SIA Member Profile: NVT Phybridge

Updated in May 2022

Security Industry Association (SIA) member NVT Phybridge is a global leader in long-reach power over ethernet (PoE) switches and networking solutions. The company works to help organizations achieve a simple, secure and cost-effective digital transformation as they deploy IP and IoT devices. NVT Phybridge is headquartered in Ontario, Canada, serving the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

SIA spoke with John Croce, CEO of NVT Phybridge, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

SIA: Tell us the story of your company.

John Croce: NVT Phybridge is the combination of two companies, Network Video Technologies Inc. (NVT) and Phybridge. Oliver Emmanuel started Phybridge in 2008 after inventing the world’s first network switch that could deliver PoE over a single pair of unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wire with reach capabilities of up to 1,200 feet (365 meters), four times the reach of standard PoE switches. Oliver and I immediately recognized the value this innovation would bring to organizations upgrading from legacy TDM (time-division multiplexing) voice systems.

Years later, organizations started upgrading their physical security to IP. In 2014, Phybridge developed the first long-reach Ethernet over coax switch to help organizations deploy the latest IP security solutions over their exiting and reliable coax-based infrastructure. Until 2014, Phybridge had only been in the IP telephony space. So, in 2015 we acquired NVT, a well-respected video transmission company with over 20 years of experience, to deliver high-quality networking solutions for the physical security industry.

We are driven by our passion to simplify digital transformation for our customers, even if we must overcome industry bias and outdated best practices. Our mission is the same today as it was in 2008: to bring real solutions and practical innovations to market that are good for the customer and our partners.

What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings/company unique?

JC: Our award-winning long-reach PoE switches and extenders transform any new or existing single-pair UTP, coax or multi-pair UTP-based infrastructure into a secure and robust PoE backbone to support new IP security devices and applications – eliminating costly, disruptive and time-consuming infrastructure readiness requirements. We help our customers maintain a physically separate network for IP devices, ensuring the security and performance of the primary data network.

Our CHARIoT series of managed switches, unmanaged switches, and extender solutions deliver power and data with up to 6,000 feet (1,830 meters) reach – which is 18 times farther than a standard PoE switches. Our long-reach capabilities ensure cyber-secure point-to-point network pathways, eliminating the need for repeaters and IDF closets along the way.

What’s something we might not know about your company – or something new you’re doing in security?

JC: Organizations deploying IP security and other IoT devices are often challenged with the infrastructure required to effectively support these new systems. The “me too” mentality that many integrators and consultants recommend can destroy a project before it’s even started, as the traditional rip-and-replace method is extremely risky and costly to the customer. As a result, Frost & Sullivan published the Modern LAN white paper with new best practices to help create a cyber-secure and cost-effective digital transformation.

By changing the conversation from the deep-rooted traditional approach, we help organizations improve their digital transformation outcomes by avoiding risk, reducing network complexity and reducing infrastructure costs as they deploy IP security solutions. We are very pleased with the results our customers have experienced by eliminating costly infrastructure readiness requirements. As a technology innovator, we are committed to new ideas and methodologies that allow our customers to take full advantage of IP security.

We have already helped our customers save over $200 million across all industries, including health care, education, hospitality, government, retail and transportation. We are not here to waste anyone’s time or money; we are here to bring practical and valuable solutions to overcome networking challenges.

SIA: What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership?

JC: We are excited to work with SIA to help raise awareness in the physical security industry that there is a better way to deploy IP security – without risk, disruption or high costs. We are committed to bringing the most innovative technologies to market to help organizations simplify their IP security deployments. Our incredible global team of digital transformation experts, engineers, support agents and product specialists are excited about the value we bring to customers every day.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).