Frequently Asked Questions

Why Pentegra Systems?

Chicagoland area based company with local resources
• Local Management team is available for timely responses and decisions.
• Project team, engineering and service technicians are local for quick response to any issue

Broad knowledge & experience across all five company divisions
• Expertise designing, engineering, installing, servicing and training clients on audio, video, data, security & telecom systems.
• Network engineers with Microsoft & Cisco network operation system experience
• Experienced engineers and technicians with IP based system implementation experience.

Experts integrating our five converging technologies
• Audio, video, data, security and telecom systems can all be seamlessly integrated onto an IP network.
• Integrated systems are more efficient to administer, monitor, expand and service.

Capable of handling projects without multiple subcontractors
• Total control over al project resources.
• Minimal reliance on third parties makes Pentegra flexible to client needs.
• Accountability for all phases of the implementation of our systems.

Focus on providing the highest level of customer service
• Not too big, not too small.
• Knowledgeable, highly skilled & dedicated staff
• Our goal is to exceed your expectations

Pentegra Systems is an award winning systems integrator
• Recognized as one of the nation’s Top 50 Systems Integrators by System Contractor News four years in a row.
• Received the Excellence in Business Award for Growth Strategies by the National Systems Contractor Association.
• 6 time Safety Award Winner from the Association of Subcontractors & Affiliates (ASA).

What are the acoustics of a space?

Normally thought of as the total effect of sound, especially as produced in an enclosed space, the Acoustics of the Space are as important as the sound system you might be considering. This is due to the fact that the sound system is operating in an enclosed acoustic system, and the total effect of the sound, as heard by the listener, will be the combined results of the performance of each system.  Understanding this unbreakable tie between the two systems’ performance is necessary in designing a sound reinforcement system that ensures your audience not only hears you, but understands what you say.

What are the benefits of investing in technology?

In every properly designed system, the opportunity exists for operational cost savings and/or revenue enhancements. Additional benefits of technology include improvements in the work environment, job performance efficiencies, and most importantly increased life safety and security.

What are the advantages of one Systems Integrator providing all of your converging technology solutions?

Understanding the IT backbone infrastructure, and knowing the most effective techniques to integrate various subsystems is essential for long-term planning. Additionally, having no question as to what firm is responsible for issues provides for faster, undisputed resolutions in a cost effective manner.

What sets Pentegra apart from other Systems Integrators?

Pentegra Systems is a full-service integration firm for all of our five technologies. We are a one-stop shop providing consultation, design, engineering, installation, training and service for all of our clients. Our focus is on providing long-term solutions to long-term clientele.

What is Pentegra Systems' role in dealing with these converging technologies?

No integrator in the Chicago-area has more experience with integrating converging technologies on the IP network than Pentegra. Pentegra combines the networking expertise of an IT firm with expertise in each of our five technologies to provide the most complete solutions available.

What is Unified Communications?

Unified Communications (UC) are communications integrated to optimize business processes.  UC is not a single product but rather a set of products that provides a consistent unified user interface and experience across multiple devices and media types.  Some of the major benefits of UC include: enhanced collaboration, increased productivity, accelerated decision making and lower travel costs.

What is Streaming Video?

Streaming Video is video content that is digitized and sent in a compressed format over an IP network, including the Internet, for immediate playback by the viewer in real time.  The video file is delivered in a continuous stream and viewed by the user as it is received by the video player.  The player decompresses the video content and displays it on a video display or projector.

What is VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology for transmitting digital telephone calls over the IP network rather than analog calls over copper wires through a telephone switch or private branch exchange (PBX).  Analog voice signals are digitized and encoded, then transported over IP networks using special media delivery protocols.

What is IP Convergance?

There was a time not too long ago when audio, video, voice and security analog signals were all transmitted over different cabling, utilizing different platforms.  In some cases, this is still being done.  However, what is happening today is that many of these analog signals have been converted to digital and the IP network acts as a single foundation for the various functions that traditionally had their own platforms.  This transition of various analog signals with their own unique platforms to digital, and then being distributed via the IP network is IP Convergence.

What is a Licensed Private Alarm Contractor?

The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has the responsibility to serve, safeguard and promote the health, safety and welfare of the public by ensuring that licensure qualifications and standards for professional practice are properly evaluated, applied and enforced.  Per the Illinois Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 (225 ILCS 447/), “Private alarm contractor” means a person who engages in a business that individually or through others undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to sell, install, design, monitor, maintain, alter, repair, replace, or service alarm and other security-related systems or parts thereof, including fire alarm systems, at protected premises or premises to be protected or responds to alarm systems at a protected premises on an emergency basis and not as a full-time security officer.  It is unlawful for a person to act as or provide the functions of a  private alarm contractor or to advertise or to assume to act as any one of these, or to use these or any other title implying that the person is engaged in any of these activities unless licensed as such by the IDFPR.

What are Converging Technologies?

Converging technologies refer to the various subsystems all existing on the IP network in various combinations. As we move further into the digital age, more and more of these technologies reside on the IP network.

What is System Integration?

Systems Integration of Audio, Video, Data, Security and Telecom systems encompasses the design, engineering and installation of multiple components and/or subsystems into a unique solution, functioning as one system.

What is Physical Security Information Management (PSIM)?

Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) is the convergence of physical security systems with IT.  Pentegra Systems will implement a PSIM that is a unified security platform which encompasses digital video surveillance, computerized access control and intrusion detection.  Pentegra can provide a turnkey integrated PSIM system or any subset of the PSIM, including surveillance, access control or intrusion detection.

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