Online Electric Relates Client Security Objectives to Corporate Objectives

"Fifty percent of our customers ask the question of how security technology can contribute to the prime mission of the company," says Sandor Zirulnik of Online Electric, an independent consulting and design firm in Oakland, California, specializing in fire alarm and security systems.

Sandor explains that most companies interested in security don't want CCTV or card access per se. They want a facility secured in such a way that it furthers the company's objectives. When clients don't have a clear picture of what they want, Sandor's firm has them bring out their corporate mission statement, and the mission statement of their security department if they have one.

"If the client company does not have a mission statement for security," Sandor says, "we help them produce one." That provides a sound premise for selecting technology applications in support of the client's corporate objectives.

It also ensures that the "big picture" they are working from is the right one.