Cabarrus County, North Carolina is nestled in the rolling countryside of the state’s Piedmont region. Its 200,000 residents will happily tell you it is where “America Thrives” and “Racing Lives.” The people of Cabarrus County will also tell you that their community is united around the values of family, faith, collaboration, and tradition. It is a place where people work together to ensure Cabarrus County is a great place to be.
From the county seat of Concord, the Cabarrus County government manages a wide range of services and properties on behalf of the county’s citizens. At the heart of the county’s mission is collaboration— actively engaging the people, communities, businesses, and governments to work together to build an even greater future for all.
The County government is charged with managing numerous properties that include such diverse venues as the new Butterfly Garden, the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, recycling centers, parks, active living facilities, the county animal shelter,libraries, and public safety facilities. As County services and properties increased over time, so did the need for security and communications systems at the properties.
In 2016, the County compiled all of the information on the different security and communications systems that had been installed over the years, as well as those properties that lacked such systems. They realized that a comprehensive, technology-based solution was needed. In collaboration with the people of Cabarrus County, the County initiated an effort to unify and modernize the security and communications systems throughout the County network of properties. The initiative was deemed a necessary step to provide effective public and employee safety, property security, and stewardship of the resources entrusted to the County government.
Solution
The County requested proposals from interested security and IT companies and awarded the project to Brady. Todd Shanley, Deputy Director of IT for the County, oversaw the planning and installation, and worked closely with Brady throughout the project. From the very start Mr. Shanley found working with Brady to be a true partnership focused on designing and implementing systems that would best meet County expectations and facility-specific needs. “This was a big project that included a lot of different needs at different properties,” says Mr. Shanley, “and Brady met every one of those needs with a positive, problem-solving approach.”
Brady designed an integrated software network that connected County properties and upon which property-specific systems could be built. The project was then conducted in phases, beginning with the County detention center. Brady designed and installed a new video monitoring system using a digital internet protocol (IP), “a huge improvement over the old analog system,” reports Mr. Shanley. The new IP system provides detention center staff with real-time monitoring, archiving, and retrieval capabilities. Brady also designed and installed updated access control and intercom systems at the detention center. All of these improved systems provide detention center staff with the ability to remotely monitor and control access, activity, and communication throughout the facility—crucial needs in any public safety facility.
Brady then designed and installed access control systems at 11 other county properties. Brady worked with Mr. Shanley to select the system components that best met each facility’s specific needs while also saving the County money. “I really appreciate that Brady doesn’t use a cookie-cutter approach,” explains Mr. Shanley. “They don’t just use and push one product line, which means they can custom design each system to fit the need.”
Brady next designed and installed video monitoring systems at properties such as office buildings, storage areas, parks, and others. The final phase was the design and installation of an interconnected intercom system that allows for real-time communication throughout the property network. Each of these systems is an important component of the County’s comprehensive safety, security, and communications network.
Results
With the completion of these custom-designed and interconnected systems, Cabarrus County is enjoying comprehensive, state-of-the-art security and communications throughout its network. The video monitoring systems enhance public and employee safety, as well as help to secure County property. The integrated intercom system enables real-time communication of routine and emergency information, which enhances safety and responsiveness within the County network.
Mr. Shanley credits much of the success of the overall project to Brady’s expertise and collaborative work ethic. “Brady made this multi-phase project a seamless effort,” he says, “and no matter the challenge, they found the best solutions for our needs.”