Page 120 - Security Today, April 2017

equipment did not leave predefined zones. In addition, the college was looking for a tech- nology that could read and identify when a portable computer was removed from the premises and who removed it. It was impor- tant to the college to be able to identify the person as well as the asset.
This particular CUNY college was tracking a significant amount of portable computers on a daily basis. The computing devices are mostly mobile and located in every classroom and in every facility, making the task of taking inventory long and expensive. The college was spending way too much time on inventory management and typically conducted an inventory audit annually and was required to allocate internal resources to handle it.
This created a situation where inventory management turned into an extremely costly function. The college needed to a solution that would help reduce inventory costs and improve asset protection immediately. Due to an increase in portable computers, the col- lege knew it was time to find the right solu- tion to these issues and contacted their trust- ed security systems integrator, David Gonzalez, security solutions specialist and product specifier at Simplex Grinnell. The college was looking for an asset tracking solution that could do more than just track assets; it also needed to integrate with the college’s video management system.
Another challenge the college faced was avoiding human error when an asset was returned. By using a manual system, there were instances when a student returned a lap- top or portable computer and there was no record of it being returned. The college need- ed a solution that could help reconcile and ensure that all returns were tracked properly.
TO THE RESCUE
Following a comprehensive evaluation of the college’s asset tracking needs, Mr. Gonzalez recommended OffSite Vision Holding’s EmergenZTM Asset Secure solution, a revolu- tionary new, asset tracking technology. Off- Site Vision specializes in real-time physical security and safety solutions, and developed this new technology to give school adminis- trators and property managers the ability to automate inventory management and account for valuable assets in real time. EmergenZTM Asset Secure utilizes specialized identifiers that verify and track enabled assets, sending immediate alerts if assets are taken outside the school’s classroom or beyond preconfig- ured perimeters.
“I was thoroughly impressed with OffSite Vision’s asset tracking solution and found the open architecture and ability to integrate seamlessly with a Video Management System a winning combination,” said David Gonzalez.
"I’m looking forward to continuing the collab- oration between Simplex Grinnell, OffSite Vision and CUNY on future security projects.”
This new solution gave students and faculty the ability to ‘check-out’ and ‘check-in’ a com- puting device to give security personnel a real- time view on who has a device. In addition, it provided notification to security when a com- puting device was being removed without being properly ‘checked-out’. It also allowed school administrators to run instant inventory reports with a click of a button. OffSite Vision was extremely responsive to the needs of the college and never said “no” to any requests and delivered a state-of-the-art technology in a three-month timeframe that has improved the college’s day-to-day operations and inventory management efficiencies. Additional customer benefits include an easy-to-use automated sys- tem, a simplistic dashboard, and the option of web-based data delivery.
“Our open platform offers interoperable feeding input data with existing security sys- tems. The solution can be integrated to Video Management and Access Control Systems and turnstiles to quickly prevent unauthorized removal of assets,” said Mark Eklund, presi- dent at OffSite Vision. “We knew that CUNY was looking for a superior asset tracking solu- tion and listened closely to their needs and delivered a technology that works.”
Unique asset pairing capabilities allows security to assign specific ownership rules to assets and employees, set alert parameters such as sounding alarms, turning video cameras & sending text alerts if an asset is detected with the wrong employee or person. With the EmergenZTM Asset Secure solution, a security alert can be set to immediately trigger when an asset leaves an assigned location for added security. Powerful data analytics are immedi- ate and exact and offer secure, encrypted data. Users can view dynamic on demand real-time reports that help achieve 24/7 accountability for inventory tracking and identify and
account for the location of tracked assets at all times, which significantly reduces the cost of inventorying assets and theft rates
DELIVERING THE RIGHT SOLUTION
Working closely with the security and public safety teams at the CUNY college allowed OffSite Vision to implement the right solution that would eliminate manual inventory and track assets 24/7.
“Having the opportunity to collaborate with David Gonzalez and the CUNY team with a pilot program has contributed to the success of our solution and accuracy rate. We are looking forward to continuing our efforts and working with other departments throughout CUNY to help improve asset management and emergency response,” said Mark Eklund.
Since the new asset tracking solution has been implemented, the CUNY college has reduced inventory costs significantly by reducing labor costs associated with taking inventory and has reduced computing device shrinkage by 50 percent annually. The college has seen significant cost savings due to the EmergenZTM Asset Secure solution in a short timeframe and will continue to raise the grade with this new real-time inventory man- agement technology. OffSite Vision is com- mitted to doing more when it comes to asset management and continues to work with schools throughout the country to help improve asset management and emergency response.
Lindsay Page is the editor of Campus Security & Life Safety magazine.
Sources: https://getschooled.com/ dashboard/article/1426- suny-vs-cuny
http://www2.cuny.edu/ about/
CS28 WWW.CAMPUSLIFESECURITY.COM | APRIL 2017
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