Specifically Speaking with William Cirone – ‘It’s critical to have the needs for security and technology considered from the very beginning of a project’

YARMOUTH, Maine—William Cirone and his team at Forward Edge provide “the technology edge for education.”  

Cirone serves as chief information officer (CIO) with Forward Edge, an education-focused technology solutions provider, based out of Cincinnati, Ohio.  

Founded in 2005, Forward Edge has become a trusted partner to K-12 schools across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky through its deep understanding of technology in education. In serving these schools, the company delivers innovative and sustainable solutions for managed services, technology integration, wireless LAN, security, and staff augmentation.

“As CIO, I serve as the thought leader for all the technical solutions that we specify and install. I am heavily involved in the conversations with customers to scope and design solutions from initial concept through final implementation,” Cirone told SSN. “As we are both a VAR [value-added reseller] and a specifier, I often work with the same customers on both types of projects.”

As part of Security Systems News’ monthly column Specifically Speaking, the following is an exclusive Q&A with Cirone:

SSN: What kinds of systems do you design/specify and what services does the company provide?

CIRONE: Our company started as a company that sought to provide all things technology that schools require. As systems have become more complex and interconnected, the ability to be so broad has become impossible, but we are heavily involved in network infrastructure (servers, switches, Wi-Fi, fiber/copper), CCTV, electronic physical security, and small-scale A/V (classroom, cafeteria/gym – not necessarily auditorium/stadium/arena).

We have a number of engineers on staff who can assist with the specifying process, as well as work on the implementation side. In addition, we have an in-house installation team, so we vet a vast majority of the products we specify through our own practice.

SSN: What vertical markets does the company specialize in? Any interesting projects that you can mention?

CIRONE: We serve the K-12 education market exclusively and have been involved with over 40 renovations or new builds in the past eight years. Notable projects include Fairborn High School in Fairborn, Ohio, and United Local Schools K-12 in northeast Ohio.

SSN: How did you get started in security and designing/specifying?

CIRONE: Forward Edge has served as a VAR/integrator in Southwest Ohio for 20 years, and over the years we saw a number of facility projects where the designs didn’t seem to take advantage of the most current methods (i.e. analog cameras long after IP cameras were the standard), manufacturers best positioned to meet the needs, or even with an eye toward how the facility would be used over the lifetime.

After going through a building project where things weren’t done well, one of our school clients with whom we already had a relationship advocated for us to partner with their architect for their next project. The architect was initially hesitant to work with a team that was not familiar with traditional technology design, but our mutual client was relentless, and we got a chance.

Despite a few minor bumps and bruises, the project was a tremendous success, and the architect elected to work with us on another project. They were again impressed with our work and the progress we’d made toward learning the business. Since then we’ve done 25-plus projects together and the outcomes have been overwhelmingly positive.

SSN: Can you talk about what new or emerging technologies you are seeing or specifying today?

CIRONE: The biggest trends that we’re seeing in education are the need to have high-speed connectivity everywhere, and to be able to provide security cameras everywhere.

We’re providing Wi-Fi connectivity in parking lots, baseball stadiums, practice fields, and nearly anywhere else that folks might gather to work or socialize. Buildings that once upon a time would have been standalone now need reliable connectivity just as desperately as they need power and water!

Situational awareness on the outside of the facility is also a huge need, as the climate for school safety has evolved the need for complete campus coverage, and even license plate recognition and other AI analytics are increasingly requested and required.

SSN: What is your view on the industry moving forward?

CIRONE: It’s critical to have the needs for security and technology considered from the very beginning of a project. From the way we compartmentalize buildings, arrange traffic flow, and overlay electronic physical security, it’s imperative that we consider the desired results from the very beginning of the project.