Aaron Kernaghan is the Managing Director at Ecl-ips based in Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire. Areas of expertise for the NSI Gold company include the design, installation and support of CCTV systems, intruder alarms, access control systems, smart sensors, network systems and real-time monitoring solutions.
What would be a typical project for you?
We have a range of typical projects: we have been successful in gaining business in the education sector including state and private schools; providing complete security and communication solutions in large private properties and in the commercial sector. The common thread is that an expansion into intruder alarms since 2020, when we bought Bristol-based Security Group, has meant we are able to provide more of a complete security solution. It gives us the edge to win business when we can offer intruder alarms along with CCTV and access control.
To further meet our customer’s needs we have now expanded our expertise into offering network systems, including Wi-Fi connectivity.
Do you have any ‘go to’ technology/manufacturers?
I always anticipated that Ecl-ips would offer high-quality solutions to our clients and even though a lot of our competitors have moved across to cheaper alternatives we have stuck to our beliefs. I am sure in the long term this will reap dividends. Certainly, from the client experience the solutions last a lot longer. We have worked with Avigilon since 2012 and became Premier Partners with them in 2022. Since Avigilon’s acquisition by Motorola Solutions, we have partnered with other access control and CCTV companies Motorola bought which were integrated under the Avigilon banner last year. This means we can offer the traditional on-premise products, as well as the cloud-based Avigilon CCTV and access control solutions. We have also worked with the British-based access control manufacturer and developer, Paxton, for many years and became a Platinum Partner in 2023.
After an initial introduction to the HALO Smart Sensor via our partnership with Avigilon, we forged a direct relationship with its US manufacturer, IPVideo Corporation, which has also recently been bought by Motorola Solutions. The HALO is an exciting three-in-one health, safety and vape detection device that adds an extra layer of protection and security in private areas. We have been successful at gaining more business within schools selling the HALO because of the growing problem of vaping by young people which has disrupted their learning.
Our intruder alarm partners are HKC Security and the British manufacturer, Orisec. In 2021 we added an active protection solution to our mix with Density Fog Generators.
We are also really excited that last year we became partners of digital technology giant, Cisco. This means we can offer hard-wired and wireless technology to build reliable networks and improve internet connectivity within a range of properties and organisations.
What is the best thing about working in this industry?
For me it is all about people. I enjoy interacting with people and solving their problems. It is great to be in a position that the people we look after have a better quality of life and peace of mind through the safety and protection solutions we offer.
The technology you are offering to people has got to be easy to use. What attracted us to Avigilon was its easy-to-use system. This was after we were getting calls from customers who were having difficulty getting footage off the video management surveillance system we had offered previously. For me it is all about helping the customers, interacting with the staff and suppliers, and the relationships you develop. I am a people person that can talk technology.
Is NSI certification beneficial to you?
It was a massive step for us to achieve the NSI Gold accreditation in 2019 having been a NSI Silver- approved installer since 2010. To achieve the NSI Gold accreditation we have to operate a Quality Management System which is compliant with the BS EN ISO 9001:2015 Standard. This helps us to continually monitor and manage quality across our business so we can identify areas for improvement.
The NSI Gold accreditation therefore shows our clients that we are working to set standards and guidelines. We believe with the audits we have twice a year, and three yearly renewals, it demonstrates to customers that standards are maintained throughout and therefore the accreditation gives us an edge over competitors.
Read the full interview in the March 2024 edition of PSI magazine
