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{{Advert|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| logo = [[File:Vivint.png|130px]]
| logo = [[File:Vivint.png|130px]]
| name = Vivint, Inc.
| name = Vivint, Inc.
| type = Private
| type = Public
| foundation = 1997
| foundation = 1997
| founder = Todd Pedersen, Keith Nelleson
| key_people = Todd Pedersen, [[chief executive officer|CEO]], Alex Dunn, president
| location = [[Provo, Utah]]
| location = [[Provo, Utah]]
| industry = [[Security Systems]], [[Fire detection]], [[Home Automation]],
| industry = [[Security Systems]], [[Fire detection]], [[Home Automation]], [[Photovoltaics]]
| num_employees = 7000
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.vivint.com}}
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.vivint.com}}
}}
}}


'''Vivint, Inc.''' (formerly known as '''APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc.''') is a [[privately held company|private]] home security, home automation and energy management services provider in the United States, Canada and New Zealand.<ref name="nzherald"> {{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11103416|title=City business secures huge US linked deal|author=Mark Dawson|date=June 29, 2013|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/vivint-rapidly-automating-canadian-homes |title=Vivint rapidly automating Canadian homes |publisher=Security Systems News |date=1999-02-22 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091005005547&newsLang=en |title=APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc. Increases Credit Facility to $440 Million |publisher=Business Wire |date=2009-10-05 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref> Keith Nelleson and Todd Pedersen co-founded the company in 1999.<ref name="fortune"> {{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2014/02/06/10-questions-todd-pedersen-ceo-vivint/|title=10 Questions: Todd Pedersen, CEO, Vivint|date=February 6, 2014|author=Chanelle Bessette|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="deseretnews2"> {{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/top/980/1/1992-The-Beginnings-Vivints-5000-to-2-billion-journey-from-security-to-solar.html|title=Vivint's $5,000 to $2 billion journey from security to solar|date=September 19, 2012|author=Joey Ferguson|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> Pedersen is Vivint's [[chief executive officer|CEO]].<ref name=fortune/><ref name="forbes"> {{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2013/02/20/americas-most-promising-todd-pedersen-founder-of-2b-home-automation-business-vivint/|title=America's Most Promising: Todd Pedersen, Founder of $2B Home Automation Business, Vivint|date=February 20, 2013|author=Cheryl Conner|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref>
'''Vivint, Inc.''' (formerly known as '''APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc.''') is a [[Privately Held Company|privately held]] company providing home security, home automation and energy conservation services in the United States, Canada and New Zealand. Vivint Inc. is headquartered in [[Provo, Utah]]. Vivint serves more than 800,000 installed systems across the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and retains over 7,000 employees.<ref name="vivint">{{cite web|url=http://www.vivint.com/en/company/about-us|title=Home Automation, Home Security Monitoring, and Solar Energy Systems l Vivint|publisher=vivint.com|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref>


In 2012, [[The Blackstone Group]] acquired Vivint.<ref name=forbes/><ref name="reuters"> {{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/19/us-blackstone-acquisition-idUSBRE88I0LF20120919|title=Blackstone buys security firm Vivint for over $2 billion|date=September 19, 2012|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> As of June 2014, Vivint had approximately 7,000 employees serving 800,000 customers.<Ref name="usatoday"> {{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/06/10/vivint-sky-home-automation-and-security/10266973/|title=Vivint Sky promises easy home automation|date=June 10, 2014|author=Nancy Blair|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref>
⚫
Prosecutors in multiple states have sanctioned Vivint for deceptive sales practices, and the Better Business Bureau issued a special warning about the firm.

⚫
Prosecutors in multiple states have sanctioned Vivint for deceptive sales practices. The Better Business Bureau has given Vivint a grade of "F" and issued a special warning about the firm.


==History==
==History==


In 1999, Keith Nelleson and Todd Pedersen co-founded APX Alarm Security Solutions in [[Provo, Utah]].<ref name=deseretnews2/><ref name="bloomberg"> {{cite web|url= http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-20/to-sell-home-automation-vivint-needs-some-aggressiveness-.html|title=To Sell Home Automation, Vivint Needs ‘Some Aggressiveness’|author=Antone Gonsalves|date=April 20, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.inc.com/ilan-mochari/silicon-valley-utah.html?cid=em01016week46b | title = Move Over, Silicon Valley: Utah Has Arrived | publisher = ''[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]'' | date = 10 November 2014 | accessdate = 13 March 2015 | author = Mochari, Ilan}}</ref> At the time, the company sold and installed security systems.<ref name=bloomberg/> Vivint began retaining customers in 2006 after it became a home monitoring provider.<ref name=bloomberg/> The company expanded its service to Canada that year after signing a $75 million credit facility agreement with [[Goldman Sachs]].<ref name="securitysales"> {{cite web|url=http://www.securitysales.com/article/Vivint-Sheds-Light-on-Its-Marketing-Methods|title=Vivint Sheds Light on Its Marketing Methods|date=June 9, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> It received the J.D. Power and Associates "Outstanding Customer Service Experience" certification 2008 and 2009. Goldman Sachs and APX Alarm completed another credit facility agreement worth $440 million in 2009.<ref name=securitysales/> That November, the company acquired a central alarm monitoring station from Criticom Monitoring Services, a subsidiary of [[Protection One]], in [[St. Paul, Minnesota]].<ref name=securitysales/> APX Alarm opened a new corporate headquarters in Provo, Utah a month later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100426005300&newsLang=en |title=APX Alarm Opens Second Central Monitor Station |publisher=Business Wire |date=2010-04-26 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref>
Vivint Inc. entered the home [[burglar alarm]] service industry in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1tlRBDykjY |title=The History of Vivint |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-04-28 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> During its first year of operation the company installed 1,000 alarm systems using a door-to-door marketing strategy. Later,{{when|date=May 2014}} Vivint announced its new business partnership with investment banker [[Goldman Sachs]]. Vivint also received funding from private equity firm Jupiter Partners in May 2006, where Jupiter's stake is still invested into Vivint's business.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jupiterpartners.com |title=Jupiter Partners, LLC Website|publisher=Jupiter Partners|date=May 2006|accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref> Also in 2006, Vivint expanded its services to Canada offering security services to residents of [[Toronto, ON]]. Vivint now offers services to most major cities in the U.S. and Canada.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/vivint-canada-fast-growing-home-automation-market |title=Vivint: Canada fast-growing home automation market |publisher=Security Systems News |date=2012-12-12 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/vivint-rapidly-automating-canadian-homes |title=Vivint rapidly automating Canadian homes |publisher=Security Systems News |date=1999-02-22 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> On October 5, 2009, Vivint created a $440&nbsp;million credit facility led by Goldman Sachs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091005005547&newsLang=en |title=APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc. Increases Credit Facility to $440 Million |publisher=Business Wire |date=2009-10-05 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref> On November 1 of the same year, Vivint acquired a central alarm monitoring station from CMS, a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Protection One]], along with 83 new employees.<ref name="bw1">{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091006006262&newsLang=en |title=APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc. Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Operating Control of Monitoring Center in St. Paul, Minn |publisher=Businesswire.com |date=2009-10-06 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref> This central station is located in [[St. Paul, Minnesota]].<ref name="bw1" /> On Dec 3, 2009 Vivint opened a new corporate headquarters, in Provo, Utah.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705348945/Romney-visits-Utah-to-celebrate-APX.html |title=Let the private sector flourish, Romney says |publisher=Deseret News |date=2009-12-04 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref> This building also houses an internal monitoring center which began operation in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100426005300&newsLang=en |title=APX Alarm Opens Second Central Monitor Station |publisher=Business Wire |date=2010-04-26 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref> In September 2012, Vivint announced that they had entered into an agreement to be acquired by [[Blackstone Group]] for in excess of $2&nbsp;Billion.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443816804578004762456374942.html | work=The Wall Street Journal | title=Blackstone to Buy Vivint in $2 Billion Deal | date=2012-09-18}}</ref> This acquisition by Blackstone Group was finalized in November, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackstone.com/news-views/details/blackstone-announces-closing-of-vivint-transaction |title=Blackstone Announces Closing of Vivint Transaction |publisher=Blackstone.com |date=2012-11-19 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE1w3X8Eam4 |title=Vivint Blackstone Deal - Fox 13 Utah |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-11-15 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> Vivint's rapid growth was recognized by ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine in its annual ranking of America's Most Promising Companies for 2013, marking the first time the company was named to the list, with a ranking of 46 out of the 100 privately held companies listed.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/vivint-top-50-forbes-top-100 |title=Vivint in top 50 of Forbes’ top 100! |publisher=Security Systems News |date=2013-02-20 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref>


