Technology contractors reduce risks, save money and time

"Technology contracting is a money and time saving, risk reducing option," says Neil Cameron, GM of Systems & Services at Johnson Controls Africa. "It delivers truly integrated systems that allow a building to function as a single cohesive entity, maximising the benefits to be had from intelligent systems, such as lowered cost of ownership, ease of management, minimised energy usage and emissions, and a lower carbon footprint."

Like the architect that designs a structure with engineering, eco and aesthetic principles and purpose in mind, technology experts have an enterprise-wide perspective on technology. They also have the authority and technical expertise to make decisions and influence how the information technology network, as well as comfort, communications, life safety, asset tracking and business applications will be chosen, installed and operated.

Contractor is a single source of responsibility

Says Cameron: "In a traditional approach to the design and construction of a building, a number of independent consultants contribute to the creation of a building spec. This may include any number of increasingly hi-tech technologies - like CCTV, HVAC, fire alarms, lighting and electrical systems, communication and building management platforms.

"While each system may be selected on merit and fit with customer requirements, each will usually be implemented by an independent supplier, each will have its own operating system that will need to be upgraded and each is likely to be maintained by a separate service provider. Without a single integrated architecture, systems are difficult to synchronise and costs are duplicated over the lifetime of the systems.

"A technology contractor, on the other hand, provides a single source of responsibility for all supporting technology systems, can balance first and lifecycle costs, eliminate system and infrastructure duplication, converge individual systems into a technology solution, and can guide implementation to maximise efficiency and cost effectiveness."