Legacy security systems are often referred to as “traditional,” which is a nice way of saying “old,” “outdated,” “costly,” and occasionally even “dangerous.”
When referring to “legacy” tools of any kind in any industry – people often cite pagers and/or beepers. Once a mainstay in the late 80s and early 90s, they’ve all but disappeared from the face of the earth – except in the medical field. Some medical practices are still hinging their success on antiquated technology. Why? Some say it’s because of their extensive battery life and an ability to remain operational even if the power goes out. But another factor – a BIG one – is that once legacy systems are installed, implemented, and in play at a particular magnitude – it can be a colossal pain in the neck to switch to something else.
It’s the same with physical security measures.
Once a company or agency enters into a contract for traditional legacy security systems, they’re in it for the long haul. Legacy providers are aware that transitioning to anything else can be a budget-draining, time-consuming hassle, and that most business owners won’t take the plunge. Instead, they simply continue to pay exorbitant bills for potentially subpar service.
Universities, hospitals, and other sizeable enterprises are known for their reluctance and/or hesitance – or challenges – regarding making the leap away from legacy systems to newer, more reliable tools.
A number of these institutions rely on analog systems including access control and surveillance that have been in place for decades.
This scenario dredges up a number of issues and concerns.
- The world is getting bigger. That means work areas are being subjected to higher traffic volumes which legacy systems may have difficulty keeping up with.
- Older tech is now a mystery. Aging security systems may be unfamiliar to newer recruits, and SOPs for such equipment may have never been appropriately documented or filed.
- The rules have changed. In the 21st century, right to privacy laws and regulations have changed the script regarding when and where surveillance cameras can be mounted and operated, while regulations such as HIPAA have completely changed the game when it comes to compliance and protection of Protected Health Information and Personally Identifiable Information.
- Fixes are fewer and farther between. Just like that old Buick that you loved but conked out – repair parts for legacy security systems can be hard to come by, which can be a bad scene once your access control goes on the fritz.
The bottom line is that there are a number of challenges inherent in continuing to use traditional legacy systems, and many business owners are left bewildered after being locked into service that no longer works efficiently.
Secom, LLC follows what is known as an open architecture policy. This means you will never be trapped into vendor lock-in or purchasing equipment and plans that are saddled with prohibitive, lifetime service requirements.
Most importantly, Secom can integrate with your existing security systems. We support and service all competitor systems, which means our new customers can continue using their security systems without breaking the bank – or losing their patience.