APX Alarm Security Solutions rebranded the company to Vivint in February 2011.<ref name=bloomberg/><ref name="brandchannel"> {{cite web|url=http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/02/25/Goldman-Sachs-Stakes-Vivint-Rebrand-as-Smart-Home-Player.aspx|title=Goldman Sachs Stakes Vivint Rebrand as Smart Home Player|date=February 25, 2011|author=Sheila Shayon|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> The company completed a $565 million senior debt financing led by Goldman Sachs that month.<ref name="sltrib"> {{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51191280-76/vivint-automation-company-customers.html.csp|title=APX Alarm changes name to Vivint, enters new field|date=February 4, 2011|author=Tom Harvey|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> Vivint also received funding from Peterson Partners and Jupiter Partners.<ref name=sltrib/> The company launched [[Vivint Solar]], a solar energy company, in 2011.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2012/07/27/vivint-solar-to-hire-40-in-san-francisco.html | title=Vivint Solar to hire 40 in San Francisco}}</ref> The company partnered with [[Alarm.com, Inc.|Alarm.com]] early that year to deploy severe weather alerts to their customer base.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U7PW_Ybx7k |title=Vivint Severe Weather Alerts |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-06-28 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> Vivint was acquired by [[The Blackstone Group]] in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackstone.com/news-views/details/blackstone-announces-closing-of-vivint-transaction |title=Blackstone Announces Closing of Vivint Transaction |publisher=Blackstone.com |date=2012-11-19 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE1w3X8Eam4 |title=Vivint Blackstone Deal - Fox 13 Utah |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-11-15 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/blog/vivint-top-50-forbes-top-100 |title=Vivint in top 50 of Forbes’ top 100! |publisher=Security Systems News |date=2013-02-20 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref><ref name="greentechmedia"> {{cite web|url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Vivint-a-Home-Automation-plus-Solar-Player-to-be-Acquired-by-Blackstone-f|title=Vivint, a Home Automation-Plus-Solar Player, Acquired by Blackstone for $2B|author=Jeff St. John |date=September 19, 2012|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> In December, [[PC World]] ranked Vivint 53rd in the "100 Best Products of 2012" list.<ref name="stevieawards">{{ cite web | url = http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/sales/awards/426_2281_22268.cfm | title = 2013 Stevie Award Winners | publisher = Stevie Awards | accessdate = 30 October 2014}}</ref> It ranked first among the home products on the list.<ref name=stevieawards/> That year, the company received a Silver Stevie Award for "Customer Service Department of the Year" in the other industries category.<ref name=stevieawards/>
==Company overview==


The Central Station Alarm Association awarded Vivint "Central Station of the Year" that year.<ref name="reuters2"> {{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/11/idUS103961+11-Jul-2012+BW20120711|title=Vivint Named Central Station of the Year at CSAA`s Annual Excellence Awards|date=July 11, 2012|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[Forbes]]'' ranked the company 46th in its annual ranking of "America's Most Promising Companies."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/vivint-promotes-alex-dunn-president-130000820.html |title=Vivint Promotes Alex Dunn To President - Yahoo Finance |publisher=Finance.yahoo.com |date=2013-02-06 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> Vivint acquired Smartrove, a wireless mesh networking technology provider, and began wireless broadband that August.<ref name="cepro"> {{cite web|url=http://www.cepro.com/article/vivint_selling_super_high_speed_wireless_broadband_door_to_door/D2/|title=Vivint Selling Super-High-Speed Wireless Broadband Door-to-Door|date=August 16, 2013|author=Julie Jacobson|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> In October, ''[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]'' named the company the second most job creating private company in the United States.<ref name = blackhat>{{cite web | url = https://www.blackhat.com/us-14/speakers/Logan-Lamb.html | title = Black Hat USA 2014 | publisher = Black Hat | accessdate = 30 October 2014}}</ref> In 2013, the company created the Vivint Fellows Program, a summer internship program at the Vivint Innovation Center.<ref name="vimeo"> {{cite web|url=http://vimeo.com/78755697|title=Fellows on Vimeo|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="entrepreneur"> {{cite web|url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/237496 |title=5 Keys to Building a World-Class Internship Program|date=September 16, 2014|author=Matt Eyring|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="fastcompany"> {{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/3035831/hit-the-ground-running/why-an-mit-student-chose-an-obscure-internship-over-silicon-valley|title=WHY AN MIT STUDENT CHOSE AN OBSCURE INTERNSHIP OVER SILICON VALLEY|date=September 18, 2014|author=Harry Rein|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="byu"> {{cite web|url=http://universe.byu.edu/2013/10/24/byu-intern-finds-and-contributes-to-success-at-vivint/|title=BYU intern finds and contributes to success at Vivint|date=October 24, 2013|author=Anders Piiparinen|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref>
Vivint was incorporated in 1999 by Keith Nellesen and current CEO [[Todd Pedersen]]. Its current President is Alex Dunn, formerly Governor [[Mitt Romney]]'s [[Chief of Staff]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/vivint-promotes-alex-dunn-president-130000820.html |title=Vivint Promotes Alex Dunn To President - Yahoo Finance |publisher=Finance.yahoo.com |date=2013-02-06 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> Vivint provides monitored Fire, Burglar and other security options to residential customers.<ref name="apx2">{{cite web|url=http://www.vivint.com/en/company/about-us|title=About Us; Vivint |publisher=vivint.com |date= |accessdate=2013-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf7XVsBqBvE |title=Vivint Carbon Monoxide Detector |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-11-08 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> The company's main business strategy has been to deploy geographically focused teams of sales representatives and installers, using [[ClickSoftware]] for organization,<ref>{{cite web|author=The MobileVillage Team |url=http://www.mobilevillage.com/success-story-clicksoftware-vivint/ |title=Mobile Field Service Success Story: Vivint - MobileVillage® |publisher=Mobilevillage.com |date=2012-10-19 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> during summer months, with additional year-round telephone sales.<ref>{{cite web|author=Julie Jacobson |url=http://www.cepro.com/article/how_vivint_sells_200k_security_automation_systems_in_a_summer/D1/ |title=How Vivint Sells 200k Security, Automation Systems in a Summer - Article from |publisher=CE Pro |date=2011-07-14 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> In 1999 as APX, Vivint initially installed security systems as a dealer of [[Protection One]], then switched to installing for [[ADT Security Services]] for several years, then switched to [[Monitronics]] until 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.securitysales.com/channel/business-management/articles/2012/02/transcript-vivint-ceo-todd-pederson-talks-business-ventures.aspx |title=Security Sales & Integration |publisher=Securitysales.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> Thereafter Vivint began installing its own security systems, directly servicing all aspects including sales, installation and monitoring. Presently, Vivint uses a variety of [[Honeywell]] security equipment, and began using 2GIG Technologies for panels and peripherals starting in late 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/?p=article&id=ss200910BZxj2Z |title=Welcome to Security Systems News |publisher=Securitysystemsnews.com |date= |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4so8k5_PIo |title=24 Hour Home Security in California with Vivint - ABC 5 |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-12-20 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Vivint Reviews <!--BEGIN .entry-content .article--> |url=http://www.besthomealarmsystemsreviews.com/vivint-reviews |title=Vivint Reviews |publisher=Besthomealarmsystemsreviews.com |date=1999-02-22 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> Vivint is able to continue to handle emergencies during natural disasters such as hurricanes due to their cellular monitoring and battery back-up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/9/prweb9944708.htm |title=Vivint Home Security Continues to Lead the Industry during Natural Disasters |publisher=Prweb.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> The panel used by Vivint offers severe weather, and tornado warnings and alerts. These weather alerts and warnings are a feature of, and provided by the Alarm.com back end service to Users for alerts issued by the National Weather Service. Vivint is a Dealer for Alarm.com (ADC) and a Dealer for 2GIG, and as such, they have no control or direct participation in the NWS alerts pushed to the panels.<ref name="alarm">{{cite web|url=http://www.alarm.com/about/press/PressGeneric.aspx?cmid=14|title=Alarm.com Announces Severe Weather Alerts|publisher=alarm.com|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U7PW_Ybx7k |title=Vivint Severe Weather Alerts |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-06-28 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> Vivint utilizes [[Z-Wave]] technology and is a member of the [[Z-Wave Alliance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.z-wavealliance.org/vivint-inc |title=Vivint, Inc |publisher=Z-wavealliance.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> Vivint monitors its own systems through its own central stations, and in 2012 received the CSAA's Annual Excellence Award as the Central Station of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120711005406/en/Vivint-Named-Central-Station-Year-CSAA%E2%80%99s-Annual |title=Vivint Named Central Station of the Year at CSAA’s Annual Excellence Awards |publisher=Business Wire |date=2012-07-11 |accessdate=2013-10-09}}</ref> In February, 2013 it opened its '''Vivint Innovation Center''' for developing new technologies.<ref>{{cite web|author=by:&nbsp; |url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/vivint-gets-rd |title=Vivint gets into R&D |publisher=Security Systems News |date=2013-02-20 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Vivint February 15, 2013 8:00&nbsp;AM |url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/vivint-creates-vivint-innovation-center-130000687.html |title=Vivint Creates Vivint Innovation Center - Yahoo Finance |publisher=Finance.yahoo.com |date=2013-02-15 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> In 2011 Vivint was ranked #3 in the SDM list of the largest 100 security installation and monitoring companies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/86558-2011-sdm-100-the-list |title=2011 SDM 100: The List &#124; SDM Magazine |publisher=Sdmmag.com |date=2011-05-12 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> It is ranked #2 in 2013.


