We are pleased to announce a new partnership with Advancis Software & Services.

To mark this milestone, we sat down with the Advancis team to explore how their solutions align with one of our key specialisms - the education sector, particularly within universities.

While we have collaborated previously, formally confirming this partnership represents an exciting step forward in our continued growth. It strengthens our commitment to providing both existing and future customers with access to a truly industry-leading PSIM/SMS platform.

We look forward to building on this collaboration and delivering some significant projects together.

 

In simple terms, how does Advancis help organisations bring multiple security systems together? And why is this particularly useful for the Education sector?

Advancis acts as a central open integration platform (PSIM) that integrates and unifies multiple security and building management systems such as CCTV, access control, fire alarms, and intrusion detection into a single interface. Rather than operating these systems independently, Advancis enables Unified Control, providing operators with a holistic, real-time view of security events.

For the education sector, this is particularly valuable due to the scale and complexity of campuses. Universities and schools often have multiple buildings, high footfall, and a mix of legacy and modern systems. Advancis helps streamline operations, improve response times, and ensure consistent security procedures across the entire site. 

How important is it for educational institutions to have a centralised view of their security systems, and why?

A centralised view is critical. It allows security teams to monitor all incidents from one location, reducing the risk of missed alarms or delayed responses. In environments like schools and universities where safeguarding is paramount having immediate situational awareness can make a significant difference in responding to incidents quickly and effectively.

It also supports better decision-making, simplifies training for operators, and ensures compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

 Many campuses rely on several independent systems such as CCTV, access control, fire alarms, and intrusion detection. What risks can arise when these systems are not integrated?

When systems operate in silos, several risks emerge:

• Delayed response times due to switching between systems
• Increased likelihood of human error or missed alarms
• Lack of context during incidents (e.g., no automatic linking of video to an access event)
• Inefficient workflows and duplicated effort
• Higher training requirements for staff managing multiple platforms

Ultimately, this fragmented approach can compromise both security effectiveness and operational efficiency.

 What are some of the key benefits that schools and universities typically see after implementing WinGuard from Advancis?

Typical benefits include:

• Faster, more coordinated incident response
• Improved situational awareness through a unified interface
• Standardised workflows and automated procedures
• Reduced operator workload and training complexity
• Better utilisation of existing systems (maximising ROI)
• Enhanced reporting and audit capabilities

Many institutions also value the scalability of the platform, allowing them to expand or adapt as their campus grows.

 

How easy is it for organisations to integrate existing security technologies into an Advancis platform?

Advancis is designed with integration in mind. It supports a wide range of third-party systems through existing adapters and open architecture, meaning most organisations can integrate their current technologies without needing to replace them.

This approach minimises disruption, protects previous investments, and allows integration to be phased if required. Our team also works closely with partners and clients to ensure a smooth onboarding process.

 

 Could you share an example of how WinGuard has been used successfully within an educational environment?

One example is a large university campus that integrated its CCTV, access control, and fire systems into Advancis. Prior to implementation, operators had to monitor multiple screens and manually correlate events.

After deploying WinGuard, the university established a central control room with automated workflows. For instance, when an access control alarm is triggered, the relevant CCTV feeds are automatically displayed, and operators are guided through a predefined response process.

This significantly reduced response times, improved incident handling consistency, and enhanced overall campus safety, while also making day-to-day operations more efficient for the security team.

 

Discover some of our education case studies: