 | Tenders and Multiple Quotations |  |
Obtaining a number of quotations from different CCTV installers is fraught with problems. The various companies may produce widely differing specifications based upon totally different concepts. This often results in the customer, who has no specialist knowledge, being unable to make a sound choice. These problems are often compounded by the fact that CCTV companies will normally send along salesmen whose job is to do just that - sell. This often results in customers either purchasing more expensive equipment than is necessary or, if the salesman is worried about the competition, receiving a system which, while being low on price, is unable to supply pictures that are to the required legislative standard.
The CCTV Advisory Service has been established to improve the quality of CCTV design in the UK. We do not sell or install CCTV but offer, as a free service, independent advice and a visit to your premises to design a professional CCTV specification that will meet current police requirements for court evidence. We will also arrange for three pre-qualified companies to tender or provide quotations directly to you ensuring that you receive a quality system at the best price.
If you would like us to design your CCTV system please:-
Please note that our consultant may be with a client and unable to answer your 'phone call immediately, but be assured he will get back to you as soon as possible.
Having designed the specification we will:-
- Submit it to you, along with budget costs.
- Ensure that you are entirely satisfied with the recommended system and its cost.
- Produce it in a form that competing CCTV installers can tender against and send it to three companies.
- Arrange for these companies to send their competitive quotations directly to you.
There is no charge for this service.
The advantages to you will be that:-
- All the companies will be quoting against the same specification not producing widely differing ideas.
- You will be able to compare like for like.
- We will specify the exact equipment to be used so that no company will be able to gain a price advantage by using lower quality equipment.
- You will know that the companies tendering are reputable, capable of completing a quality installation and also able to give you the service and back-up you require over the coming years - we realise that the sweet taste of low price is quickly forgotten with the bitterness of poor service.
- With these issues taken care of it will be a simple matter to compare prices from their quotations.
Please contact us if you would like us to help you design a CCTV System.
The steps taken when designing your CCTV system will be to:-
- Carefully examine the issues that have prompted you to consider the purchase of CCTV.
- Explain the requirements of the Data Protection Act. There are now 62 legal obligations that many CCTV systems have to comply with. Most of these should be incorporated into any professionally produced system but there are some issues that you will need to be aware of prior to the design of the system.
- Cover the Home Office Requirements for CCTV systems. If these are not met the police may be unable to use images from your system in court evidence. The police have stated that at least 75% of images they take from crime scenes do not meet this criterion. Be careful! The majority of organisations that have CCTV installed find they have wasted their money when it comes to providing the police with evidence.
- Discuss different types of equipment so that you can make an intelligent choice as to what best suits your needs.
- Make sure that you are aware of the limitations of CCTV.
- Conduct a survey of the areas you wish to protect.
- Produce a complete specification complete with budget costs.
How are we paid?
When conducting sales visits, installation companies send along salesmen who are paid salary, commission, expenses and normally drive a relatively new company car. Because we have completed the work that their salesmen would normally have fulfilled (although, often, to a much higher standard) the companies we recommend will, if they receive the order, pay our consultancy fee out of the money that would normally be paid to their sales force. This enables our clients to receive free independent consultative services while paying no more for the installed system than if had they gone direct to the installation company.
Customer comments regarding
The CCTV Advisory Service:
"I was very pleased to make your acquaintance and am deeply impressed with the quality of service you are offering, which I found most helpful and which I feel has saved me from making some costly mistakes."
Peter Jackson
Thekla Floating Nightclub, Bristol
"A very thorough service, saving the school time, effort and worry whilst ensuring quality installation of quality products in an agreed timescale."
Ian Sheppard, Headteacher
Aycliffe School
"The CCTV Advisory Service has provided a service to us that has always been thorough, accurate and ensures a comprehensive solution to our changing needs. By using their services we have found that misunderstanding of requirements is eliminated and quotations from suppliers are on a like for like basis. We have found that the suppliers recommended are appropriate and value for money.
We would not hesitate to recommend the CCTV Advisory Service to others."
Andrew S. Adam, Bursar
Maplesden Noakes School
"The consultant has been excellent, punctual, able to explain the system and how/why/what would work."
Ann Blunt, Headteacher
St Peters C of E Primary School
Customer comments regarding
the companies we recommend:
"The service from the installation team really was excellent - no hassle, no fuss. Congratulations."
Simon Taylor, Street Facilities Manager
Braintree District Council
"The cameras have had an immediate impact in reducing vandalism in the school. You have provided an excellent speedy service with professional and high standards of workmanship."
Geoff Jones, Bursar
The Charles Dickens School
"Always impressed by your willingness to sort my dreams into reality. "
Mike Beer, Cambridge Water Company
"The installers took great pains to avoid any disruption to school routines and were very safety conscious around the children. Some noise was unavoidable, but there was no mess or Healthy & Safety issue to concern us."
Ian Sheppard, Headteacher
Aycliffe School