Vivint launched Vivint Sky, a cloud-based smart home solution, in June 2014.<ref name="securitysystemnews">{{cite web|url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/vivint-launches-own-panel-own-platform-new-solution|title=Vivint launches own panel, own platform in new solution|author= Tess Nacelewicz|date=June 10, 2014|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> The system provides a centralized control, remote smartphone applications and learns algorithms that automatically pick up on a user's patterns.<ref name="slashgear">{{cite web|url=http://www.slashgear.com/vivint-sky-hands-on-the-smart-home-starts-learning-10332754/|title=Vivint Sky hands-on: The Smart Home starts learning|date=June 10, 2014|author=Chris Davies|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> In 2014, the Vivint SkyControl panel received a CE Pro BEST Award for "new custom electronic products introduced in 2014."<ref name="cepro2"> {{cite web|url=http://www.cepro.com/best/details/vivint_skycontrol|title=2014 Best Electronics Systems Technologies|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref> Vivint acquired the cloud storage startup Space Monkey, a company founded by Clint Gordon-Carroll and Alen Peacock that year.<ref name="forbes2">{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2014/09/10/exclusive-vivint-buys-space-monkey/|title=http://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2014/09/10/exclusive-vivint-buys-space-monkey/|title=Smart Home Company Vivint Just Bought Cloud Storage Startup Space Monkey|date=September 10, 2014|author=Aaron Tilley|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref>
In November 2012, the [[Blackstone Group]] acquired a controlling interest in Vivint, Vivint Solar, and 2GIG Technologies for in excess of $2&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Blackstone Group|url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/blackstone_group/index.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2013-11-20}}</ref> Five months following the acquisition of 2GIG Technologies, on February 14, 2013, Blackstone (the current parent company of Vivint/APX Group Holdings), sold 2GIG to Nortek's Linear subsidiary for $135M.<ref name="securitysystemsnews">{{cite web|url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/nortek-buy-2gig-135m|title=Nortek to buy 2GIG for $135m &#124; Security Systems News|publisher=securitysystemsnews.com|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> Vivint is currently the second largest home security company in the United States.<ref name="ceprosummit">{{cite web|url=http://www.ceprosummit.com/cepro-100-list/|title=CE Pro 100 List &#124; CE Pro Summit|publisher=ceprosummit.com|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> The company has won several awards over the past few years. In July 2012, the Central Station Alarm Association awarded Vivint the Central Station of the Year award.<ref name="securitysales.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.securitysales.com/channel/business-management/news/2012/06/27/csaa-honors-central-station-best-practices-with-excellence-awards.aspx|title=CSAA Honors Central Station Best Practices With Excellence Awards - Security Sales and Integration|author=SSI Staff|publisher=securitysales.com|date=2014-01-17|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> This award is designed to promote central station services and recognize outstanding monitoring personnel and the overall excellence of monitoring operation. A Vivint employee named Amy Becht also won the CSAA Manager of the Year award.<ref name="securitysales.com"/> In December 2012, Vivint ranked number 53 on PCWorld’s list of the 100 Best Products of 2012. Of the top five tech home products on the 2012 list, Vivint ranked No. 1.<ref name="pcworld">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2015065/the-100-best-products-of-2012.html|title=The 100 Best Products of 2012 &#124; PCWorld|publisher=pcworld.com|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> In March 2013, Vivint won the 2013 People’s Choice Stevie Award for Favorite Customer Service Provider in the “other industries” category. Vivint also received a Silver Stevie Award for Customer Service Department of the Year in the “other industries” category, and Tim Izatt, director of customer services at Vivint, was honored with a Silver Stevie Award for Contact Center Leader of the Year.<ref>http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/sales/awards/426_2281_22268.cfm</ref> In October 2013, Inc. Magazine named the company the No. 2 top job-creating private company in the U.S.<ref name="inc">{{cite web|url=http://www.inc.com/hire-power/list|title=Top Companies on the 2013 Inc. Hire Power Awards &#124; Inc.com|publisher=inc.com|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref>

