Tought Leader
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Selecting the Right Technology Partner
WRITTEN BY CURTISS ROUTH I
feel a great obligation due to the recent Chattanooga tragedy to discuss why it’s so critical to select the right technology partner. By the time this article is pub- lished, the accident’s cause will likely be determined.
Tere will be strong opinions from the public and within the industry centered on what could have been done differently. It’s likely many of the opinions offered will be to change or add something on or to the school bus that will either make the ride safer or will provide better insight as to what’s happening on the bus. Ultimately, this will require adding more technology, which for every transportation director, superintendent or school board means there will be additional training required to understand, acquire and integrate the solu- tion into already-existing systems. Many school districts consistently purchase technol- ogy as a part of a long-term plan, focusing on system integration, scalability and longevity of the system. Tere are other districts that have multiple surveillance systems and antennas plus consistent issues of product failure and/or lack of supplier support. In either instance, stu- dent transporters need to actively seek out a long-term partner that will listen to their needs, ask questions, and develop a multi-year plan that gets fleets where they need to be. Below are questions to ask when interviewing poten- tial technology partners: Is your surveillance solution scalable? When additional
product is requested, I need an easily integrated, afford- able solution. Good cameras and accessories should last at least seven to 10 years. Installing DVRs that are backward compat-
ible allows you to use your current camera and accessory inventory, possibly saving your district 30 percent or more on a fleet upgrade. What technical support do you provide? How does
your partner ensure minimal product failure? A reputable, strong partner should be able to provide insight into their quality control process and how that process eliminates future repairs or failures. Without this process, the technology will continue to have the same issues over and over, costing you time and money. If the answer is simply a longer warranty or overnight
replacement, the root of the issue isn’t being addressed and corrected, and the focus isn’t on providing you improved product performance. It’s important your technical questions are addressed around the clock to keep your fleet operational and your students safe. Can you confirm multiple channels of video are view- able in normal-, low- and no-light conditions during specific times of day? Can I also view and save multiple channels at the same time? A good partner will share actual video footage taken
from a system configuration identical to that used in your operation so you know exactly what to expect in all lighting conditions. Te inability to save or view multi- ple channel views indicates the software has limitations, which ultimately increases time needed to download and review the footage. Selecting the right technology partner removes many
“what ifs” from your day. Have confidence knowing students, drivers and the district are protected from any event because the right technology is in place and func- tioning properly. ●
Curtiss Routh, vice president of sales at REI
Co O
Curtiss Routh is the vice president of sales for surveillance and audio/video solutions company REI. He is based out of Omaha, Nebraska, and may be contacted at
crouth@radioeng.com.
36 School Transportation News • JANUARY 2017
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
Jan17_STN.indb 36
12/20/16 4:50 PM
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