According to a recent industry report published by Scalar Market Research, the global physical security market is expected to grow from $71 billion in 2016 to approximately $158 billion in 2022. This positive outlook is validated and reinforced with ongoing introductions of sophisticated network technologies and proliferation of more highly integrated physical security solutions.
Given all the new capabilities that networked security systems provide, the power and infrastructure requirements are sometimes overlooked. Designing a system that properly takes into account all power requirements and infrastructure limitations will help ensure reliable system operation and avoid cost overruns. If even a single device fails to communicate, the resulting vulnerability can compromise overall system operation impacting the safety and security of people, property and assets.
In addition to providing higher levels of reliability, efficiency and security, new intelligent power and transmission products with these embedded technologies offer systems integrators opportunities to develop new revenue streams that can help boost their bottom line. Here are several ways system integration business models are impacted:
Completing the Network Loop
The migration from analog to IP continues to play a key role in nearly all aspects of security, as more and more devices become network-centric. The vast amounts of data these products share continuously require consistent and reliable network performance for remote control, monitoring and diagnostics. The ability to monitor, control and report real-time diagnostics from power supplies and peripheral components completes the end-to-end integration.
New Communication Capabilities
New power management solutions deliver capabilities that further improve the integrity and ongoing operation of access control, surveillance, fire and security systems. Integrators now have the ability to provide monitoring services that improve their customers’ overall security and reduce the liabilities associated with downtime.
These advanced products offer extensive capabilities including remote monitoring and reporting, programming, and control of devices from single or multiple sites in real-time. Email and trap notifications send critical alerts to designated personnel based on preset parameters when an incident is detected. Event history, alerts and device modifications are recorded in a detailed event log by product. Local or remote access to these networked devices are password-protected with user-defined administration levels.
These features enable systems integrators to provide a higher level of customer service and support while at the same time increasing their RMR.
Pro-Active Service and Support
Power and transmission products that monitor and report status enable early intervention or even preventative maintenance to be handled with improved accuracy, response time and manpower efficiency. These capabilities not only improve overall security but also reduce the end-users’ overall total cost of ownership.
More specifically, the real-time data and alerts provided make it possible to quickly identify potential and specific problems in order to determine the best course of action. For example, simply rebooting a device remotely can often resolve an issue and avoid the expense of a service dispatch to diagnose and fix the problem. This savings alone is significant for both dealer/integrators and end-users while reducing downtime. In cases where a service call is required, networked monitored solutions enable the problem to be resolved quickly and efficiently by identifying the device and nature of the problem. This ensures that the technician will have the replacement parts to alleviate the issue.
These devices now have the capability to detect potential failures in advance, permitting dealer/integrators to take proactive measures to avoid system interruption. Among the diagnostic information available are critical operation criteria such as AC presence, battery status and health, voltage output, current draw, ambient temperature and more. This critical data helps ensure that systems remain up and running 24/7.
New Service Contract Opportunities
Service contracts are an important component of an integrator’s business in terms of generating revenue and retaining customers. While a traditional preventative maintenance contract typically includes regularly scheduled maintenance to perform functions such as replacing batteries, cleaning camera domes and lenses, system testing and more, the addition of remote monitoring can reduce overall costs and increase revenues.
Whether your customers have an all-inclusive service contract in place or not, remote access and alerts allow you to better maintain their systems.
Increased Levels of Integration
New power and transmission products that communicate over the network provide higher levels of system integration. With APIs (Application Program Interface) available for customization with supplier partners, this opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. Video management and access control software can now be truly integrated with these products to provide comprehensive remote monitoring, diagnostics and control.
New hardware innovations – specifically enclosures that facilitate power and access installation – are also contributing to easier and more efficient installations. A perfect example is the ability to easily layout and combine power and distribution products with access controllers and peripherals under one roof. Benefits include flexible board layout, scalability of design and better wire management. Additionally, using versatile backplanes that accommodate access controllers from the industry’s leading manufacturers, these enclosures also enable systems to be assembled and tested prior to installation.
Products with network communications capabilities can greatly impact system design, installation and service models, creating a new path for business growth and increased RMR.
Ronnie Pennington is National Sales Engineer for Altronix Corp. Request more info about the company at www.securityinfowatch.com/10212790.
