The entire security industry is currently experiencing supply chain delays due to COVID-19, and the impact is going to last longer than we initially expected.
At ACT, we’re committed to keep delivering great service to our clients in as timely a fashion as possible. We also believe our flexibility and ability to plan ahead make us uniquely equipped to navigate this crisis.
However, these delays are completely out of our control, so we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this unknown territory together. And because all of our service lines and products are affected, your next project will likely require some extra planning and lead time.
If you’re currently in the middle of a project or expect that you’ll need a new installation in the next six months, here’s what you need to know about the industry-wide delays and product shortages.
COVID-19 disrupted almost every industry and global economy, and even though the vaccine is helping many industries recover, manufacturing is taking some time to catch up to the rising demand.
We’re currently experiencing shortages of metal and semiconductor chips, so product manufacturers are backed up and can’t create enough of the parts to meet the demands of our industry.
And to add to the problem, manufacturers are struggling to hire enough workers in the midst of a growing labor shortage.
Because of these factors, parts and products that we would normally receive in just a couple of days are now taking weeks to arrive, and others are either on backorder until 2022 or are out of stock indefinitely. Orders for these parts are being filled on a first come, first serve basis.
We initially hoped that these shortages would end by the fall, but now we’ve learned that some equipment we hoped to get in late 2021 will not be available at all this year.
While many parts of this situation are out of our control, we are doing our best to keep serving our clients by keeping extra stock of whatever parts we can get our hands on.
Many companies are ill equipped to handle these circumstances because they only know how to work from standard box kits. Fortunately, our team at ACT is skilled at finding creative ways to work with existing systems or install new pieces of equipment.
ACT also has greater flexibility than many of our competitors, because we carry 3 or 4 different lines of products, so we have options if one becomes unavailable.
Additionally, we are actively communicating with all of our clients to let them know that future projects may be delayed, and we’re committed to staying transparent with all of our prospective clients.
If you have an upcoming security project––whether it includes access control, security cameras or fire and life safety systems––it’s important to get it on the books with us right away. The sooner we can get the contracts in place, the sooner we can place an order for the specific equipment you’ll need.
Even if you’re in the early stages of planning your project and aren’t sure about the details of your specific technology needs, it’s not too early to bring us in! Our team of security design experts can work with you to create a plan and start ordering everything you need in hopes of avoiding a future delay if timelines are critical.
Please keep in mind that because of the parts shortage and supply chain issues, many products have increased in price. And, in our experience, you can expect that these increased prices will likely be here to stay.
At ACT, we’re dedicated to making our clients’ lives easier with superior work and great customer service, and that commitment will not change even in the midst of these delays.
If you’re looking to get started on a new design or installation project in the next year, don’t wait to reach out. Contact us today to learn more.
Looking to take your security or technology to the next level? Request your free site assessment today. We’ll review your goals and walk through your building or home to help you determine the best solution.
Request Now!
One of the most common questions we get asked is about the difference between hosted and managed security services. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but they actually refer to two very different things. When...
By Chuck Robinson
Read More
At ACT, we understand that client relationships represent the most important part of our business. Security is not something we take lightly, so we do our best to partner with people who understand the value...
By Chuck Robinson
Read More
