What do security directors look for in a security integrator? This article will let you know what to look for and how to evaluate a security integrator.
How to Effectively Manage Large-Scale Security Installation Projects
Useful tips for security integrators to leverage technology and effectively manage large security installation projects.
How To Become A Strategic Partner For Your Customers
Many security integrators overlook opportunities to develop strategic partnerships with customers. Here’s what you can do to deepen your client relationships.
How Automating Internal Processes Pumps Up Profitability
SiteOwl, a leader in physical security system management, received accolades from the 2021 Secure Campus Awards hosted by Campus Security & Life Safety magazine.
Why SiteOwl Should Be Part of Your Arsenal When Managing Large Installations
Table of Contents Conflicting/Missing Information Missing Parts Customer Collaboration Quality Control Ticketing and Repair Customers seek security systems for peace of mind, whether at home or work. No one wants to deal with break-ins or emergencies. Yet, setting up commercial security is a whole new ballgame. It involves: Video surveillance with cameras connected to a central system. Access control to safeguard areas and assets. Commercial monitoring for analytics and threat alerts. Integrated solutions tailored to each client’s strategy. Unlike home security, integrators must factor in strategy, sensitive areas, and more. It’s a different league. Challenges of managing large installations In addition to their technological complexity, physical security systems installations are spread out over a large space — often across multiple buildings or locations. That adds additional layers of frustration for security integrators tasked with designing, installing, and servicing these devices. Integrators continually seek to solve security risks and operational challenges when managing large security installations. At a high level, this makes sense because a streamlined workflow throughout the security installation process leads to increased income and improved customer satisfaction and avoids missed deadlines and penalty fees for integrators. The challenge is that most of the methods that security integrators are implementing to resolve field installation challenges are not improving performance or addressing the root cause. In simple terms, the root of the problem is limited visibility. So many security project managers struggle with large installations because they have limited visibility of their projects. All of that changes with SiteOwl. Explore SiteOwl Let’s see how SiteOwl helps integrators tackle some of the biggest challenges when installing commercial security systems. 01. Conflicting/Missing Information Every project manager has been here: You’re reviewing the security designs for a new business security system, but the details are wrong. Despite the team’s best efforts when creating the original contract and scope of work, unforeseen obstacles and customer requests result in project changes or delays. When you start to check previous design iterations, it’s obvious that something was missed during revision. Now, the design needs to be altered before it can be shipped to the customer for final approval. This happens in every major aspect of every security project. Confusion between teams results in conflicting information, and those oversights can result in designing a system that doesn’t meet the customer’s security needs. Internal Change Orders (ICOs) Impact Large Projects Internal change orders (ICOs) create additional work outside the project’s scope, requiring the integrator to cover extra expenditures to finish contracted projects. Many security integrators are notoriously siloed when it comes to sharing information. As a result, the sales team forgets to communicate something critical, engineers miss crucial components of the design, field supervisors relay incorrect information to the rest of the team, or the daily job reports coming from the technician simply don’t match the work done in the field. It’s a mess, and it’s frustrating (and costly) for security integrators and business owners alike. SiteOwl solves all of these problems in one simple and easy way. Instead of relying on multiple systems and files to handle your data, SiteOwl allows you to place all project information in a single location. And we mean everything. SiteOwl can be used to store: Security Designs Floor Plans Parts Lists Labor Hours Daily Job Reports Service Tickets Meeting Notes Project Files Equipment Schedules Quality Control Images Scope of Work Documentation With SiteOwl, everyone working on a project — from designers to field technicians and customers — can access and work from the same information set. Plus, SiteOwl can be accessed via the web from a desktop computer or through our mobile app on a smartphone, so all stored information is accessible anywhere, anytime. By acting as an information hub for your security projects, SiteOwl makes it easier to deliver the best business security systems around. 02. Missing Parts Have you ever enjoyed explaining that a project is delayed because of a part miscount? Even if the person delivering your scope of work is reasonably qualified, it’s challenging to ensure those drawings match with corresponding parts. In addition, this documentation is usually provided on multiple sheets of paper, making it confusing and difficult to follow for even the most experienced technician. When technicians try to reconcile the parts with the locations, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. The wrong part may be staged in the wrong area and negatively impact the overall quality of the project. This could be a costly and expensive delay for integrators subject to deadline penalties or project overages. Automation eliminates confusion and minimizes errors SiteOwl solves this problem by automating the parts list accrual as the project is designed. As designers create the surveillance system using drag-and-drop tools, SiteOwl keeps a running list of all necessary parts, including supplemental components like cables, power supplies, microphones, and other equipment-related equipment. When the design is approved and ready to ship, you can download the parts list and place the order without having to double and triple-check your spreadsheets to ensure accuracy. Using SiteOwl, you’ll know that your counts are accurate when your order is placed and that your team has everything they need to complete the installation process. When the design is approved and ready to ship, you can download the parts list and place the order without having to double and triple-check your spreadsheets to ensure accuracy. Using SiteOwl, you’ll know that your counts are accurate when your order is placed and that your team has everything they need to complete the installation process. 03. Customer Collaboration One of the biggest challenges that integrators face when installing commercial security systems comes down to keeping customers in the loop. For integrators, this presents a customer service opportunity because research has proven that enhanced client experiences increase revenues. While customers are often heavily involved in the design and approval process, project stakeholders can struggle to get answers from the integrator throughout the course of the installation. This happens because managers are focused on managing teams and technicians, resolving
Why Popular Project Management Tools Fail During Security Project Delivery?
