In 2002, Engineered Security Solutions was founded when owner, Brian Bautz, wanted to provide a higher level of customer service than he was able at the security company for which he worked. He wanted service/operations to live up to sales promises and to work with like-minded professionals in a more cooperative fashion. ESS was born, starting in a basement office with two other full-time employees and the help of some contract workers. “I have always considered the people who work with me in this company as a second family,” said Bautz. “The expertise and commitment they bring to each customer is the difference. I can’t emphasize that enough.”
Since its inception 20 years ago, a lot has changed in the field of integrated security. Camera surveillance was in its early stages and things like gun detection, robotic security and drones we wildly futuristic. ESS has grown considerably yet remained committed to its core value of working as a well-integrated team and partnering with its customers. Tim Johnson, Field Operations Manager, has been with ESS almost from the start. “It’s important to me to work with a company that strives for the best for both customers and employees,” said Johnson. “At the end of the day, you want to be proud of the work you do.”
The last couple years during and post-pandemic have been especially challenging. Virtually every industry has been impacted in some way. For electronic security, there have been major delays in getting parts causing the longest times for installations that we have ever seen. We are incredibly grateful for the partnerships we have formed and the understanding and patience of our customers. “The Team at ESS has helped install and manage hundreds of cameras, access control points and vape detection monitors at my place of employment. They are highly responsive, have helped with designing new security measures and are great to work with!” said Jeremiah Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of a school district that has partnered with ESS for more than 10 years.
“I’m really proud of this 20-year anniversary,” said Bautz, “because it is an indicator that we are doing some things right for our customers. We always have areas where we can improve, but I genuinely enjoy the partnerships we have formed, the fluidity of the industry and the challenges in solving the best integrations for each individual customer.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to all of our customers,” said Bautz. “Quite simply, we couldn’t be here without them. So thank you for 20 years…here’s to the next 20.”