It's a jungle out there....and you need to know a few things if you are considering the installation of a new gate system, or repairs to a system you already have.
Gate work is a surprisingly complex field, typically requiring a considerable mix of skill sets in order to do this work professionally. Some of the skills necessary are knowledge of how telephone systems work, how to interface with them and how to trouble-shoot them, as well as how to interrupt them to insert new gate equipment into them.
Electrical knowledge is a must, both high voltage (110 and 220volts, and higher for commercial or industrial) and low voltage. The difference between AC and DC voltlages and how to use them. Applicable Electrical Code, so as not to create problems. There is much more about electricity, but I'll stop there for now.
Most modern telephone entry systems have the ability for control and program modification from a computer, so a good working knowledge of how to install software, how to create a new network connection from the client PC to the telephone entry system (TES), how to trouble-shoot problems between the computer and the TES, and much more.
Welding is a big one. I did not know how to weld when I started in the gate business, but now I feel I am an accomplished welder. Making a strong weld and making it look good is a challenge a tech has to take an interest in, or it will never be quite right. Most anyone can make a repair by slapping a piece of scrap metal in the middle of a break of some kind, but thinking through what will work best, look best and last, takes some ingenuity as well as the desire to improve upon the obvious.
Knowledge of an entire range of hand and power tools is vital. Good tools, well applied, save time and money, and safe operation prevents injury. In my kit, I typically carry at least three angle grinders, three or four drills, laser levels, welder, an assortment of clamps and magnets to aid in welding, a generator, a huge array of hand tools, air powered and manual caulk guns, die grinders, roto-hammer, jack hammer, air compressor, and much, much more. I probably carry more tools than the average technician, partly because I really like tools, and partly because they make the job easier too.
One needs to know something of concrete: how to layout and build forms for setting footings, posts, operator pads, and often more.
There are an amazing array of operators on the market ("operator" is industry jargon for the motor units that open and close the gates). They are quite similar in the way most of them function, but a working knowledge of many models is essential. Many companies try to sell just one kind of operator for every application, and this is not always serving the best interest of the customer, and sometimes will not work at all.
The same can be said of telephone entry systems. There are many manufacturers of these systems, and most of them offer several models. Different models have different feature sets, and program and function differently according to the application.
These are just a few of the skill sets necessary to be a competent, professional gate installer and service technician. I will add more, and feel free to ask questions.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Where to start?
Having spent the past eight years developing myself as a professional automatic gate technician and installer, I recently parted ways with the small gate company I worked for to pursue my own business. I can't help but believe that working for myself will have to be better than working for others.
What do I hope to achieve with this blog? In the most general of terms, education. For myself, for people in the industry who want to learn more about their craft, for end-users who need help with their systems. Dialog for anyone who wants to be involved. A helping hand for myself and anyone who wants to discuss problems with these systems, and talk together to resolve those problems.
Of course, I hope to promote my business, but only through deserved trust from those I might establish contact with here, and other places. The only place I have advertised to date is Craigslist, and not much there. To date, all my business has come from personal referrals by those I have worked for, who trust my work, and won't trust service of their gates to anyone but me.
More importantly, what I hope to do is demystify the gate industry, and bring an improved level of customer service and professionalism to the industry in some small way, if I can.
My background is wide-ranging and perplexing. I am a musician, a professional bicycle mechanic, a technology and computer geek of sorts. I spent some time in the military, in the bicycle business, worked in various capacities for Nordstrom, moved into the information technology sector and got bounced out during the dotcom bust, and ended up in the automatic gate business.
Although the gate business was new to me, I felt like I had been training for it most of my life. In the Air Force (4.5 years), I learned basic and intermediate electronics and radio wave transmission and reception, along with a lot of other stuff. I have always been mechanically inclined, and in the bicycle business (14 years) I honed those skills and learned to use a range of tools I was previously unfamiliar with. I also learned sales and customer service skills that have served me well.
At Nordstrom, I continued to develop my customer service skills, and worked in many areas, including sales and various areas in support; distribution center processing, management, facilities, POS support and PC/network support and much more. From Nordstrom it was into the IT sector big time, at least until the dotcom bust and IT really took a nosedive. After being out of work for three months, the only work I could find was in the gate business, at less than half my previous rate of pay, and significantly reduced benefits.
Enough about me for now. If you have any questions about your gate system, the type of service you are getting, are considering buying a gate system and need help.....whatever, feel free to ask. I'll do what I can to assist. I hope to hear from you.
What do I hope to achieve with this blog? In the most general of terms, education. For myself, for people in the industry who want to learn more about their craft, for end-users who need help with their systems. Dialog for anyone who wants to be involved. A helping hand for myself and anyone who wants to discuss problems with these systems, and talk together to resolve those problems.
Of course, I hope to promote my business, but only through deserved trust from those I might establish contact with here, and other places. The only place I have advertised to date is Craigslist, and not much there. To date, all my business has come from personal referrals by those I have worked for, who trust my work, and won't trust service of their gates to anyone but me.
More importantly, what I hope to do is demystify the gate industry, and bring an improved level of customer service and professionalism to the industry in some small way, if I can.
My background is wide-ranging and perplexing. I am a musician, a professional bicycle mechanic, a technology and computer geek of sorts. I spent some time in the military, in the bicycle business, worked in various capacities for Nordstrom, moved into the information technology sector and got bounced out during the dotcom bust, and ended up in the automatic gate business.
Although the gate business was new to me, I felt like I had been training for it most of my life. In the Air Force (4.5 years), I learned basic and intermediate electronics and radio wave transmission and reception, along with a lot of other stuff. I have always been mechanically inclined, and in the bicycle business (14 years) I honed those skills and learned to use a range of tools I was previously unfamiliar with. I also learned sales and customer service skills that have served me well.
At Nordstrom, I continued to develop my customer service skills, and worked in many areas, including sales and various areas in support; distribution center processing, management, facilities, POS support and PC/network support and much more. From Nordstrom it was into the IT sector big time, at least until the dotcom bust and IT really took a nosedive. After being out of work for three months, the only work I could find was in the gate business, at less than half my previous rate of pay, and significantly reduced benefits.
Enough about me for now. If you have any questions about your gate system, the type of service you are getting, are considering buying a gate system and need help.....whatever, feel free to ask. I'll do what I can to assist. I hope to hear from you.
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