Calvis vs Allied Universal | On-Demand vs Traditional Security 2025

Choosing between modern on-demand security platforms like Calvis and traditional security giants like Allied Universal represents a fundamental decision about how you hire and manage security services. This comprehensive comparison examines both approaches to help you make the right choice for your needs.

Overview: Two Different Business Models

Allied Universal: Traditional Security Service Provider

Allied Universal is North America's largest security services company, employing over 800,000 security professionals. They operate as a traditional security agency providing guards, technology solutions, and risk consulting services through long-term contracts and client relationships.

Business Model: Traditional B2B security services Scale: Massive national and international presence Service Delivery: Dedicated account managers, long-term contracts Target Market: Large enterprises, government, institutions

Calvis: Modern On-Demand Security Marketplace

Calvis is a technology platform that connects customers with multiple pre-vetted security agencies for instant guard booking. Think Uber for security guards—transparent pricing, instant booking, real-time tracking, and complete flexibility.

Business Model: Digital marketplace platform Scale: Multi-agency network across major markets Service Delivery: Self-service platform, instant booking Target Market: Businesses and individuals needing flexible security

Quick Comparison Table

Detailed Comparison

1. Booking & Engagement Process

Allied Universal Process:

Week 1-2: Initial Contact

• •Contact sales team or submit RFP
• •Discovery meetings to understand needs
• •Site assessments if required
• •Preliminary scope discussions

Week 3-4: Proposal Development

• •Detailed security plan development
• •Pricing proposal preparation
• •Service level agreements drafted
• •Technology requirements assessed

Week 5-6: Contract Negotiation

• •Review and negotiate terms
• •Legal review process
• •Contract finalization
• •Insurance and compliance verification

Week 7-8+: Implementation

• •Guard selection and assignment
• •Site orientation and training
• •Technology installation (if applicable)
• •Account manager introduction

Total Time: 6-12 weeks typical Complexity: High - requires significant time investment Flexibility: Low - locked into contract terms

Calvis Process:

Minute 1-2: Browse & Compare

• •Visit platform, describe security needs
• •See available guards from multiple agencies instantly
• •Compare pricing, reviews, availability

Minute 3-4: Book & Confirm

• •Select guards based on requirements
• •Book online with credit card
• •Receive instant confirmation and guard details

Shift Day: Manage & Track

• •Guards clock in (GPS-verified)
• •Track in real-time via mobile app
• •Communicate through platform
• •Automatic payment processing

Total Time: 60 seconds to book Complexity: Minimal - intuitive self-service Flexibility: Maximum - edit shifts anytime

Winner: Calvis for speed and simplicity, Allied Universal for complex, large-scale deployments

2. Pricing & Cost Structure

Allied Universal Pricing:

Pricing varies significantly based on:

• •Contract length and volume
• •Geographic location
• •Service level requirements
• •Technology components
• •Dedicated vs. shared guards

Typical Structure:

• •Hourly guard rates: $25-$50+ (negotiated)
• •Account management fees
• •Technology fees (if using Allied systems)
• •Training and onboarding costs
• •Potential minimums and overtime premiums

Hidden Costs:

• •Contract cancellation penalties
• •Seasonal rate adjustments
• •Administrative fees
• •Equipment and uniform costs
• •Invoice processing delays

Contract Requirements:

• •Often 1-3 year commitments
• •Volume minimums may apply
• •Early termination fees common
• •Price escalation clauses

Allied Universal Advantages:

• •Volume discounts for large operations
• •Bundled services (guards + technology + consulting)
• •Predictable costs for long-term planning

Calvis Pricing:

Transparent Structure:

• •Hourly guard rates: $22-$45 (displayed upfront)
• •All costs included in quoted rate
• •No hidden fees or surprises
• •GPS-verified billing (pay exact time worked)

No Long-Term Commitment:

• •Book single 4-hour shifts or ongoing coverage
• •No contracts required
• •No minimums
• •Cancel or edit shifts flexibly

Cost Visibility:

• •See all costs before booking
• •Real-time cost tracking during shifts
• •Instant digital receipts
• •No invoice delays or disputes

Calvis Advantages:

• •Zero commitment - pay only for what you use
• •Transparent pricing with no negotiations
• •Multi-agency rate comparison
• •Flexibility to scale up/down instantly

Cost Comparison Example:

Scenario: Retail store needs 2 guards × 8 hours × 5 days/week

Allied Universal:

• •Negotiated rate: $32/hour
• •Account management fee: $500/month
• •Minimum commitment: 1 year
• •Monthly cost: (2 × 8 × 5 × 4) × $32 + $500 = $10,740/month
• •Annual commitment: $128,880

