Quality Control is Everything
Like any product, reliability will keep the end user happy
- By Michael Stoll
- Oct 01, 2019
In today’s world, there are a myriad of different manufacturers
that produce similar products and there are so many
options available to customers. However, there is only one
way to make your product stand out from the rest: deliver
a quality product that offers reliability and peace of mind
to customers. By delivering a quality product time after time,
you not only maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty, but
reduce the cost of replacing a broken product and minimize a
customer’s downtime.
Reputation of Quality
Companies can build a solid reputation for quality by gaining
recognition as the industry standard for quality. The word quality
means different things to different people. However, when it
comes to perimeter protection and selecting the right turnstile solution,
the word quality translates into reliability, which in return
creates a safer world.
With so many product choices out there, quality turnstile
manufacturers that consistently deliver a superior product will
forge ahead of their competitors and retain customers. Security
manufacturers today must make products that are durable, reliable
and without failure. When it comes to quality perimeter protection
products and reliability, you have to be at the top of your
game and build a solid reputation by continually exceeding your
customers’ expectations each and every time.
It is important to offer customers peace of mind with them knowing they will never have to worry about replacing a lane
due to malfunction. The best way to keep a 100-percent customer
retention rate is to offer customers 100-percent reliability
on your product.
It is extremely important for manufacturers to invest heavily
in engineering and internal resources. For example, if you have
multiple requests from customers that require a specific need such
as improving throughput on turnstiles in order to maintain the
highest level of security for certain locations, then you need to
step up and invest in the proper internal resources to give customers
what they want.
Quality Is the Key to Loyal Customers
Customers will pay more for a product or service that they feel
exceeds the industry standard. If a customer knows that a product
is top quality, typically they will not mind paying more for
it if required. As we all know, buying a cheaper product can
end up costing you more money in the short and long-term. By
investing in a quality turnstile up front, you are saving yourself
from costly repairs from product failures that put people’s
safety in jeopardy.
When it comes to perimeter protection, protecting people is the
number one priority and without the proper internal mechanics
in place; turnstiles will not add any value down the road. Quality
is critical to long-term customer relationships and becomes the
fundamental basis of all buying decisions. When it comes to purchasing
and installing turnstiles, being diligent in your research
and product reviews is extremely important. Talk to prior customers
and see if they had any lane failures or replacements over
the course of 10 years.
The test of time is a good indication if your turnstile manufacturer
is really producing a quality product.
Quality Can Help Shape a
Company’s Brand Reputation
Quality reflects on a company’s brand reputation and can be
a key differentiator when an end user is looking to purchase a
turnstile. The growing importance of security in our country, and
keeping our buildings secure by being able to track who can enter
and exit a facility, has become a fundamental need for all types
of businesses.
As a manufacturer, if your company consistently delivers what
it promises, your customers are much more likely to refer you to
other customers and be your voice in the industry. This can help
you build brand awareness and credibility in the industry without
spending a fortune on advertising. Let your customers be your
advertisement.
Consistency is the key to success and being consistent in every
aspect of your business is the way to rise to the top. It is also
important to bring disruptive technologies to the market that are out of the box and different then what everyone else offers. Quality
has to be the main driver and philosophy of any manufacturer
and bringing a turnstile product to market that can be counted
on 365 days a year without any failures should be the goal of any
turnstile company.
Exceeding Industry Standards
Adhering to an industry-quality standard is an important aspect
of quality control. How turnstile manufacturers handle quality
control internally is something that a potential customer should
look at closely. What systems and processes are in place to ensure
quality products are produced and delivered consistently?
A manufacturer who invests heavily in internal resources
such as engineering, quality control, R&D and production management,
has a better chance of being a company that exceeds
industry standards. In addition, testing is a huge component of
quality. All mechanics inside the cabinets should be tested for
years to ensure that everything is working properly. Customizing
a turnstile solution while still adhering to strict quality
guidelines is just as important. Offering different shapes, materials,
finishes, features and items such as companion walls and
matching structures all need to come together to seal the deal.
Turnstiles that are poor quality increase costs not only for customers,
but the manufacturers who will have to scrap defective
products and sometimes pay additional production costs to replace
broken turnstiles.
Industry Specific Solutions
Producing industry-specific solutions is also an important factor
for turnstile manufacturers. When it comes to school security,
turnstiles that can accommodate forced-entry resistant glass—
school guard glass—can be beneficial. The term “school guard
glass” is something that will become extremely popular over the
next few years.
More schools will be implementing bullet-resistant glass at
entry points with the intention of protecting and saving lives. A
Dual Portal Mantrap Turnstile can be used at critical checkpoints
and can handle a full-height school guard glass set of moving
panels, which is an important factor for schools. Only moving
panels with a compound motion will keep the leading edge of
the barrier midway along the passageway while storing the panels
parallel to the passageway. This functionality provides the safest
and widest passageways (up to 42” clear).
As well as unprecedented ADA compatibility, particularly with
service dogs and wheelchair footrests in bi-directional traffic.
As we move forward, turnstile manufacturers will continue to
develop solutions to better protect facilities
around the country. However, only the ones
that foster a quality-first philosophy will survive
and be around for the long haul.
This article originally appeared in the October 2019 issue of Security Today.