IP Products

Troubleshooting tool

by Mark Rowe

JPR Engineering Services Ltd is saving time and improving cost effectiveness on CCTV installation jobs, thanks to a multi-function CCTV tester.

The Staffordshire-based electrical and mechanical contractor’s specialist Fire and Security Solutions Division, had considered, and used, various brands of CCTV test equipment. After taking part in the beta testing phase for SecuriTEST IP from IDEAL Networks, the company added two multi-function SecuriTEST IP CCTV testers to their fleet.

Konrad Rubery, Fire & Security Department Manager for JPR Engineering, said: “CCTV installation and maintenance jobs are unpredictable which makes it particularly important to have the right testing and troubleshooting tools to hand. Around 90 per cent of our new installs are for IP systems and at any one time, we might be working on multiple smaller domestic or retail installations, or a single commercial installation where hundreds of cameras are required.”

Before deciding to buy, Konrad Rubery learnt the capability of the tester in the office. It was then sent out on site with their commissioning engineer to use on sites with varied scenarios including analogue, IP and HD coax installs. SecuriTEST IP is mostly used by JPR for fault finding, call outs to repairs and for final commissioning and reporting. Konrad described the product as truly idiot proof. “The icons on screen are simple to understand and the tester guides the user through the process which helps save time. Unlike other testers, we have never had to get the manual out, instead we’ve discovered the different helpful features as we’ve used it.”

Tim Widdershoven, Global Marketing Manager for IDEAL Networks said: “A key challenge for JPR was that for installation and commissioning jobs, engineers would ordinarily need to take multiple items of kit to each job – up to three to four test tools plus a laptop. This proved cumbersome and inefficient, with time spent going back and forth to the van to get the next piece of equipment. Now, JPR’s engineers can achieve the same result with just one small tester hanging around their neck. The varied functionality of the tester saves hours per job and keeps costs down.”

For instance, the HDMI In feature means the engineer can plug in to the network recorder, conduct the set-up, perform tests and see the results rather than needing to take a monitor and recorder on to site. SecuriTEST IP can be used for cable testing and cable tracing, so they also no longer need two separate tools for doing this.

Similarly, with SecuriTEST IP two engineers are no longer required for a CCTV installation – one engineer can see and access all the information they need on SecuriTEST IP. Thus the tester reduces labour by half. JPR can reflect these cost savings in the price to the customer. Konrad Rubery said: “As we have been able to keep our costs and prices low, we have won many more CCTV installation jobs compared to this point in the previous year. I believe it has helped business in our Fire and Security Division grow.”

To further aid productivity, the PoE and 12V output features of SecuriTEST IP have enabled JPR to carry out complete installations, and prove they all work, before power is available on site. This avoids conducting installation during the rushed final days on site when power goes live and overall requires fewer visits to the site, as the engineer only needs to return to the site to re-confirm the system is working as reported.

Plus, when called to a fault on an IP CCTV camera installation, engineers can now use SecuriTEST IP to prove if the fault does not lie with the camera but instead with the network. Likewise, engineers can prove to the customer if the problem is because of changes made after installation. In either scenario, this avoids time wasting on trying to diagnose a camera fault and helps make work required on call backs chargeable.

Konrad added: “SecuriTEST IP provides comprehensive reports which incorporate time stamped photo images to prove the field of view and data such as the IP address and gateway. As these can show what has changed since installation, we’re able to charge for more of our call-backs.”

The tester has proven useful to JPR before an engineer has even gone on site. For instance, thanks to the HDMI Out capability, SecuriTEST IP can be taken to presentations and demonstrations with customers to show the view that they are going to get after the installation.

Konrad said: “We have other brands of CCTV tester in the office, but none of the engineers want to use them now that we have SecuriTEST IP. The tester is an invaluable tool for us, helping us look professional and setting us apart from the competition, so we are planning on getting another tester. In fact, it works so well that I have already also recommended it to others in the industry.”

For a free demo of SecuriTEST IP visit www.idealnetworks.net.

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