Page 79 - Security Today, November/December 2020

cient, simple to use and cost-effective.
A systems integrator and solution provider with specific experi-
ence in K-12 school and campus security and safety have the knowl- edge and resources to help school administrators navigate the entire process, from securing project funding through system design, implementation and training.
On a school district-wide basis, security consultants and systems integrators mainly agree on the importance of deploying a common physical security platform solution across multiple locations, includ- ing off-campus administration facilities where applicable. A com- mon-systems approach can lead to simplicity of operation, ease of training and reduced service and maintenance costs. It is also a sig- nificant benefit when planning to upgrade or expand the system.
Navigating the Process
Once a comprehensive security and safety risk assessment has been completed, school administrators can effectively evaluate their secu- rity infrastructure and assess their procedural and technology short- comings to prioritize their investment and maximize the school’s security posture. In most cases, K-12 needs assessment reports will indicate the necessity for foundational video surveillance, intelligent analytics, access control, and alarm and event notification solutions, which may appear to be cost-prohibitive relative to existing school
budgets and the size of the school and/or district.
Budget hurdles can undoubtedly lead to less than stellar outcomes.
School administrators often find themselves looking at multi-layered system solutions from various vendors due to low-bid procurement practices. This often creates a lack of real ownership of the total system architecture and can result in weak system deployments, performance and ongoing management. This makes it important for school adminis- trators to align themselves with the right technology partners from the start. If not, schools can get stuck for years looking to secure funding for technology solutions that may be outdated before they are even deployed.
To best meet the plethora of security and safety challenges K-12 school systems now face requires a new and innovative approach. One such example is the recently launched Panasonic i-PRO Secure Campus program, which makes it easier for school administrators and security staff to discover, procure and implement the security technologies and solutions they need. By sharing the ultimate objec- tive of providing learning environments where students and teachers feel confident that they are safe and secure, the goal is to streamline and accelerate all of the processes required to implement enhanced or new security solutions – from securing grants to consultation, prod- uct specification, installation and after-the-sale support.
Bill Brennan is the president of Panasonic i-PRO.

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