Training is an essential part of effectively and efficiently using any system installed for the safety and security of your organization. End users want training related to the specific system they will be interacting with and specifically to the way they are programmed to operate. Training on how to program your new or existing system is only half of the equation; understanding the purpose for the system(s) and what it is designed to do is of even greater importance.

The purpose of a fire life safety or security system and what it is designed to do is best addressed during the discovery process before finalizing and installing a specific system. Your integrator should consult with you to decide what your short- and long-term facility goals are. They can then review options of various system capabilities, how they can be integrated, and which would best meet your organization’s needs within your current budget.

For example, consideration of an access control system is not simply about taking keys out of people’s hands to minimize the potential of lost keys and the associated cost of replacing locks; the big objectives of access control are identification, authorization, and protection.

• Identification – identify and track the who, what, where and when – who accessed a specific space via a specific door on what specific dates and times.
• Authorization – control who is authorized to access specific areas, rooms, sections, doors, etc. Set permissions and controls around what days of the week, times of day, specific personnel can access specific areas.
• Protection – protect the important items and personnel by specifying access for secured areas.

To understand programing and use of your system, your integrator should offer onsite and remote training options with a certified technician, which can be requested in a quote, as a service call, part of your service agreements or with any new installation. Some types of trainings that are available include:

• Fire alarm – how to: run fire alarm drills on your own; put systems into test; silence, acknowledge, reset panels; clean smoke detectors. 
• Video surveillance – operator and administrative training on software, including how to view recorded vs. live video feeds, user creation, integrations, bookmarking, etc. 
• Access control - operator and administrator training on software, including holiday/door schedules, door groups, user groups, credential creation, developing your own printed card format, and implementing: threat levels, lockdowns, and custom reports, etc.
• Intrusion detection – how to arm/disarm the system; how to bypass faults, etc.

Many product vendors offer end user trainings online for registered end users as well. For example:

• Avigilon-  https://www.avigilon.com/login?url=https://partners.avigilon.com/avigilonstore. They also have YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL05091E943AA92F20
• Identiv –: https://academy.identiv.com/
• Bosch –https://academy.globalteach.com/ST/Login.aspx

Some product vendors also offer in-person or virtual training sessions. For example:

• GWFCI – offers end user training as long as a certified dealer representative attends the training with the end user.  Both the dealer and end user pay for class fees and programming dongle fees.  If an end user wants this, their dealer must receive permission from GWFCI prior to the training.  Note: This is the only way an end user can get a programming dongle to make programming changes on their own.
• Avigilon – offers Elite level dealers’ clients direct vendor trainings.

Training can be conducted at any time while a system is operational – after the first time a system is commissioned, as part of your new hire orientation for new staff members, when new software updates are released by manufacturers, or any time someone wants a refresher of the information. Growth and development never stop, and training can always follow suit!

If you are interested in any of these trainings or others, contact your Absco Solutions Account Executive, salessupport@abscosolutions.com, or Absco’s Operations department info@abscosolutions.com for more information.

The purpose of a fire life safety or security system and what it is designed to do is best addressed during the discovery process before finalizing and installing a specific system. Your integrator should consult with you to decide what your short- and long-term facility goals are. They can then review options of various system capabilities, how they can be integrated, and which would best meet your organization’s needs within your current budget.

For example, consideration of an access control system is not simply about taking keys out of people’s hands to minimize the potential of lost keys and the associated cost of replacing locks; the big objectives of access control are identification, authorization, and protection.

• Identification – identify and track the who, what, where and when – who accessed a specific space via a specific door on what specific dates and times.
• Authorization – control who is authorized to access specific areas, rooms, sections, doors, etc. Set permissions and controls around what days of the week, times of day, specific personnel can access specific areas.
• Protection – protect the important items and personnel by specifying access for secured areas.

To understand programing and use of your system, your integrator should offer onsite and remote training options with a certified technician, which can be requested in a quote, as a service call, part of your service agreements or with any new installation. Some types of trainings that are available include:

• Fire alarm – how to: run fire alarm drills on your own; put systems into test; silence, acknowledge, reset panels; clean smoke detectors. 
• Video surveillance – operator and administrative training on software, including how to view recorded vs. live video feeds, user creation, integrations, bookmarking, etc. 
• Access control - operator and administrator training on software, including holiday/door schedules, door groups, user groups, credential creation, developing your own printed card format, and implementing: threat levels, lockdowns, and custom reports, etc.
• Intrusion detection – how to arm/disarm the system; how to bypass faults, etc.

Many product vendors offer end user trainings online for registered end users as well. For example:

• Avigilon-  https://www.avigilon.com/login?url=https://partners.avigilon.com/avigilonstore. They also have YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL05091E943AA92F20
• Identiv –: https://academy.identiv.com/
• Bosch –https://academy.globalteach.com/ST/Login.aspx

Some product vendors also offer in-person or virtual training sessions. For example:

• GWFCI – offers end user training as long as a certified dealer representative attends the training with the end user.  Both the dealer and end user pay for class fees and programming dongle fees.  If an end user wants this, their dealer must receive permission from GWFCI prior to the training.  Note: This is the only way an end user can get a programming dongle to make programming changes on their own.
• Avigilon – offers Elite level dealers’ clients direct vendor trainings.

If you are interested in any of these trainings or others, contact your Absco Solutions Account Executive, salessupport@abscosolutions.com, or Absco’s Operations department info@abscosolutions.com for more information.