The ARP ESSER III Grant has provided school districts with grant funds to help sustain safe campus operations in a post-COVID world. With such a generous amount of funds available, school districts are taking this opportunity to look inward and strengthen their campus security.
One of the most common security-related hurdles school districts are currently experiencing is the inability to consistently address the service and maintenance of devices necessary to keep security devices running. From video surveillance to emergency blue phones, there is a lack of internal knowledge and capable staff available to consistently work to maximize system uptime and minimize system frustrations.
As school districts focus on returning to in-person learning, they understand that when their devices are not working properly, major security incidents can occur. This risk is serious, especially when considering most students will physically be on campus this coming school year. However, many districts are still unsure how to best address their system service needs.
This is where a service and maintenance agreement comes in.
Why is a service and maintenance agreement necessary?
Professional service and maintenance agreements, provided by established security integrators, standardize security processes so that school districts don’t have to. This drives down costs, maximizes efficiency, lowers stress, and improves safety.
A service and maintenance agreement ensures peak system performance while also providing 24/7 system visibility, total cost of ownership, and proactive service to school districts.
System Performance
Did you know that 95% of schools control access to buildings during school hours? If this security hardware were to fail, districts would have to act fast to avoid major security threats.
Image Courtesy of NCES.
A service and maintenance agreement ensures that a district’s security system performs at peak capacity so that schools are protected from the unexpected.
System failure becomes rare due to the frequent software updates, product part replacements, top-tier customer support, and numerous other benefits that a service and maintenance agreement provides.
Involvement in a service and maintenance agreement with your security integrator ensures that your security system is always performing at its best. And if a security threat does ever occur, your district can easily resolve the issue with prompt service calls or on-site support.
24/7 System Visibility
Not all service and maintenance agreements are the same. Stronger service and maintenance agreements allow districts to have complete visibility into their security system. Rather than fear unknown security threats, districts are empowered to operate confidently and efficiently as they know their devices are working properly.
A service and maintenance agreement provides districts with constant insight into how their security system operates. Not only do they allow for security professionals to become well-acquainted with a district’s system, but they also ensure that the particular district’s needs are being met.
This level of transparency ensures that districts know exactly how their devices are performing and serves as a reminder to parents, faculty, and students that campus safety is top priority.
Total Cost of Ownership
Preventative maintenance is key when maintaining an existing security system. When a system is maintained on an as-needed basis, districts won’t realize a device is down until it fails to respond properly.
Service and maintenance agreements, however, exist to solve problems before they become unmanageable and costly.
Involvement in a security and maintenance agreement can increase the lifespan of a district’s security system. Rather than having to deal with threats as they occur, a district’s system can be regularly maintained by trained security professionals. In turn, hefty repair fees are avoided because a system is being proactively taken care of.
A service and maintenance agreement allows districts to spend less and gain a functioning security system that will last for years to come. This level of efficiency is a win-win for school districts as they are able to save money and protect their students without fail.
Proactive Service with a Security Management System
While it is evident that service and maintenance agreements maximize system uptime and minimize frustration, many do not realize that these benefits can be further enhanced through a security management platform. An example of this would be SiteOwl, which gives districts the opportunity to manage, monitor, and maintain their security infrastructure with ease.
Security management platforms can provide an array of services including:
- Comprehensive Interface: The ability to quickly view all the devices in your network as well as their operational status is accomplished through a digital floor plan. Yes, no more paper floor plans or excel sheets to track your devices.
- Service Ticketing: The ability to send in a service ticket with one click saves time and speeds repairs. This type of service ticketing allows the user to submit a detailed report of the exact issue to the correct provider. Security technicians can then understand the details of the problem and resolve it the first time.
- Comprehensive Reports: The data a security system provides is valuable, but only if it can be adequately aggregated and given context. Report features allow you to view details on device types, warranties, locations and risks. This can help to justify security spending to decision makers.
- Automated Reporting: While on a service and maintenance agreement, your security integrator should proactively monitor the progress of your service requests. A security system platform ensures all tasks are complete by tracking weekly or overdue service tickets.
If you’re unsure on how to best allocate your school district’s funds, you’re not alone. Our team at 3Sixty Integrated can help your district maintain a safe campus environment through a service and maintenance agreement and meet the ESSER III Grant Application deadline of Tuesday, July 27th. We can help you develop a budgetary cost and implementation plan at no charge and with no commitment to work with us in the future. Click here to schedule a short, 30-minute meeting or call us at 877-374-9894.