Our Engagement Process

A Predictable Path From "We Have a Problem" to "It's Working."

Most low-voltage, ICT, and physical security projects fail in the seams — between scoping and design, between design and install, between install and the day you actually need support. Our five-stage model exists to eliminate those seams. Every engagement runs the same way, whether it's a $20,000 camera add or a $2M nurse call replacement across a campus.

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Nexus discovery-to-support process illustration showing a step timeline: Discovery, Assessment, Design Proposal, Deployment, and Ongoing Support

Stage 01

Discover

1–2 weeks
We start by understanding what's actually happening, not what the spec says is happening. A Nexus engineer walks the site, reads the as-builts (and corrects them where they're wrong), interviews the people who'll use the system, and identifies the failure modes you've already lived through. For healthcare clients, this includes shadowing a med pass or a code response so we see the workflow, not just the floor plan.

You get

A discovery brief — current-state map, identified gaps, regulatory triggers (UL 1069, NFPA 72, HIPAA, FGI), and a short list of options ranked by cost, disruption, and outcome.

What we need from you

Site access, a 30-minute conversation with the clinical or operations lead, and existing drawings if they exist.

Stage 02

Design

2–4 weeks
Discovery options become a stamped design. Our RCDD- and PMP-credentialed engineers produce the drawing set, BOM, network topology, head-end layout, and (for nurse call) the room-by-room device schedule. Designs are coordinated with your architect and GC if one is involved, and reviewed against the applicable standards before they leave our office.

You get

Construction documents suitable for permit, bid, or build, plus a written narrative explaining the design intent and the alternates considered.

What we need from you

Approval of the discovery brief and any final scope adjustments.

Stage 03

Estimate

3–7 days
Real numbers, not a 'rough order of magnitude.' The estimate ties line-by-line to the design drawings. Labor is broken out by trade and phase. Materials are at current contract pricing. Alternates and value-engineered options are priced separately so you can see what each decision costs. If you're buying through a cooperative contract (Sourcewell, TIPS, GSA, GPO), this is when we apply contract pricing and attach the contract documents to the quote.

You get

A line-item estimate, a payment schedule, a project schedule with critical-path callouts, and a fixed expiration date so the number means something.

What we need from you

PO or signed proposal.

Learn about cooperative purchasing →

Stage 04

Install

Varies
Where most integrators lose the plot, and where our reputation is built. Every install runs against a published schedule with a dedicated project manager, a documented quality checklist, and daily updates to your point of contact. Healthcare and senior-living installs are sequenced to avoid clinical disruption — wing-by-wing, off-shift cutovers, and a clear rollback plan for every cutover window. For multi-site rollouts, we replicate the playbook across properties rather than treating each one as a fresh project. Safety is non-negotiable. Crews work to OSHA 30 standards, ICRA-trained where infection control applies, and badged through your access process before they're on site.

You get

Daily progress reports, weekly status meetings, end-of-shift cleanliness, and zero surprises at invoice time.

What we need from you

A single decision-maker for the inevitable in-the-field choice.

Stage 05

Manage

Ongoing
The system is live. Now it has to stay live. Every install closes into one of three paths: • Warranty + on-call. The default. We respond to issues at published SLAs and own the manufacturer relationship on your behalf. • Nexus360 Managed. A predictable monthly fee that covers monitoring, patching, vendor escalation, and proactive replacement before a failure. The same engineers who installed your system keep it running. • Self-managed with bench support. You operate it; we backstop you with engineering hours, parts depots, and 24/7 emergency response.

You get

A closeout package — record drawings, training videos, credentials, parts list, escalation matrix, and the first-year service calendar.

Nexus360 Managed Services →

Project Timeline at a Glance

1

Discover · 1–2 weeks

Brief
2

Design · 2–4 weeks

Drawings
3

Estimate · 3–7 days

Quote
4

Install · Varies

System
5

Manage · Ongoing

Uptime

The average Nexus project moves from Discover kickoff to Install start in 6–10 weeks. A comparable open-RFP path is typically 16–28 weeks. Cooperative-contract clients sit at the fast end of that range.

Learn about cooperative purchasing

How We're Different at Each Stage

Same industry. Same RFPs. Very different execution.

StageTypical IntegratorNexus
Discover"Send us the spec."Walk the site, read the workflow.
DesignManufacturer-supplied BOM.Stamped drawings, alternates, code review.
EstimateOne number, no detail.Line-item, contract pricing, expiration date.
Install"We'll let you know when we're there."PM + daily reports + ICRA-trained crews.
ManageCall when it breaks.Monitored, patched, vendor-managed.

Start a Project

Tell us what you're working on — we'll confirm scope, recommend the right discovery track, and respond within one business day.

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Start your project

Tell us about your facility, current challenge, budget range, and timeline, and we'll route your request to the right specialist.

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