Four vital questions every retirement village and integrated retirement community operator needs to ask before choosing a smart protection partner

The needs of developing new residential care and retirement living facilities are varied, requiring tailored security, fire, and communications solutions. It’s your responsibility to ensure your security and life safety systems are fully compliant and that your technology will keep people safe. This will help you to hand over the building on time and to budget.

Failure to choose the right smart protection partner for your retirement village risks both financial and legal ramifications. After all, if the protection systems don’t pass certification, your retirement village can’t open. So, it’s vital that you carefully consider who you partner with. Here are some tips for choosing the right one.

Firstly, consider the specialist’s previous experience. Do they have a proven track record of delivering success for integrated retirement communities? Look for case studies of previous customers on their website and read their success stories. Ask your peers for recommendations.

Examine if they have the resources to deliver on their promises. Are they focused on building an open and honest relationship with you? Are they dedicated to addressing your specific issues? In the past, companies have been taken to court over their failings to deliver on promises, so you need to be confident that your vendor can deliver.

Flexibility and adaptability from your chosen protection partner is key. Throughout your project, it’s highly likely you’ll have changes in your operational and/or technological requirements. You need a partner who can react quickly to those changes whilst maintaining a high-quality service.

Consider choosing a partner that offers a full suite of services under one umbrella. This will simplify the project immensely. Instead of installing siloed systems for security, fire, elevator safety and communications, a partner who offers an integrated solution will give you the confidence that they will work together when needed. Also, with one point of contact, you’ll save valuable time on management and maintenance.

Don’t underestimate the importance of partners who stay up-to-date with technological advances. The best partners stay at the forefront of cutting-edge technology so they can plan for the future. They know that what they build today will be capable of coping with future technologies and will suit your needs in the future, making them truly innovative.

Also remember to focus on finding a partner who is fully certified and accredited within the technology and systems that will be provided to the client.

Investors are increasingly looking for companies that specialise in being ‘net zero carbon’ and technology partners who understand these requirements. Consider your smart protection partner’s approach. Is it ethical? Do they have an obvious and demonstrable focus on sustainability? This is an important consideration, especially if you are looking to attract investors.

Choosing the right partner will, in the long run, help you build for tomorrow. The right partner will make you more attractive to clients, your units more saleable and give you a better return on investment.