Calvis:

• •Market rate: $28-$30/hour (choose best)
• •No fees, no minimum
• •Pay only shifts you use
• •Monthly cost (at $30/hr): (2 × 8 × 5 × 4) × $30 = $9,600/month
• •No annual commitment, flexible scaling

Potential Savings: $1,140/month = $13,680/year + flexibility value

Winner: Calvis for transparency and flexibility, Allied Universal for potential volume discounts at enterprise scale

3. Service Flexibility & Modern Features

Allied Universal:

Strengths:

• •Comprehensive security solutions (guards + technology + consulting)
• •Dedicated account management team
• •Specialized services (K9, executive protection, investigations)
• •Global capabilities for international companies
• •Risk consulting and security assessments
• •Technology integration (access control, video, etc.)

Limitations:

• •Rigid contract terms
• •Changes require account manager coordination
• •Limited real-time customer visibility
• •Technology features vary by contract tier
• •Slow to adapt to changing needs

Calvis:

Strengths:

• •Instant booking and scheduling changes
• •Real-time GPS tracking standard
• •Multi-agency choice and flexibility
• •Modern mobile app for customers and guards
• •AI-powered features (voice messaging, incident reports)
• •Dynamic shift editing during active shifts
• •Transparent performance tracking

Limitations:

• •Focus on guard staffing (not full-service security consulting)
• •Growing but not yet nationwide coverage
• •Best for standard guard services vs. specialized security
• •Platform-based (less personal relationship)

Winner: Allied Universal for comprehensive security programs, Calvis for modern, flexible guard staffing

4. Technology & Innovation

Allied Universal Technology:

Offers various technology solutions:

• •HELIAUS® platform (their operations system)
• •Mobile patrol tracking
• •Incident management systems
• •Integration with client systems
• •Video monitoring and analytics
• •Access control integration

Customer Experience:

• •Technology access depends on contract tier
• •Often requires additional fees
• •Implementation can take weeks/months
• •Training required for client staff
• •May use Allied-proprietary systems

Calvis Technology:

Modern platform built for customer experience:

• •Instant Booking: Browse and book like e-commerce
• •Live GPS Tracking: Real-time guard location monitoring
• •AI Features: Voice messaging, automated incident reports
• •Cost Transparency: Minute-by-minute spend tracking
• •Mobile-First: Full-featured iOS and Android apps
• •One-Click Actions: Book, edit, cancel, communicate instantly

Customer Experience:

• •All features included standard
• •Zero setup or training needed
• •Intuitive consumer-grade interface
• •Updates deployed continuously
• •Multi-device access

Winner: Tie - Allied Universal for enterprise systems integration, Calvis for modern customer experience

5. Quality & Guard Vetting

Allied Universal:

Quality Processes:

• •Extensive background checks
• •Training programs and certifications
• •Performance monitoring systems
• •Quality assurance teams
• •Large pool of experienced guards

Customer Perspective:

• •Guards assigned by account manager
• •Consistency through dedicated teams
• •Professional uniforms and presentation
• •Established procedures and protocols
• •Limited direct guard selection

Calvis:

Quality Processes:

• •Platform vetting of all partner agencies
• •Agency-level screening requirements
• •Customer review system (public ratings)
• •Performance tracking across all shifts
• •Multiple agencies compete on quality

Customer Perspective:

• •See guard reviews before booking
• •Choose from multiple agency options
• •Rate guards after each shift
• •Request high-rated guards
• •Active quality control participation

Winner: Tie - Allied Universal for established processes, Calvis for customer-driven quality control

Use Case Analysis

When Allied Universal Makes Sense

Large Enterprise Security

• •Multi-site operations requiring standardized security
• •100+ guards across multiple locations
• •Need for dedicated account management
• •Complex security requirements (technology + guards + consulting)
• •Long-term predictable security needs

Government & Critical Infrastructure

• •High-security clearance requirements
• •Regulatory compliance needs
• •Specialized training requirements
• •National security applications
• •Long-term facility protection

Integrated Security Solutions

• •Need guards + access control + video + cybersecurity
• •Risk assessment and consulting services
• •Emergency response planning
• •Comprehensive security programs
• •Budget for full-service provider

Example: "We're a Fortune 500 company with 50 facilities nationwide needing standardized security with integrated technology. We need dedicated account management and are ready for a 3-year contract."

