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call stations and more. T e project would involve seamlessly integrating the systems such that the whole exceeded the sum of the parts, with a prime directive to enable control and management from one centralized location. In addition, the solution would not only boost security but also numerous operational effi ciencies while at the same time reducing their costs. Security 101 is among many installing contractors targeting education as a market with strong prospects due to the high need to maintain safe environments; however, for those end users fi nding a way to fund these eff orts can be more daunting than writing a master's thesis on molecular biology. At the same time the fact these campuses frequently have the cabling infrastructures to accommodate today's advanced networked systems make them primary candidates for converged physical-logical solutions, but also requires security integrators be comfortable working with IT administrators. IT EXPERTISE PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN WINNING BID As the nation's fourth-largest community college, CPCC off ers more than 200 As the nation's fourth-largest community college, CPCC offers more than 200 degree, diploma and certifi cation programs to 75,000+ students on seven Charlotte-area campuses. CPCC IT lead Patrick Dugan (left) greatly values the network expertise of Aaron Alexander, owner of Security 101's Chartlotte branch. degree, diploma and certifi cation programs to 75,000+ students on seven campuses located within the shadow of the Queen City's downtown skyline. T e largest site is its central campus at approximately 52 acres and 27 buildings. Employing a full-time faculty and staff of approximately 1,075 people, CPCC provides customized training solutions to in excess of 550 businesses and 5,000+ employees with 10,000 diff erent classes each year. In addition to personal safety, CPCC's security concerns are many and varied. T ey include vehicles, lab environments and other signifi cant assets. Maintaining an open campus environment is an important part of its culture. Students need to be able to enter buildings without presenting credentials; however, theft issues in areas such as computer and science labs have caused the school to reconsider its security policies. "We have health services types of technology, with very expensive echocardiograph and other devices. We also have a very expensive automotive program with high-end cars, tools and equipment. All of that has to be secured," says Dugan. Having helped CPCC build a robust network infrastructure and supporting subsystems that allow management from the main campus' datacenter, Dugan, who supervises 24 of the college's 75 IT specialists, was appointed the lead to oversee and coordinate the security upgrade. "Once it was funded and the school had made a decision to go forward, IT was one of the large stakeholders and we were one of the leaders in the charge, " he says. "Security is quickly becoming an IT add-on, so to speak. Security staff , of course, was another large stakeholder. We also brought in facility services since they manage the spaces physically. T e three of us together worked on the bid process. Before contracting an integrator, CPCC " hired a consultant to prepare the RFP. As opposed to the previous situation of each campus having its own separate and disparate security system, the new plan would use centralized access control as the basis for the solution with video surveillance and intrusion detection operating within that framework. T us the system would communicate security information from any of the campuses immediately back to the datacenter. As a Microsoft-certifi ed systems engineer with software development experience, Security 101's Alexander has generated local buzz as bit of an anomaly being a true IT-centric security integrator. Learning of his reputation, Dugan contacted Alexander for input and advice during the early planning stages. "We found there were not many IT- focused integrators in this area at that time, " says Dugan. "T at meant a lot to us because it takes a bit to explain to someone the enterprise IT mentality. Someone who knows that industry and understands what we're looking for solves a lot of problems. And fortunately, after the bidding process, Security 101 ended up winning the bid." Alexander understands and appreciates the competitive advantage he receives from his reputation as a uniquely qualifi ed integrator combining networking knowhow with security expertise. T is approach and ethic is one he strives to pass along to his employees as well. "I've worked very hard with my staff to let them understand what IT means, teaching them what it means and how to interface with the IT guys, " he says. "Being one myself, we're diff erent than the security guys. We're diff erent than the facility maintenance guys. You're dealing with college-educated, high- NOVEMBER 2012 / SECURITYSALES.COM / 51