What Is IP Convergence?
Many low voltage systems such as telephones and security cameras and even card readers are rapidly becoming nodes on the IP network. This rapid and sweeping change is what the industry refers to as “Convergence.” IP Convergence is real and there are real business advantages driving it. Because of this, most people in the industry believe it will continue until almost all analog low voltage systems are obsolete.
The Advantages of IP Convergence
IP Convergence allows systems to work together to enhance productivity and reduce complexity. The benefits are numerous and include:
• Mobile employees with improved effectiveness
• Business goals accomplished with fewer systems
• Systems that are easier to learn and use
• Systems that are more modular and adaptable
• More efficient design and installation process
• More efficient use of systems
• Reduced design & installation costs
• Reduced service contract costs
Metro Communication Services’ Role in IP Convergence
MCS is uniquely qualified to provide this convergence of systems and services. Over the past five years, we have assembled a team of experts from each of these industries. Our staff includes people with the certifications listed below. Our people have years of experience in their respective industries; all working together to provide seamless and reliable service to our customers.
• RCDD’s (structured cabling systems)
• BICSI certified technicians (structured cabling systems)
• NICET IV’s (fire alarm)
• PSP’s (Physical security)
• MCSE, CNA, A+, N+ (server and network)
• C-EST L2+ (Audio & Visual Systems)
Now Metro Communication Services has launched “MCS Convergence”, a full service design/build offering for IP Convergence. “MCS Convergence” is for businesses of all sizes to assist them with any and all resources they may need to implement IP Based systems. MCS provides these services as one stop shopping or as an ala carte menu.
Why “MCS Convergence”?
The resources that an organization may need in order to plan and complete an IP convergence project may include:
Design
• IT consultant
• Phone systems consultant
• Security consultant
• A/V consultant
Build
• Structured cabling contractor
• Network/Phone VAR
• Security contractor
• A/V contractor
“MCS Convergence” combines all of these services into one efficient and effective design/build effort. This reduces redundancies and gaps in the process and provides a better tailored solution than a process led by separate companies and at a much better price. Consider the following:
• How many of the above companies are needed for planning or design?
• What is their combined average hourly rate?
• Which of these companies develops the master plan or manages the migration strategy?
• If an IP camera stops recording, which company is responsible for the warranty?
The Advantages of the Design/Build Process in IP Convergence
There are a couple of reasons why most organizations hire consultants. One is for their technical expertise and the other is to help them acquire the right systems with the best value. This process can work well in many situations.
It doesn’t work as well in situations where the systems are complex and where products from different manufacturers work differently. This is common in low voltage systems.
It’s difficult for a consultant to design these systems in a way that is generic enough for several contractors to bid with different products. The bids cannot be apples to apples and the system ends up being re-designed or further-designed by the contractor once they are on board.
In those situations you have probably received good technical advice but, did you get the best overall value?
With “MCS Convergence” our customers get the best technical advice. They get systems that match their business goals. And, they get the best overall value. We provide the expert technical knowledge from each industry. We select the correct products and we tailor them directly to the customer’s needs… The first time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will I be locked into a proprietary solution that I can’t get away from?
Absolutely not! All the products that we deliver can be serviced by several other dealers in your area. We have a strong belief that we need to earn your business every day, not force you to be our customer through proprietary products or binding service contracts.
We are factory trained and certified dealers of the best products in each industry and have several possible products for every situation. We have selected these products because they work well together and we feel they are the best solutions for our customers.
Isn’t this expensive? Won’t I save money if I hire several consultants to design these systems and put them out to the bid market?
Actually, no. With “MCS Convergence,” the savings in the design process along with the savings in the installation process are significant. Also, during the design process we tailor the solution to your needs (both features and costs) just like any other consultant would.
We also produce savings across the systems. Since we are not trying to defend the turf of any one industry we approach the products as a way to accomplish business goals. For example, where a security vendor may recommend an intercom system we may suggest adding phones to your existing system to accomplish the same result at a fraction of the costs.
Won’t I miss out on finding the right product for my company and instead just end up with products that MCS has to sell?
This is one of the main arguments for hiring consultants. It can be true when you are dealing with standard contractors. This is, however, the point of “MCS Convergence.”
We spend a large amount of time and resources reviewing our products and technical expertise to make sure we have the right lineup. We don’t see ourselves as sellers and installers of products. We see ourselves as solution providers and as such are always looking for products to effectively and efficiently provide those solutions. Customers that work with us once come back to us over and over because they see that this is true.
Our mission is to provide systems and designs that help our customers best achieve their business goals. We have products from the most feature rich to the most cost effective. We also constantly review our products to ensure we are bringing the right solutions to every situation. All these efforts are based on helping our customers achieve their business goals, not on a quota of product we want to sell.
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