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Video Search Function Need Not Intimidate Your End Customers
A large municipal client learns that VMS search functionality allays concerns about having to locate a “needle in the haystack” in large amounts of video data. Many people contemplating adding security cameras or upgrading their CCTV systems are intimidated by video search. Case in point: we are working with a municipal client on a large enterprise video surveillance system […]
Read More11 Common Types of Security Cameras
Bullet, dome, covert, outdoor, varifocal and night vision are just some of the common types of surveillance cameras. Here’s a quick reference list. Selecting a type of security camera is simple, right? If you want a camera that follows people as they move, you want a pan/tilt/zoom or PTZ camera. Otherwise you want a fixed […]
Read MoreHow to Keep Customers Happy When Overworked
An improving economy means more work for integrators, but do they have the time? As we start the year with high hopes and expectations, I wanted to bring up a topic that impacted many of us last year. Too much work and too few resources, including time and manpower, to complete that work. Sounds like […]
Read MoreWhy Security Matters for the Greater Good
When evaluating a video surveillance installation, careful attention to camera placement, image quality and timeliness of repairs could ultimately have very real and positive benefits to our communities. One thing I find interesting about reading a blog is that they live virtually forever. If you search for a topic, click on a link and start […]
Read MoreWant to Increase Bid Response Success? Consider Outsourcing an Eye for Detail
Attention to basic writing skills such as grammar, spelling and punctuation may count more than your technical response in many cases. Hiring a proofreader can differentiate you from the competition. Back in 2010 I wrote about how attention to detail in a written proposal (“Spelling Counts”) can make or break a bid response in unexpected […]
Read More3 Reasons Why Product Knowledge (Not Price) Is Crucial When Bidding on Security System Projects
Too often security dealers complain that consultants only evaluate price when looking at bids. That’s not the case. In our consulting practice we frequently get questions from bidders about products we have specified. And while I certainly don’t speak for all consultants — or even any consultants other than the ones that work for our […]
Read MoreGrossman Tells How to Get Going When the Going Gets Rough
SSI Bench Test products reviewer and well-known industry consultant addresses top integrator challenges. My April issue editorial discusses security integrators’ top 10 challenges as indicated inSSI’s annual Systems Integration Study. I consulted with a handful of trusted colleagues and contributors to the publication for ways integrators can best overcome these challenges, perhaps even turning them […]
Read MoreWink Hub or SmartThings Hub: Which Works Better?
These home automation hubs were tried out in this home to see which better handled connecting its smart devices. Many of us got into this industry because we like playing with toys. Sure, we call it work, but at the end of the day, it’s kind of fun to face a challenge head on, figure […]
Read MoreThe Truth About License Plate Recognition Technology
After numerous questions about the merits and drawbacks of cameras designed to capture images of the license plates of vehicles entering and exiting a property, I wanted to put something together to clarify the two approaches to this application. These cameras are often referred to interchangeably as “license plate cameras” and “license plate readers”. In […]
Read MoreDo You Really Want to Use That Security Product?
We’ve recently started providing product reviews forSecurity Sales & Integration magazine and its website, www.securitysales.com. As we kick this off, and on an ongoing basis, we’re going to be looking for feedback on how these reviews meet your needs, where they come up short, and what you’d like to see covered. The genesis of SSI’s Bench Test […]
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