Partner Spotlight: Erick Slabaugh, CEO, Absco Solutions

July 14, 2021

It is time again to highlight one of Identiv’s long-term, successful relationships: our partnership with Absco Solutions. Absco Solutions is a facility vulnerability expert. The 45-year industry veteran focuses on collaboration with its customers to determine how to improve their safety and security, then design systems integrating best-in-class products to protect what is most important to them. Absco helps its clients solve not only security challenges but real-world business problems.

What makes Absco stand out from integration firms?

We are genuinely facility vulnerability experts. What does that mean? We use life safety and security systems to address significant site vulnerabilities and improve how an organization operates. We are not just helping to integrate or deploy technologies; we are committed to helping our clients manage seamlessly and optimally in today's rapidly changing business environment. We work with various leading organizations, from the U.S. Navy and the Seattle Seahawks to Nordstrom and Seattle Pacific University. Any campus needing sophisticated integration and wanting to use integration to solve top business problems is a potential client.

What changed the trajectory of the company?

I was attending a joint Entrepreneurs' Organization, MIT, and Inc. Magazine forum for entrepreneurs. One of the speakers asked: what industry-related problem would you spend $1 million or more solving? I knew we wanted an enterprise resource planning platform for the construction industry, which did not exist in 2001. So, we invested significantly in developing this solution, and honestly, it is the force multiplier allowing us to achieve our goals. In fact, it is such a game changer, we brought the solution, FCP Insight’s Business Control Center, to market.

What propelled the specific focus on the enterprise and campus markets?

When I came on as president in 1993, I was taking over a family business that was not thriving. I could not afford to go out and find a new client every day, and this shaped our market focus.  We did not have the marketing budget to compete in the residential sector, for example. We needed repeat customers we could build deep relationships with, and it turned out the campus market was the place where we thrived. Focusing on this space allows us to invest the time and effort to understand our customers' businesses, offer constructive design suggestions, and play a consulting role.

What are you most proud of?

The quality of our team. We have amazingly good people. One of the focal points in our hiring process is considering if a prospective employee would be an ideal companion to have dinner with your grandparents; if not, why would you want them on your team? We focus on the content of character. This idea refers to the core ethical values of honesty and integrity, respecting others, and taking responsibility for one's actions. We hire with this in mind, we work collaboratively as a team, and we come together in unique ways.

How important is giving back to Absco?

Very important. Absco, as a company, donates to several different programs. I have personally spent a lot of time volunteering, most often with Entrepreneurs' Organization, helping future leaders mold their ideas and develop creative strategies to launch businesses. I have learned so much through these experiences and opportunities.