Each building has unique security needs in the post-Sept. 11 world.

As more and more owners re-examine their security needs in the post-Sept. 11 world, individual property assessments and appropriate security customization programs continue to be the best way to provide practical and cost-effective programs to control access to buildings and insure the safety of occupants.

Every building is different, and the type of security measures necessary depend on a variety of factors, including building size, the types of businesses inside, the people who work and visit the facility, the number of access points and the existing fire and communication systems.

Over the past five months, many of Manhattan's most famous skyscrapers and high-profile properties have beefed up their security programs, with an emphasis on limiting access points and checking identification at security stations as tenants and visitors enter the property. Some owners have invested in the latest high-tech card access systems, metal detectors and x-ray machines. Security -- once an after-thought for many tenants in making their lease decisions -- has now taken on a greater priority in the decision-making process.

But for the vast majority of building owners, investment in expensive new security systems is not practical, given the nature of their tenancy and the profile of their properties. For them, an evaluation of current conditions by qualified security experts such as Harvard Protection Services can result in practical and affordable solutions to their security needs.

The current climate among tenants presents a unique opportunity for owners and managers to institute security controls that might previously been met with resistance prior to Sept. 11. Cooperation and understanding among tenants is better than ever. Before complacency returns, owners have an unprecedented opportunity to take steps to improve their knowledge of who is in their buildings, where they are and what they are doing.

One area of particular concern that doesn't get enough attention is the need for centralized messenger centers. Even with heightened security measures in place, the lack of a centralized messenger center for tenants is an invitation for messengers to roam unescorted through your property. The need for messenger centers and corporate mailroom facilities is an area that Harvard identified long before the recent terrorist attacks and anthrax scare, establishing a special division of our parent company, Harvard Maintenance, Inc., to address these needs. The services that our messenger centers and corporate mailrooms provide perfectly compliment Harvard's principle of enhancing office properties and the environment for tenants.

Messenger centers and corporate mailrooms are two core Harvard services. Messenger centers provide a central location for all pick-ups and deliveries of packages to and from office buildings. These special, fully staffed receiving areas are becoming a standard amenity for Class A office buildings in Manhattan. Harvard's corporate mailroom services enable major businesses to securely outsource this lifeline service. The mail room service enables Harvard's clients to focus on their core businesses, rather than the HR-intensive and logistical disciplines that large professional mailrooms require.

Messenger centers, like the two new Harvard facilities at 245 Park Ave. and 645 Fifth Ave., provide a central location for all pick-ups and deliveries of packages to and from office buildings. Messenger centers provide many benefits and, when managed properly, have no drawbacks. We perform a very thorough appraisal of building activity when we set up a messenger center, and staff it accordingly. It is a very powerful marketing tool and asset management technique for owners.

These are just a few of the components that are taken into serious consideration when Harvard Protection Services custom-designs security plans for its clients. Harvard's immaculate attention to the details is what earns the company a faithful following of clientele and recognition as one of the most reliable firms of its kind.

From the professionals who meet and greet those who enter a building, to the security personnel who oversee the facilities, to the experts who maintain critical fire and communication systems, the people are the spirit of Harvard Protection Services, and their role in the safety and security of both buildings and people is the most critical component of effective security plans.

Another reason Harvard Protection Services has distinguished itself from its competitors is its keen attention to the details of a particular assignment. Prior to placing a security officer on any premises, we go to great lengths to ensure that person is appropriate for the unique requirements of a specific building. It is only after they have determined that the prospective security guard meets the needs of the client do they place that officer on the property.

Our number one priority is to protect the safety and welfare of our clients' properties, the people who live and work in them, and those who visit. And we're able to achieve these goals by focusing our efforts on providing quality driven services that are most suitable for a particular client's environment. By custom designing each and every security plan, we're able to maintain the highest levels of safety and provide services that are site-and location-appropriate. The security of your building can never be underestimated. The success of a facility rests on its ability to properly secure the businesses and people who live or work inside. Harvard Protection Services is fully cognizant as to the importance of its mission: to provide the finest security services available today and to plan for the future needs of its clients.