The unpredictability of 2020 made for an especially challenging year for many systems integrators and the top 100 ranked in the 2021 SDM Top Systems Integrators Report are no exception. But that didn’t stop them from finding success with a variety of vertical market customers. Here are a few highlights of some of the top integrators’ most successful projects.
Tech Systems, ranked, No. 6, was selected as the integrator to lead in the transition of a healthcare organization’s access control system with 3,000+ readers spread out across 21 hospitals and approximately 100 MOBs and other outlying facilities in two states. Tech Systems worked with the organization’s security management team to identify and assess three potential access control manufacturers. Once a manufacturer was selected, Tech Systems provided project management oversight and installation services. The team was represented by multiple departments within the healthcare organization to include IT, clinical services and facility services. Critical data was extracted from the existing access control system and integrations were written and tested for multiple hospital databases. Once the headend was functional, Tech Systems began the transition of the access control system minimizing the impact to the end user through careful planning, communication and execution.
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IMAGE COURTESY OF A3 COMMUNICATIONS
A3 Communications, ranked No. 8, has worked with Clemson University since 2015 on its security technology, including a campus-wide replacement of legacy access control with a Genetec Unified system and more than 2,000 card readers. Now, A3 provides Clemson University with access control and surveillance to protect students. This project is not only large in scope but has required several dedicated resources from the A3 team to ensure the system is up-to-date and reliable.
Kastle Systems, ranked No. 14, went live with a large project in California for The Irvine Company’s Promenade at Irvine Spectrum. The integrator’s biggest multifamily project ever, the project included 1,781 Class A units in total when complete, with 220 BLE wired readers, 1,781 wireless apartment unit entry locks, and approximately 600 ENGAGE Gateways. It’s the first multifamily project in the world using the mobile-enabled 2.0 version of the Schlage Control wireless locks, and it is a complete online wireless lock installation utilizing Allegion’s ENGAGE Gateways with BLE mobile credentials. Additionally it is the first live deployment of a third-party app that incorporates Kastle’s mobile SDK, and the first new construction project to go live with Kastle’s RealPage software integration.
RFI Communications & Security Systems, ranked No. 15, started 2020 off with an opportunity to assist one of its larger partners with a video upgrade on a multi-building campus. Each building is comprised of six floors with cameras throughout common areas, stairwells, elevator lobbies and rooftops. The goal of this project was to migrate the antiquated analog video system to current network technology in order to integrate multiple sites into one system. One of the biggest hurdles was an unexpected challenge —COVID-19. The integrator kicked off the project just as the shutdown was rolled out across the state. With everyone working from home, on-site coordination was challenging between the different trades and customer staff. Due to the collaboration efforts between the integrator’s back office, field techs, the end user and landlord, RFI was able to successfully complete the project on schedule, while meeting all project requirements.
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IMAGE COURTESY OF STONE SECURITY
Stone Security, ranked No. 19 and also named SDM 2020 Integrator of the Year, completed a project with ARUP Laboratories based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. This project involved the takeover and installation of a large seven-building campus video surveillance and access control systems. The project represented a collaboration of partners coming together to complete a large scale installation inside of facilities doing very important & complex work during the pandemic.
CTSI, ranked No. 26, integrated a complex multi-building detention security control system for Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation (VCBR) comprised of door controls, access control, video management systems, detention/emergency intercom, wireless duress, and touchscreen user interface. The system is fully integrated on a secure detention control fiber network. The project is being integrated in phases to keep the facility operational and ensure the safety of everyone in the building. In addition to integrating new systems, CTSI is maintaining and upgrading pre-existing systems installed by a previous company.
3Sixty Integrated, ranked no. 29, was awarded a campus-wide access control, video, and intrusion system upgrade project for a brand new K-12 client in the spring of 2020. This multi-scope project had an aggressive timeline that presented the team with unique obstacles. Nevertheless, in the last year the 3Sixty team has successfully designed and managed a fully integrated access control, video surveillance and intrusion system that, when complete, will span across the entire district. Despite delays due to COVID-19, the team has managed to remain consistent with the project timeline and was on trajectory to complete the project on schedule in mid-2021.
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IMAGE COURTESY OF CUSTOM ALARM
Custom Alarm, ranked No. 53, has served First Alliance Credit Union branches for nearly two decades. This year saw work on construction and implementation of their newest location in Rochester, Minn. With the relationship that has been built, Custom Alarm’s team of consultants, design engineers and project managers worked closely with the bank’s ownership as well as their general contractor and the architects to provide an innovative solution to all their security needs. This location was going to be different than previous ones as the building being constructed was going to host not only the bank, but also offer leased space that has now been occupied by a local bakery as well as a coffee shop. Custom Alarm went with a hardwired security system that included contacts on all perimeter doors, motion detectors, glass break sensors as well as panic buttons. In addition, since this building was going to have multiple businesses, they installed multiple keypads with partitions so each business could control their own section. In the banking area, the branch had installed new interactive teller machines which also needed contacts on their machine as well as the integration of the built-in camera to the video surveillance system. One of the bigger challenges was the access control for the building. Knowing that the branch had interior glass offices that were going to be locked, Custom Alarm worked with RS2 and ASSA ABLOY to find a wireless lock to incorporate on these doors. While this was being accomplished, an additional task of separating the multiple tenants to each have control of their own door locks was also vital for the end users. The answer was a cloud solution that allowed the building manager to have access to the tenants in order to add schedules and update key holders all while off-site. This was an integral function that was very well received. The final portion of this project was for the video surveillance system. As with all financial institutions, ensuring video footage was recorded for an extended amount of time was key in designing this system. Custom Alarm relied on Axis network cameras with an Exacqvision Video Management System to deliver a professional platform.
Guardian Protection, ranked No. 55, provided an integrated solution for a new client who reached out to them regarding a 30,000 square foot facility. The client needed a camera system to view the entire perimeter of the property and their gated loading dock area. They also had two existing separate access control systems (one to control the perimeter doors of the building and a separate system to control interior department doors). The business was seeking an integrated solution that would allow remote camera viewing as well as monitor viewing on-site. They also wanted to consolidate the two disparate access control systems and include a gate controller into their loading dock area. The Guardian Protection team delivered a final design that included a 25-camera high-resolution IP surveillance system, an intrusion detection system with 51 points of protection, and 19 access control doors. The system has been installed, commissioned, and is now fully operational.
