Sure you can be certified by a manufacturer, but what about in the industry?. Manufacturer certification shows you are proficient and trained in their product. What about your proficiency as a whole?

Sure you can be certified by a manufacturer, but what about in the industry?. Manufacturer certification shows you are proficient and trained in their product. What about your proficiency as a whole?

An Integrator and installer typically need to certified before the can carry a specific brand. Manufacturers like Pelco, Samsung and Panasonic have their own certification programs that cover installation, configuration, maintenance and training of their product with the basic premise that the individual or company already knows the basics. The basics, however, can be different from market to market due to city codes. Some have not had the pleasure of installing cabling in rigid conduit and the costs associated with it. Others have never installed equipment in an explosion proof environment.

How many of you came into another surveillance companies prior installation and wondered how anything can possible work? How many have seen a multitude of problems from sloppy wiring, poor terminated ends, power supplies lying on the floor, wrong cable type, cable too long, multiple splices, multiple splitters’, cameras in areas the should have housings but don’t, no site plan or many other poor practices? For the end-user this usually means system problems and service calls to correct something that should have been done correctly the first time.

There are several organizations out there that certify based on security principals and knowledge but not on real world practice. UL Certification for alarm system installation comes the closest but for alarm systems only. No one had a similar certification for video surveillance or access control, until now. An organization called NAVSAC (National Association of Video Surveillance & Access Control) has a multi-level program that combines knowledge and practical experience with an inspection service. Level 1 is a basic proficiency exam with a company background check. NAVSAC verifies incorporation, owner credentials and insurance information. Level 1 must be in business a minimum of 1 year prior to applying. Level 2 takes it 1 step further by conducting interviews and questionnaires with clients. The applicant then chooses 3 clients for inspection varying in complexity and design. The goal is to measure proper installation techniques, design and engineering, cleanliness, termination, site plans and quality. Level 2 also requires a minimum of 2 support staff, support ticketing system and documented polices for providing support.

Each levels requirements increase in difficulty and time-in the industry in order to advance. The most amazing thing that attracted me to look closer was the promotion of members. Typically most organizations you will get a certificate and a directory listing. With NAVSAC, they actively promote their members through the web and other outlets. The concept promotes pride in being a true industry professional and therefor the consumer should know who you are. They offer additional services such as web design and marketing specific for the industry following strict guidelines for honest and ethical marketing. The additional services help professional companies get noticed and weed out the opportunists.

Furthermore, consumers can go to www.navsac.org and verify all members credentials and experience and can see photos of previous installations. NAVSAC also provides arbitration services if a customer should have an issue with a member.