In 2014, a cybersecurity researcher for the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory by the name of Logan Lamb,<ref>https://www.blackhat.com/us-14/speakers/Logan-Lamb.html</ref> discovered a vulnerability in Vivint's Go!Control and Sky Control panel (aka Go!Control 2.0, or more commonly, Go!2.0 panel)<ref>http://www.electronichouse.com/product/details/go2.0/</ref><ref>http://images.cdn.aws.vivint.com/global/vivint.com/web/campaigns/garbett/images/gallery/image-22.jpg</ref> that allows a hacker to completely disable the panels, and/or send false alarms from outside the home.<ref>http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2014/07/23/how-your-security-system-could-be-used-to-spy-on-you/</ref>
The attack exploits the unencrypted communications between the panel, sensors, keypads and keyfobs which are broadcast openly over rf and can be intercepted and spoofed by a $299 "HackRF One" SDR or a USRP. Lamb was scheduled to demonstrate the exploit at 2014 Black Hat and DEFCON seminars, but withdrew as a result of threats made against him.<ref>http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/08/08/338776873/when-hackers-test-for-flaws-they-might-earn-cash-or-threats</ref>


==Vivint Solar==
==Vivint Solar==


In 2011, Vivint Inc. launched a new subsidiary company named [[Vivint Solar]]<ref name="forbes">{{cite news| url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2011/10/19/home-security-firm-enters-solar-market-with-75m-fund/ | work=Forbes | first=Ucilia | last=Wang|title=Home Security Firm Enters Solar Market With $75M Fund|date=October 19, 2011}}</ref> as a [[solar electricity]] provider that designs, installs, and maintains residential [[photovoltaic system]]s. Vivint Solar in 2013 is operating in 6 states: [[New York]], [[New Jersey]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Maryland]], [[Hawaii]], and [[California]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2012/07/27/vivint-solar-to-hire-40-in-san-francisco.html | title=Vivint Solar to hire 40 in San Francisco}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/vivint-solar-expands-ppa-into-massachusetts-051512 |title=Vivint Solar expands PPAs into Massachusetts |publisher=Cleanenergyauthority.com |date=2012-05-15 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> The company offers solar panels via a [[power purchase agreement]] (PPA).<ref name="vivintsolar">{{cite web|url=http://www.vivintsolar.com/why-vivint-solar |title=Solar Energy Package Details &#124; Vivint |publisher=Vivintsolar.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> Vivint Solar owns, installs, and maintains [[solar panel]]s on customers’ homes in exchange for customers agreeing to purchase the solar energy their panels produce. Customers do not pay for installation, but pay for energy that the panel's produce, for the life of the contracts.<ref name="techcrunch">{{cite web|author=Matt Burns |url=http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/18/vivint-solar-us-bancorp/ |title=Vivint Solar Announces $75m Partnership With U.S. Bancorp, Expansion Into Three New Markets |publisher=TechCrunch |date=2011-10-18 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> Vivint Solar is similar to other alternative solar companies like [[SolarCity]], [[SunRun]], and [[Sungevity]]. Its innovation in the field is the use of [[microinverter]]s for each separate solar panel, allowing maximum production when some of the panels are in the shade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vivintsolar.com/en/ |title=Solar Energy Package Details &#124; Vivint |publisher=Vivintsolar.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://community.enphaseenergy.com/enphase_energy_community/topics/array_of_the_week_vivint_solar-19u19n |title=Array of the Week: Vivint Solar |publisher=Community.enphaseenergy.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref>
In 2011, Vivint Inc. launched a standalone company, [[Vivint Solar]],<ref name="forbes">{{cite news| url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2011/10/19/home-security-firm-enters-solar-market-with-75m-fund/ | work=Forbes | first=Ucilia | last=Wang|title=Home Security Firm Enters Solar Market With $75M Fund|date=October 19, 2011}}</ref> as a [[solar electricity]] provider that designs, installs, and maintains residential [[photovoltaic system]]s. Vivint Solar in 2013 is operating in 6 states: [[New York]], [[New Jersey]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Maryland]], [[Hawaii]], and [[California]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2012/07/27/vivint-solar-to-hire-40-in-san-francisco.html | title=Vivint Solar to hire 40 in San Francisco}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/vivint-solar-expands-ppa-into-massachusetts-051512 |title=Vivint Solar expands PPAs into Massachusetts |publisher=Cleanenergyauthority.com |date=2012-05-15 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> The company offers solar panels via a [[power purchase agreement]] (PPA).<ref name="vivintsolar">{{cite web|url=http://www.vivintsolar.com/why-vivint-solar |title=Solar Energy Package Details &#124; Vivint |publisher=Vivintsolar.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> Vivint Solar owns, installs, and maintains [[solar panel]]s on customers’ homes in exchange for customers agreeing to purchase the solar energy their panels produce. Customers do not pay for installation, but pay for energy that the panel's produce, for the life of the contracts.<ref name="techcrunch">{{cite web|author=Matt Burns |url=http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/18/vivint-solar-us-bancorp/ |title=Vivint Solar Announces $75m Partnership With U.S. Bancorp, Expansion Into Three New Markets |publisher=TechCrunch |date=2011-10-18 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> Vivint Solar is similar to other alternative solar companies like [[SolarCity]], [[SunRun]], and [[Sungevity]]. Its innovation in the field is the use of [[microinverter]]s for each separate solar panel, allowing maximum production when some of the panels are in the shade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vivintsolar.com/en/ |title=Solar Energy Package Details &#124; Vivint |publisher=Vivintsolar.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://community.enphaseenergy.com/enphase_energy_community/topics/array_of_the_week_vivint_solar-19u19n |title=Array of the Week: Vivint Solar |publisher=Community.enphaseenergy.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref>


Its President and CEO is Greg Butterfield and its [[chief technology officer]] is Dan Rapp. Vivint Solar is currently rated C+ by the [[Better Business Bureau]] (BBB) and is not accredited by the BBB.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/solar-energy-products-retail/vivint-solar-in-provo-ut-22302389 |title=Vivint Solar |publisher=Better Business Bureau |accessdate=2013-08-10}}</ref>
Its President and CEO is Greg Butterfield and its [[chief technology officer]] is Dan Rapp. In October 2014, Vivint Solar made its [[initial public offering]] on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] under the ticker symbol VSLR.<ref name = bloomberg2>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-01/blackstone-backed-vivint-solar-raises-330-million-in-u-s-ipo.html |title=Blackstone Scores $1.1 Billion Gain in Vivint Solar Debut |publisher=Bloomberg News |accessdate=30 October 2014}}</ref>


