Across the Middle East, business leaders are realising the importance of a robust and effective access control and security system. VIGIL CORE, part of the trusted PACOM brand, is a cutting-edge unified security management system combining access control with intrusion alarms, video verification and centralised alarm monitoring. With over 40 years of experience, PACOM has delivered scalable solutions in more than 60 countries, protecting sites globally with over 250,000 controllers installed.
A growing demand for centralised security
Increasing security concerns, rapid urbanisation, advances in AI and smart city technologies, and government investments are driving demand for centralised security management. Particularly in financial services, where a breach could prove costly for reputation and monetary losses.
There’s an estimated US$1.3 billion allocated by businesses across the Middle East to invest in and modernise their security infrastructure. For leaders looking to improve their security systems this year, I recommend looking at three areas.
- Integrations and centralisation
- Intelligence
- User experience
Integrations and centralisation
Integrations are critical in ensuring all security and access control devices and data can be viewed and operated in a single place. With its open API, VIGIL CORE enables extensive third-party integrations across security and building systems.
Combining every device and data input into a centrally controlled security and business management platform like VIGIL CORE will simplify monitoring and reporting. It works well for single sites, particularly multi-use spaces such as multiple occupancy office buildings or combined office and residential buildings, and VIGIL CORE can also scale to multiple sites and even geographically dispersed locations such as franchises or large campus environments. VIGIL CORE provides visibility and coordinated control across security and selected building systems and can scale up and down as required.
The ability to integrate with different systems also helps with modernising legacy infrastructure over time. VIGIL CORE provides existing PACOM users with an opportunity to migrate to the solution quickly and easily via a sustainable upgrade path that can be implemented based on the client’s (or your) schedule. This makes it perfect for applications such as banking and finance, as well as other verticals such as logistics and warehousing, commercial, cell towers, critical infrastructure and multi-site retail locations.
Moreover, investing in a security and access control system, such as VIGIL CORE, helps organisations meet government Smart City initiatives. With over $120 billion invested in future smart city projects, it’s wise to look for solutions that can integrate across many systems and produce valuable data insights on building usage, energy, occupancy and more. VIGIL CORE can act as an interface with the Internet of Things (IoT), helping organisations develop smart buildings and smart sites.
Intelligence
As VIGIL CORE combines access control and intrusion alarm, video verification, building management and centralised alarm monitoring all in one user-friendly platform, its value extends far beyond traditional security. Bringing every source of video and sensor data together in a single place unlocks valuable business intelligence, operational insights and efficiencies, providing value to operations, marketing, sales and other areas. This transforms security from a cost centre into a strategic data asset.
For example, insights on building usage can help leaders plan staffing and maintenance schedules, with busier areas getting more cleaning, or increasing staffing levels during predicted busy periods. Promotions or high-value retail items can be placed along routes that are often used. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can turn on automatically when someone passes through an access control system, and be switched off when they leave, ensuring energy isn’t wasted on empty buildings.
User experience
Ensuring a good user experience in a single, intuitive interface means team efficiency is improved as operators don’t need to toggle between different systems and windows. Almost an hour (59 minutes) every day is lost when employees switch between and search for information across different systems. That adds up to over 10.6 days lost, just to switching systems, across the year.
With everything consolidated within VIGIL CORE, operators can monitor a single system, controlling all devices through the one platform. Customisable dashboards make it simple for operators to set their screens to suit them, reflect floorplans or building layouts, and bring critical information and devices to the forefront.
Through its cloud-native architecture, VIGIL CORE enables secure remote management without the burden of complex local infrastructure.
If a cloud-based VIGIL CORE system is chosen, then operators can also view live and playback video from specific cameras, check the status of areas and doors, assign access and operator roles, assign credentials, export footage snapshots, and arm or disarm devices at any time, in any place, anywhere, from a simple mobile app. A PACOM VIGIL CORE Setup mobile app helps technicians with installation and troubleshooting. These apps are particularly useful for operators who may need to work remotely or complete patrols on-site, as they can still access vital information and functions from smartphones and tablets.
Training is also cut down when a single system is used, as operators only have to learn the one platform. This improves onboarding time. Troubleshooting and maintenance is also streamlined.
Benefits for VARs and installers
For the VAR community VIGIL CORE provides a cost-effective and scalable way of deploying and managing security systems, with a potential for recurring revenue and greater customer loyalty when a cloud-based option is installed. Recurring monthly revenue from VIGIL CORE can be helpful for forecasting and growth (and for customers, it’s a set line item that they can budget for without an initial large investment).
The simplicity of the VIGIL CORE platform eliminates the need for a complex server infrastructure and specialised skills to install. It also makes maintenance, updating and training easier. These all lead to long-term cost savings and a faster return on investment for customers while enabling VARs to transition from project-based delivery to service-led partnerships. That’s why leading VARs in the Middle East are recommending PACOM and VIGIL Core to their customers.
On-prem, cloud or hybrid options
The VIGIL CORE Platform and its components are designed to work in a cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environment. Leaders can choose the option that best suits their installation needs, budget, scalability, futureproofing and compliance requirements. VARs can offer the full breadth of deployment options, widening their available services and potential market.
Insight fit for the future
In a region investing billions into smarter and safer infrastructure, security cannot be managed in isolated systems. It must be centralised, intelligent and intuitive. By unifying access control, intrusion alarms, video verification, building management and alarm monitoring into a single scalable platform, VIGIL CORE from PACOM delivers exactly that: seamless integrations, actionable intelligence and a streamlined user experience.
For business leaders, this means more than protection. It delivers operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making and measurable support for Smart City initiatives. For VARs and installers, it creates scalable deployments, recurring revenue opportunities and stronger long-term customer relationships. With flexible cloud, on-premises or hybrid deployment options, organisations can modernise at a pace that aligns with their budget, compliance requirements and growth strategy.
Security is no longer just about controlling access. It is about unlocking insight, efficiency and competitive advantage. Those who centralise today will be the ones who lead tomorrow.
Muhammad Rizwan can be reached at Muhammad.rizwan@pacom.com or +971 54 9964 064.
This feature appeared in the March issue of Security Middle East magazine.
