Nestled in the heart of Texas, a prominent church convention headquarters faced growing challenges in securing its facilities. With no dedicated security team, the responsibility of physical security fell on the shoulders of their IT Director and Support Services Team. The client needed a reliable and easy solution to secure three locations: its main office in North Texas, a bustling warehouse, and a historic library.
The IT Director knew their outdated security system was no longer up to the task. The system was plagued with failures – boards burning out, a DVR that couldn't be relied upon, and unreliable or poorly placed cameras. Security incidents, though rare, were troubling. One break-in saw a thief casually stroll through the office, pilfering cash and stamps. "We needed to have something cloud-based and always kept current," recalls the IT Director, "We didn't have enough cameras, and we had very limited support." With multiple locations to oversee, the need for a robust, user-friendly security solution was evident.
Aaron Ross, the client’s VLCM Account Manager, says, “Priority number one was understanding their unique needs and specific challenges. From there, we aimed to provide a solution that offered maximum security without complicating their day-to-day operations. Tailoring the solution to fit their multi-location setup, we recommended Verkada for its seamless integration and ease of use."
Verkada's cloud-based access control and camera system, equipped with advanced features such as facial recognition, motion detection, and real-time alerts, promised a new era of security for the church headquarters. The solution was not just advanced but simple and intuitive to use. The IT Director says, "I have only one system, and it's super easy to manage all three sites, see all the cameras I want to, and view its history. I can look at people and the last time events happened. If we have inclement weather or holidays, our office is locked, but we have a freight elevator landing where people can leave things so we can see everything coming in and know when it's time to move deliveries. Managing the users is effortless. If a staff member loses their card, I can see if it has been used elsewhere and deactivate it quickly. If the card is found, I can turn it back on." The project kicked off in December 2022. VLCM's team, in collaboration with Verkada, designed a comprehensive security layout. The plan included high-quality cameras to monitor every entrance, stairwell, and critical area within their facilities. Notably, because of VLCM's close relationship with Verkada, VLCM was among the first to install Verkada's new intercom system, enhancing security at their external points of entry.
The design phase took 2-3 weeks. Brent Pack, VLCM Communication Technology’s Sales Manager, says, "We had a rep from Verkada take pictures of all of the doors and locations so we could assess what the three buildings needed and review the plan with the IT Director." The implementation phase was swift and efficient. By early 2023, the VLCM team was on the ground, installing the new system across all three locations. "Having floor plans is super helpful," says Pack. "We were able to mark out the doors and the camera locations, which made this such a successful installation." "It was amazingly fast," the IT Director noted, "Within two weeks, everything was up and running." The installation included 27 state-of-the-art cameras, 16 secure access doors, and 4 advanced intercom systems. The VLCM Team is friendly and easy to communicate with. They did everything they said they were going to do. It was an outstanding experience."
The new layout and Verkada's cameras offer high-resolution, wide-angle, and low-light capabilities, significantly improving coverage. All access points, including stairwells, the secure file room, and the executive suite, are now monitored. The client states, "Knowing what's happening in our facilities is valuable. I don't have a particular dollar, but it means a lot. Once we put the camera where the cases of paper were, they quit walking off." Staff members, especially those at the warehouse, felt significantly more secure with the new system. Seeing who was at the door and monitoring the premises in real time enhanced their sense of safety. "The staff at the warehouse is all female, so we wanted complete coverage for their safety and the ability for them to view what's out there themselves," explains the director, "We got a camera with a wider view if we needed to cover a stairwell entrance and an office. The camera over reception has four different views. It's robust. We're not going to outgrow it anytime soon. We're just really pleased with it. And like I said, everything went fast."
Another standout feature is ease of use. The IT Director can manage all security aspects from a single platform on any device, including adding or removing access cards, monitoring live feeds, and reviewing footage with minimal effort. "I don't have to go to three different systems to set up something that needs access in all three places,” noted the IT Director, “I just go to one place and give my users the access they need. For our staff, Verkada is intuitive. If we ever have a loss, we'll have evidence we can use.” We have given the building manager at our library the ability to unlock – which we don't give to anybody remotely but our staff. If he has someone trying to access the building but doesn't have an access card, he can unlock the door for him. That's been a lifesaver several times."
Although the system rarely needed troubleshooting, the few times it did, Verkada's support team was quick to respond and resolve issues. For example, when cameras in the historic library temporarily lost connection, the IT Director contacted support and resolved the problem within an hour. Support was limited, if present, with the client's former system. "(Our former) systems would lose a motherboard, for instance. It happened three or four times, and it was just terrible. They didn't last very long, and then when they died, there was no backup, no support. We had to buy everything."
Pack states, "Verkada has a 10-year warranty for additional peace of mind. If your camera fails, you can contact Verkada tech support, who will give you a token. Verkada will mail you a new camera, and you will get the latest and greatest model. Most cameras last three to five years. So, the fact that Verkada has a 10-year warranty is pretty amazing."
Lastly, the system's integration into daily operations was seamless. The IT Director can quickly respond to any security alerts and adjust settings as needed without the cumbersome processes required by the old system. This efficiency frees up time and resources, allowing users to focus on other critical tasks.
Reflecting on the transition, the IT Director praised Verkada and VLCM, stating, "I would recommend Verkada to anybody. I have recommended it to some peers here in Texas and other church institutions. It's just so easy to manage. VLCM is a reliable partner that provides a wide variety of services. If I need a quote, I can go to Aaron (the client's Account Manager) and get it. The professionalism and the project management were so great on that project, it's easy for me to recommend VLCM to anybody."
For more VLCM + Verkada Customer Success Stories, head to:
Our client is a Church Convention based in Texas. Out of respect for our client's privacy, we have chosen to keep their name confidential.
Verkada Command, Verakda Video Security, Verkada Access Control, Verkada Intercoms
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