==Vivint Innovation Center==
==Vivint Innovation Center==
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Vivint announced a new innovation center February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dev.utahbusiness.com/articles/view/vivint_creates_innovation_center |title=Utah Business |publisher=Dev.utahbusiness.com |date=2013-02-18 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref><ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/vivint-creates-vivint-innovation-center-130000687.html|title=Vivint Creates Vivint Innovation Center - Yahoo Finance|publisher=web.archive.org|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> The Vivint Innovation Center is the [[research and development]] arm of Vivint, Inc. It is located in [[Lehi, Utah]] in the [[business park]] adjacent to [[Thanksgiving Point]] and officially launched in October 2014.<ref name = Deseretnews>{{ cite web | url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865613626/Lehi-based-Vivint-debuts-innovation-facility.html?pg=all | title = Lehi-based Vivint debuts innovation facility | publisher = Deseret News | accessdate = 30 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="securitysystemsnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/vivint-outgrows-its-innovation-center|title=Vivint outgrows its Innovation Center &#124; Security Systems News|publisher=securitysystemsnews.com|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> It is staffed by approximately 320 hardware, software and radio engineers, industrial designers and user experience professionals. The Center is led by Matt Eyring, chief strategy and innovation officer; Jeremy Warren, chief technology officer; J.T. Hwang, chief information officer, and Jim Nye, vice president of product development.<ref>{{cite web|author=Business Wire |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110830005147/en/Vivint-Promotes-Jim-Nye-VP-Product-Management |title=Vivint Promotes Jim Nye to VP of Product Management |publisher=Business Wire |date=2011-08-30 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/ut-vivint-idUSnBw63s5Tna+104+BSW20130215 |title=Vivint Creates Vivint Innovation Center |publisher=Reuters |date=2013-02-15 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.contactcenterworld.com/print_page.aspx?itemid=c603842700b14728b11a45e4c3c8fcc7 |title=Vivint Opens Innovation Center |publisher=ContactCenterWorld.com |date=2013-02-18 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref> Warren joined Vivint from 2GIG Technologies,<ref>{{cite web|author=Sun, Apr 7, 2013, 11:58&nbsp;AM EDT - U.S. Markets closed |url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/US-Department-of-Justice-CTO-iw-3893471051.html |title=US Department of Justice CTO Jeremy Warren Joins 2GIG Technologies(R) as CTO - Yahoo! Finance |publisher=Finance.yahoo.com |date=2011-04-04 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref> Eyring joined Vivint from Innosight, the innovation consulting firm co-founded by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen, where Eyring served as a managing partner"<ref name = greenbiz>{{cite web | url = http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2013/01/15/vivint-ramps-disruptive-innovation-matt-eyring | title = Vivint Ramps Up Disruptive Innovation | accessdate = 7 November 2014}}</ref>
The Vivint Innovation Center is the [[research and development]] arm of Vivint, Inc. It is located in [[Lehi, Utah]] in the [[business park]] adjacent to [[Thanksgiving Point]].

==Philanthropy==

The Vivint Gives Back focuses on helping children with intellectual disabilities through intelligent products and services. Vivint employees and owners contribute time, money, and volunteer hours to perform services for these children.
In 2012, Vivint Gives Back was named the “Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year.” <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120418005558/en/Vivint-Named-2012-Corporate-Volunteer-Program-Year |title=Vivint Named 2012 Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year |publisher=Business Wire |date=2012-04-18 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> In February 2014, the company donated $2 million to the [[Utah Valley University]] to establish a professional sales program,<ref name="uvureview">{{cite web|url=http://www.uvureview.com/2014/02/04/vivints-2-million-gift-establishes-sales-program-uvu/| title=Vivint’s $2 million gift establishes sales program at UVU| author=KresLynn Knouse| date=February 4, 2014| publisher=UVU Review|accessdate=April 18, 2015}}</ref> as well as a SMART Lab for marketing research.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/1894701-155/uvu-opens-smart-marketing-lab | title=UVU Opens Smart Marketing Lab| author=Annie Know| date=December 2, 2014| publisher=Salt Lake Tribune| accessdate=April 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://utahvalley360.com/2014/12/18/uvu-takes-market-research-smart-level/ | title=UVU Takes Market Research to the SMART Level| author=Rebecca Lane| date=December 18, 2014| publisher=Utah Valley 360| accessdate=April 18, 2015}}</ref>

In August 2014, Vivint employees worked with the Feed My Starving Children organization to donate $47,000 and assemble 200,000 meal kits to feed children in Haiti. In four consecutive years, Vivint donated a total of 800,000 meals, enough to feed more than 2,000 children for an entire year.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.heraldextra.com/news/community/with-employees-help-vivint-sends-thousands-of-meals-to-haiti/article_d8c293e5-dc27-5ea9-8d58-41cca79f2b3c.html | title=With employees' help, Vivint sends thousands of meals to Haiti| author=Jordan Carroll| date=August 20, 2014| publisher=Herald Extra| accessdate=April 18, 2015}}</ref>

In 2015, Vivint became the official safety sponsor for Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism organization.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.autismspeaks.org/about-us/press-releases/vivint-partners-autism-speaks-nationwide-safety-sponsor| title=Vivint Partners with Autism Speaks as Nationwide Safety Sponsor| date=March 3, 2015| publisher=Autism Speaks| accessdate=April 18, 2015}}</ref>


Vivint employees volunteer time and money to renovate homes for families who have children with intellectual capabilities. Employees install Vivint smart home technology in the homes and sensory rooms with developmental components such as swings, rock-climbing walls, reading nooks and art stations.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865614463/Photos-Vivint-employees-remodel-house-for-family-children.html | title= Photos: Vivint employees remodel house for family, children| date=October 31, 2014| publisher=Desert News| accessdate=April 18, 2015}}</ref> Since its creation in 2008, Vivint Gives Back has donated $9 million and more than 150,000 service hours.<ref name="vivintgivesback"> {{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140813005070/en/Vivint-Employees-Package-Meals-Special-Children-Haiti#.VCQZj_ldVXZ|title=Vivint Employees Package Meals for Special Needs Children in Haiti|accessdate=09-29-2014}}</ref>
⚫
The innovation center was announced by Vivint in February, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dev.utahbusiness.com/articles/view/vivint_creates_innovation_center |title=Utah Business |publisher=Dev.utahbusiness.com |date=2013-02-18 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref><ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/vivint-creates-vivint-innovation-center-130000687.html|title=Vivint Creates Vivint Innovation Center - Yahoo Finance|publisher=web.archive.org|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> In early 2014, Vivint announced that it is currently constructing a new innovation center near to its existing facility, which will triple its area, with a scheduled opening in mid-2014.<ref name="securitysystemsnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/vivint-outgrows-its-innovation-center|title=Vivint outgrows its Innovation Center &#124; Security Systems News|publisher=securitysystemsnews.com|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> It is staffed by approximately 50 hardware, software and radio engineers, industrial designers and user experience professionals. The Center is led by Matt Eyring, chief strategy and innovation officer; J.T. Hwang, chief technology officer; Jim Nye, vice president of product development;<ref>{{cite web|author=Business Wire |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110830005147/en/Vivint-Promotes-Jim-Nye-VP-Product-Management |title=Vivint Promotes Jim Nye to VP of Product Management |publisher=Business Wire |date=2011-08-30 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/ut-vivint-idUSnBw63s5Tna+104+BSW20130215 |title=Vivint Creates Vivint Innovation Center |publisher=Reuters |date=2013-02-15 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref> and Jeremy Warren, vice president of innovation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.contactcenterworld.com/print_page.aspx?itemid=c603842700b14728b11a45e4c3c8fcc7 |title=Vivint Opens Innovation Center |publisher=ContactCenterWorld.com |date=2013-02-18 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref> Warren joined Vivint from 2GIG Technologies,<ref>{{cite web|author=Sun, Apr 7, 2013, 11:58&nbsp;AM EDT - U.S. Markets closed |url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/US-Department-of-Justice-CTO-iw-3893471051.html |title=US Department of Justice CTO Jeremy Warren Joins 2GIG Technologies(R) as CTO - Yahoo! Finance |publisher=Finance.yahoo.com |date=2011-04-04 |accessdate=2013-04-07}}</ref> where he served as [[chief technology officer]].


==Legal issues==


==Consumer Complaints and Legal Issues==
Prosecutors in at least twelve different states have sanctioned Vivint for deceptive sales practices including high pressure door-to-door sales tactics and other violations.


