Secure company is a reality

by Héctor Gómez Pérez

The successful alliance between UNE, a telecommunications company of the Public Companies of Medellín, and Segurtronic Ltda resulted in the Empresa Segura program, an initiative that seeks to offer Colombian companies security systems integrated with telecommunications using cutting-edge technology from recognized brands in the industry.

To talk about this product, VENTAS DE SEGURIDAD invited the engineer César AugustoTorres Millán, director of technology and projects of Segurtronic Ltda.

It is better to prevent...

Empresa Segura, was born as a security option for small, medium and large Colombian companies, after the success of a first program called Safe Home, aimed at the residential segment, and which already has a year in the market. Regarding this program that opened the way for the aimed at the business segment, engineer Torres said that "it has been of great acceptance in Antioquia (Colombian department whose capital is Medellín), in fact we are creating a culture of security at home that until very recently was practically null in the country, as a result of this product campaigns have been created from security companies to look at this market a little forgotten." What Torres said is a reality in Colombia, where unlike other countries the largest consumers of security products are commercial establishments.

Empresa Segura will be launched in the Colombian market in May, after almost a year of work in terms of product design, testing of equipment manufacturers and investment in inventories. These months prior to the launch of the program were also used to analyze the current needs of the segment in terms of electronic security, the offers of the most recognized manufacturers in this field, market conditions in terms of telecommunications, prices and payment methods.

Let's take a look

This project uses equipment from the brands Bosch, Axis, Pelco, Schneider, DSC, Panasonic and Samsung. In this regard, Torres said that basically products of the brands described are used because "they have extensive experience in this field, they have implemented thousands of successful solutions around the world, we have the direct support of the factories, in most cases with direct representation in the country both commercial and technical support and service center".

In addition, as previously pointed out regarding the type of companies that can opt for the service, it is important to highlight that the participating brands have low, medium and very complex solutions, although the payment methods are the same regardless of the type of solution chosen by the company.

Going into the details of the portfolio of services of the UNE-Segurtronic Ltda alliance, we can point out the following electronic security solutions:
•Alarm systems for intrusion, robbery, fire, flood, etc.
•IP video managed on the UNE technology platform.
• Monitoring of alarms via IP (Internet provided by UNE) or telephone, with supervision and consultation of alarm movements via web.
•Analog, hybrid and IP CCTV systems.
• Access control systems, by PIN, proximity or biometrics.
•Warning and evacuation systems (including periphoning).
•Professional fire detection systems analogous, conventional, addressable or algorithmic.
•Integration/automation systems (integration of all previous systems and automation of air conditioning, elevators, lights, monitoring of variables such as temperature, pressure, level, on, off, etc.).

As Empresa Segura is a program derived from Hogar Seguro, the video and alarm platform already exists, in addition Segurtronic Ltda designed and assembled together with the manufacturers a unique and exclusive platform for UNE Telecomunicaciones. Pilot programs have already been installed at several reputable companies locally and the best results are expected after launch.

"Crime is becoming more specialized every day and unfortunately it is on the rise. The causes are of different kinds, from economic to social, job opportunities, education, etc. That is why security systems based on technology and communications are increasingly effective," said engineer Torres about the relevance of these security systems for companies in which no investment is small when it comes to taking care of the heritage.

Until a few years ago, security in companies was basically concentrated in electronic alarm systems monitored via telephone or radio, but today they have migrated to IP with all the benefits that this represents and that is where the Safe Company product makes the difference.

"Basically the strength and difference between our proposal to that of the other companies is the union of telecommunications with security, when two specialized companies are integrated: UNE in telecommunications and Segurtronic in security and a project is defined rigorously studied and raised with the needs of the market, a product of excellent quality comes out", Torres said.

In addition, this engineer said that the IP video project managed by UNE is unique in the medium and is a very good option for SMEs for the costs, quality and forms of payment. As far as large companies are concerned, the product offers the possibility that from a specific security need a design of networks and telecommunications is made. "This is how we make up for the shortcomings of the vast majority of companies in the sector that can be very good at security but do not know all the details of telecommunications in depth," Torres said.

A package full of options

The electronic security systems that comprise the Safe Company product include:
• IP video, through a large software that manages UNE, the client has the possibility to install IP cameras connected to a network point without having to have DVR, NVR or capture card. UNE using all its infrastructure in hardware and software offers the possibility of managing the system and allows remote recordings for greater security. All with the support and technical service both in communications and in video equipment.
• Alarm systems monitored by telephone line and via IP with real 24-hour monitoring of the link.
• Closed circuit television of the best brands and technical characteristics also connected to the Internet to be seen from anywhere.
•Network-connected access control systems to be managed and monitored remotely.

As for the monitoring process, Torres said that it is carried out efficiently through IP, a technology that guarantees the transmission and reception of signals immediately, allowing to react in real time to the different events that may occur with customers. At the same time there is also the possibility of traditional monitoring by telephone and wirelessly by the GPRS network (cellular data transmission network).

"I must highlight the immediate consultation service by network, where our customers can check the status and movement of their alarms remotely and virtually anywhere in the world," Torres added.

All subsystems can be integrated via one of the integration platforms: Bosch Bis and Schneider Continnun. On the other hand, it should be noted that Segurtronic saw the need to make a total update of the monitoring center with state-of-the-art equipment that would allow receiving signals over IP.

"Definitely the selected brands are sufficient guarantee of quality and effectiveness of the equipment and solutions we offer through this format, in some cases the brands have been in the country for more than ten years with highly satisfactory results and in others it was referred to investigate the successful cases in other countries and even in other continents", was César Torres' answer to the question that referred to the operation of the equipment.

In the same way, Torres stressed that these security systems have allowed to avoid criminal acts and initiate the process of prosecuting criminals, but clarified that the primary objective of these security systems is to deter possible thieves, so the rate of people captured is low since criminals prefer to attack companies that lack electronic protection, this being apparently from this expert a guarantee for protected customers.

To finish César Torres applauded the role of manufacturers throughout this process by saying that "I must highlight the determined participation of manufacturers in this project because we are betting on each other to improve the safety conditions of our society that needs it so much, breathing a safe environment is the starting point to increase the production of companies, generate employment and foster an attractive environment for foreign investors."