Our Process: How We Build Your Infrastructure Plan

A clear, accountable path from first conversation to completed project and ongoing support.

The Brass Effect (TBE) is more than a technology vendor—we operate as a long-term partner to schools and public agencies, helping you build and execute a clear infrastructure, security, IT, and A/V plan. Our process is built to work inside your world: bond cycles, board approvals, procurement rules, and live campuses that can’t afford downtime.

Whether you engage TBE : : IT, TBE : : SECURITY, TBE : : INFRASTRUCTURE, or TBE : : A/V, you can expect the same disciplined approach from first assessment through final sign-off.

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A Simple, Five-Stage Approach

Complex projects don’t have to mean a confusing process. We use a straightforward five-stage approach that keeps your team informed, your stakeholders aligned, and your project moving.

  • Listen & Assess – Understand your environment, pain points, and goals.
  • Design & Scope – Engineer practical solutions with clear scope and cost.
  • Procure & Approve – Align with TIPS and your internal purchasing process.
  • Build & Implement – Execute with minimal disruption to daily operations.
  • Support & Evolve – Provide ongoing support, adds/moves/changes, and future planning.

Step 1 – Listen & Assess

Every engagement starts with listening. Before we recommend anything, we work to understand your current environment and the outcomes you’re responsible for delivering.

What this looks like:

  • Stakeholder conversations with IT, facilities, safety, and administration
  • Review of existing infrastructure: cabling, closets, network, devices, and security posture
  • Walkthroughs of representative buildings or spaces (classrooms, common areas, offices)
  • Review of any relevant drawings, specs, or bond documentation
  • Identification of risks, pain points, and opportunities for improvement

By Division (examples):

  • TBE : : INFRASTRUCTURE – Assess backbone, horizontal cabling, pathways, IDF/MDF conditions, and capacity for future growth.
  • TBE : : SECURITY – Evaluate camera coverage, access control points, blind spots, and monitoring workflows.
  • TBE : : IT – Review network topology, endpoints, ticket volumes, tools in use (Microsoft 365, backup, security stack).
  • TBE : : A/V – Assess classroom and conference technology, control standards, and staff ease-of-use.

Step 2 – Design & Scope

Once we understand your environment, we design a solution that fits your reality: budget, timelines, and staffing. The goal is not to upsell, but to engineer a practical path forward that your team can support.

Key elements:

  • Conceptual design and high-level engineering aligned with your standards
  • Clear scope definition for each campus or facility
  • Itemized materials and labor, with options where appropriate
  • Phasing plans that minimize disruption to instruction and operations
  • Coordination with architects, GCs, and other trades when projects are part of larger builds or renovations

By Division (examples):

  • INFRASTRUCTURE – Division 27-compliant cabling designs, pathways, IDF/MDF layouts, and test/certification standards.
  • SECURITY – Camera and access control layouts using Avigilon and aligned platforms, with attention to critical coverage areas.
  • IT – Managed or co-managed IT support models, including help desk, endpoint management, and network remediation.
  • A/V – Extron-based classroom and meeting room standards, equipment lists, and control interface design.

Step 3 – Procure & Approve (TIPS & Vendor Alignment)

Great designs stall without a clear purchasing path. We help you navigate procurement so you can move from planning to action without unnecessary delays.

How we support procurement:

  • Utilize our awarded TIPS contracts for Technology Solutions, Products, and Services:
    • TIPS Contract #250106
    • TIPS Contract #25010401 (NON-JOC)
  • Provide detailed proposals and supporting documentation for purchasing departments and boards
  • Align scopes and pricing with contract requirements and your internal approval process
  • When cloud, connectivity, or cybersecurity services are involved, leverage our Sandler Partners relationship to source and align providers under your TBE engagement

Result:
You receive a competitively-bid, contract-compliant solution with a single accountable partner—The Brass Effect—coordinating all moving parts.

Step 4 – Build & Implement

Once approvals are in place, we move into execution. Our teams are accustomed to working in live school and government environments where safety, communication, and cleanliness matter.

What you can expect:

  • Clear schedules, milestones, and points of contact
  • Coordination with your IT, facilities, and security leaders
  • Work planned around bell schedules, testing windows, and peak usage times where possible
  • Qualified technicians who follow jobsite rules and respect occupied spaces
  • Progress updates and issue tracking throughout the project

By Division (examples):

  • INFRASTRUCTURE – Installation of cabling, pathways, racks, labeling, and certification with documentation for each drop.
  • SECURITY – Installation and commissioning of cameras and access control hardware, integration with Avigilon platforms.
  • IT – Deployment of tools, agents, and configurations; cutover plans for network or server changes; ticketing coordination.
  • A/V – Mounting displays, projectors, speakers, control panels, and programming of Extron or related solutions.

Step 5 – Support & Evolve

Technology is never truly “done.” After go-live, we stay engaged to support your staff, handle adds/moves/changes, and plan for what’s next.

Support options can include:

  • Warranty support and coordination with manufacturers
  • Moves, adds, and changes for cabling, devices, and endpoints
  • Managed or co-managed IT services through TBE : : IT
  • Ongoing A/V, security, and infrastructure service engagements
  • Periodic reviews of performance, incidents, and emerging needs

Workforce & Training:
Through the TBE Infrastructure Academy – Certified Cabling Technician (CCT) Program, we are also investing in the next generation of infrastructure talent. This supports long-term sustainability of the technologies we deploy across districts and agencies.

What You Gain from Our Process

The goal of our process is simple: reduce noise, increase clarity, and deliver outcomes.

Key benefits to your organization:

  • Clarity for stakeholders – A defined path from assessment through support that leadership and boards can understand.
  • Fewer surprises – Transparent scoping, scheduling, and communication based on real-world constraints.
  • Procurement confidence – TIPS-based purchasing and documented alignments with your internal requirements.
  • Accountability – One partner responsible for coordinating multiple technologies and vendors.
  • Future readiness – Designs and decisions made with future growth, AI, and data demands in mind.

You don’t have to overthink every technical detail. Our job is to handle the complexity so your team can stay focused on teaching, serving, and protecting your community.

Ready to See This Process in Action?

If you’re planning a project, dealing with aging infrastructure, or simply need a clearer path forward, we’re ready to walk you through the next steps.

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