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Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Makes the Switch
The end-user's perspectiveThe Latest from SIW
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In discussing the move from analog to digital video technology at our pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, we had to consider the larger context in which we, the end-users are attempting to upgrade technology. Security technology is evolving so rapidly that it is not possible to continually stay abreast with technology developments in detail. A more workable approach is to read or collect case study material that is applicable to one's own facility and type of business. Another approach — the one we took — is to attend one or more security conferences or trade shows to get an idea of what the current technology can do, and to collect current case study information.
The most important aspect of our analog-to-digital migration project was not the technology; it was our approach to the project that is designed to ensure we get the maximum benefit from the technology. In the past, technology was simpler — it was workable to select a technology, install it, and adjust our processes and procedures if needed. Current technology options are complex, and we could not take that approach.
Project and Technology Vision
An extremely helpful part of the project management process in our Security Department is the Business Case Assessment, in which we establish the security and/or business need for the project. In this document we also provide a description of the project, identify the project stakeholders, explain the rationale for the project (the reason for it and why it should be done now), list the benefits and when they will be realized, identify any regulatory requirements that apply and standards that we will follow, and present the project risks and what our approach will be. The project vision provides our initial criteria for evaluating technology options.
Part of the project vision is our technology vision for using digital video technology. Establishing the technology vision is critical, because we intend our digital video platform to serve us for 10 years or longer — which is possible because a sound technology design based on IT standards is scalable, meaning that capacity or performance can be increased as our needs grow. The system can evolve over time by upgrading individual components as appropriate. There were three steps to developing our technology vision:
* Step one: General technology education. Security officials attended various trade shows and security conferences, and also a CCTV analog-to-digital workshop, presented by the Physical Security Council of ASIS Intl.
* Step two: Learn more about our own business. In the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, there is an emerging trend to leverage security video for operations purposes — including safety, quality, process monitoring and operations supervision. Key business processes are critical assets — part of what security is trying to protect. As part of the planning process, we had specific discussions to help identify ways that digital video technology could assist managers in day-to-day operations.
* Step three: Create a planning team. The team was composed of some of our own security personnel, IT department personnel, as well as outside industry experts. Each team member is a SME (Subject Matter Expert) in his or her respective field.
