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Genetec has unveiled their new Security Center SaaS, and we’re excited to share with you the amazing benefits offered by this software as a service! This unified software solution provides enterprise-grade access control, video management, intrusion and communications monitoring, automation, forensic search, and more through cloud-native services.
The Benefits:
Fast
Spin up new sites anywhere in the world with remote connectivity, deployment, and management
Non-stop
Get continuous access to new software capabilities and features as they become available
Easy
Make your enterprise-grade deployment and maintenance easier with security software offered as a service (SaaS)
Scalable
Scale up to thousands of sites and devices with seamless connectivity, hybrid storage options, and edge computing
Flexible
Choose to record video locally or in the cloud, select cameras that best suit your needs, and decide where to store and process your data
Security and Life Safety Systems are essential features of any facility. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t pay enough attention to the health of their systems until it’s too late.
Don’t wait for a disaster to reveal the weaknesses in your workplace safety. Take proactive steps to help avoid these three common mistakes companies make regarding their Security and Life Safety Systems.
Falling Behind on Routine Maintenance
After system installation is finished, many facilities believe that’s the end of it. They don’t check in on their systems, and other than the occasional required test or inspection, they just leave it be. As amazing as it would be to never need to check in on your systems, that unfortunately is not the case.
Security and Life Safety Systems are like any other machine, they will degrade over time. Mechanical parts wear down, storage media becomes fragmented, electrical circuits fail, batteries lose their charge, and eventually, the system will stop working entirely.
To prevent this, routine maintenance is required. Don’t just stick to the bare minimum. Regularly inspect your systems to ensure everything is in proper working order, making sure to document your findings and communicate with technicians to fix any problems. Taking a proactive approach of identifying potential issues before they become critical problems is essential to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone at your facilities.
Mismatched equipment & system incompatibilities
Another common mistake often occurs before the emergency even happens. Using equipment or systems from different manufacturers can cause incompatibilities leading to system failure. Different systems may not be able to properly communicate with each other. Firmware mismatches can arise when a new enhanced version of the user interface (i.e. the VMS, Video Management System) platform rolls out with a lot of neat new features, users are often quick to adopt it. However, if they overlook updating their camera’s firmware (or other edge devices) to ensure compatibility with the VMS, it is likely that the camera’s video will no longer record because of the outdated firmware at the edge device, like a critically positioned camera.
Ensuring all your Security and Life Safety Systems are able to effectively communicate and work together in one integrated system is essential for keeping your facilities safe. Determining which systems are compatible with each other can be difficult, but system integrators like Esscoe can help! Esscoe is one of the few systems integrators able to equip an entire building system with access control, fire alarm, surveillance video, paging, mass notification, and rescue assistance systems.
Ignoring Staff Education
A common expression among Navy Seals is: “In moments of stress, human beings don’t rise to the occasion but instead sink to the level of their training.” Your staff need regular training on how to respond to emergencies, as during a real emergency situation they won’t have time to find the emergency plan and read it over.
Ensure staff have the opportunity to practice for potential emergencies. Teach staff where to find escape routes, what surveillance cameras to monitor, the location of emergency equipment like fire extinguishers, and how to properly use emergency notification systems. Not only that, but encourage preventative behaviors like proper flammable material storage as well. Training is of the utmost importance to ensure that when an emergency happens, everyone knows how to respond.
It’s also essential to refresh your staff’s training regularly. Training is perishable, if staff don’t have the opportunity to revisit those concepts, they will likely forget most if not all of their training.
Keeping these three common mistakes in mind will help you ensure safety in emergency situations. Take a proactive approach and avoid these mistakes before they turn into a disaster.
This next generation of EST LED Strobes is here! Designed to help reduce installation and maintenance costs, the EST 185cd LED Strobe contains numerous upgrades over traditional Xenon devices. To showcase the benefits of the new EST HIGH CANDELA (185cd) LED Strobe, here’s some statistics based on a facility with about 1,000,000 sq feet, mounted at a 40-foot clear height (a typical Logistics/Warehouse Structure):
Overall, the savings from the new EST HIGH-CANDELA LED Strobe are too good to pass up! Contact us today about how your next project!
ConnectedSafety+, a cloud-based Software as a Service solution that provides a secure, remote connection to your Edwards EST4 intelligent fire systems. This software empowers your protection by providing a wide array of benefits.
PROACTIVE SERVICE
Technicians can prepare for service calls more efficiently, reduce probability of return visits and eliminate site disruptions with access to real-time diagnostics and insights before arriving on-site.
PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE
With digitally optimized, cloud-based monitoring, Edwards partners are empowered to reduce the total cost of ownership by predicting and preventing issues before they occur.
FEWER DISRUPTIONS
Reduced nuisance alarms and more streamlined service calls lead to fewer day-to-day disruptions and reduced labor costs.
PEACE OF MIND
You can rest easy knowing Edwards ConnectedSafety+ has been customized to protect your entire facility and that your system is code compliant.
CYBERSECURITY
Edwards ConnectedSafety+ is backed by the Carrier Global Product Cybersecurity Program. Edwards products and services are Secure by Design. Cybersecurity protocols are integrated from concept development to release, with ongoing evaluation of the security of the product.
To learn more, watch our short video above or contact an Esscoe representative.
As the premier provider of security and safety systems, Esscoe has serviced many clients across multiple sectors. This short video we put together showcases testimonials provided by some of our many satisfied clients.
My name is Paul Bisciglia. I am the Physical Security Program Manager for Uline. We have utilized Esscoe as our security partner for 16 years, and I can’t imagine having another company as our partner that is more accommodating and knowledgeable than Esscoe.
What I look for, above all, in a security partner is being seen as a unique business rather than just a “number” or “another client.” Esscoe goes above and beyond to make sure that Uline feels like a valuable partner. They provide us timely assistance, recommend new technology, and know and operate to our unique culture that defines our company.
They have provided us thousands of hours of around-the-clock assistance, helping in the early mornings, and assisting in projects that have taken them through the early hours to accommodate Uline’s business hours. And after hundreds of projects and new branches we’ve established, Esscoe has been reliable and consistent since the very first project we utilized their services for.
Through all the years Uline has been working and partnered with Esscoe, I can’t imagine how our growth would have been impacted if we didn’t have them as our security partner.
Paul Bisciglia | CPP
Uline Physical Security Program Manager
My name is Cecil Chambers, I am the Security Mgr. for Collins Aerospace. I have been working with Esscoe for about 4-5 years now, and just want to say, this is a great company.
Esscoe makes sure that if I have an issue and I notify them, they send out their techs and get the issue resolved quickly. I have many projects with this company, they do everything necessary to make sure I receive top quality parts and labor.
Each employee takes pride in their work, if they come out and need to order parts, they call and let me know before moving forward. I have a great relationship with Esscoe. I highly recommend this company to everyone. You cannot find another company like this one. There are many, however, Esscoe is Top Notch and will do the best job around.
They have distinguished themselves with outstanding performance of their duties, their professional competence and knowledge and their exceptional initiative, to get the job in a timely manner. Their dedicated approach to their work is the highest quality of support. They are the superior company in the field.
Esscoe ensures that their customers are well taken care of.
Cecil Chambers | Principal Specialist, Security | Facilities
Power Systems Collins Aerospace
As a client of Esscoe, I have had an opportunity to work with their team for the past 8 years. Esscoe’s team has supported our security systems that include more than 70 facilities throughout North America. As our company continues to grow, we look to establish and build partnerships with vendors that produce the best quality service and always answer the call when needed.
Esscoe’s partnership has shown interest and efficiency in tasks with camera/access support, visitor management, fire alarm testing…etc. Given our working relationship, I have been able to observe their outstanding quality of service. I have witnessed how their response to assignments have added value and growth to our company. It is for this reason, I highly recommend Esscoe for security purposes.
Dave DeVoss | Security Manager | Operations
Medline Industries, LP
The new year is an exciting time, and a great opportunity to put a list of things that should be accomplished for the rest of the year. This year, Esscoe wants to stress the importance of maintaining your system’s quality by regularly servicing it.
The Benefits
Preventative or routine maintenance is frequently neglected in the security industry post-project delivery or during the design phase, yet it is crucial for ensuring the functionality and usability of the delivered security system throughout the site’s lifespan. This also helps maintain the longevity of security systems.
Important Considerations
Ensuring maintenance efficacy is crucial; staying current with software upgrades guarantees compatibility with newer systems, while neglecting updates may pose challenges for sites using older software.
Ensuring maintenance efficacy is crucial; staying current with software upgrades guarantees compatibility with newer systems, while neglecting updates may pose challenges for sites using older software.
Planning is Key
Creating a good preventative maintenance plan (PMP) requires several key elements to ensure the plan meets the organization’s needs and that it can be defended in annual budget processes.
How Has Maintenance Evolved?
Contact an Esscoe representative today to learn more.
The holiday season is for getting together with loved ones and also for helping those less fortunate than ourselves. This season, Esscoe wants to expand on the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance’s Camp I Am Me and how you can help!
