Commercial Integrator + Security Sales Nov/Dec 2023 - 42

CI + SSI
BUSINESS RESOURCES
a couple of things missing. However, commercial
AV and security integrators should
select the tool - or combination of tools -
that delivers the best results as a whole.
" For example, " Fortin begins, " we ran
two very well-known [pieces of] proposal
software congruently for over a year to
see where the pitfalls were with each. " In
the beginning, both had similar features
and checked off the same boxes. " It wasn't
immediately clear which would be the
best solution, as both looked good and
met our needs, " Fortin states. He adds
that NDS Integration eventually settled
for the solution that Fortin knew could
integrate best with the overall process.
What Can Grow With You?
Dan Schmidtendorff, president and CEO
of Communication Company, echoes this
sentiment, adding, " The key is to establish
what is important to your business
structure today and [what] has the ability
to grow with you. " In his case, the efficiency
of combining software under one
platform was critical to success.
Jim DeStefano, senior vice president,
Unlimited Technology Inc., takes the conHow
much would you estimate
that your business-resource
software improves your
company's bottom-line profits
in an average year?
31% to 50%
6.3%
How much would you estimate that
your business resource software
improves your company's
51% or more
6.3%
1% to 5%
18.8%
21% to 30%
12.5%
16% to 20%
25%
6% to 10%
12.5%
11% to 15%
18.8%
In general, does your company prefer business-resource software built
for a single purpose or software that is end-to-end/turnkey?
12.5%
We prefer multiple
pieces of individual,
purpose-built
software
43.8%
We prefer to use
a single, endto-end
software
solution
43.8%
It depends on the
particular piece
of software
Our focus group indicated a general preference for using end-to-end/turnkey
solutions, as opposed to using multiple pieces of individual, purpose-built software.
versation further, adding that commercial
AV and security integrators should look for
systems that allow them to manage information
with minimal keystrokes and less
repetition. " The more keystrokes you can
eliminate, the more associates will be able
to do their jobs and take care of the customer, "
he counsels. In essence, he argues
that the main idea behind implementing
business-resource software is to streamline
a company's processes - not to add to the
extensive workload already in place.
Peters concurs, noting that one of
the main things to keep in mind when
looking at a business resource is to try
to use the core functionality as much as
possible, without requesting multiple
custom updates. " When a software is built
with too many [customizations], it can be
very difficult to upgrade as new releases
come out, " she reflects. That said, Peters
states that enterprise resource planning
(ERP) tools are always looking to improve
their features. Accordingly, it's important
to stay on top of all new releases and features
when implementing this software.
Ultimately, her advice for AV and security
integrators is simple: " ...Use the system to
System Surveyor: Easy-to-Use
Site Survey and System Design
Thousands of physical security pros have moved on from manual methods of
site surveys on a paper floor plan to digital site walks. Import a floor plan, tap
Google Maps, drag and drop any system type, take pictures, make intelligent
product selections and automate a bill of materials - all in one place. Use
System Surveyor in the field on the tablet app for a site survey, sync to the cloud
to continue work at the office, and share with customers, partners and your
team for dynamic collaboration. No more emailing PDFs or pictures stuck on
About a quarter of the respondents
in our focus group (a small plurality)
noted that their software has boosted
their company profits by 16% to 20%.
your cell phone. System Surveyor is a game changer for everyone in physical
security, where a picture is worth a thousand words and details need to be at
your fingertips.
Save time, improve sales and delight customers with System Surveyor. Here's a
list of our favorite best practices to streamlined, effective site surveys:
1. Get the floor plan or map early.
2. Import or access from a digital system-design tool.
3. Drag and drop a few concepts to show your customer or stakeholder.
4. Take pictures of where they want devices and capture all details in one place.
5. Validate concepts with your customer so they get buy in early.
6. Synchronize and access back at the office and share with collaborators.
7. Beat your competitors to the accurate, decision-ready proposal, and win the
client for life.
Try it free at SystemSurveyor.com/free-trial.
42 Commercial Integrator+Security Sales & Integration | Nov/Dec 2023
http://www.SystemSurveyor.com/free-trial
Commercial Integrator + Security Sales Nov/Dec 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Integrator + Security Sales Nov/Dec 2023
