“For the first time, engineers can keep stock in the vehicle. They can go to a job, install it, and leave. It's completely delay free.”
Colin Walters, Global Monitoring Transformation Director, Chubb & SMC
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Chubb and SMC, were exploring ways to make security and fire alarm signalling simpler and more reliable for their engineers and customers.
On a daily basis, engineers were dealing with practical issues that add friction to installations: getting the right device to the right site, managing connectivity where signal was weak, and avoiding installations that could take hours to complete. With different grades and plans required across sites, there was a need for a simpler, easier to install solution.
“One of the biggest challenges is the ordering process of equipment, which then leads to an inevitable delay in a job and getting an alarm connected.” - Colin Walters
There was also the wider challenge of an industry undergoing significant change. With the PSTN, 3G and 2G switch-offs, dependable and resilient connectivity was becoming increasingly important, so they were looking for a smarter solution.
"The reputation was seen to be second to none"
Right from the start, Colin knew he could trust Permaconn's engineering team. That confidence came from the 20-year partnership between Permaconn and Chubb's APAC team. Backed by 70+ hardware and software engineers, Colin knew the team had more than enough experience to build a solution fit for the UK market.
“They've got a really deep-seated engineering team. It was, really enlightening working with the team. Getting the product to do what we wanted and needed it to do, not just for Chubb in the UK, but for the UK security industry as well.”
Colin Walters, Global Monitoring Transformation Director, Chubb & SMC
Chubb’s technical team trialed SecureLink early, connecting it to a range of panels in the labs at SMC, Nottingham, before it reached a live site.
“We were very, very, very impressed with SecureLink from day one.”
One device, every plan: For SMC, having to order equipment for specific sites added complexity and created the risk of the wrong device arriving for the job. SecureLink gives engineers more flexibility by allowing the device to be configured on site to the grade or plan required, from SP2 through to DP4. That means engineers can carry the same device as everyday van stock, rather than relying on site-specific equipment being ordered in advance. “Permaconn has delivered a single out of the box solution, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s a grade 2 or a grade 3, whether it’s a DP2, DP3, whatever it is, you tell the unit what it needs to do.”
Reliable connectivity where it matters: Unreliable signal in harder-to-reach areas is another challenge Colin mentioned, adding another layer of difficulty to an installation. SecureLink uses Quad-SIM and Triple Path connectivity to provide radio and SIM redundancy, helping engineers get a connection quickly even where signal has traditionally been weak. “It works in areas where historically we’ve seen signal performance to be really poor, really weak and it gets signal really quickly.”
A simpler installation process: Another challenge was the time and complexity involved in getting the right equipment installed on site. SecureLink uses rare earth magnets and pre-configured connector looms to simplify installation, with installs designed to take under 10 minutes and work with all major panels. Combined with the ability to configure the device for the job on site, engineers can install and move on without waiting for site-specific equipment. “It's completely delay free, so it's removing that that particular element of frustration.”
A more consistent service: For SMC, the benefit is ultimately felt by the customer. When engineers can configure the right device on site, connect reliably and complete the installation quickly, there are fewer opportunities for delays or issues to reach the customer. “It’s helping us deliver a better-quality service to our customers.”
SecureLink brings a new level of flexibility, simplicity and reliability to security and fire alarm signalling across the UK and Ireland. By understanding what installers and ARCs truly need, we've continually redefined our products and services, delivering 99.99% uptime and achieving the exceptional security standard of ISO 27001 (2022), and fully compliant with current EN50361 standards for fire and security alarm transmission and EN54. Today, the most critical organisations, including governments, hospitals and airports, rely on Permaconn.
