Cypress Video Surveillance Systems, Inc. Comparative Summary

Cypress Video Surveillance in Fremont sells one thing and one thing only: video surveillance systems. And, according to sales manager Sammy Sze, that is his company's greatest asset. Typically, video surveillance systems are installed by alarm companies, who trade on the perception that all systems are the same. “That’s simply not true,” says Mr. Sze.

Mr. Sze says merely installing an alarm system requires no knowledge about surveillance or “video tricks”—for example, covering the required area with the minimum number of cameras. It’s inside knowledge “learned the hard way,” he says, through years of specialized experience.

Mr. Sze and his team also have a talent for minimizing the amount of cable required for a job, particularly for a large project like protecting an apartment. That saves money, which customers can then invest in superior equipment that produces better video quality. In fact, since video that travels through long lengths of cable tends to degrade, a system design that requires more and longer cables actually produces poorer results. With its outstanding design expertise, says Mr. Sze, Cypress Video Surveillance can minimize these problems.

Also, most surveillance companies sell pre-packaged equipment meant to satisfy every need, but Cypress Video Surveillance understands everyone’s needs are different. It custom-designs every system, whether that means keeping an eye on one room or monitoring an entire building or estate—there are no one-size-fits-all solutions.

As a small company, Cypress Video Surveillance puts its total effort into every job, says Mr. Sze. Moreover, its profitability depends on avoiding making service calls to repair or tweak systems that were installed incorrectly. As such, Mr. Sze, says that reliability is the company’s primary concern. It takes great care to ensure systems are installed property and work the first time and—all the time—without problems.

Unlike alarm and networking companies, Cypress Video Surveillance doesn’t rely on a monthly fee. It does little advertising and marketing, preferring instead to grow exclusively through word-of-mouth referrals. That, says Mr. Sze, adds strong incentive for the company to continue its outstanding performance