It’s not bragging if it’s true. With that in mind, all of the integrators/dealers that entered the inaugural Security Sales & Integration 2002 Integrated Installation of the Year Awards (read “Industrious Integrators Showcase Illustrious Installations” in this month’s issue) are entitled to bragging rights.

Although only two winners were officially declared in the designated categories of Best Commercial/Industrial Installation (Multiguard Corp. of Indianapolis) and Best Residential Installation (Greater Alarm of Irvine, Calif.), each and every entry was of award-winning caliber.

Poring through the many entry forms, detailed project descriptions, equipment lists and photographs, more than ever I was struck by the level of excellence, be it large or small companies (Multiguard has just six employees), that has become commonplace in our industry.

Whether it’s telephone, cable/satellite TV, electrical, home theater, information technology or any other systems-based installation industry, I maintain that none of them surpass the overall expertise and competence of electronic security professionals. It’s important for dealers and integrators to realize this, and to be instilled with pride in everything they do. It’s also a significant advantage for maintaining current business, while making inroads into new areas.

I am devoting space here to salute some of the fine craftsmen of our industry who personify the excellence others aspire to, but, for whatever reason, fell shy of capturing one of this year’s trophies. Hopefully, they can find some solace in knowing that their installations—many of which were staggering in their diversity, scope and deployment of true systems integration—may show up in future Security Sales & Integration case studies.

For example, there was Greater Alarm’s power plant job, which included a CCTV system connected over a wireless local area network (LAN). There was the beer distributorship project by OnEdge Technologies of Houston that integrated systems across an 180,000-square-foot complex comprised of offices, an auditorium and warehouse. There was the entry from Southwest Systems Inc. of Las Vegas, which wired a casino for 1,000 channels of digital recording.

In addition, medical facility installations by Monticello, N.Y.-based P.N. Fire & Burglar Alarm Co. Inc. and Intercity Alarms of South Yarmouth, Mass., featured innovative solutions for challenging access control problems. In some cases, there were installations, such as the one from Hollywood, Fla.-based Guardian Int’l Inc., which exhibited our industry’s growing involvement with emerging technology like data protection and biometrics.

Several entries, including Buffalo-based Life Safety Engineered Systems Inc.‘s unique installation of a forensic crime laboratory, included letters from end users lauding the dealer’s/integrator’s superior work. “Your staff was able to overcome … obstacles and install our system in accordance with all applicable codes; no easy task! Each employee of Life Safety … was not only friendly and courteous, but also professional in all aspects,” stated the facility’s regional director.

Denver-based Digitron Inc. (which received honorable mention) was sent a similar letter after outfitting an NFL stadium with security, CCTV and access control. “Given the increased importance of security in our business, it is a great comfort … knowing that we have a quality system in place at the stadium. You and your staff should be very proud of the work done here,” wrote the venue’s vice president of stadium operations.

In an era of false alarm woes and negative media depictions of security systems, there can never be too many positive testimonials. In fact, that’s one of the reasons we instituted the awards program. In addition to recognizing the best dealers/integrators and encouraging others to become more proficient, we aim to spread the word about our industry’s professionalism, quality and skill.

As you can see, there truly were no losers in SS&I‘s 2002 Integrated Installation of the Year Awards.

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