Page 15 - Campus Security & Life Safety, March/April 2023

"If the campus can ultimately migrate to a multi-
vendor solution while preserving the use of the
end-to-end system’s cameras and edge devices,
investing in a single-vendor solution built on
open standards may make sense for now." By Alex Walthers
ARMMY PICCA/Shutterstock.com
• The customer has a wide variety of needs, or changing needs, so a best-of-breed solution allows for the customizations necessary to solve exact problems, which might include integrating a variety of third- party devices and sensors that have specialized functionality.
• The customer wishes to support a mix of camera brands or wants to preserve the use of some legacy technology.
• There's a need for specialized, best-in-class solutions to address specific applications. These might include using third-party analytics like license plate recognition, radar, voice-over-IP, gunshot detection, body cameras, drone detection, and many others.
• Security management must monitor and manage systems across multiple sites from a centralized platform.
• The system has many stakeholders (security, operations, etc.), each with their own needs which could require more integrated solutions.
-This is most often seen in larger deployments that span across multiple sites which also require many different people to have access to the system. These systems, and their various user privileges, could have a wide range of IT requirements that would also demand a
more flexible deployment of the system. • Operators desire integrated and automated workflows.
• Inconsistent IT infrastructure dictates flexible deployment.
When designing a multi-vendor, integrated solution, stakeholders should focus first on the security network’s primary software platform, which is typically the video management solution. From the VMS interface, security teams will manage daily operations, maintain situational awareness, investigate incidents, and coordinate response efforts. What’s more, the VMS can allow for convenient, remote access to the system. It’s imperative that they are satisfied with how the system will look and operate in the field. Once the VMS platform is determined, the performance and features of integrated software and hardware should be evaluated through this prism.
Defining Needs from Many Perspectives
Integrators usually work with a facility man- ager, security director, or an IT administrator as their primary point of contact. These roles are most concerned with mitigating security risks and how well the technology performs. Different departments value other factors. IT may have concerns about how the system will impact its network and cybersecurity. It may also wonder about how involved it must be in maintaining the system’s operation. Finance may have requirements for procurement. Local law enforcement may desire specific solutions that help them respond more effec- tively during emergencies. Operations and marketing teams may want systems equipped with data analytics to streamline operations and increase profitability. Before considering any options, all stakeholders should compile a combined list of must-haves and nice-to- haves. That way, nobody wastes time research- ing dead-end possibilities.
Requirements should be defined for the present and beyond, keeping in mind that conditions do change. For example, the campus may plan to add a new site, automate processes, or add technology systems outside the current budget. The demands of tomorrow might exceed the demands of today, which
makes it vital to consider future-proofing your solution with something that offers flexibility. If the campus can ultimately migrate to a multi-vendor solution while preserving the use of the end-to-end system’s cameras and edge devices, investing in a single-vendor solution built on open standards may make sense for now. Or, the customer might prefer to put multi-vendor systems in place now that are ready to scale up with minimal disruption down the road, even if they're not
needed quite yet.
Doing the Homework
Educated customers are more likely to be happy customers. Integrators will recom- mend solutions that they work with and trust, but ultimately, campus stakeholders must perform due diligence. Research should include checking on manufacturers under consideration. Are all of their solutions developed in house? Or are they packaging and bundling a variety of brands and OEMs to look like a complete solution? Also, if sales and support teams remain siloed, many of the conveniences of an end-to-end solution are diminished. What is the company's repu- tation within the marketplace? Do their products adhere to industry standards?
For multi-vendor systems, demand a live demonstration to see how well the integrations function. Test drive the software platform that will be the primary user interface. Also, investigate which companies are industry leaders within each technology category. Integrated solutions offer an opportunity to take advantage of the best-in- class, which may not be the manufacturers your integrator typically proposes.
Campus security needs are as diverse as campuses themselves. There is no one-size-fits- all recommendation for how to invest in technology. However, with a careful upfront needs analysis and a thorough understanding of options, customers can feel more confident about choosing a solution for their campus that delivers short- and long-term dividends.
Alex Walthers is the Business Development Manager of the Technology Integration Partner Program at Axis Communications.
MARCH/APRIL 2023 | campuslifesecurity.com 15