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Q: What's the biggest challenge for the integrator to upgrade legacy access control systems? What's available and what are some of the variables as far as application and equipment?
A: Within the context of the modern era and electronic access control, integrators have been upgrading legacy access control systems from the start when they were called upon to replace a guard with a keyed lock and then later replace the keyed lock with something better.
The typical integrator will face a variety of site conditions and end-user presets all of which contribute to making modern system integration a psychological and technological adventure.
Perhaps the client has never had any systems installed previously and has no previous experience selecting them. Or perhaps the client has an existing system or has previous experiences and consequently preconceptions about how things should be done. In most situations, your client has been bombarded and blitzed by marketers of all types of systems making all sorts of claims for their technologies and promises about reliability, performance and value. Here are some things for an integrator to look out for:
Competitors: Given the constant mergers and corporate re-organizing of these players, you have a pretty confusing atmosphere for both the end-user as well as the integrator. The celebrated convergence of technologies and heightened awareness/demand for security has brought many newcomers into the business and this increased competition has forced the typical integrator to hone his skills while he is also sharpening his pencil in order to win contracts.
Building Codes: Whether your site was previously equipped or not, it is likely the building codes will be an important issue and possibly an obstacle to the project. Fire and life safety considerations will dictate your designs and obtaining prior approval from the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may be a major challenge.
Client Recalcitrance: Of course you are proud of your system. You managed to get every feature, bell and whistle you could think of into your proposal. But frequently the client will balk at your quote, accusing you of front-loading the project. After it is installed, you may also face the resistance of the employees who interpret the installation of security equipment as an inconvenience or even a breach of privacy.
Prevailing Site Conditions: From the stand point of deployment, many integrators will suggest that the most challenging aspect of the installation process is pulling the wire. The fact is that the integrator is going to have to deal with retrofit situations or will be asked to provide equipment in strategic locations which will pose problems for the installation department. Standalone access controls have been around for decades, but even the latest designs cannot deliver the real-time monitoring and interactive features that hardwired network systems can provide. However, this situation is changing as the industry transitions to wireless infrastructure. These technologies are used for video and data communications and the number of players offering new solutions is growing. One of the newer topologies to emerge is based on line carrier technology, using the line voltage wiring within a structure as a backbone for the access control.
Wi-Fi systems based on the 802.11 standard, which also seamlessly integrate with wired Ethernet, provide the cost benefits associated with mass produced hardware and the security and operational features of this highly matured format.
Tim O'Leary is a 35-year veteran of the security industry. He has been a security consultant since 1986 and an independent security company owner/operator and product researcher.
author: By Tim O'Leary