This camp is a unique and unforgettable one-week long experience for children in Illinois who are ages 8-17 who have been a victim of burns. This camp provides a safe space for these children to build their self-esteem and meet others who have the same experiences.
There are plenty of activities such as archery, board games, crafts, fishing, a fun fair, obstacle course, horseback riding, music and dance, sports, swimming, a parade, talent show, and so much more. The best part is that alongside YMCA counselors, this camp is staffed by volunteers that are doctors, nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, fire service personnel, teachers, and others who are trained and prepared to meet the specific needs of burn survivors. This creates a cohesive and safe team for the children.
How can you help?
This camp is offered at no-cost to campers. All things are included: lodging, meals, activities, and transportation to and from camp. In order to keep this program running at its best, please consider a monetary donation, volunteering, purchasing for their Needs List, or more, please visit https://www.ifsa.org/ways-to-give/
In a world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is coming up more and more, its natural to wonder about its applications and whether to put trust into it. Technology is always advancing, and AI is proving to benefit us as opposed to hinder our operations.
AI can now provide video analytics to your video surveillance system like never before. While pixel-based motion detection can trigger numerous false alarms, AI-driven object-based detection minimizes false positives while providing additional information on what was detected. You will be able to better understand what is happening in a scene, effectively mobilize to and even prevent unwanted events in real-time, efficiently create evidence, and make more informed decisions to how to better protect your facility. Now a simple security camera is so much more than just a video source.
With the ability to identify objects and track all in real-time, video analytics can determine queue times in retail and hospitality environments, blocked loading zones in critical shipping areas, unauthorized parking for VIP guests, and detecting loitering in sensitive areas.
As always, maintenance of any video surveillance system utilizing AI and video analytics is critical. This can help to maintain clear fields of view, avoiding missing relevant incidents, reducing potential false alarms, and providing the analytics application the best possible data.
What is ASD (Aspirating Smoke Detection)? In our latest mini video we break down the process of ASD and the benefits of this early detection technology.
Esscoe chooses ModuLaser Detection from Edwards Safety as their trusted Air Aspirating Smoke Detection device. Some details of this device are:
A sample of air is constantly drawn from a protected area through a network of sampling pipes or ports, which is then passed through a high sensitivity laser detection chamber. This detection provides increased alerts over regular spot-type smoke detection. Only a small portion of the air drawn in passes through the filter into a chamber, roughly 10%. The remainder of air goes through a patented duct system known as a Wastegate. Once exhausted out of the detector, the air path is 100% sealed.
Smoke entering the chamber is illuminated by a laser. Light will shine onto the reflective plane and re-focus onto the light receiver. The amount of light scattered increases with a greater quantity of smoke particulate present. The detector measures the concentration of smoke and issues one of four sensitivity levels.
ASD devices are not just for data centers! These devices can be beneficial in elevator hoistways, dirty environments, and more. For example, in elevator hoistways, ASD can be used to properly detect smoke in elevator shafts while still allowing testing of the elevator recall sequence without placing workers in dangerous hoistways. The ASD detector is located outside of the hoistway where it can be tested, serviced or replaced without entering the hoistway. For dirty environments, sometimes spot-type detectors can be better protected by ASD because it uses active filtration and air transport to capture the particles of combustion. This can indicate fire conditions as well as filter out contaminants and decrease instances of nuisance alarms. Contaminants are filtered out using particle filters, and nuisance alarms are avoided using sophisticated algorithms and optical light scattering of particles.
Some common applications include data centers, power plants, paper mills, and other explosive dust environments where stratification is likely and early warning is needed.
Esscoe goes above and beyond to make sure your fire alarm system is working at its best. Your safety is our priority. The specialists working on your system must first go through our Fire Alarm Control Panel Training course to best service you. There, they learn to respond effectively, troubleshoot, and perform vital maintenance tasks.
What other preventative maintenance tasks does our team of experts offer?
We clean your smoke and heat detectors, removing dust and dirt from sensors. This ensures optimal sensitivity and accuracy. If your system is not cleaned regularly, it will not perform at its best.
Esscoe also updates the executive firmware for your fire alarm systems. Outdated firmware can compromise the system’s performance and integrity. Our team ensures the control panel executive firmware is up-to-date with the latest manufacturer developed release.
Trust Esscoe to keep your fire alarm system ready to safeguard lives and property.
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570 Oakwood Rd.
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
info@esscoe.com • (847) 847-3200
Our Partners
Illinois Registered Professional Design Firm
184.005267
Illinois Licensed Private Alarm Contractor Agency
127.001301