Little Things Add Up to get Access Control Right — Part I

(Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series from H&S Protection explaining how we approach access control installations with our customers.)

 

Little things add up when it comes to installing access control technology in an office or manufacturing environment. Our end goal is similar to the car dealer handing over the keys to the customer after the vehicle purchase: you want to know how to operate the car. At H&S, we share our knowledge so you understand and have complete control of your access control system – you feel comfortable operating the system. Here’s how we do it.

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Like other types of electronic security installations, we meet with the customer first. We find out your needs, then dig in deeply to determine the design and structure of the install. We determine where to run wires from A to B. We’ll get your network team involved. And we’ll use our knowledge to prep the best solution.

 

During this sit-down with the customer, H&S looks at a number of things. Danny Greco, our access control expert out of our Pewaukee, WI office, outlines some of the following areas we will check on to make sure things go seamlessly when the install begins:

 

  • Ceiling height
  • How and where to run wire
  • The customer choice on whether to run conduit or wire mold
  • What type of specific equipment to use, ensuring proper installation on the doors
  • Additional information we can gather to make the installation for our technicians and the customer as seamless as possible.

 

“The little things add up,” Danny explains.

 

While H&S focuses strongly on a sound and tactical installation, turning the successful system over to the customer is even more important. We explain to our customers the installation and components used, along with how the software works. We discuss with our customer’s IT staff how the system communicates on their network and who should serve as its administrator.

 

“An access control system is like buying a car. You’re not involved in the design, but when the keys are handed over to you as the customer, you want to know how to operate it flawlessly,” Greco explained.

 

(Stay tuned for Part II.)

The 3G to 4G Upgrade

For the layperson, understanding the upgrade of our nation’s cellular network can be confusing. Terminology makes it complicated. You must also understand the technology aspects of how the system functions and moves data.

 

Staying away from explaining the highly technical aspects, most cell carriers (the companies you pay your monthly fee to, so you your phone and text messages get to the recipient) are upgrading their cellular digital networks. Most have moved or are moving to 4G (four gigabits of data) from 3G. Others are in the process of moving directly to 5G.

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The advantages for those of you with alarm systems are simple: You want your system to continue sending its signal to the monitoring center through a cell signal (if you don’t use a landline). As the upgrade is made, the transition should be seamless – you shouldn’t see anything different from your current service. The more gigabits, the better the connectivity and transmission of data.

 

At H&S Protection, we are working with our customers on these upgrades to their security systems. It’s a simple, yet important process, according to H&S Sales Consultant Dave Kwasinski. “There are sunset provisions making 3G obsolete. As a company, we work to stay ahead of the game, which is why we are meeting with customers to make the necessary changes,” he said.

 

If the systems are not upgraded, customers run the risk of losing connectivity. “The signal from the alarm system wouldn’t go to the monitoring center in those circumstances. We don’t want that,” Kwasinski said.

 

H&S is working systematically with its customer base to get a technician onsite, make the technology changes and test the system for secure operability. “We’re updating their cellular means of communication. It’s a pretty easy visit for our tech guys. Steve and Mike (Co-Owners of H&S Protection) are offering the upgrade at the cost of hardware. It’s a great deal for our customers,” Kwasinski said.

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Once the technicians upgrade the SIM card in the alarm communicator to 4G, they’ll check the communication signal as the network is switched to ensure smooth functioning. End of story.

 

There’s a big benefit to getting rid of your landline and using cell service for your security systems, according to Kwasinski. “With no phone lines, a potential burglar can’t cut the line to severe the connection. Plus, if the landline is eliminated, that monthly fee for the phone line goes away.”

It’s a seamless transition. “We want to ensure reliability and that the system works properly when we’re done with the upgrade. This isn’t just about H&S Protection, but instead a technology upgrade from the cell carriers that the security industry embraces for better service in the long run,” Kwasinski said.