By Ted Bremekamp, SpecOp Secure
I remember finishing a big install for a client. They were thrilled. Everything worked exactly how they wanted it to. We got paid. And then? We moved on to chasing the next job, quoting another project, hoping to land the next big one.
That cycle—work, invoice, repeat—feels familiar to most integrators. It’s how many of us build our businesses. But over time, I noticed a pattern among integrators who weren’t constantly in hustle mode. They had built something more stable. Most of them had added Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR) to the mix.
If you’re curious about what that looks like—or whether it’s worth the effort—this post is for you.
RMR is income you earn monthly by offering a service your clients value—like network monitoring, cybersecurity, or ongoing system support.
And here’s the part many integrators don’t realize: if you’ve ever sold a home security system with a monitoring plan, you’ve already sold RMR. You just didn’t call it that.
The security industry built its business model around recurring revenue. You can apply the same thinking to today’s connected homes and smart systems. You’re not just installing gear—you’re supporting a lifestyle. And clients will gladly pay for peace of mind if you package it well.