CCTV Surveillance in Kenya continues to gain momentum as more businesses appreciate just how valuable these cameras are in solving or deterring crimes. Homeowners are not left behind, so it’s not all about businesses.
But whether you need CCTV services for business or home, the most crucial reason you would need to hire a CCTV security consultant is that they are likely to provide objective and unbiased advice in the process. The same may not be said about CCTV installing companies. They will only tell you what serves their commercial interests. Indeed, it is sometimes tricky to differentiate between facts and fables when competing salespeople explain their products and services.
While there are CCTV consultancy providers working for installing companies, you can also get an independent CCTV consultant who gives you advice with no strings attached. But that’s not enough: there are also unqualified CCTV security consultants out there who will provide you with the wrong advice. Every industry or profession has its fair share of quacks, after all.
So, how do you hire a competent CCTV security consultant?
1. Verify Credentials
The CCTV Security Consultant you intend to hire should be precisely what they claim to be. Confirm if they are indeed trained to operate as CCTV security experts. Do the papers match the claims? Do they have sufficient knowledge to guide you professionally on CCTV matters?
You should not hire a consultant who will, in turn, secretly hire another consultant to help him. The least you should expect from such a specialist is passing a certification exam testing knowledge and skills in surveillance camera installation. A degree or certification in electrical engineering or electronics should be required. A certification from a recognized organization will boost their credibility.
Of course, they should be skilled in mechanical, electrical, and computer systems. Take the time to verify their knowledge of circuitry, wiring, and power systems. Proficiency in software installation and computer networking should be an added advantage.
2. Verify Past Projects
Having the right skills and certifications is a good start but not enough. A CCTV Security Consultant worth the name should readily produce a list of previous projects they have successfully overseen on their own. If they provide CCTV consultancy services for businesses, ask for those businesses they have served. Insist you want to see past results. Ask for examples of scale layout drawings, project planning charts, and documentation for previous projects. Regarding your project, ask for a spreadsheet analysis of tenders or quotations similar to it, including a system schematic diagram.
In this digital era, professionals keep online profiles such as LinkedIn accounts where clients or potential clients can check their resumes. Having websites or social media accounts also helps clients check effortlessly. Ask the consultant for their website, LinkedIn account, etc. Check if they have posted anything about past projects. You can then verify if they are the ones who indeed oversaw the projects.
3. Check License
Concerning CCTV Surveillance in Kenya, CCTV Security Consultants are required to obtain a license before practicing. You should ensure that the consultant you intend to hire is duly registered and licensed to offer consultancy services at hand.
4. Excellent Communication Skills
The CCTV consultancy provider will be analyzing and explaining processes to you, so they better be excellent communicators. Your project may fail to succeed merely because the right concept was poorly explained, leading to misapplication. Does the consultant understand your particular needs and can provide effective, customized solutions? Can the consultant comfortably explain technical concepts?
5. References and Reviews
A seasoned consultant should be able to cite references from about 2-3 companies for whom they have provided consultancy services in CCTV security. One only becomes a consultant after having worked in a similar field and acquired sufficient skills and experience.
Be wary of a consultant who graduated and then became an independent CCTV consultant immediately after graduation. Additionally, digitalization has also changed how we seek references. Past customers leave reviews on online platforms such as Google My Business, websites, Jiji Marketplace, etc. You can check these to ascertain a consultant’s credibility.
Such reviews will also help you gauge a consultant’s reputation. If many past clients seem to talk ill about the consultant, you need to get worried. Of course, at times, online reviews are manipulated by competitors, so you shouldn’t entirely rely on them, but they do help to some extent.
6. Budget
You might have found the right CCTV consultancy provider, but what do they charge per consultation or business visit? Can you afford them? Are there candidates out there who can provide the same quality service at more affordable rates?
You have to consult your budget when hiring a consultant for your CCTV needs. Some consultants are too expensive, thanks to their level of expertise or high demand, thanks to their reputation. But at the end of the day, you buy what you can afford.
While at it, you must mutually agree on the fee structure and payment basis. List the tasks the consultant will undertake and the quotation for each.
7. Objectivity
A CCTV Security Consultant should be objective when giving you any advice. They should not be swayed by other considerations or interests unrelated to you. For instance, a consultant should not urge you to purchase a particular camera model merely because he knows someone who supplies that model.
Hire a consultant who will always remain neutral and objective. A true consultant should serve your interests and have no incentive to promote any particular product or system. You don’t want to be used or taken advantage of.
Wrapping It Up
Once you get a CCTV Security Consultant who ticks the above checklist to the end, it’s time to hire. Remember that one of the reasons you hire a CCTV consultancy provider is to save your time. By letting an independent CCTV consultant do the nitty-gritty for you, you can spare time on other pressing matters. Time is money, especially for the businesspeople. With more time on your hands, you can easily repay the cost of consultancy.
Another reason is that you will have peace of mind by letting the consultant handle the complications arising from your CCTV needs. If you require consultancy on CCTV surveillance in Kenya, get in touch with us.
