SAGE Integration, Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

SAGE Integration is excited to announce the newest office in Ripley, Tennessee, located at 567 Highway 51 South, Ripley, TN 38063. The latest expansion continues to enhance SAGE's ability to serve its expanding regional client base and address the rising demand for advanced electronic security solutions in the region. The new Ripley office will bolster local operations, enabling quicker response times, improved service, and deeper engagement with clients and the community while supporting our National Clients throughout the area. SAGE Integration's ongoing commitment "Our presence in Ripley, TN, marks a significant milestone for SAGE Integration," said John Nemerofsky, Chief Operating Officer. "This location allows us to deliver even greater value to our clients and strengthen our relationships within the region." The Ripley office demonstrates SAGE Integration's ongoing commitment to responsive service and reinforces its role as a trusted, innovative security integration partner nationwide.

SAGE Integration Inc. is proud to announce and welcome Milt "Milton" Newman as Strategic Accounts and Procurement Manager. Milt's 40 years of experience in the security industry as an end user and security integrator, leadership, operations, and vast knowledge of electronic security systems make him a perfect fit for the SAGE team.  Experience in the security industry  Milt's favorite part of the security industry is "finding and putting together the right widgets to get them to do what you intended, to achieve what the client wanted, and then handing it over to a happy client." John Nemerofsky, SAGE Integration Chief Operating Officer, "SAGE Integration is incredibly grateful to welcome Milt Newman to our team. His extensive experience and passion for the security industry will greatly enhance our ability to serve our clients effectively. We are excited to see the innovative solutions he will bring to our projects."

SAGE Integration Inc. proudly welcomes Thomas "Tad" Dowdy as Operations Manager for Logistics and Aviation Verticals. Tad began his career in the early 1990s as an end user working in logistics and corporate security, before moving to the integration side of the security industry.  Roles of Tad Dowdy His tenure as a security professional, leadership skills, and vast knowledge of logistics and the aviation security verticals add additional depth and subject matter expertise to the SAGE team.  "We are thrilled to welcome Tad to the SAGE team! His logistics and aviation security expertise undoubtedly strengthens our sales team bench, subject matter expertise, and client offerings," said John Nemerofsky, SAGE Integration Chief Operating Officer.

Enterprise security directors often count on an integration firm to handle jobs ranging from day-to-day activities to long-term, technology-laden projects. However, before entering a relationship, you must know what's reasonable to expect from an integrator – as not all are created equal. Here are some tips that might make the selection process easier. Completing comprehensive classwork An integrator's experience working in an enterprise environment is an obvious consideration. Ideally, that experience fits well with your business. Any enterprise experience is a plus, but local, state, and federal regulations create precise yet very different rules for securing a utility instead of a hospital. That's also true for university campuses, manufacturing facilities, and many other operations. Many manufacturers offer certifications awarded after completing comprehensive classwork and testing Look for certifications indicative of an integrator's commitment to staying on top of industry changes. Organizations such as ASIS International and the Security Industry Association offer certifications showing an integrator's team members have mastered security principles and skills. Many manufacturers offer certifications awarded after completing comprehensive classwork and testing. Also, ensure an integrator sells and services equipment that integrates with your current security systems. Using multiple systems for the same function is less efficient. Project update meetings Go beyond an integrator's slick brochures and websites to ask tough questions about previous experience. How would the integrator handle a hypothetical situation in one of your facilities? Ask the integrator if there will be one project manager for all jobs. And ensure that person handles all interactions with security subcontractors. Ask if the integrator provides regularly scheduled project update meetings. It's frustrating to wonder how your project is progressing. Ask if the integrator's team can work during the hours and days that result in the least interference to your daily operations. Ask for onsite system training to save time and eliminate travel costs. Gathering sensitive data Look for an integrator with proven experience working with an enterprise IT department A malfunctioning component may be more than an inconvenience – it may be a severe security threat. You need to know how quickly your integrator can respond when things go wrong. Ask about available service plans. And consider the embedded staff approach in which the integrator places employees on your site full time to handle day-to-day and emergency activities. Much of the security equipment – video, access control, intercoms, visitor management, and more – is wireless and dependent upon networks operated by your IT department. Network-based devices provide more opportunities for hackers to gather sensitive data or cause critical equipment to malfunction. Don't trust your security operations with an Integrator unfamiliar with at least basic cybersecurity principles. Look for an integrator with proven experience working with an enterprise IT department. At a minimum, ensure the integrator can set and change security device IP addresses and port locations. Certifications from providers such as Cisco, Microsoft, and IBM indicate an understanding of various IT technologies. Potential security partners Knowledgeable integrators work with the well-encrypted Open Supervised Data Protocol (OSDP), now an internationally recognized standard. Run from any integrator who suggests operating an access control system with used Wiegand technology offering no encryption between cards and readers. It's easy for hackers to capture data and clone a working credential. Technology moves at a rapid pace. Your modern system of a few years ago may be long-of-tooth. You need an integrator capable of bringing new and innovative ideas to the table. You want an integrator who conducts in-house testing of new products, not relying solely on a manufacturer's claims. You want an integrator capable of thinking outside the box to solve a complex security problem. These ideas are just a start in assessing an integrator's value to your enterprise operation. However, they will help you sort through potential security partners to find one that best meets your needs.

Assembling security solutions has long been considered the role of the integrator, whose role is to pick and choose the best technology tools and then to assemble the complete system. However, more manufacturers are offering pre-integrated end-to-end solutions that include multiple elements from the same manufacturer, designed to work seamlessly together. At the end of the day, end users want to know: Whose role is it to provide security ‘solutions’ – the manufacturer or the integrator? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable.

There is a broad appeal to the idea of using a smartphone or wearable device as a credential for physical access control systems. Smartphones already perform a range of tasks that extend beyond making a phone call. Shouldn’t opening the door at a workplace be among them? It’s a simple idea, but there are obstacles for the industry to get there from here. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges and benefits of mobile access control solutions?