Ongoing software maintenance, required to keep security systems operating, is often overlooked. This happens for a variety of reasons. Historically, security systems never had SMAs, or software maintenance agreements. SMAs were reserved for complex and enterprise IT solutions. Today, security management software, like those used for video surveillance and access control, are running on IT networks and servers. They fall into the same category as enterprise IT solutions and now require the ongoing support of an SMA.
SMA Applicability
It’s important to understand the system in which you’re investing from the start. The proposed solution needs to fit the scope of your project. Some organizations will opt for a hosted software solution, a small all-in-one appliance, or an enterprise-class solution. Any of these may or may not have an SMA. This depends on the manufacturer.
Enterprise Systems
Software version upgrades for enterprise systems are the most common. Version upgrades and technical support are the two key aspects of the agreement. The SMA must be budgeted as both an initial and recurring annual expense. The SMA, in most cases, is an annual license fee charged by the manufacturer for ongoing access to system software updates and upgrades.
Without a current SMA, security professionals may find their system partially or fully outdated. This can result in cybersecurity vulnerabilities, version mismatches within integrated systems, and ongoing bug challenges. In some circumstances, the system may stop working on a set date in the absence of an SMA.
The Hidden Cost
Failure to clearly understand and budget for the SMA on an ongoing basis can leave a system vulnerable or dysfunctional. This can prevent organizations from adding new cameras and credential readers, or cause integrated systems to stop working altogether.
If your access control system software SMA becomes out of date, for example, the system may stop tagging the door access logs with related video clips. This would cause significant investigational delays.
Underfunded systems quickly become reactive systems. It’s tough to prevent a cybersecurity breach or system failure when the SMA isn’t part of the budget.
You’ll Need a Long-Term Solution
Whether your electronic security system is an IP-based video or access control system or a fully integrated security management system, it’s a serious investment that deserves maintenance and updates as part of the ongoing solution. Systems supported by regular maintenance programs and SMAs, like the Vision Investment Protection (VIP) program, can eliminate every one of these problems. Your solution is completely up-to-date, backed-up to your performance expectations, and consistently cyber secure. Maintenance is performed regularly, and the system’s server hardware and software aren’t an IT concern.
Vision Investment Protection consists of maintenance and service plan levels that, like your system, can grow and change. The complexity of your facility’s system will determine the appropriate VIP service plan level. Your VIP plan can then be customized as your electronic security system expands.
VIP plans include many of these benefits:
Your Opportunity to Act Today
The goal of a security assessment and site survey is to uncover potential threats at schools, buildings, and campuses of all sizes. Ultimately, these solutions can help integrate a variety of technologies as part of a plan that works in unison to help secure occupants, protect valuable assets, and assist in preventing physical access to sensitive areas.