Hikvision training saves time and opens up new opportunities for Brighton CCTV

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Brighton CCTV is a security installation business that prides itself on customer service; in fact, it’s how the company defines itself. That dedication to service means there’s a lot of importance placed on the expertise and knowledge of its engineers and behind-the-scenes staff.

Technical know-how is always evolving, however: new technologies are introduced, products are developed and deployed, and cutting edge features for existing products become available through firmware updates and the like.

So it’s crucial to stay on top of these changes to maintain a competitive edge. That’s the belief of Brighton CCTV Managing Director Christopher Dean.

“We’re always keen to improve our knowledge and skills,” he says. “At the same time we want to be able to broaden the range of products we offer to customers, and that involves learning about those new products, what they can do, how they work and how they integrate with other products and systems. If we don’t get the training on new products and technologies, we can’t make the most of them, and if we can’t make the most of them, they can’t provide the greatest benefit to our customers.”

The importance of training

Training, then, plays a critical part in maintaining those exceptional levels of customer service. But when you’re a successful business, it can be extremely difficult to find opportunities to take engineers from the field to attend training courses – and that’s not to mention concerns about lost income streams.

“It can be difficult, for sure,” Christopher says. “We do a lot of training with Hikvision, and although it’s free and our engineers qualify with certifications at the end of the process, there’s always a squeeze in terms of time pressure and the potential losses in revenue that go along with that.”

So instead of sending his engineers to courses, Dean set them some KPIs: engage instead with Hikvision’s online e-learning courses.

“The benefit that I saw here was in the flexibility,” he says. “They could choose from a variety of time slots that suited their workload. And then, when it came time for hands-on, face-to-face development training, our engineers began with a solid grounding – which meant the hands-on training was high quality, meaningful and efficient, timewise.”

So far, Brighton CCTV staff have taken courses in CCTV, Access Control, Video Intercom and Thermal technologies, in addition to the basic, entry-level training undertaken by their new apprentice.

“The fact that there are options for those new to the industry as well as for experienced engineers has been really helpful for us,” Christopher says. “While our apprentice has been able to start learning from the ground up, our more experienced team members have been extending their knowledge of the latest developments in these diverse technological areas.

“One of the things they like about it is the blend of self-paced learning and online instructor-led learning.”

A blend of offerings

Courses offered include those which provide both general security industry knowledge and Hikvision-specific certification. The general courses provide a grounding in both CCTV and access control technologies, while the Hikvision courses are for security professionals who need to deploy Hikvision systems and are looking for ways to prove their skill and expertise in the security industry. Learners can qualify as a Hikvision Certified Security Associate (HCSA), Hikvision Certified Security Professional (HCSP) or Hikvision Certified Security Expert (HCSE).

“The HCS programmes are designed for those who want to refresh their knowledge of our products or technologies, or to expand their expertise into new areas,” says Hikvision trainer Adam Williams. “We cover system configuration, operation, troubleshooting – all the practical areas which allow security professionals to get the most out of our solutions.

“Importantly the courses give learners the know-how to explain the potential uses and benefits of Hikvision solutions to customers, so they can maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of the systems they are investing in.”

Notable results

For Brighton CCTV, the results of their initiative have been both surprising and encouraging, Dean says.

“Our efficiency has definitely improved since we’ve been doing these training courses. That’s because of the improvement in product and technology knowledge – we’re now spending less time looking for technical support over issues because we have that understanding in-house.

“It’s also allowed our engineers to approach more unusual problems, ones that pose a significant challenge, in different, creative ways. With all that deep understanding comes the ability to maximise the potential of a product or a system.”

He says the effect has been to save time spent on-site, which, domino-like, has further benefits down the line.

“We’re now spending about 25% less time on-site,” Dean explains. “Or, to look at it another way, we’ve increased the number of additional projects we can take on by that same percentage. It’s a real advantage for us.

“Crucially, that additional training has also allowed us to broaden our sales portfolio, because our engineers have gained in-depth knowledge of a wider range of solutions. So as well as providing traditional exterior security, we’re now offering internal all-in-one non-video solutions which incorporate AXPro alarm systems, intercoms and access control.”

New business opportunities

As a result of upskilling its employees Brighton CCTV has also been able to extend its external security offering.

“We’re now providing advanced security systems which combine thermal perimeter protection with analytics,” Dean says. “The intelligence of the analytics – and the thermal cameras’ capability to sense intruders in any lighting or weather condition – means these systems greatly reduce the number of false alarms generated, which in turn means much more satisfied, happy customers.”

Other creative deployments of technology have opened up new industry opportunities for Brighton CCTV, including coupling radar technology with thermal cameras for monitoring use in the agriculture sector.

A new HCSA Interactive Flat Panel Display course has recently been added to the Hikvision training offering, and Dean says Brighton CCTV is considering this as a potential new arrow for the company’s quiver of increasingly diverse sales offerings.

The IFPD course, aimed primarily at installers but also suitable for sales teams, includes an introduction to flat panel displays and their features, an introduction to digital signage products, and information on using IFPD and digital signage as part of HikCentral management software.

A rosy future

It’s fair to say Brighton CCTV’s strategic embrace of Hikvision’s comprehensive training programs has delivered tangible benefits in both operational efficiency and business expansion. By leveraging flexible e-learning and hands-on training, the company has equipped its engineers with deeper product knowledge, enabling faster installations, fewer technical issues, and the confidence to offer more complex, integrated solutions.

This investment in continuous learning has not only elevated customer satisfaction through smarter, more reliable systems but has also empowered Brighton CCTV to diversify its portfolio and enter new markets—laying a strong foundation for future growth.

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