Fixed fees for annual NSI membership?

Recently in the security headlines was the news that Stanley security solutions had been elevated to gold membership of the NSI. This is no mean achievment for an organization of  the size of Stanley and very welcome news for the NSI itself. The reason the NSI will be rightly overjoyed is the new money that Stanley will bring to the organization. Being a gold NSI member means every aspect of installation work will need to be certificated. So a simple door access system will cost Stanley a small but by no means insignificant amount and the same goes for a CCTV system and an intruder alarm.

NSI gold approved security company

The NSI have been funded by charging member companies for certificates since its inception but the financial downturn has had quite an impact on the number of systems being installed and thus the number of certificates being issed. less certificates equals less revenue. This has led the NSI to have a re-think about how it can possibly fund its operation going forward and as result the idea of a fixed fee for membership has been mooted. This could have a huge impact on smaller installers who quite possibly would have to pay the same amount to issue 10 certificates per annum as some of the larger organizations who issue thousands per year.

Is this fair? Well its not been confirmed yet but it seems that by even thinking about this route forward the NSI is making every effort to ensure its own survival in very difficult times but at what cost to the overall security industry itself? We sense a potential rift and opportunity for other inspectorates to step into the breach, we will have to wait and see but we sense a shift of allegiance for many security companies could be just around the corner.

Essen 2012

The bi-annual Essen Security exhibition has now closed for another 2 years.

Boasting a huge array of Halls and technology to visit, surely Essen has now rightfully claimed its title as THE Security Exhibition to visit ahead of rivals such as IFSEC?

Essen security show

Spread over 11, yes that’s 11 Halls, Essen needed a transport system of its own inside just to get us from hall to hall !

Talking of transportation, the travel system, namely the hugely efficient DB Train system, delivered us on time every day – if the platform board showed 1 minute until the next train, 1 minute it was!

Anyway, back to the show.

Notable massive stands (or booths as our European friends referred to ) were Bosch, Honeywell, Siemans.

Bosch had their representation of an aircraft, complete with actual airline seats to sit and listen to the presentations! Rumour has it (and only rumour because we weren’t invited!) that all visitors to their stand (oops, booth) were taken out to the back of the Bosch area and treated to a full 3 course cooked lunch!!! Now that is customer care!

security shows

Interesting that their flagship new MIC 550 was represented by one, solitary lonely looking model on top of one of their product podiums…….

The British contingent were represented in the BSIA section by the likes of GJD with their HD CCTV lighting solutions, Elmdene and NVT. Also present for the first time at ESSEN was 360 Vision Technology, brave guys taking their range of Predators into the back garden of Bosch MICS!!!!

Talking of 360 Vision, they certainly flooded their stand with multiple-coloured Predators! Gold, orange, green and JCB Yellow ensured that sun glasses were needed for this UK manufacturer!

Into Hall 2 and the mighty Geutebrueck had an amazing stand – packed with staff and visitors it seemed for the full 4 days!

Some great video Analytics were observed over at the UDP Technology stand – fully expecting these guys to be taking the UK by storm real soon with their very clever technology!

MP was represented amply by the usual guys – Arecont and Avigilon had excellent displays.

We spotted  Todd Rockoff  at the show as well spreading the word about HDcctv . Keep watching this space for more news from Todd soon.

Visitors attending the show were from far flung regions – talking with some of the exhibitors, they had seen good quality leads from US, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and of course the main Euro regions – affirming Security Essen’s status as a truly International show.

It therefore must beg the question, with such a high quality show held only every 2 years, is there now room for a smaller, certainly less well presented IFSEC anymore in the UK? We paid fairly low airline fares to Dusseldorf, stayed in a clean, functional but inexpensive hotel (compared to London or Birmingham hotels) and travelled effortlessly, cheaply and efficiently on excellent transport to and from the halls.

Our opinion? Security Essen is the show that is worth visiting……and waiting for!

