At the FinnSec 23 fair, visitors learned about digital security services and heard presentations by leading operators in the field. According to Hedengren Security’s expert Peter Malmelin, the market is moving towards cloud services and remote access. “Systems must work together seamlessly and also enable overall solutions involving different providers,” says Malmelin.
Hedengren Security’s fire and emergency lighting systems expert Peter Malmelin, who introduced the topic Security systems in the past, present and future at FinnSec 23 thinks that digitalisation makes the industry more transparent.
“The amount of data collected by security systems is increasing – as are the opportunities for data analysis – which is why the openness of system interfaces has become central to the development of the entire industry. When all the security systems of the building can be managed via a single interface, all the available data can be utilised,” says Malmelin.
According to Hedengren’s expert, even though system integration has been discussed for a long time, there is still much to develop in system compatibility.
“It is easy to say that systems are compatible, but that is often not the case in practice,” points out Malmelin.
Integrability in the long term
Hedengren Security’s product development has been aiming at openness and integrability for a long time now. Malmelin shows a timeline describing the company’s product development, starting from year 1918, and the timeline is teeming with the names of Hedengren Security’s systems, which have often become the most popular brands in Finland, and the related system innovations. The names at the right-hand end of the timeline are those of cloud and remote access services enabled by the company’s latest system updates.
“We have ensured integrability with one-stop service and system interfaces that are as open as possible. All the different security systems in the building work seamlessly together and with third-party systems – and can be managed via a single interface,” sums up Malmelin.
Patience for change
Malmelin points out that as digital technology develops, some operators in the market may want the change to be faster than is really necessary. Malmelin also points out that the best approach to change is always a controlled one, starting with the company’s own needs so that the existing equipment can be used for as long as possible. Existing systems can also be updated one step at a time, if necessary.
“The point is not how quickly new technology is adopted but how the existing equipment can be kept functional. Even the best smart features cannot help in an emergency if the system has not been maintained or updated,” says Malmelin.
He also points out that the most expensive system changes are those only carried out after the existing system has broken down.
Updating the system gradually in a controlled manner is always the better and cheaper way. In the best case, the change is implemented in connection with some other renovation carried out in the building, minimising disruption and enabling more extensive changes.
From purchase price to life cycle price
Malmelin says that all too often, those about to buy a new-generation system focus solely on the purchase price of the system equipment.
“It’s worth looking at the bigger picture. System costs are not necessarily directly comparable to the purchase price. For instance, the purchase price of a durable, remotely managed system developed for local needs may be higher even though its life-cycle costs are significantly lower.”
Differences may already arise during the installation phase. Malmelin gives the Prodex FIREscape fire emergency lighting system as an example, since even though the purchase price of the system may be somewhat higher, the smaller extent of cabling required will significantly reduce the overall price.
Even more significant savings can be gained in energy costs. Since security systems are on 24/7, even the smallest of differences in energy efficiency will have a significant impact in the long run. The differences are particularly prominent in emergency lighting systems, for example.
“If a system includes, for example, 200 exit lights that are on continuously, the use of Neptolux lights, which are the most energy efficient in the market, can help save significant amounts of money each year. Our customers are often surprised by the difference that makes, which suggests that many of them are still unable see the effect of energy efficiency on the purchase price,” points out Malmelin.
Hedengren Security’s new camera and door phone suppliers were announced at the fair. Hedengren’s selection now includes cyber-secure surveillance cameras by Japanese i-PRO and high-quality door phone systems by Italian VIMAR. In the photograph: VIMAR’s Manger Nicola Monti and Hedengren Security’s Sales Director Kim Ek.
Added value from a local provider
Malmelin emphasises the fact that in the case of next-generation systems that are purchased as services, it is even more important that the system provider is located close to the customer.
“Particularly for larger customers, it is a great advantage that the equipment developer is there to help with system customisation and that solutions can be implemented to meet the requirements of local conditions and regulations. In addition, equipment and spare parts are delivered quickly thanks to the short distances,” says Malmelin.