Convergint partner Assa Abloy put together a podcast that describes best practices when beginning a physical security project. Learn from an IT Director at a small college as he navigates through purchasing and implementing a new door access system for his campus, with commentary and tips from Convergint’s Director of Marketing, Micah Carlson.

One-size-fits-all does not fit all when it comes to campus security. Project managers must compile a lot of information about their facilities before getting a realistic estimate.

Below are five tips when beginning a campus physical security project:

  1. Start by answering the questions: Which departments will be affected? Which departments have budget for this type of project? Then make sure to involve those people from the start.
  2. Do a quality check internally before engaging an outsider. Be on the lookout for older facilities as they can come with difficulties, especially for doors and access controls.
  3. Talk with a security expert you can trust. Find someone who is in the industry, goes to security shows, talks to manufacturers, knows the standards, and keeps up with industry trends.
  4. Basic cost estimates are easy to get from providers, but there’s so much more that goes into large-scale security projects. There is no one-size-fits-all. Everything is custom in this industry and requires a lot more legwork than most end users are prepared for.
  5. Watch out for factors that can impact your timeline. Just the color of the lock alone can immediately bring in all types of variables that weren’t otherwise foreseen.

For more details, view the slides below.

Security project managers face a daunting task. They need to become experts in the security world, find the most effective way to spend the school’s money, fight for that budget, and keep up with evolving technology and evolving threats. They must determine how, when, and where to invest the school’s money to make the biggest impact.

Learn more about Convergint