The Better Business Bureau has given Vivint a grade of "F", and issued a special warning about the firm, having recieved over 3,000 complaints over the past three years. BBB alleges that Vivint has resolved some customer complaints to avoid bad publicity, but has not addressed a "broader problem of false promises by door-to-door salespeople".<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/US/military-families-besieged-door-door-alarm-salespeople/story?id=27523930</ref>
Vivint's sales practices have resulted in over 3,000 complaints to the Better Business Bureau, and resulted in investigations by at least fifteen states.<ref name="bloomberg.com">{{cite news| url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-20/to-sell-home-automation-vivint-needs-some-aggressiveness-.html | work=Bloomberg | first=Antone | last=Gonsalves | title=To Sell Home Automation, Vivint Needs ‘Some Aggressiveness' | date=2011-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/burglar-alarm-systems-dealers-monitoring-and-service/vivint-in-provo-ut-4002276 |title=Vivint, Inc. Business Review in Provo, UT - Utah BBB |publisher=Bbb.org |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref>


Vivint has also been sacntioned by prosecutors in a number of states for misleading sales practices.
⚫
On March 15, 2013 the Kansas Attorney General entered into a Settlement Agreement with Vivint, Inc. According to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the company was accused of using a variety of deceptive practices while going door-to-door offering to install new home security systems or replace existing systems. The Attorney General's Office said the salesman failed to advise the consumers of their rights under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and did not disclose all costs associated with switching alarm system providers.<ref name="bbb">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/burglar-alarm-systems-dealers-monitoring-and-service/vivint-in-provo-ut-4002276|title=Vivint, Inc. Business Review in Provo, UT - Utah BBB|publisher=bbb.org|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref>


In 2008-2009, the company paid to the state of Arkansas $65,850 to settle allegations of improper licensing of employees, including alarm installers.<ref name="arkansas"> {{cite web|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-20/to-sell-home-automation-vivint-needs-some-aggressiveness-.html|title=To Sell Home Automation, Vivint Needs ‘Some Aggressiveness’|author=Antone Gonsalves|accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref> The company paid an additional $125,000 to the state over alleged violations of state law in 2010.<ref name="saltlaketrib"> {{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/54920255-79/vivint-company-pedersen-utah.html.csp|title=$2B deal for Vivint may be biggest ever in Utah|date=September 18, 2014|author=Tom Harvey|accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref>
On April 26, 2013 the State of Ohio Attorney General's Office entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance Settlement Agreement with Vivint, Inc. According to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, consumers filed complaints that the company made representations to consumers that its home security equipment was free, but failed to disclose the existence or amount of installation, activation and monitoring fees associated with the system. Vivint door-to-door sales representatives misrepresented the price of continued monthly monitoring fees, made representations that it was providing an upgrade to the consumer's current home security system; that the consumer's current security system company was no longer in business; or that Vivint was otherwise part of or authorized to continue monitoring the consumer's current home security system. Vivint routinely installed the home security systems on the same day the contracts were executed and within the three-day cancellation period and failed to orally inform consumers of their right to cancel the contract within three days or misrepresented the consumers' right to cancel by informing them they were signing the contract on a "trial basis" or that they had thirty days to cancel.<ref name="bbb"/>


In April 2010, Vivint settled with the state of Oregon for $60,000 over alleged aggressive sales tactics used by its agents. The company also agreed to change some of its sales tactics.<ref name="kgw">{{cite web|url=http://www.kgw.com/story/money/business/2014/07/20/11721768/|title=Salem alarm company fined|accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref>
On June 3, 2013 the State of Nebraska Attorney General's Office entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Vivint, Inc. According to the terms of the Agreement, Vivint, Inc. shall not make any misrepresentations and/or false or misleading statements, directly or by implication, which have the tendency or effect of deceiving or misleading consumers.<ref name="bbb"/>


In April 2011, Vivint settled with [[Contra Costa County, California]] for $425,000. Under the settlement, Vivint admitted no wrongdoing, but agreed to conform its contracts to California law and refrain from certain sales practices.<ref name="doj.state.or.us">{{cite web|url=http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/pages/2010/rel042810.aspx |title=Oregon Department of Justice - SETTLEMENT REQUIRES SECURITY ALARM COMPANY TO PAY $60,000 AND STOP MISLEADING AND AGGRESSIVE SALES TACTICS |publisher=Doj.state.or.us |date=2010-04-28 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref>
The State of Wisconsin took legal action against the company in September 2012, for deceptive and misleading sales tactics. The judgment ordered Vivint Inc. to refund up to $148,000 and cancel almost $450,000 in consumer debt. The judgment requires Vivint to pay refunds to consumers who were misled about their ability to cancel their alarm service contracts, as well as consumers who were misled about false alarm charges. Vivint also will remove affected consumers from collections and the company will pay forfeitures and attorneys fees to the State as well as improve their disclosures to consumers about their services and charges, making it easier for consumers to cancel their contracts if they so desire.<ref>{{cite web|author=3 days 3 hours ago |url=http://www.doj.state.wi.us/absolutenm/templates/template_share.aspx?articleid=3047&zoneid=1 |title=Media Center &#124; Wisconsin Department of Justice :: Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen |publisher=Doj.state.wi.us |date=2012-10-30 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref><ref>URL=http://www.doj.state.wi.us/sites/default/files/2012-news/summons-complaint-vivint-20120927.pdf</ref>


Vivint settled with the Wisconsin Attorney General's office in September 2012 after sales agents were allegedly using misleading and deceptive tactics. Under the settlement, Vivint agreed to refund up to $148,000 to consumers who were misled about their ability to cancel and about false alarm charges. Vivint also canceled nearly $450,000 in consumer debt owed to the company.<ref name="wisconsin"> {{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/business/security-firms-settle-with-state-kf719e2-171633631.html|title=Security firms settle with state|date=September 27, 2012|accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref>
Arkansas fined Vivint/APX $40,850 for over 40 violations in 2009.<ref name="nwfl.bbb.org">{{cite web|url=http://nwfl.bbb.org/article/bbb-door-to-door-alarm-salesmen-in-northwest-florida-26008 |title=BBB: door-to-door alarm salesmen in northwest Florida - BBB News Center |publisher=Nwfl.bbb.org |date=2011-11-03 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> On September 10, 2010 the State of Arkansas Attorney General's Office charged Vivint, Inc. with violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Vivint paid $125,000 for the costs of the investigation and prosecution of the complaint.<ref name="bbb2">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/burglar-alarm-systems-dealers-monitoring-and-service/vivint-in-provo-ut-4002276#govtaction |title=Vivint, Inc. Business Review in Provo, UT - Utah BBB |publisher=Bbb.org |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> In 2008 and 2009, Vivint paid a total of $65,850 in Arkansas using improperly licensed workers.<ref name="bloomberg.com"/>


⚫
In March 2013, the company settled with the Kansas Attorney General, which accused sales agents of using deceptive practices while going door-to-door offering to install new home security systems or replace existing systems. The agents also allegedly failed to advise the consumers of their rights under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and did not disclose all costs associated with switching alarm system providers. Under the settlement, Vivint paid $55,000 to the state.<ref name="kansas"> {{cite web|url=http://ag.ks.gov/search-results-detail/2013/03/15/home-security-company-fined-for-consumer-protection-allegations|title=Home security company fined for consumer protection allegations|accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref>
The states of Washington, Louisiana, South Carolina, Minnesota and Tennessee have all fined Vivint/APX for violating state licensing codes.<ref name="nwfl.bbb.org"/><ref name="nwfl.bbb.org"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSv8jiABAYo |title=YouTube |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> In Washington, police cited Vivint/APX seven times in 2008 and 2009 for having unlicensed workers install alarms.<ref name="bloomberg.com"/> Louisiana also fined Vivint for violating a Cease and Desist Order, and engaging in false, misleading, or deceptive practices.<ref name="nwfl.bbb.org"/>