When Calvis Makes Sense

Flexible Business Needs

• •Event security (concerts, conferences, weddings)
• •Seasonal or variable security requirements
• •Need to scale up/down quickly
• •Want to avoid long-term contracts
• •Require transparent, predictable pricing

Modern, On-Demand Operations

• •Retail stores with changing schedules
• •Construction sites with project-based needs
• •Startups and growing businesses
• •Emergency or last-minute security needs
• •Want self-service control and visibility

Cost-Conscious Organizations

• •Need pricing transparency before committing
• •Want to compare multiple agencies
• •Require flexible payment terms
• •No budget for account management overhead
• •Value pay-as-you-go model

Example: "We run events and need reliable security that we can book quickly, track in real-time, and scale based on event size. We want transparent pricing and the flexibility to use different agencies based on performance."

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Retail Chain Security

Allied Universal Approach:

• •6-month sales process
• •3-year contract commitment
• •Dedicated guards assigned to stores
• •$35/hour rate with $1,500 monthly account fee
• •Committed to minimum hours even during slow periods
• •Changes require 30-day notice through account manager

Calvis Approach:

• •Book guards in 60 seconds per location
• •No contract, pay per shift
• •$28-$30/hour transparent rate
• •No account fees
• •Scale guards up/down based on foot traffic
• •Edit shifts instantly via app

Flexibility Winner: Calvis - adjust coverage based on actual needs

Scenario 2: Corporate Event Security

Allied Universal Approach:

• •Request through account manager
• •Quote provided in 3-5 business days
• •Minimum 8-hour shifts enforced
• •Limited ability to make last-minute changes
• •Invoice 2-3 weeks after event

Calvis Approach:

• •Book guards online day before event
• •See pricing instantly, book in minutes
• •Flexible shift times
• •Edit coverage if event ends early
• •Automatic payment processing

Speed Winner: Calvis - instant booking vs. multi-day process

Scenario 3: Manufacturing Facility (24/7 Coverage)

Allied Universal Approach:

• •Comprehensive security assessment
• •Dedicated supervisor and guard team
• •Integrated with facility access systems
• •Predictable monthly costs
• •Long-term relationship with consistent personnel

Calvis Approach:

• •Book 24/7 coverage through platform
• •Mix agencies for optimal coverage/cost
• •Real-time monitoring and reporting
• •Flexibility to adjust staffing levels
• •Pay only for shifts worked

Comprehensive Winner: Allied Universal - for complex, integrated security needs

The Corporate Overhead Reality

Allied Universal Overhead

As a massive corporation with 800,000 employees:

• •Corporate headquarters and regional offices
• •Sales teams and account managers
• •Marketing and advertising budgets
• •Legal and compliance departments
• •Executive compensation and shareholder returns
• •Technology development and maintenance

These costs are passed to customers through:

• •Higher hourly rates
• •Account management fees
• •Administrative charges
• •Technology fees
• •Minimum commitments

Hidden Cost: Estimate 20-30% overhead markup vs. direct agency pricing

Calvis Efficiency

As a technology platform connecting agencies with customers:

• •Minimal overhead (technology platform vs. massive workforce)
• •No account management overhead
• •No sales team commission
• •Direct agency-to-customer connection
• •Platform fee included in competitive pricing

Result: Lower overall costs while maintaining quality through marketplace competition

Conclusion: Modern Flexibility vs. Traditional Comprehensiveness

The choice between Calvis and Allied Universal ultimately depends on your specific needs:

Choose Allied Universal If:

You need comprehensive security solutions (guards + technology + consulting) You have complex, multi-site operations You can commit to long-term contracts You need specialized services (K9, investigations, etc.) You want dedicated account management You have enterprise-level security requirements

Choose Calvis If:

You need flexible, on-demand guard staffing You want instant booking and transparent pricing You prefer to avoid long-term contracts You value modern technology and real-time tracking You want multi-agency options You need cost-effective, scalable security

The Market Shift

The security industry is evolving from traditional agency relationships toward modern marketplace platforms. Calvis represents this shift—giving customers the flexibility, transparency, and control that modern businesses expect.

Allied Universal excels at comprehensive, enterprise-scale security programs. Calvis excels at flexible, transparent, on-demand guard staffing.

Experience Modern Security with Calvis

Stop dealing with long RFP processes, opaque pricing, and inflexible contracts. Join businesses using Calvis for instant, transparent security guard booking.

What You Get:

• •60-Second Booking: Book guards online instantly
• •Transparent Pricing: See all costs upfront
• •Multi-Agency Choice: Compare providers in one platform
• •Real-Time GPS Tracking: Monitor guards during shifts
• •Flexible Scheduling: No contracts, edit shifts anytime
• •Modern Technology: AI-powered features and mobile apps
• •Pay-As-You-Go: No minimums or long-term commitments

Get started now → Book Guards