Table of Contents Most project management software is designed for something else Standard software solutions don’t scale to large installation projects Tailored Project Management Software for Enhanced Efficiency and Success Traditional PM software doesn’t lend itself well to field installations Tailored Solutions for Integrators’ Unique Needs Manage Security Projects More Effectively With SiteOwl! Today’s market is crowded with hundreds of software solutions designed to help your team boost project delivery and get results. These software solutions are powerful, and investing in the right solution can save time and money. As Mark A. Langley, President and CEO of the Project Management Institute, points out, “Organizations that invest in proven project management practices waste 28x less money because more of their strategic initiatives are completed successfully.”This is huge! But security integrators have a problem: Very few traditional project management software applications are well suited for the security industry. Because of this, integrators end up using popular software products while trying to retrofit their internal processes to work with these tools. It’s the classic “square peg in a round hole” analogy. Today, let’s take a closer look at why traditional project delivery software often fails — and what the right platform can do for your business. Most project management software is designed for something else One of the biggest problems that integrators face when choosing a software to assist with integrated project delivery is finding one that fits with their scope of business and aligns with their specific workflows. Without a dedicated, industry-specific software solution tailored to their needs, many integrators turn toward project delivery software designed for the construction industry. However, using such software may lead to dependencies on modules and tools that aren’t suitable for an integrator’s security installation project. In some ways, this was inevitable. Aside from industry-agnostic solutions like Microsoft Project (currently used by 45% of companies using PM software), many companies in the private sector have found success by niching into a target market. Unfortunately, when integrators try to use software built for another industry, they are automatically excluded from key features that make the software feel complete and hinder their project success. For example, with software for construction projects, you might need to use features meant for plumbing or electrical fixtures for camera or access control installs, which can be cumbersome and inefficient. It is frustrating to work with a system that isn’t designed to help an integrator succeed. Rather than relying on software designed for someone else, a dedicated software solution that caters to integrators’ workflows, dependencies, and project success factors is likely to produce far better outcomes than relying on the tools in someone else’s toolbox. Standard software solutions don’t scale to large installation projects Integrators just starting out or currently focused on smaller projects may find the idea of using project management tools appealing. For a successful project, such tools can help in managing tasks, resources, and deliverables efficiently. The problem that those integrators run into farther down the line is that traditional project management systems have difficulty scaling to larger projects. Resource management becomes crucial as the number of tasks and team members increase. This has two main drawbacks. The first is that while PM software is linked to high-performing projects, it has the greatest impact when used on a regular basis. Companies need to stick with their software solution and endure the onboarding process for it to truly become effective. While simple solutions like Trello, Asana, or even Basecamp might work for small team projects, they were never intended to manage the hundreds or thousands of tasks that accompany integrator projects. Larger projects demand robust software that can handle the complexity of tracking multiple deliverables and deadlines. Field installation delivery projects are complex. Between engineering and field installation teams, the high number of parts that need to be installed, and budgets that need to be tracked, these systems begin to fail rapidly at scale. Effective resource management and real-time messaging are essential to avoid chaos. Explore SiteOwl Tailored Project Management Software for Enhanced Efficiency and Success Modern turnkey solutions either lack the features that integrators need to focus on project design and cost savings, or they can’t scale in a way that integrators can track progress and deliver results in an effective way. An ideal software solution should offer features tailored to the specific needs of integrators, including teamwork, project requirements, project scope, task management, roadmap, project schedule, project performance, and right project management. Integrators require software that allows them to define project tasks clearly, set up a well-structured project timeline, and allocate resources efficiently. It’s essential for them to streamline project processes to avoid scope creep and maintain control over project scope throughout the entire lifecycle. Additionally, the software should facilitate seamless collaboration among team members to enhance communication and coordination. Effective time tracking and resource allocation capabilities are vital to keep projects on track and within budget. By utilizing specialized project management software designed for their unique needs, integrators can optimize their workflow, maintain project scope, and achieve successful project outcomes. These tools empower integrators to tackle complex projects confidently and deliver exceptional results while meeting client expectations and staying on top of project requirements. Traditional PM software doesn’t lend itself well to field installations Integrators need software that allows them to manage projects seamlessly, even when working from the field, and receive notifications and updates in real-time. In a survey of nearly 200 project management software users, 40% said that functionality was the most important factor when selecting their software solution. Meanwhile, 24% said that ease of use was the most important. For integrators, both of these factors play a critical role in software selection for a simple reason: Project teams are split between the office and the installation site. Once the conversations around design, scope, and budgets are out of the way, much of the integrator’s decision-making and installation work takes place in the field. This is a painful process for many integrators, and it means that,