The Ohio Attorney General settled with Vivint in April 2013 after consumers filed complaints alleging deceptive sales practices and the company's refusal to honor notices of cancellation. Under the settlement agreement, Vivint agreed to comply with Ohio consumer laws and paid approximately $50,000 in fines.<ref name="ohio"> {{cite web|url=http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/getattachment/99919ecc-33be-4b19-ba5b-e03edcf21927/2013-Consumer-Annual-Report.aspx|title=Ohio Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Section|accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref>
State and local prosecutors in California and Oregon have also charged Vivint with engaging in deceptive trade practices, misleading customers, and engaging in improper collections tactics. To settle these charges, Vivint has entered into consent agreements. Vivint paid $425,000 in fines in California.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vivint|url=http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/burglar-alarm-systems-dealers-monitoring-and-service/vivint-in-provo-ut-4002276|author=Better Business Bureau}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Office of the District Attorney|title=Civil Settlement with Vivint, Inc.|url=http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/documentcenter/view/7009|publisher=Contra Costa County|accessdate=2013-11-20|date=20 April 2011}}</ref> Oregon fined Vivint/APX $60,000 for "targeting elderly Oregonians with misleading and high-pressure sales tactics".<ref name="doj.state.or.us">{{cite web|url=http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/pages/2010/rel042810.aspx |title=Oregon Department of Justice - SETTLEMENT REQUIRES SECURITY ALARM COMPANY TO PAY $60,000 AND STOP MISLEADING AND AGGRESSIVE SALES TACTICS |publisher=Doj.state.or.us |date=2010-04-28 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref>


In June 2013, Vivint agreed to an assurance of voluntary compliance in Nebraska. Under the agreement, the company promised not to make any misrepresentations while engaging in sales. The company also donated $50,000 to two charities in Lancaster County, Nebraska.<ref name="journalstar"> {{cite web|url=http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/utah-home-security-company-agrees-to-pay-k/article_05293020-f991-53ae-9dcb-782d928c0c35.html|title=Utah home security company agrees to pay $50K|date=June 4, 2013|accessdate=November 23, 2014}}</ref>
⚫
There are currently as of 2014, two federal lawsuits against Vivint for telemarketing ([[TCPA]]) violations.<ref name="plainsite">{{cite web|url=http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/sqf4970m/illinois-northern-district-court/johansen-v-vivint-inc/|title=Johansen v. Vivint, Inc. :: Illinois Northern District Court :: Case No. 1:12-cv-07159, Judge Marvin E. Aspen presiding|publisher=plainsite.org|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref><ref name="plainsite2">{{cite web|url=http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/sqg194i3/florida-southern-district-court/benzion-et-al-v-vivint-inc/|title=Benzion et al v. Vivint, Inc. :: Florida Southern District Court :: Case No. 0:12-cv-61826, Judge William J. Zloch presiding|publisher=plainsite.org|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> Both lawsuits (Johansen v. Vivint, Inc., and Benzion v. Vivint, Inc) have been certified as Class Actions. In Benzion, Vivint agreed to a $6,000,000 settlement fund.<ref>http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2014/06/27/CG58782?r=full&full=true</ref>


⚫
As of 2014, two federal class action lawsuits (Johansen v. Vivint, Inc. and Benzion v. Vivint, Inc.) have been filed against Vivint for alleged violations of the [[Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991|TCPA]].<ref name="plainsite">{{cite web|url=http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/sqf4970m/illinois-northern-district-court/johansen-v-vivint-inc/|title=Johansen v. Vivint, Inc. :: Illinois Northern District Court :: Case No. 1:12-cv-07159, Judge Marvin E. Aspen presiding|publisher=plainsite.org|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref><ref name="plainsite2">{{cite web|url=http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/sqg194i3/florida-southern-district-court/benzion-et-al-v-vivint-inc/|title=Benzion et al v. Vivint, Inc. :: Florida Southern District Court :: Case No. 0:12-cv-61826, Judge William J. Zloch presiding|publisher=plainsite.org|accessdate=2014-05-24}}</ref> In June 2014, Vivint agreed to a proposed settlement in Benzion which included a $6 million settlement fund.<ref name = bizjournals3>{{cite web | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2014/06/27/CG58782?r=full&full=true | title = Announces a Proposed Class Action Settlement for All Persons Who Received a Call(s) Advertising Vivint Goods or Services |publisher = PR Newswire| accessdate = 30 October 2014}}</ref>
==Charitable contributions by employees==
In 2008, ninety Vivint employees went to [[Galveston, Texas]] to aid [[Hurricane Ike]] victims.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sam Scorup - Daily Herald |url=http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_903e84d9-9d97-5db7-b0e5-166573946329.html |title=APX Alarm employees sent to aid Ike survivors |publisher=Heraldextra.com |date=2008-09-27 |accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref> In 2011 Vivint Gives Back donated over $1.25&nbsp;Million and 7,500 person-hours of service, and in early 2012 was named the ''Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120418005558/en/Vivint-Named-2012-Corporate-Volunteer-Program-Year |title=Vivint Named 2012 Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year |publisher=Business Wire |date=2012-04-18 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref> In 2012, Vivint Gives Back had nearly 3,000 Vivint employees volunteer 23,000 person-hours to help needy families, and Vivint Gives Back's $1.5&nbsp;million charity fund was distributed to 20 different international relief organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130103005504/en/Vivint-%E2%80%98Year-Service%E2%80%99-Initiative-Raises-1.5-Million |title=Vivint Gives Back ‘Year of Service’ Initiative Raises $1.5 Million in 2012 |publisher=Business Wire |date=2013-01-03 |accessdate=2013-11-15}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Companies based in Utah]]
[[Category:Companies based in Provo, Utah]]
[[Category:Security companies]]
[[Category:Security companies]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1997]]

Revision as of 21:29, 7 May 2015

Vivint, Inc.
Company typePublic
IndustrySecurity Systems, Fire detection, Home Automation, Photovoltaics
Founded1997
FounderTodd Pedersen, Keith Nelleson
HeadquartersProvo, Utah
Key people
Todd Pedersen, CEO, Alex Dunn, president
Number of employees
7000
Websitewww.vivint.com

Vivint, Inc. (formerly known as APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc.) is a private home security, home automation and energy management services provider in the United States, Canada and New Zealand.[1][2][3] Keith Nelleson and Todd Pedersen co-founded the company in 1999.[4][5] Pedersen is Vivint's CEO.[4][6]

In 2012, The Blackstone Group acquired Vivint.[6][7] As of June 2014, Vivint had approximately 7,000 employees serving 800,000 customers.[8]

Prosecutors in multiple states have sanctioned Vivint for deceptive sales practices. The Better Business Bureau has given Vivint a grade of "F" and issued a special warning about the firm.

