Anyone venturing into the field of automation, multi-room audio, integration of different services, will not be surprised to learn that project management is of prime importance. The purpose is to bring disparate functions together in such a way that they work together efficiently, with their complexity being transparent to the end-user.
A property owner or proprietor, for example, not having their own expertise in this area, may nevertheless want to exploit the tremendous potential that can be harnessed with these emerging technologies. A contractor may already have their own electricians, or other skilled personnel, but not the necessary expertise in this field.
OWS can offer a project management service to customers in this predicament. The company's design department prepares drawings, diagrams, schematics, to be used by the customer's installation contractors or employees. If necessary, OWS can provide personnel for certain roles. OWS engineers arrange a schedule of visits with the client, to ensure that work is being carried out according to the specification. In each field there are many regulations which need to be complied with; OWS keeps a close eye on, for example, the type of cabling used, where it is used, how it intersects with other wiring, and so on. Thereby, the paper blueprint is backed up with physical site visits and inspections. Experienced OWS staff can be on site to supervise what is sometimes called the "second fix", to ensure that all is as it should be.
A typical project overlooked in this way involved integrating lighting, radiator heating, window automation, blinds automation, security alarms and door entry for a college for special needs, located in the north-east of England. OWS liaised with local electricians and builders and the client, to devise the most expedient means to bring the project together, and then backed this up with regular visits, both during the works and post-installation for maintenance purposes. Supervision is facilitated by provision of an Internet gateway, which makes remote monitoring of fault conditions possible. Local staff can then be alerted as to what their own personnel need to do, to rectify any difficulty that may arise, or programs can be adapted as required without a site visit being necessary. OWS staff continue to be on call for physical attendance should the need arise.
A more recent project management arrangement requires integration control via the Apple tablet, the iPad. OWS keeps abreast of new devices as they come to market, aware that customers requiring management services will often be keen to exploit the leverage, convenience - and indeed aesthetics - of the most recent advances in automation, as they come to light.
Please call on +44 (0)1727 739 739 if you would like advice on project management.