A comprehensive security solution for any facility requires the right mix of integrated products and systems. A multi-layered and seamlessly integrated security solution is essential. However, good security relies on all components and systems working and communicating effectively. If anything becomes outdated, is damaged, or becomes compromised, it creates security gaps and can leave your facility vulnerable.

Partnering with a security systems integrator you can trust and taking advantage of any maintenance or service plans they offer can give you peace of mind that your systems are updated and working the way they should be. Here are a few benefits of service plans for your security systems and what to look for in a good one:

10 Benefits of Service Plans For Your Security Systems

These are a few of the biggest benefits of service plans, or maintenance and support agreements, for your security systems from a trusted integrator:

1. Ensure security remains comprehensive with proactive maintenance.
2. Prevent and minimize downtime.
3. Extend the life of your security systems.
4. Achieve better accountability with a single, trusted source.
5. Quality of work and professional experience are guaranteed.
6. Get peace of mind with a guaranteed response.
7. Make sure compliance standards are met.
8. Experience more predictable security budget planning.
9. Receive continuous training for your team.
10. Have access to cost-effective upgrades and expansions.

1. Ensure Security Remains Comprehensive With Proactive Maintenance

Regular checks, inspections, and repairs are best practices for managing and maintaining security systems. A security system maintenance and support plan ensures these checks are happening on a regular, predictable schedule and allows for proactive maintenance.

Any small issues or emerging issues are identified early and are addressed before they become bigger problems or major issues. Not only does this keep your security comprehensive, but it also helps keep costs efficient by reducing the need for costly repairs associated with small problems that were allowed to develop into major issues.

Regular reviews and inspections, especially as part of ongoing building vulnerability assessments, also help identify and address emerging security gaps and evolving security threats. Some of the biggest risks and challenges with legacy security systems are the vulnerabilities that can become exposed via outdated components, software, etc, or the inability to combat modern, rapidly evolving security threats.

Regular maintenance, support, and service can allow facilities to identify and address emerging gaps and threats before they become major issues that put facility security at risk. This is one of the reasons why you shouldn’t skip vulnerability assessments.

2. Prevent and Minimize Downtime

If your systems are not working properly or working at all, it doesn’t matter how comprehensive it is intended to be. Faulty components or outdated systems can cause failures and downtime that leave your facility vulnerable.

Properly maintained components, systems, and integrations ensure systems run smoothly and effectively, which minimizes downtime. A service plan allows for regular, proactive maintenance and monitoring that goes a step further and helps prevent downtime as well. This is a key consideration for installing life safety systems.

3. Extend the Life of Your Security Systems

As with any digital and physical components, regular maintenance and care can minimize the effects of wear and tear over time. This can help extend the life of your security systems. Not only does it keep your facility secure and protected more effectively, but it also provides cost savings over time by reducing the scale and scope of repairs or replacements to get the security coverage your facility needs.

Proactive maintenance and service plans also keep your systems updated, which keeps them from becoming outdated as quickly. Extending the life span of your security systems via a good service plan can also extend the timeline for when major upgrades become necessary.

4. Achieve Better Accountability With a Single, Trusted Source

Choosing the right security systems integrator carries benefits far beyond the initial installation. Working with your integrator for a service plan as well means you have a single source you can trust for installation, repairs, maintenance, and upgrades.

This means there is a single source of accountability, which streamlines processes across the board. The team working on your systems will already be familiar with the unique needs of your facility and your setup. Not only does this reduce errors and mistakes, but it also often results in faster maintenance checks and diagnostics reports.

Added benefits are iterative improvements that are tailored specifically to the evolving needs of your facility and an easier process whenever you need to upgrade or add new systems, integrations, or customizations. These are reasons why keeping up with maintenance is one of the operational imperatives facility managers need for better physical security.

5. Quality of Work and Professional Experience Are Guaranteed

Other benefits of service plans for your security systems are that professional experience is guaranteed, and so is the quality of work you can expect to receive for any maintenance or repairs that need to occur.

