AlarmForce
AlarmForce is a Canadian residential and commercial security brand providing alarm systems, monitoring, home automation, and related protection services.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
AlarmForce is a Canadian security-services and technology brand associated with residential and commercial alarm systems, monitoring, home automation, video surveillance, and personal emergency response. The business was founded in Toronto in 1988 by Joel Matlin and developed as an integrated provider rather than merely a seller of standalone security hardware. Its model combined installed equipment with recurring monitoring and support services for homes and businesses. The company’s product development included several differentiated communication and monitoring offerings. In 1991, it introduced AlarmVoice, a two-way voice alarm system intended to allow communication between occupants and the monitoring operation during an alarm event. AlarmPlus followed in 2000, extending the company’s service portfolio. In early 2008, AlarmForce introduced AlarmCare, a personal emergency response system aimed at customers requiring assistance in medical or personal-safety situations. VideoRelay, launched in October 2011, added video surveillance with live two-way voice capability. AlarmForce Connect, introduced in 2014, enabled customers to control or interact with their alarm systems remotely through a smartphone. AlarmForce also expanded beyond Canada. It entered the United States in North Carolina in 2004, followed by Ohio in 2006, Georgia in 2007, Minnesota in 2010, and Florida in 2011. By July 2017, its United States operations covered 11 major centers, including markets in North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, Minnesota, and Florida. The company subsequently divested its U.S. customer base to Select Security in July 2017 for US$11.6 million, marking a substantial reduction in its American operating footprint. Leadership changed during this period. Founder Joel Matlin served as president and chief executive until the company’s board dismissed him in July 2013. Graham Badun became president and CEO in May 2015. In November 2017, BCE announced an agreement to acquire AlarmForce for C$166 million. After the acquisition was completed, Bell announced the sale of 39,000 AlarmForce customers in Western Canada to Telus for C$66.5 million, while AlarmForce was positioned to concentrate on Eastern Canada. These transactions changed the brand’s ownership and geographic structure: it became associated with BCE and Bell, while a substantial Western Canadian customer group was transferred to a competing telecommunications and security provider. Publicly available material does not establish a separate current executive team, detailed financial statements, or the precise extent to which the AlarmForce name and product lines continue to operate independently.
History
AlarmForce Industries Inc. was founded in Toronto in 1988 by Joel Matlin as a provider of residential and commercial security solutions. Its business developed around the combination of installed alarm equipment, professional monitoring, customer support, and related protection services. This integrated model allowed AlarmForce to serve both households and businesses while generating an ongoing service relationship after installation. The company introduced AlarmVoice in 1991, a two-way voice alarm system that became one of its distinguishing offerings. AlarmPlus was launched in 2000. In early 2008, the company added AlarmCare, a personal emergency response system. AlarmForce later broadened its technology portfolio with VideoRelay in October 2011, offering video surveillance and live two-way voice, and AlarmForce Connect in 2014, which enabled remote smartphone control of an alarm system. AlarmForce began expanding into the United States in November 2004, entering North Carolina. It added Ohio in December 2006, Georgia in 2007, Minnesota in 2010, and Florida in April 2011. By July 2017, the company served 11 major U.S. centers, including Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Greensboro, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Atlanta, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Tampa Bay–St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Orlando. The company experienced a leadership transition in July 2013, when its board dismissed founder and longtime president and CEO Joel Matlin. Graham Badun was appointed president and CEO in May 2015. In July 2017, AlarmForce sold its U.S. customers to Select Security for US$11.6 million, ending or substantially reducing its direct U.S. customer operations. BCE announced in November 2017 that it had agreed to acquire AlarmForce for C$166 million. After the acquisition, Bell announced the sale of 39,000 AlarmForce customers in Western Canada to Telus for C$66.5 million. The transaction left the AlarmForce business focused on Eastern Canada under BCE’s ownership. Available reference material does not provide enough information to document subsequent product integration, current management, or the continuing standalone use of the AlarmForce brand in detail.
- 2017
U.S. customer base is divested
[1]AlarmForce sold its U.S. customers to Select Security for US$11.6 million.
- 2017
BCE agrees to acquire AlarmForce
[1]BCE announced an agreement to acquire AlarmForce for C$166 million.
- 2014
AlarmForce Connect launches
[1]AlarmForce launched smartphone-based remote control for alarm systems.
- 2011
VideoRelay launches
[1]The company introduced VideoRelay, combining video surveillance with live two-way voice.
- 2008
AlarmCare launches
[1]AlarmForce introduced AlarmCare, a personal emergency response system.
- 2004
U.S. expansion begins
[1]AlarmForce entered the North Carolina market.
- 2000
AlarmPlus launches
[1]The company expanded its offering with AlarmPlus.
- 1991
AlarmVoice launches
[1]AlarmForce introduced AlarmVoice, a two-way voice alarm system.
- 1988
AlarmForce is founded
[1]Joel Matlin founded AlarmForce in Toronto as a residential and commercial security business.
Products and positioning
An integrated residential and commercial security provider combining installed alarm equipment, professional monitoring, two-way communication, video surveillance, automation, and emergency-response services.
Two-way voice alarm system · 1991
AlarmVoice
Introduced in 1991, AlarmVoice was a two-way voice alarm offering designed to support communication between a monitored premises and the alarm-monitoring operation during an event. It represented an early effort by AlarmForce to distinguish its service through direct voice interaction rather than relying solely on a siren or one-way alarm signal.
Security service · 2000
AlarmPlus
AlarmPlus was introduced in 2000 as an additional AlarmForce security offering. The available reference material identifies the product launch but does not provide enough technical detail to describe its equipment, monitoring workflow, or precise customer segment without speculation.
Personal emergency response · 2008
AlarmCare
AlarmCare was launched in early 2008 as a personal emergency response system. It extended AlarmForce’s scope beyond intrusion protection toward personal safety and emergency assistance. Specific devices, response procedures, and target demographics are not detailed in the available source.
Video surveillance · 2011
VideoRelay
Launched in October 2011, VideoRelay combined video surveillance with live two-way voice. The offering supported a more interactive form of premises monitoring than conventional alarm signaling, although the available reference does not specify camera models, recording architecture, or monitoring terms.
Home automation and remote alarm control · 2014
AlarmForce Connect
AlarmForce Connect launched in 2014 and allowed users to control their alarm systems remotely through a smartphone. It reflected the shift from locally operated alarm panels toward connected security management and mobile interaction.
Brand decisions
2017
Divestiture of U.S. customersStrategyBackground
AlarmForce had expanded across several U.S. states and was serving 11 major American centers by July 2017.
Action taken
The company sold its U.S. customers to Select Security for US$11.6 million.
Aftermath
The divestiture substantially reduced AlarmForce’s direct U.S. presence before its acquisition by BCE later in 2017.
Sale price. US$11.6 million (July 2017)
2017
BCE acquisition of AlarmForceM&ABackground
BCE announced the acquisition after AlarmForce had divested its U.S. customer base.
Action taken
BCE agreed to purchase AlarmForce for C$166 million.
Aftermath
AlarmForce became a BCE subsidiary. Bell subsequently announced the sale of 39,000 Western Canadian AlarmForce customers to Telus for C$66.5 million, leaving the business focused on Eastern Canada.
Acquisition price. C$166 million (November 2017)
Sources1 sources
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