When evaluating security integrators, you need someone who is prepared to service your electronic security infrastructure as a whole. You should choose someone who won’t just tell you what you need, but why you need it. Every security integrator you consider should be reviewed based on their service portfolio, their experience in specific industries, and their team’s expertise.
#1 – Assessing Your Security Integrator’s Service Portfolio
Working with a security integrator is about starting a partnership, rather than just buying a product. For that reason, you want to work with a company that can manage:
- Access Control: The key to your security is managing who is allowed in the building, when they can be there, and where they can go. These systems include ID/credential management and door/traffic control.
- Alarm Systems: Businesses must be able to protect assets with effective alarm systems, while at the same time minimizing costs from false alarms.
- Critical Communications: In the event of a serious incident, a business will need a mass notification system, as well as IP call boxes, video help stations, and intercoms.
- Video Surveillance: Footage can help minimize losses from theft or vandalism while the cameras themselves provide a deterrent.
All these systems must work together to prevent security breaches. As such, you want to work with a company prepared to service all these key areas no matter the model, provider, or product.
Your security integrator should be prepared to install and integrate your new equipment with existing systems and support that integration through Lifecycle Management, providing complete support for the life of the system.
#2 – Reviewing Your Integrator’s Industry Experience
When you’re looking at security integrator options, industry-specific experience should be a major factor. Your integrator will need to be prepared to deal with issues specific to your industry, and be able to provide references and case studies for clients they’ve served in your sector.
Education
Learning institutions face issues with traffic volume. Access control for this is a particular challenge, in that entryways must be kept clear and efficient while also managing the access of hundreds of students, teachers, parents, and other visitors.
Enterprise
Trade secrets and company assets need to be protected, but costs must be managed. The need for a thorough ID management program is imperative to allow workers to access needed resources in off hours while protecting restricted areas.
Military
Texas has its fair share of military bases and armories. All of them have one thing in common: massive land mass with a need for equally large perimeter control. This makes intrusion protection and video surveillance paramount.
Medical
Hospitals need special protection because they serve vulnerable people and must also comply with HIPAA. These institutions need to have a secure, robust critical communications system in place, so they can keep patients notified while also communicating with other emergency personnel in the area.
Government
Government agencies must have effective critical communications systems in place to keep the citizens they serve notified of any concerns. They must also store confidential records and manage restricted areas with access control and intrusion protection.
#3 – Establishing Your Integrator’s Expertise
Who is your security integrator? Are you receiving a quote, or are you receiving a plan? Quotes tend focus on the individual products, while a plan makes the products work for your unique needs. Choose an integrator whose engineers specialize not in just products but also in solutions. Engineers will consider all the access control, intrusion protection, video surveillance, and door management options available.
When you’re seeking out a security integrator, you’re already on the right path. You clearly understand the importance of building one cohesive security infrastructure. Your next step should be to seek out vendors that offer services in all the standard categories and have expertise in your specific industry. When you meet with the integrator, focus on the solution and not the quote to get the best possible security system to help protect your business.