Gerald Becker, former chief product officer at USS, a leading integrator of IP video surveillance and access control systems, shared some thoughtful advice with LP Magazine on how to boost ROI when rolling out a new IP camera system. During the conversation, Becker addressed some of the struggles that can come with implementing new video and access control systems.
The number-one challenge, according to Becker? Training. “It’s always at the top of the list,” he said. “You can deploy the most advanced system in the world with all the bells and whistles, but if your employees don’t know how to use it to its fullest extent, that system is useless to you.”
That doesn’t necessarily imply that the newer IP camera systems are more complicated or difficult to use than the more traditional CCTV surveillance systems. It’s that they have too many options and features—which is a good problem to have. “That’s really why modern companies are deploying IP systems in the first place,” said Becker. “Better analytics, better insight, more capabilities, quicker decision making. The challenge is to go from having employees who are used to a few simple commands to having them understand and grow comfortable with a system that is feature-rich.”
Reaching that level of comfort has to start somewhere. Becker recommends researching the available training options for the enterprise system you’ve chosen. Integrators will sometimes include employee training as part of the system installation and deployment process. “The people who know your system the best are those who are selling it to you and are installing it for you,” said Becker.
The bottom line: ask your solution provider what their training program entails. Is training tailored to different roles within the organization (LP, marketing, security, etc.)? After all, according to Becker, “the ultimate question is, after you’ve purchased the systems, will you still have the help you need?”
Read the full article, “No Training, No ROI,” for more information on IP security camera implementation.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that Becker is no longer with USS.