PC-based security product boosts brothers' tech firm.

When their office building in Northridge was burglarized three years ago, Jason and Alexander Bordbar realized they had to improve security at their software development firm to avoid losses.

Although their office was not burglarized, the brothers, who co-founded Philex Enterprises in 1994, knew they were lucky, compared to some of their neighbors in adjacent suites who lost computers, copiers and furniture.

But after contacting several alarm companies, the brothers realized they could not afford the kind of security system they were looking for. After getting several quotes from alarm companies, the brothers felt they would have to spend at least $15,000 to get the security system they need.

"We thought it was ridiculous that a small company would need that kind of money in order to get the security system they need," said Jason Bordbar.

Using their company's expertise in software development, the brothers decided to create their own alarm and security system using their personal computer.

Although their company focused on information technology services and Web hosting, the brothers decided to take a stab at developing the security software.

"We weren't really thinking about marketing it until after we had it installed and saw its potential," Alexander Bordbar said.

Today, the brothers' PC-based security system is the company's biggest product, accounting for about half of the company's total sales so far this year, the brothers say.

Monitoring motion

The program, culled VISEC, for video security, uses a small Web cam to monitor activity in an office, warehouse or even a parking lot, Jason Bordbar said.

"It automatically detects motion and it then e-mails you a picture of the intruder or whatever it was that caused the motion," he said.

The software can e-mail surveillance pictures to video cell phones or users can log into a company-operated Web site where they can view live surveillance video by using a personal computer, personal data assistant or personal computer.

John Nagy, a security expert and president of Nagy Security in Van Nuys, said the PC-based system is an alternative for businesses on a budget, but that a combination of alarms and outside monitoring is the best security.

In January, the brothers signed a deal with software distributor Encore, a subsidiary of the Navarre Corp. which sells the software to Best Buy, Target, Circuit City and others under the name Safeworld PC Surveillance Kit.

Encore officials predict the kit, which sells for $80, will have more than $2 million in sales this year.

"(It) is the only solution for under $100 that offers the convenient combination of motion detection software and a camera and provides remote access to video," said Encore Chief Executive Michael Bell.

Under the agreement between the two companies, Encore will manage sales, marketing and worldwide distribution for the kit and Philex provides the software content. Other terms were not disclosed.

"We've been lucky to have a product that has generated so much interest," said Alex Bordbar.