It is important that “enterprise” be defined relative to the microcosm of the security industry. Its definition needs to be somewhat limited, incorporating just those event management systems most commonly deployed in large-scale facilities. They include: video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarm and fire alarm systems, as well as any primary building management systems (elevator alarms, HVAC, lighting, etc.). The key component in this definition is the ability to integrate the operations of these systems so that they truly function as one.
Enterprise-level integration calls for a much higher level of sophistication or “intelligence.” With the relatively new ability to engage communications between systems with high level serial or TCP/IP connections, software-driven system controllers can share programmed commands on a single platform via multiplexed signals across the network. Once the controllers of previously unrelated systems are integrated on a single platform, these systems can function as a single entity and not as a series of systems simply reacting to external commands.