Doors and the technology to secure them go hand in hand. However, there is a clear disconnect between suppliers that is costing owners money.

Falling into two construction categories, and often requiring services from both an integrator and a door supplier, division 8 solutions include doors, openings, commercial glazing, storefronts and hardware while division 28 solutions include electronic access control, intrusion detection and surveillance. But now is the time to bring these solutions together to save customers money and eliminate the construction back and forth.

So where are the gaps blocking the connection between division 8 and division 28 solutions?

According to Elizabeth Connolly, business development manager for A3 Communications, “The gap really is in the planning stages for projects. Doors are included in initial drawings and scopes of work, however, the technology and cabling to secure them is left for later in the project.”

Gaps in communication, and ultimately education on the solutions owners need to meet their goals, lead to unexpected costs and delays in project completion — things nobody wants.

General contractors and architects can avoid this for their customers. By tapping into their integrator network early and establishing a clear line of communication, they propel their projects forward in the pre-construction phase. This early engagement allows for conversations about security goals, available technology, budget and implementation to occur before build outs have progressed too far. No more ripping down drywall to make room for cabling to support a card reader or reordering opening material because a lock was placed in the wrong location — mitigating risks and ultimately saving time and money.

Why Is it Important for Gaps Like This to be Closed?

By closing the gap between division 8 and 28 solutions, end user clients are pushed to establish their security goals early on in the project, thus establishing a budget to meet them. Though budgets are being looked at under a microscopic lens, this level of transparency allows project managers to not be blindsided when it comes to the security portion of their project.

“By having these conversations, we’ve seen that clients can evaluate their security goals early on and we’re able to maximize their budget to ensure those goals are met,” Connolly said. “It also allows for conversations to be had about how their doors and technology work together. We can establish early on that their Allegion locks and S2 Security access control go hand-in-hand with their custom opening.”

The issue of code compliance is another reason this gap should be closed. Integrators, door distributors and general contractors all bring their own experiences with compliance for their specific service offering; however, together they can create a delicate balance of compliance and convenience for the clients they serve.

The biggest challenge facing integrators to overcome this hurdle is making those connections and being a driving force in early project conversations. Integrators should be included early on, like electricians and plumbers, because the systems provided are vital to the customer’s success.

Connolly added, “We’ve found success in the Southeast by partnering with The Cook & Boardman Group, one of the nation’s largest door distributors, to connect us with the general contractors and begin those discussions early on.”

As the U.S. opens up and projects resume, bridging the gap between doors and security technology will not only streamline the customer experience but eliminate the construction headaches general contractors, door suppliers and integrators often find themselves entwined in. //