With a service plan, especially one that is provided by an integrator you’re already working with, you can be confident that the team checking and working on your systems:

• is familiar with your facility and operations
• has experience with the systems they’re supporting
• has the skills and experience to provide high-quality work you know you can trust

These are key benefits of using a full-service security systems integrator.

6. Get Peace of Mind With a Guaranteed Response

A good service plan will also include communication procedures and support for emergency response. Not only are you guaranteed a response for general requests with a support plan, but you should also receive emergency support and repairs when needed. The security systems integrator you partner with for a support plan should be clear about how and who you contact for emergency support, as well as realistic expectations for response times.

7. Make Sure Compliance Standards Are Met

A major benefit of security system maintenance plans is that they can help you meet and maintain compliance and inspection standards. This is particularly important for healthcare facilities and other high-security or regulated industries. In healthcare, system failures or missed inspections can have catastrophic consequences.

They can also contribute to failing to maintain compliance standards or lead to HIPAA violations. Using unsecured devices for messaging, not regularly updating software and hardware, and more are common mistakes that lead to HIPAA violations.

A service plan for your security systems ensures things stay up to date and working optimally, which can help prevent downtime, system failures, or security issues that could lead to compliance violations. Plus, if there are inspection requirements involved, those are met and maintained as well.

8. Experience More Predictable Security Budget Planning

Despite how important good security is, it can be a challenge to go through the security budget planning process, especially when you have to account for potential unexpected costs. Emergency repairs or unplanned maintenance can result in unexpected and unpredictable costs.

With a service plan, some of these unpredictable costs are absorbed and accounted for in a fixed, predictable investment. There may still be the potential for surprise expenses, but a service plan can take a lot of that unpredictable volatility off the table and make security budget planning and financial planning more efficient and effective.

9. Receive Continuous Training For Your Team

Your team needs to be trained on your security systems. Not only does this improve efficiency and reduce errors, but it can also help your team become a valuable resource for maintaining and improving overall facility security.

A good security systems integrator will work with key team members during the installation process to ensure that they are trained on how to use the systems that are being installed. Although a good integrator as a partner will be available for ongoing support and answering questions, it’s usually up to facility managers and team leaders to pass on relevant information post-installation, unless additional training is requested.

With a service plan, you can make continuous training for your team part of ongoing maintenance and support to make sure they stay informed and updated as well. Plus, if you’ll be adding new customizations, integrations, or features, training your team on them is a seamless part of the process.

10. Have Access to Cost-Effective Upgrades and Expansions

Working with a trusted integration partner can make it easier and more efficient to expand your security solution over time. Plus, integrators often have access to top-of-the-line solutions that help keep your facility security at the forefront of technological advancements and ever-evolving security needs.

With a service plan, you are able to leverage the full potential of your systems to effectively safeguard and secure your facility and premises. Via the service plan with an integrator, you may also get access to discounts on software support agreements, future upgrades, future system additions, etc. This can make upgrading and expanding your security even more cost-effective over time.

What Should a Security System Support Plan Include?

Every facility will have unique needs, and a maintenance plan should be tailored to meet them. Good support and maintenance plans for security systems often include, but are not limited to:

• Regular maintenance checks
• Scheduled inspections and cleanings
• Battery checks and performance tests
• Software and firmware updates
• Other details on proactive maintenance
• Emergency response procedures
• Emergency repairs
• Guaranteed response times
• 24/7 support
• Clear lines of communication
• Documentation processes
• Excluded services and liability clauses

Get the Security Solution Your Facility Needs With NEPPS

These are a few benefits of service plans for your security systems, no matter the mix of security products and systems that make up your facility’s security solution. In the battle against technological wear-and-tear and ever-evolving security threats, a security system support plan to keep your systems updated and working optimally is essential.

Having a reputable, experienced security systems integrator on your side makes maintaining comprehensive facility security easy and efficient. If you need to update or add to your facility security, contact NEPPS at 1-800-736-1456. We’ll make sure your security solution is comprehensive and effectively protects your facility.