OK, I admit it; I like the title of this blog because the first thing that comes to mind is the nickname for the person doing a punch list on a project. As in, “You’d better get those things done before the punch list creep gets here.” Although, truth be told, I’m sure “creep” would [...]
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How Integrators Can Handle the ‘Punch List Creep’
Also posted in Needs Assesment, Planning and Budgeting, Project Management Leave a comment
Evaluating Security Product Substitutions for Installations
When specifying a project, the term “or approved equal” (OAE) comes up often. We frequently find it easier to describe a specific make and model than force the bidder to decide what we are looking for from a detailed list of specifications. Adding the term OAE lets the bidder know they are free to present [...]
How Many Trade Shows Is Enough?
In the aftermath of what was undoubtedly a successful industry trade show — ASIS Int’l 2011, September 19-22 in Orlando — I have been inundated with people telling me they missed me at the show. And before the trade show, there were people calling to set up meetings with me at the show. And it’s [...]
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How Trimming Support for Obsolete CCTV Products Benefits the Industry
I received an E-mail blast from a CCTV manufacturer today describing a new five-point plan aimed to overhaul its technical support and customer service. Four of the five points were in line with expectations for a high-end company in the electronic security industry, but I suspect that the bulk of the objections the manufacturer hears [...]
Also posted in Product Evaluation, Specifications, System Design, System Documentation Leave a comment
How to Impress Clients During a Bad Installation Job
It seems to me that clients often measure the performance of an integrator by how well the company cleans up the metaphorical messes its made. I suspect that this is one, if not THE most important, factor when considering job performance and customer satisfaction. In fact, for many, this defines the actual quality of the [...]
Also posted in Planning and Budgeting, Product Evaluation, Project Management Leave a comment
P/T/Z Control in an IP World
Based on some comments I have received from a surprising number of manufacturers, I’m going to write a “CCTV 101″ type blog. It will be short and sweet, and if this is too basic for you, check back in a few days for a new entry. But when a question comes up as often as [...]
Also posted in Needs Assesment, Project Management, Specifications, System Design Leave a comment
The UPS and Downs of Camera Power Supplies
In an earlier blog, I mentioned that innovation seemed in short supply at ISC West this year. That’s not to say there wasn’t anything new, just that you had to dig further to find it. So, digging I went … Case in point was a new line of camera power supplies from Altronix that include [...]
Also posted in Needs Assesment, Planning and Budgeting, Specifications Leave a comment
Objectionable Consultants
At ISC West, I had the honor of teaching a class on bright and early on April 6. Early in Las Vegas was at 11:15 a.m. The session, “Developing, Influencing and Responding to Request for Proposal’s (RFP’s)“, focused on practical, hands-on tips to make the whole RFP process work better for all involved. The class [...]
Also posted in Needs Assesment, Product Evaluation, Project Management Leave a comment
ISC West 2011: The Year of the Copycat
I’m a big fan of the ISC West trade show, which is held in Las Vegas each year at the beginning of April. As a consultant who must bill hours to make a living, my time is valuable and I try to choose one major trade show a year to attend. The two biggest shows [...]
Also posted in Product Evaluation, Vendor Assessment 1 Comment
Grade A Security for ‘Big D’ Complex
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the sprawling Galleria Dallas shopping center and its new expansive security system live up to that claim. However, what looms largest was the tightly coordinated effort the security consultant, integrator and end user demonstrated to help maximize the facility’s safety. There is nothing average about Galleria Dallas. [...]
