Streamlining Security Systems for Middletown Unified School District

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Background

Middletown Unified School District, serving 1,500 students and 150 staff across dispersed sites, faces logistical and financial challenges typical of small districts. Led by Johnny Alves, Director of Technology, and a lean IT team, the district has adopted scalable, cost-effective solutions to enhance safety and efficiency. Johnny’s expertise and strategic approach have been key in modernizing the district’s security infrastructure.

Challenge

• Budget Constraints: As a smaller district, Middletown had to balance its need for advanced security features with tight financial limitations.
• Limited Resources: With a small IT team (comprising a director and a network technician), the district needed a system that required minimal training and maintenance.
• Time-Consuming Processes: Tasks such as identifying individuals in footage or tracking misplaced items required staff to sift through extensive footage manually.
• Fragmented Systems: The district relied on multiple standalone camera systems that were neither integrated nor easily accessible remotely

Solution

After evaluating several options, including a trial with Verkada, the district chose Coram due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and advanced features tailored to their needs. The decision was heavily influenced by the system's flexibility and the direct accessibility to Quorum's engineering team, which provided unparalleled support.

Implementation

Coram made security management easier and more effective for Middletown Unified School District. Its user-friendly design allowed administrators to quickly learn and use the system with minimal training, while the IT staff had no trouble setting it up across multiple campuses. Coram also brought advanced features like license plate recognition and firearm detection, adding vital tools to enhance security. Its AI-powered analytics saved time by identifying events in minutes instead of hours of manual work. Additionally, Coram offered a scalable and affordable solution that fit within the district's budget without sacrificing quality. Middletown’s IT team also benefited from direct access to Coram's engineers, making it easy to get quick help and customize the system to their needs.

Results

The implementation of Coram transformed how Middletown Unified School District managed its security. The system provided:

• Operational Efficiency: Significant time savings in incident resolution and system management.
• Enhanced Security: Real-time monitoring and advanced analytics improved safety across all district sites.
• Future-Proofing: The system’s scalability and adaptability ensured it could evolve with the district’s needs.

Testimonial

Johnny Alves, Director of Technology for Middletown Unified School District, emphasized the critical role of engineering accessibility and system usability:

“For a small district like ours, the ease of access to Corams engineers has been a game-changer. They are always available to provide quick answers and tailored solutions. Coram is not only a better product but also the perfect fit for our limited resources.”

Conclusion

Middletown Unified School District’s decision to work with Coram shows how smaller schools can overcome tight budgets and outdated systems to improve security. Coram’s easy-to-use tools, advanced features, and strong support helped the district solve its challenges and prepare for the future. Choosing the right system made a big difference, giving the district a safer and more efficient way to manage security.