Advantex - NSI - National Security Inspectorate

Advantex Network Solutions –Tony Easingwood Account Manager

Head Office Location: Gateshead - Tyne and Wear
NSI Certifications: NSI Gold
Areas of business expertise: IT Infrastructure & Support / Cyber Security Solutions / Structured Cabling & Network Installations / CCTV - Video Surveillance Systems /Access Control & Entry Systems / Unified Communications / Cloud Services & Microsoft 365 / Wi-Fi & Wireless Networks / Audio Visual Solutions / Maintenance & Managed Services

Company Overview

Advantex Network Solutions Limited is a leading provider of integrated IT, security, and communications solutions, serving clients across the UK. We specialise in designing, delivering, and supporting intelligent infrastructure — from high-performance networks and cyber security to enterprise CCTV, access control, and unified communications.

Trusted by public and private sector organisations alike, we combine technical expertise with hands-on service to keep businesses connected, protected, and performing at their best.

What are your company's main drivers for gaining and maintaining NSI certification?

Our main drivers for gaining and maintaining NSI certification are centred around trust, quality, and compliance. As a business operating in critical environments—including education, manufacturing, and infrastructure—it’s essential that our clients have complete confidence in our ability to deliver secure, reliable, and standards-compliant systems.

NSI certification provides independent validation of our processes, reinforcing our commitment to best practice in the design, installation, and maintenance of electronic security systems. It also supports us in meeting the pre-qualification criteria for regulated sectors and strengthens our position in competitive tender environments.

Importantly, this certification also aligns with our overarching mission as a company: to create a great place to work and deliver a great service to our partners. Over the decades, this mission has remained unchanged and forms the foundation of everything we do. As part of that commitment, we’ve worked hard to achieve and maintain a range of certifications—including ISO 9001, Cyber Essentials Plus, and NICEIC—with ISO 27001 set to be achieved later this year. NSI certification plays a key role in upholding the high standards our clients expect, while continuing to drive internal consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What benefits has NSI certification brought to your business?

NSI certification has brought significant benefits to our business, both operationally and commercially. It has enhanced our credibility and strengthened client trust, particularly when tendering for high-value and regulated projects where third-party certification is a prerequisite.

From a commercial standpoint, NSI certification has directly contributed to winning several large-scale contracts. In particular, it has been a crucial factor in satisfying supplier compliance requirements for organisations with stringent security and quality standards. Notable examples include projects at the SEAH Winds Manufacturing Facility, the AESC Battery Plant, and the continued evolution of the CCTV system at Newcastle International Airport. Our NSI certification provided clients with the assurance that our systems, processes, and installations meet the highest industry standards — ultimately helping to secure these high-profile engagements.

Operationally, the structured processes required by NSI have improved internal consistency across project delivery, documentation, and aftercare. This has resulted in measurable gains in efficiency, with a 20% reduction in project variation orders due to tighter quality control and clearer system commissioning standards.

Overall, NSI certification continues to drive performance, improve customer confidence, and open doors to new business opportunities

How has NSI certification benefitted your customers?

NSI certification has delivered measurable benefits to our customers by ensuring consistent quality, compliance, and peace of mind. It demonstrates that our systems are designed, installed, and maintained to independently audited industry standards, which is particularly important in sectors where security and safety are business-critical.

Customers benefit from:

Assurance of regulatory compliance (e.g. GDPR, insurance requirements, public sector procurement standards)
Robust documentation and handover processes

Improved system reliability and reduced downtime, due to structured maintenance and commissioning procedures
Confidence that work is carried out by qualified, vetted engineers using audited processes

In short, NSI certification helps our customers reduce risk, simplify procurement, and maintain high operational standards across their sites

How do NSI audits add value to your business or improve the way you operate?

We see NSI audits as more than a compliance requirement -they’re an opportunity to reflect, improve, and uphold the high standards we strive for every day. Audits aren't isolated events for us - with a culture built on ongoing improvement, we maintain a constant state of readiness where quality, accountability, and compliance are embedded in daily practice.

Our systems, processes, and documentation are proactively managed year-round. Project records, certificates, and maintenance logs are routinely reviewed and correctly filed. Regular site file audits validate that recent installations meet NSI standards, while engineer competency records -training, certifications and screening are kept up to date. Our inventory and calibration logs are treated with the same discipline, ensuring all tools and test equipment meet NSI requirements.

This proactive approach is reinforced through regular collaboration between compliance and project teams, not just around audits but throughout the year. We stay aligned with evolving standards, refine internal practices, and use customer feedback to remain responsive and forward-thinking.

The results speak for themselves: early identification of issues has strengthened our documentation, streamlined workflows, and improved operational efficiency. Audit feedback also directly informs staff training, helping to target development in compliance, documentation and system testing.

Ultimately, NSI audits are not just checkpoints, they’re part of how we operate every day, supporting our ongoing commitment to excellence and continual improvement.

Looking forward, what do you consider to be the industry’s key challenges and opportunities?

To stay ahead of these trends, we prioritise agility, technical innovation, and close collaboration with our clients. This ensures that the solutions we deliver not only address today's needs but also position them for future success.

As a leading integrator, these challenges and opportunities are paving the way for other areas of our business to play a key role, enabling us to create a unified, seamless approach that ensures customers get the most out of their infrastructure and networks. We are currently onboarding new partners in these areas, with our first AI partnership already underway. The security and technology sector continues to evolve rapidly, presenting both significant challenges and exciting opportunities:

Key Challenges:

Cyber Security Integration – As systems become increasingly IP-based, securing CCTV, access control, and building management systems against cyber threats is a growing concern.
Skills Shortage – Attracting and retaining skilled engineers and technical staff remains a challenge across the industry.
Supply Chain Disruption – Fluctuations in product availability and lead times continue to impact project delivery and procurement planning.
Standards and Compliance – Keeping up with evolving regulations and certification requirements demands continuous investment in training and processes.

Key Opportunities:

AI & Video Analytics – The adoption of intelligent analytics presents huge potential for transforming traditional surveillance into proactive, multi-functional business tools.
Cloud-Based Solutions – Growth in cloud-managed systems is creating new opportunities for scalable, flexible service delivery.
Integration Across Platforms – Increased demand for unified platforms that combine security, access, safety, and operational data.
Sustainability & Efficiency – Clients are seeking environmentally conscious solutions, from low-power devices to centralised management that reduces site visits and operational footprint.