Today’s security systems are more sophisticated than ever, and the power supply products that keep them running must be equal to the challenge. Starting with the introduction of power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity in the early 2000s, power supply products and services have evolved to meet those needs, with advances like native integrations to access control software platforms, network monitoring of multiple power sites, energy management as a service (EMaaS), and more.

“Power supply is an integral part of a proactive network that provides a comprehensive, 24/7 analysis into security system health and viability,” says Michael Bone, marketing manager, LifeSafety Power, an access control power supply manufacturer owned by ASSA ABLOY and based in Phoenix. “Power management solutions are an integral component to guaranteed uptime of connected systems. These systems are essential to physical security and integrated systems, protecting lives, people, property and the critical infrastructure.”

And savvy security integrators and dealers can leverage these products and services to increase recurring monthly revenue (RMR) and grow customer relationships.

Power supply-related RMR is “is highly attainable,” Bone says. “Managed power services, including remote monitoring and servicing, brings a wide array of RMR opportunities to the security integrator — another added benefit that boosts the long-term profitability of every job.”

“Power has moved squarely into the realm of high tech, with the ability to provide a proactive solution that guarantees uptime and can be managed remotely by both technician and end user,” he adds. “There’s an emphasis on system designs that speed installations and promote efficiency and resiliency across the enterprise.”

Today’s power supply systems are more compact and easily installable than ever before. Altronix’s Trove access and power integration products include power distribution and wire management, and new accessories including color-coordinated matching enclosures. // IMAGE COURTESY OF ALTRONIX

Users can manage and control today’s power solutions through the web with an intuitive browser interface, providing them with real-time remote monitoring and control capability, increasing the power system’s return on investment, Bone adds. “Networked power maximizes system uptime and saves maintenance costs, a definite plus for the end user.”

When asked about the latest trends in power supply, Ronnie Pennington, director of sales, Americas, for Altronix Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y., pointed to new physical configurations that save space and make systems easier to install and maintain. “Altronix products are designed to save valuable space and labor, reducing installation and service costs and providing the end user with an overall better ROI,” he says.

Higher-capacity wall- and rack-mount enclosures, along with pre-configured kits, enable power and control of more doors in a security system, while complementary battery enclosures and wiring troughs make for a cleaner, sleek installation, Pennington says. “New compact multi-output access power controllers and sub-assemblies have a unique stackable design to free up much-needed space for more controller boards,” he adds.

Today’s power systems have transformed into sleek, engineered solutions with all components in a single enclosure, Bone adds. “Having system power, lock power and access control modules in one housing saves space and serves as the perfect footprint for IDF [intermediate distribution frame] closets or limited-space data centers,” he says. And fully pre-wired solutions provide even greater return on equity for end users through labor savings and consistency across an enterprise.

Modern PoE systems can cover the entire power range of equipment over various categories and meet the power level requirements for anything in the security field, says Neil Heller, vice president of business development for Vigitron, a global manufacturer of analog and IP transmission solutions based in San Diego. “PoE brings simplicity to installation and the ability of centralized control, two very important aspects.”

Today’s systems are simpler than ever to install and manage, making life easier for integrators and end users alike. Top brands like Altronix’s Trove system combine power and access controllers in a single wall mount or rack mount enclosure, providing a single point for service and maintenance — a benefit for both integrators and end users, Pennington says. “Pre-wired power kits which include power distribution, wire assemblies and wire management allow integrators to deploy access systems faster, streamlining installation.”

As an added benefit, integrators can incorporate modern power supply systems into their RMR strategy, boosting revenue and solidifying customer relationships. Proactive notifications, data reporting and historical documentation are all ways integrators can add RMR with power supply products and services, Bone says. And remote servicing capabilities such as remote or scheduled battery testing, the ability to remotely power cycle outputs and remote troubleshooting can minimize the need for a technician to physically visit a site.

For example, Altronix access controllers and power distribution models come with an embedded LINQ network communication and control solution, which enables users to control, monitor and report system diagnostics remotely, anywhere over the network, Pennington says. LINQ facilitates fast and easy installation and set-up, minimizes system downtime and eliminates unnecessary service calls, which helps reduce total cost of ownership, he adds.

“These solutions boost RMR as it greatly reduces onsite visits for service and maintenance, with the ability to diagnose any issues remotely,” he says. “Managed power services can be applied to the main power supply, power system outputs, locks, access control modules and standby batteries. Managed monitoring encompasses event reports, AC loss notification, service-due reminders, impending lock failure, low-battery warning, insufficient battery standby and more. Remote servicing capabilities yield information on output supervision, remote scheduled battery load testing, remote power cycling and system health logs/trouble alerts.”

Heller adds, “When you’re in a network environment that includes more aspects than PoE, depending on the agreement with the end user, integrators can more efficiently observe and fix problems.” For integrators, “When the customer allows me into their network, rather than send out a truck, I might be able to reset and fix that problem from my office. That’s the primary advantage [of PoE]; they can monetize it if they are servicing the customer on that basis, whether on an individual service call or part of a service contract, they’re more efficient.”

LifeSafety Power’s E8M2 MCLASS is a fully network managed, prewired 16-door Mercury power management system. // IMAGE COURTESY OF LIFESAFETY POWER

Managed power services, including remote monitoring and servicing, and energy management as a service (EMaaS), increase the value proposition of these solutions with the ability to earn consistent recurring monthly revenue, Bone says. “Prewired power frees up valuable tech time, speeding job completion and allowing the integrator to move on to the next job quickly.”

End users can apply managed power services to the main power supply, power systems outputs, locks, access control modules and standby batteries, he adds. Managed monitoring encompasses event reports, access control loss notification, service-due reminders, impending lock failure, low-battery warning, insufficient battery standby and more. Remote servicing capabilities yield information on output supervision, remote scheduled battery load testing, remote power cycling and system health logs/trouble alerts.

“End users want to know ahead of time if there’s trouble with a powered device such as a lock, or if maintenance is necessary, rather than being surprised with a costly service call in the evening or on the weekend,” Bone says. “With managed power services and power monitoring, they have new intelligence, networking and historical data at their fingertips, helping them better manage the facility for higher levels of security and safety and a lower total cost of ownership.”

The need for intelligent power will only increase as systems become more interconnected and any downtime could be devastating and result in loss of assets, business continuity, reputation and customers, Bone says.

“The value proposition is there,” he adds. “It just needs to be communicated to the customer so they understand the importance of power to the bottom line.”