Paxton Net2 entry

Paxton have always been innovators and their latest entry solution is no different. The Paxton net2 entry is slick in design and keenly priced. The Net2 entry offers an excellent solution for installers and end users alike.

Priced to compete with the very best in door entry systems, Paxton have a little gem here.

This is what Paxton have to say about their new market “entry”

Net2 entry

“Net2 Entry is the simplest door entry system available, comprising just three components that offer a true plug and play solution.

Amazingly easy to install, but with high design specifications, its stylish and discreet design means that Net2 Entry looks good in any environment. Customers will love its intuitive and easy to use features that are accessed via an attractive touchscreen monitor.

Break into a new market and make the most of the new sales opportunities with:

  • Units that auto detect on setup for easy installation
  • Plug and play expansion for large sites
  • Intuitive, easy to use touchscreen monitor
  • A smart and robust panel
  • Infrared camera for low-light use
  • IP55 rating for use in all weather conditions”

 

Changing security companies

When is it time to change your security provider? Is it better the Devil you know when it involves CCTV, access control and Intruder alarms or, if you don’t shop around are you in danger of paying well over the odds for your security systems?  There are generally two driving forces that make end users look at changing their security providers. The first is the after service they receive, the second is ongoing costs.

security service provider

Most companies decide to make a change because they are fed up of service levels they are receiving. Recent economic conditions have meant many security companies have had to make cut backs in order to survive, this invariably leads to poor service. It is also the case that prices have had to be squeezed at point of sale and this often leads to poor installations or the provision of cheaper, sub-standard kit. This can only lead to problems for the end user in the future.

So what is the best advice when choosing both a service provider and installer?

Firstly get references, talk to other companies that have used the security supplier and ask about their weak points and service levels.

Next, run a credit check. A good security company is a solvent one.

Always ensure they belong to an affiliated inspectorate such as the SSAIB or the NSI.

Ask to look at an installation or get a demonstration of their products.

Make sure the goods you buy are not closed protocol, once this type of system is installed you are trapped , going elsewhere for service becomes very difficult.

Always insist on a specification.

Ensure the equipment is of good quality and comes with manufacturers guarantees.

Good installers will have health and safety well covered. Ask for examples of  risk assessments.

Check their insurance meets your needs as a company.

 

Swapping service providers can be a pain and many security companies will do everything in their power to make things difficult. Not providing codes or central station details will make life tricky and keeping drawings and specifications away from the end user will mean they can’t provide it to third parties to help them formulate a quote . As a customer you have every right to this information, so insist you get it at the point of installation.

At the end of the day, you, the customer have the power to change and seek better value if you are unhappy with your security provider so don’t hesitate to take action, where your companies security is at stake.

Paxton price rise

Paxton price rise

Paxton have announced that they will be raising their prices as of Jan 1st 2012. Although this headline price rise is true there are also price cuts as well. Having seen the prices it seems that in reality Paxton are encouraging installers to move away from the NET2 classic (price rise in excess of 12%) and push people towards IP technology and the NET2 plus (price reduction of around 5%).

Paxton price rise

In fact all the NET2 plus products have seen a reduction. However as we found out in the summer Paxton are really looking to maximise profits on their Professional software that now includes all the advanced features you would expect from a top access control package. The software has seen a Paxton price rise of around 30%…ouch!

Paxton Net2 reader price rise

Vandal resistant readers up nearly 60%, Card starter pack up 60%, reader cable up nearly 50%, NET2 232/485 converter is up a staggering 89% and 12volt 1A psu has nearly doubled in price. Why are Paxton doing this now? especially when end users are so sensitive to price? It is generally agreed that Paxton is the number one access control solution in the UK so it seems perhaps a little shortsighted to make installers look elsewhere when they have had no reason to do this before.

Paxton Net2 controller price rise

We will monitor the situation carefully over the next few months but we would not be surprised to actually see a reversal in some of these price  rises sooner rather than later.