In our recent survey into control room budgets, 32% had a reduced budget in 2012-13.  That’s nearly one third of control rooms that need to save money this year.

Integrating CCTV with other security functions of your control room into one system creates a more efficient and effective surveillance service, saving time and ultimately money.

But how do you find a cost-effective integrated solution that really IS cost effective?  As experts in the security industry and providers of the leading open platform software, V-TAS Pro, we know what you should be looking for – and what pitfalls to avoid.

1. Choose a solution where you can keep existing hardware

You don’t have to completely overhaul your CCTV system when upgrading to an integrated control room.  Find a provider that will integrate analogue cameras, and other equipment that still works, with the new IP technology you’d like to put in.

Avoid a solution that is affiliated with particular hardware manufacturers, as this can lead to expensive and unnecessary costs.

2. Choose a solution with low instalment and training costs

Finding an integrated system with a low cost of ownership will ensure you don’t blow your budget on training staff.  Your integrated software should be easy for your operators to learn and use on a day-to-day basis.

Avoid over-complicated systems that will take a long time to install, which could incur down-time for your control room.

3. Choose a system with a good pricing structure for integration modules

Find a provider that will charge a fair price for each piece of integration work.  Make sure that they integrate with lots of different technology manufacturers so that your choices are not limited.

Avoid pricing structures that charge a large amount for each integration project.

4. Choose a system that integrates every security application in your control room

Integrated software platforms that only integrate two or three applications, like VMS and alarm receiving, will not be truly cost effective.  Find a provider that allows you to pick and choose which modules your control room needs, and think about what you might need in the future.

Avoid having separate multiple systems alongside your integration software, as this counteracts the time and cost-saving benefits.

5. Choose a solution that offers a good value support plan

If you choose to have a support plan, the support department should be friendly, helpful and supportive from day one to year dot.

Avoid a solution which will not offer support after the installation, or charge expensive fees instead of a well-managed support plan.

icomply’s open platform integration software, V-TAS Pro, has been nominated for a Security Excellence Award 2012 for Integrated Solution of the Year.  If you would like a demonstration of V-TAS Pro, please contact us or chat to us live!

7 September 2012

Five essentials for an integrated software solution that’s actually cost-effective

In our recent survey into control room budgets, 32% had a reduced budget in 2012-13.  That’s nearly one third of control rooms that need to save […]
22 August 2012

icomply and AMG-Panogenics in Strategic Technology Partnership

AMG-Panogenics, the British manufacturer of sophisticated 5 Megapixel cameras, and icomply, UK based software developers of the integrated security application platform V-TAS Pro, are pleased to announce […]
9 August 2012

V-TAS Pro: Integrated open platform software for control rooms

Hugh Barker, the Managing Director of icomply, provides a simple explanation of how V-TAS Pro can benefit your control room by integrating CCTV with other security […]
7 August 2012

icomply announces integration partnership with Tecton

icomply, developers of the V-TAS Pro integration platform and finalists at the Security Excellence Awards 2012, have announced a technology integration partnership with Tecton. One of […]
18 July 2012

V-TAS Pro CCTV open software explained

The V-TAS Pro Challenge was to explain our integrated CCTV open software platform in under two minutes.  We managed 1.19 in our interactive Prezi! V-TAS Pro […]
11 June 2012

icomply appoint Director of Business Development, Michael Gallagher

icomply are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Gallagher as Director of Business Development.  We’ve seen substantial growth in demand for V-TAS Pro integration software, […]
18 April 2012

Integration of V-TAS Pro with SALTO Systems

icomply are proud to announce that their integrated security application platform, V-TAS Pro, is now fully integrated into the SALTO Systems suite of access control products. […]
20 March 2012

Launch of V-TAS Pro Customer Helpdesk

icomply have grown tremendously in the last 18 months and in an attempt to improve the way we handle customer support queries we have decided to […]
3 February 2012

icomply at Intersec 2012

We had a great exhibition at Intersec in January in Dubai.  We made many new contacts with integration companies and are looking at establishing a new partner network […]
5 January 2012

Bridgend updates to icomply V-TAS Pro CCTV Control Room

Bridgend County Borough Council’s CCTV control room has recently benefited from a comprehensive upgrade, at the heart of which is the latest V-Tas Pro Integrated Security […]
24 October 2011

icomply’s V-TAS Pro is key to combined CCTV Monitoring Centre

Consolidating two separate town centre CCTV systems into a single integrated control facility has produced many operational and economical benefits for Redditch and Bromsgrove. At the […]
11 October 2011

icomply’s V-TAS Pro is key to combined Monitoring Centre

Consolidating two separate town centre CCTV systems into a single integrated control facility has produced many operational and economical benefits for Redditch and Bromsgrove. At the […]