What Is "Systems Integration?"

"Systems Integration" is a term bandied around the security industry. Lots of people claim "Integration" but that is not what they are really providing. It is important for the customer to know if their security services supplier is delivering "Integration" or "smoke."

Security Systems Integration inter-relates and inter-connects a variety of different electronic panels or systems so they operate as a single system for ease of use and economy. This provides effortless system management, interaction, and response because everything is operated from one database.

The use of a common database for maintaining the access control data plus video imaging for badges, provides a resource for many departments (in addition to Security) including Human Resources, Information Technologies, Public Relations, Payroll, Cost Analysis, and Management of Fixed Assets.

The Protection Bureau provides consulting and project management functions and produces ‘turnkey’ solutions. Some examples include:

• Card access security and management to control who goes where
• Burglar alarm systems to help protect against strangers in the night
• Video cameras to display and record indoor and outdoor scenes and display them to security officers
• when an incident occurs
• Intercom (both voice and video) at access points and gates and docks to cut down labor costs
• Display of fire alarm system status and alarms for fast response
• Paging Systems to quickly and efficiently notify the proper people
• Asset Management Tracking so computers (and other valuables) go out only with their owners
• Time and Attendance gathering information to help reduce accounting costs.

A Protection Bureau access control system functions as the primary source for the database and for the inter-relationship with other systems. A modern PC, monitor and keyboard with the right operating system can provide the computer intelligence to grant and deny access, display alarms from locations where intruders may be, and command the CCTV System to display pictures in pre-arranged formats at selected monitors. The fire alarm system provides the security officers with information about fire alarms or trouble conditions. The computer can direct information to pagers based on the type of information, time of day, and importance.

The value of real integration is that computers can talk to one another and an operator only needs to work with one computer and one program. This is particularly important when your security system operates on the company network.