History

In 1999, Keith Nelleson and Todd Pedersen co-founded APX Alarm Security Solutions in Provo, Utah.[5][9][10] At the time, the company sold and installed security systems.[9] Vivint began retaining customers in 2006 after it became a home monitoring provider.[9] The company expanded its service to Canada that year after signing a $75 million credit facility agreement with Goldman Sachs.[11] It received the J.D. Power and Associates "Outstanding Customer Service Experience" certification 2008 and 2009. Goldman Sachs and APX Alarm completed another credit facility agreement worth $440 million in 2009.[11] That November, the company acquired a central alarm monitoring station from Criticom Monitoring Services, a subsidiary of Protection One, in St. Paul, Minnesota.[11] APX Alarm opened a new corporate headquarters in Provo, Utah a month later.[12]

APX Alarm Security Solutions rebranded the company to Vivint in February 2011.[9][13] The company completed a $565 million senior debt financing led by Goldman Sachs that month.[14] Vivint also received funding from Peterson Partners and Jupiter Partners.[14] The company launched Vivint Solar, a solar energy company, in 2011.[15] The company partnered with Alarm.com early that year to deploy severe weather alerts to their customer base.[16] Vivint was acquired by The Blackstone Group in September 2012.[17][18][19][20] In December, PC World ranked Vivint 53rd in the "100 Best Products of 2012" list.[21] It ranked first among the home products on the list.[21] That year, the company received a Silver Stevie Award for "Customer Service Department of the Year" in the other industries category.[21]

The Central Station Alarm Association awarded Vivint "Central Station of the Year" that year.[22] In 2013, Forbes ranked the company 46th in its annual ranking of "America's Most Promising Companies."[23] Vivint acquired Smartrove, a wireless mesh networking technology provider, and began wireless broadband that August.[24] In October, Inc. named the company the second most job creating private company in the United States.[25] In 2013, the company created the Vivint Fellows Program, a summer internship program at the Vivint Innovation Center.[26][27][28][29]

Vivint launched Vivint Sky, a cloud-based smart home solution, in June 2014.[30] The system provides a centralized control, remote smartphone applications and learns algorithms that automatically pick up on a user's patterns.[31] In 2014, the Vivint SkyControl panel received a CE Pro BEST Award for "new custom electronic products introduced in 2014."[32] Vivint acquired the cloud storage startup Space Monkey, a company founded by Clint Gordon-Carroll and Alen Peacock that year.[33]

Vivint Solar

In 2011, Vivint Inc. launched a standalone company, Vivint Solar,[6] as a solar electricity provider that designs, installs, and maintains residential photovoltaic systems. Vivint Solar in 2013 is operating in 6 states: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Hawaii, and California.[34][35] The company offers solar panels via a power purchase agreement (PPA).[36] Vivint Solar owns, installs, and maintains solar panels on customers’ homes in exchange for customers agreeing to purchase the solar energy their panels produce. Customers do not pay for installation, but pay for energy that the panel's produce, for the life of the contracts.[37] Vivint Solar is similar to other alternative solar companies like SolarCity, SunRun, and Sungevity. Its innovation in the field is the use of microinverters for each separate solar panel, allowing maximum production when some of the panels are in the shade.[38][39]

Its President and CEO is Greg Butterfield and its chief technology officer is Dan Rapp. In October 2014, Vivint Solar made its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VSLR.[40]

Vivint Innovation Center

Vivint announced a new innovation center February 2013.[41][42] The Vivint Innovation Center is the research and development arm of Vivint, Inc. It is located in Lehi, Utah in the business park adjacent to Thanksgiving Point and officially launched in October 2014.[43][44] It is staffed by approximately 320 hardware, software and radio engineers, industrial designers and user experience professionals. The Center is led by Matt Eyring, chief strategy and innovation officer; Jeremy Warren, chief technology officer; J.T. Hwang, chief information officer, and Jim Nye, vice president of product development.[45][46][47] Warren joined Vivint from 2GIG Technologies,[48] Eyring joined Vivint from Innosight, the innovation consulting firm co-founded by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen, where Eyring served as a managing partner"[49]

Philanthropy

The Vivint Gives Back focuses on helping children with intellectual disabilities through intelligent products and services. Vivint employees and owners contribute time, money, and volunteer hours to perform services for these children.

In 2012, Vivint Gives Back was named the “Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year.” [50] In February 2014, the company donated $2 million to the Utah Valley University to establish a professional sales program,[51] as well as a SMART Lab for marketing research.[52][53]

In August 2014, Vivint employees worked with the Feed My Starving Children organization to donate $47,000 and assemble 200,000 meal kits to feed children in Haiti. In four consecutive years, Vivint donated a total of 800,000 meals, enough to feed more than 2,000 children for an entire year.[54]

In 2015, Vivint became the official safety sponsor for Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism organization.[55]

Vivint employees volunteer time and money to renovate homes for families who have children with intellectual capabilities. Employees install Vivint smart home technology in the homes and sensory rooms with developmental components such as swings, rock-climbing walls, reading nooks and art stations.[56] Since its creation in 2008, Vivint Gives Back has donated $9 million and more than 150,000 service hours.[57]


The Better Business Bureau has given Vivint a grade of "F", and issued a special warning about the firm, having recieved over 3,000 complaints over the past three years. BBB alleges that Vivint has resolved some customer complaints to avoid bad publicity, but has not addressed a "broader problem of false promises by door-to-door salespeople".[58]

Vivint has also been sacntioned by prosecutors in a number of states for misleading sales practices.

In 2008-2009, the company paid to the state of Arkansas $65,850 to settle allegations of improper licensing of employees, including alarm installers.[59] The company paid an additional $125,000 to the state over alleged violations of state law in 2010.[60]

In April 2010, Vivint settled with the state of Oregon for $60,000 over alleged aggressive sales tactics used by its agents. The company also agreed to change some of its sales tactics.[61]

In April 2011, Vivint settled with Contra Costa County, California for $425,000. Under the settlement, Vivint admitted no wrongdoing, but agreed to conform its contracts to California law and refrain from certain sales practices.[62]

Vivint settled with the Wisconsin Attorney General's office in September 2012 after sales agents were allegedly using misleading and deceptive tactics. Under the settlement, Vivint agreed to refund up to $148,000 to consumers who were misled about their ability to cancel and about false alarm charges. Vivint also canceled nearly $450,000 in consumer debt owed to the company.[63]

In March 2013, the company settled with the Kansas Attorney General, which accused sales agents of using deceptive practices while going door-to-door offering to install new home security systems or replace existing systems. The agents also allegedly failed to advise the consumers of their rights under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and did not disclose all costs associated with switching alarm system providers. Under the settlement, Vivint paid $55,000 to the state.[64]

The Ohio Attorney General settled with Vivint in April 2013 after consumers filed complaints alleging deceptive sales practices and the company's refusal to honor notices of cancellation. Under the settlement agreement, Vivint agreed to comply with Ohio consumer laws and paid approximately $50,000 in fines.[65]

In June 2013, Vivint agreed to an assurance of voluntary compliance in Nebraska. Under the agreement, the company promised not to make any misrepresentations while engaging in sales. The company also donated $50,000 to two charities in Lancaster County, Nebraska.[66]

As of 2014, two federal class action lawsuits (Johansen v. Vivint, Inc. and Benzion v. Vivint, Inc.) have been filed against Vivint for alleged violations of the TCPA.[67][68] In June 2014, Vivint agreed to a proposed settlement in Benzion which included a $6 million settlement fund.[69]

References

  1. ^ Mark Dawson (June 29, 2013). "City business secures huge US linked deal". Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  2. ^ "Vivint rapidly automating Canadian homes". Security Systems News. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
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  5. ^ a b Joey Ferguson (September 19, 2012). "Vivint's $5,000 to $2 billion journey from security to solar". Retrieved October 19, 2014.
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  55. ^ "Vivint Partners with Autism Speaks as Nationwide Safety Sponsor". Autism Speaks. March 3, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
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  58. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/US/military-families-besieged-door-door-alarm-salespeople/story?id=27523930
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  67. ^ "Johansen v. Vivint, Inc. :: Illinois Northern District Court :: Case No. 1:12-cv-07159, Judge Marvin E. Aspen presiding". plainsite.org. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  68. ^ "Benzion et al v. Vivint, Inc. :: Florida Southern District Court :: Case No. 0:12-cv-61826, Judge William J. Zloch presiding". plainsite.org. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  69. ^ "Announces a Proposed Class Action Settlement for All Persons Who Received a Call(s) Advertising Vivint Goods or Services". PR Newswire. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vivint&oldid=661310320"