&S

As Steve moves into retirement and Mike assumes sole ownership of H&S, Mike Solomon and Steve’s son Ben will assume primary leadership roles at the Pewaukee office.  Mike will continue his role as General Branch Manager and Ben will continue as Operations Manager.  Both have been groomed for these duties over the past year or so. “The change will really be more that Steve is out of the picture.  Mike and Ben have been working closely with us all along to prepare for the transition and their titles won’t change,” Horgan said.

“I’m going to miss Steve’s sense of humor and ability to make me laugh even when I don’t feel like laughing.  He’s a great story-teller; spins a good yarn.  Not everybody can do that,” Horgan continued.

Garritson will continue to serve the company on its Board of Directors, staying in contact with Mike when the need arises for additional advice or perspective on issues that arise.

We’ve been a longstanding member of the Wisconsin Security Association (WISA), so long, in fact, that it’s undergone a number of name changes since we joined the association. H&S Protection participates in many WISA activities, and over the years we’ve won multiple awards and had members of our team serve the association.

This past month, WISA held its annual golf outing. It’s an opportunity for us to network with other members of the security industry in Wisconsin, perhaps picking up a sales tip or learning about a new technology offered by a vendor. Beyond the business networking opportunities, several members of our staff also take to the links to relax, meet with colleagues in other companies and share knowledge.

All of these activities help keep us abreast of not only the security industry at large, but what is happening in Wisconsin. What are the trends? Where are new businesses locating? What direction are sales trending?

After of day of shooting some bad golf and sharing stories and tips, we head back to the routine, a bit refreshed, and with an enhanced perspective on our business. We believe that’s a good thing because we’re keeping abreast of trends and looking at what comes next for our customers.

H&S is committed to WISA and their efforts, and to the security industry in general. That commitment translates into better quality service for customers. When looking for a security company in Wisconsin, look for one that participates actively in WISA. You’ll know you’re getting that extra effort to higher standards.