Some manufacturers provide such products under the names of observation systems or kits, which security dealers and systems integrators can then resell to their customers. Other manufacturers prefer to specify each individual job as a system.
Among the advantages of kits are that the components of the entire system arrive at the same time, says Gareth McClean, director of research and development for American Dynamics, San Diego, part of Tyco Fire & Security’s Access Control and Video Systems business unit. Pricing of systems also is simplified, he points out.