Editor's comment

The security industry is, however, the only one that can prevent further appaling atrocities. Because of this it is,consequently, attaining a new status and higher profile everywhere. To be part of it should bring a sense of pride to individuals and companies. It is not so many years ago that the perception of the security industry was very different to today with talk of cowboy installers and thuggish guarding companies. Along with this heightened profile, regulation and legislation, has come a new respect for security and the expertise shown by its purveyors. Installers are at the sharp end providing the systems that uphold our ever more fragile standards, protecting people and property. Let’s hope this new respect passes down through the career chain so that enough bright youngsters are attracted to security engineering to end the long-standing skills shortage.

On more parochial matters, this month we start a new series on how installers should be/could be running their businesses (mind you, you’ll never succeed in being guardians of the new society unless you can balance your books and get your software running properly). Over the next few issues Robert Barnes will be sharing his advice with readers on many day-to-day issues. On page 18 he offers his ‘morning mental workout ‘ ... Don’t worry, you only have to exercise your brain with half a dozen questions. Robert, who has worked with than 300 installation companies in his time, will be pleased to answer your queries if you email him or, better still, write a letter for publication so we can share his valuable advice with other readers.

Our news pages seem to be full of training news this month (see pages 10 and 12) and there are probably more opportunities for installers than ever before. The ‘hot’ area is, of course IP networking and, although we were surprised at the report in last month’s edition which said that IT firms were outnumbering installers on IP courses run by Axis Communications, it’s heartening to see that there are so many IP networking courses on offer. Installers must stay up to speed if they are going to compete profitably. The publishers of Security Installer, CMPi are launching an exhibition in London that will put installers ahead of the game. Total Workplace Management is aimed at everyone working at the cutting edge and installers will be especially interested in the CCTV/IP Zone that is part of the event at Earls Court 2 from October 11-13. There will also be free seminar sessions which should prove invaluable. See page 31 for full show details and info on free admission.