The “Secret Sauce” to Successful Security Product Development
- By Ginger Hill
- Apr 03, 2014
When professionals in the security industry come together en masse, knowledge gained over years of experience is shared; however, the true "magic" is created when this knowledge creates "ah-ha" moments. I had a huge moment like this as I walked the floor of ISC West 2014.
I sat down with Robert Laughlin, president, Galaxy Control Systems and Rick Caruthers, executive vice president, Galaxy Control Systems, for a rather fun and candid conversation. Caruthers started the interaction by detailing how they are taking old security technology and evolving it into a cost-effective way of using existing infrastructure. As the conversation progressed, I saw Laughlin and Caruthers' eyes literally lit up as they described how they used out-of-the-box thinking to not only solve a client's security problem but to create a newer trend for the security industry.
Flextronics is the world's largest PC board manufacturers, employing 140,000 shift workers per shift per day. That's 280,000 people going into and out of a facility over a 24 hour period of time. There's bound to be some sort of security issue with that, right? Well, Galaxy Systems created a mobile card swiping device using their newly reclaimed security technology that is mounted on Flextronics' buses, used to transport workers to and from the facility. Workers simply wipe their ID card when entering the bus, enabling them to clock in but to be identified as well.
Due to the success of this, Flextronics came up with the idea of wanting a "muster station," a place where people gather during an emergency situation and swipe their ID card into a mobile reader, indicating that they are safe. Of course, Galaxy delivered as Flextronics sat back in awe, watching their idea become a reality.
"We listened and developed a portable reader that helps keep people safe," said Laughlin, proudly.
Taking the time to listen and apply out-of-the-box thinking, a customer's needs were met and a new trend of the muster station has now taken hold within the security industry.
Sometimes security solutions require out-of-the-box thinking as well as manufacturers who are willing to listen to gain valuable insight that guides the solution-creation process. Gathering this type of business intelligence allows end users to see their input and ideas come to life within the industry which creates valuable relationships that simply make security work.
About the Author
Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.