As IP solutions proliferate through the security world, it is increasingly critical for physical security integrators to interact effectively with the IT pros who work for their customers. However, while IT and physical security are converging at a rapid pace, interacting with IT is a whole new world for many integrators and effective communication doesn't always come easily. In addition to helping IT understand the purpose of your physical security implementation and easing their concerns around new traffic and threats to their network, an effective line of communication with IT will also allow you to drive the relationship and present your services as valuable and relevant. Here are some guidelines to make sure you master the conversation, better serve your IP-enabled client-base and keep two steps ahead of the convergence trend.

Understand your audience

IT professionals are tasked with maintaining the health, security and performance of networks that serve many mission critical functions. This means that disruptive or unfamiliar technologies that can negatively impact performance or compromise the security of the network are a potential nightmare for IT pros. Address these issues proactively in your communication with IT, be sure to ease concerns such as traffic load, storage issues and other threats to the network, and become conversant in IP technologies and standard configurations.

Choose IT savvy solutions from your preferred vendors and suppliers

Not all IP security solutions are created equal. When building your product portfolio, look for solutions that were architected from the ground up to work on a network. Check for the following when making your choice:

Bandwidth friendly: Choose systems that can intelligently determine what to send across the network and when.

Storage sensitive: Offer solutions with smart storage capabilities that allow for high resolution images to be stored for a time before being archived at lower resolution or even thumbnails.

Hybrid IP/analog functionality: Leverage IP technology without abandoning analog investment. Hybrid solutions offer your customers the ability to blend environments and stretch existing investments in a tough economy.

Open platform: Have a standard API set to enable integration with other security and business solutions. Look for open platform solutions that allow integrations with a host of transaction, access control and other systems.

Standard operating system: Choose solutions that built on an industry standard operating system.

Get IT involved early on