Integrators in the crosshairs

August 2012 News & Events

Welcome to our August issue. We have a bunch of focus areas this month, from fire to our IFSEC SA review to storage, to our annual healthcare feature and a look at the world of system integration.

The term system integrator (SI) is one of those titles that companies often apply to themselves without actually having the resources to deliver the services an SI should. But there again, what should an SI do? We put this question to a few people we thought should know and you can see the responses in our SI section.

Safe to say, calling yourself a SI is not simply a title, it involves a host of skills and technical capabilities you generally cannot get from the shop on the corner. And as the world moves to more integrated systems, those without the required skills are going to be in trouble. Although they did not say it openly, the only way smaller companies are going to compete in large projects is to ensure they have in-depth skills and knowledge on specific niche areas.

Making yourself an expert in a niche is really the only way for smaller businesses to prepare for the future and be co-opted into larger projects. Naturally there is still an enormous amount of smaller or solution-specific projects out there for the small players to play in, but money talks and as customers become more educated they will demand integrated solutions instead of silos of product specific installations.

A recent article on IPVM.com highlighted the problems customers have with their SIs. The article highlights three common reasons for firing your SI: poor service, lack of knowledge and too expensive/lack value. Sounds like these complaints are levelled at SIs globally, you can read the article at www.ipvm.com/report/why_integrators_get_fired .

Scenario planning

We also review the first Hi-Tech Security Solutions Executive Breakfast in this issue. Clem Sunter was our guest speaker on the topic of scenario planning. The audience was incredibly positive of his contribution with everyone giving him maximum points in the feedback.

Looking at the brief overview we offer in the article will give you food for thought with respect to planning for your own and your business’s future. However, you can find much more information on www.mindofafox.com or by grabbing one of his books. The books on sale at the Executive Breakfast sold out in minutes.

And on the topic of scenarios, we are working on the Access and Identity Management Handbook 2013. Let us know if you have anything to contribute, and if you have not received the brief for it yet, let me know on [email protected] and I will get it to you.

And, as always, any comments on this issue can be sent to the same address.

Correction

Axis Communications has notified Hi-Tech Security Solutions that the case study titled ‘Retail giant rolls out additional surveillance’ in the July issue contained outdated information and the company has therefore retracted information included in the case study.

Andrew Seldon – Editor



Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Highest increase in global cyberattacks in two years
Information Security News & Events
Check Point Global Research released new data on Q2 2024 cyber-attack trends, noting a 30% global increase in Q2 2024, with Africa experiencing the highest average weekly per organisation.

Read more...
The power of PKI and private sector innovation
Access Control & Identity Management News & Events Government and Parastatal (Industry)
At the recent ID4Africa 2025 Summit in Addis Ababa, the spotlight was firmly on building secure, inclusive, and scalable digital identity ecosystems for the African continent.

Read more...
Bosch Security renamed Keenfinity
News & Events
Globally renowned brands for video systems, access control and intrusion alarm systems, as well as communication systems, unite under the roof of the new company Keenfinity Group.

Read more...
2025 video surveillance market set for improved fortunes
News & Events Surveillance
Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition, forecasting a healthy growth rate of 8,1% until 2029, excluding China.

Read more...
Wialon announces integration with fleet maintenance and optimisation platform
News & Events Transport (Industry) Logistics (Industry)
Fleet management software platform integrates with a fleet maintenance and optimisation platform to support mutual customers for better workflows and deeper insights into fleet operations.

Read more...
DeepSneak deception
Information Security News & Events
Kaspersky Global Research & Analysis researchers have discovered a new malicious campaign which is distributing a Trojan through a fake DeepSeek-R1 Large Language Model (LLM) app for PCs.

Read more...
Almost 50% of companies choose to pay the ransom
News & Events Information Security
This year’s Sophos State of Ransomware 2025 report found that nearly 50% of companies paid the ransom to get their data back, the second-highest rate of ransom payment for ransom demands in six years.

Read more...
Value and industry insight
Securex South Africa Training & Education News & Events
Securex South Africa 2025, co-located with A-OSH EXPO, Facilities Management Expo, and Firexpo, drew thousands of security professionals from across the continent and beyond, offering a platform for networking, product discovery, and knowledge sharing.

Read more...
Gallagher Security achieves ISO 27001 recertification
News & Events Training & Education
Gallagher Security has successfully achieved certification to the updated ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). This accomplishment builds on previous certifications and reflects a continued commitment to the highest standards of information security.

Read more...
Survey highlights cost of cyberdamage to industrial companies
Kaspersky Information Security News & Events
The majority of industrial organisations estimate their financial losses caused by cyberattacks to be over $1 million, while almost one in four report losses exceeding $5 million, and for some, it surpasses $10 million.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.