The best time to unify video and access control

We often get asked, “Is there a right time to unify my video surveillance and access control systems?”. 

The short answer is no, but there are a few specific instances where it would be a real miss not to make the leap to connected  – or better yet, unified - video and access control.

Three scenarios that might make you want to consider unification sooner rather than later

• Your application is mission-critical: If you’re working within a mission-critical security environment, where receiving data from multiple systems is vital to ensuring quick response to neutralize a threat, unification can empower your operators to make informed decisions within moments.
• You're ready to replace an older system: If you're looking to replace an existing video surveillance or access control system, this would be a good time to think through your unification strategy. Investing in the right platform from the onset is the most important aspect in unifying multiple systems. Instead of being forced to incur development costs of a PSIM or inefficiencies from basic system integration, considering an off-the-shelf unified security platform such as Security Center is your most advantageous option.
• You want to enhance your operations: If you have outlined objectives to either reduce operational costs or eventually increase your operational efficiency, you might want to consider a phased approach to the unification of video and access control. With Security Center, you can evolve the platform over time. So, you can start with the video management system (VMS) and then add access control when you’re ready. There are no connections to create, it’s already built into the platform. 

Interested in learning more? Check out the 3 most common questions about unifying access control and VMS or download our white paper, Considerations and best practices for migration to an IP-based access control system.