ACRE Purchases Open Options

Almost a year ago, ACRE CEO Joe Grillo approached Steve Fisher and Brian Bergstrom, founders of Open Options and began to explore the prospects of an acquisition. It was a casual conversation at first but has since grown to a final handshake and buyout of the company.

ACRE recently finished all the paperwork and has since acquired the company. Grillo said the purchase will definitely increase the company’s position in the access control market in North America.

“This is really a milestone for ACRE,” Grillo said. “A couple months ago we finished up the specifics of the acquisition, and now we move forward. Open Options is a great company; they are growing and they are profitable. They also have an enviable position in the marketplace, which balances ACRE’s presence in North America.”

For 20 years, Open Options has developed access control solutions that connect to leading security technologies to deliver a full-scale solution based on each customer’s unique needs. Open Options has been a Mercury Security partner since 1997 and is dedicated to delivering the most advanced open-platform access control solution available on the market.

Grillo said the acquisition will continue to expand ACRE’s competitive position in what he called a highly fragmented market with great growth potential.

“The acquisition of Open Options boosts Vanderbilt’s reach in the access control market and enhances our product portfolio with the addition of an open architecture access control solution,” commented Grillo. “With the international portfolio fully integrated, it was time to turn our focus to North America.”

With this transaction, Grillo plans to return to the United States from Europe after the company’s purchase of the security products business from Siemens, in Wiesbaden, Germany. Grillo said he plans to relocate to Texas. Open Options is based in Addison, Texas.

The leadership of Open Options will remain with Fisher, who is the CEO. Grillo said Fisher will still be involved and step back in to the day-to-day operations. Only a week ago, Open Options staff was devastated when company president and long-time employee Jonathan Berman suddenly passed away. This loss leaves a void at the company, but Grillo said Open Options has a “strong leadership team and Steve has always been the leader of the business.”

“We are pleased to join the ACRE organization with its strong global reach which will open new opportunities for the Open Options product range,” Fisher said.

Grillo added information on the trends that he sees going forward in 2019, to include wireless locks, mobile credentials and remaining focused on open architecture. He said to expect more of the same from Open Options, which is already moving in this direction.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.