Could you tell us a little about yourself and your role at Oprema?

Hello! My name is Rhys Larsen, I am a Technical Support Engineer at Oprema. With 16 years of technical support experience behind me, my day-to-day routine consists of helping customers with their incoming technical queries. Then, once a month, I deliver certified Dahua training here at our Cardiff HQ.

 

What is covered in these training sessions?

A range of widely applicable topics – from the setup and configuration of AI and metadata, to ANPR and remote monitoring – is the foundation of every training session. We focus on the TiOC range and its functions & features, as well as the basics of IP. In addition to the course content, we can deep dive into the attendees’ questions as it's a fantastic opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment and have a bit of fun in the process!

 

Tell me what’s great about Oprema training sessions...

Aside from product knowledge and best practices, the sessions give those who attend newfound confidence in their own troubleshooting abilities. Demonstrating self-assurance during an installation is an easy way to let the customer that they’re right to put their trust in you. There’s also the chance to learn more about features that allow you to look at a product’s potential in different settings. A great example of this is how active deterrence cameras can also utilise pre-recorded welcome messages during a business’s opening hours – it’s all about thinking outside of the box and making the most of what each product has to offer.

 

What type of installer would best benefit from this style of training?

I would say that our training sessions are best suited to those who have some industry experience but want to expand their knowledge of the basics. It’s a great course for installers who might know what they’re doing, but not necessarily why they’re doing it. If you’re looking to better your troubleshooting skills, our training sessions are a great place to encourage critical thinking during future installations. Industry professionals looking to make the move over to IP systems will also massively benefit from this content.

 

For those considering attending an Oprema training session, what advice would you give?

If you want to develop your skills in a laid-back and relaxed environment, I’d 100% recommend giving one of these sessions a go. People often give positive feedback about the overview of networking, best practices, and IP addresses that I deliver to kick the course off. One thing I’ll also add – don’t be afraid to ask ‘stupid questions’! It’s so much better to get the answers you need in a controlled, learner-led environment, rather than in front of a customer on the job. We always end up with lots of ‘what-if’ scenarios, allowing everyone to take something valuable away from the session.

 

What do you enjoy most about delivering the sessions?

Teaching others has become a passion of mine and a big part of my role at Oprema. Helping someone to gain a new perspective on a topic is satisfying, and even after over a year of delivering training, I do find that every session is different. Despite the same information being delivered each time, every group brings along their own vibe and set of questions. It really keeps things fresh and exciting.

 

What are your thoughts on the approach training within the security industry at large?

The big reason people are hesitant to engage with training is the initial cost of a day’s work lost. But this is such an investment in the long run – really knowing the products you’re routinely working with, and having that enhanced configuration and troubleshooting knowledge, goes a long way to optimise efficiency in an installation setting. At Oprema, we think each session should be tailored as an experience to whoever is engaging with it on that day. Making the commitment to training ultimately offers the freedom to make sure your skills are always applicable, which is critical to long-term success.