Bring together
Messages and states from all subsystems come together in one interface, regardless of the manufacturer of the individual system.
PSIM, simply explained.
A security management system brings the messages from all security and building systems together in one place and guides your team through handling them. Internationally it is called PSIM, Physical Security Information Management; in German-speaking countries GMS (Gefahrenmanagementsystem). Here you will find out what a PSIM does, when it pays off and what to look for when choosing one.
01 Definition
What is a PSIM?
Fire detection, access control, intrusion detection, video and building services each report on their own, with their own software and their own logic. A security management system is the higher-level layer above them: it receives the messages from all connected systems, sorts them by priority, shows them on the floor plan and guides the response with stored procedures.
Prioritise
Events are sorted by priority. An alarm appears before a maintenance message, even if both arrive at the same time.
Locate
Every message appears on the floor plan: building, floor, room, detector. The right camera is switched on automatically.
Guide
Response procedures show step by step what to do. That gives confidence, even at night and under stress.
Control
Where the connected system allows it, commands go back: open a door, lock down an area, pan a camera, start an announcement.
Document
Every message and every operator action is logged with a time stamp. This produces a complete event report.
02 Distinctions
PSIM, GMS, FDS, BMS: what is what?
The terms are often mixed up. This is how we distinguish them in projects.
Security management system and PSIM
Essentially the same thing: vendor-neutral software that integrates several security systems and makes them operable through a common interface. In German-speaking countries the usual term is “Gefahrenmanagementsystem” (GMS), internationally “PSIM”. Advancis describes WinGuard with both terms.
PSIM and fire detection system
The fire detection system (FDS) detects and reports fires and keeps its statutory protective function. The PSIM does not replace it. It adds overview and guidance: it shows the triggering detector on the plan, displays the fire brigade route card and logs the handling.
PSIM and building management system
The building management system (BMS) controls ventilation, heating, lifts and energy in normal operation. The PSIM focuses on events that require a response. Technical faults from the BMS can appear in it with priority and responsibility.
PSIM and dispatch system
Dispatch systems deploy fire, police or ambulance services. A PSIM serves the own security control room of a company, hospital or site. The two can be connected: events can be handed over to a dispatch or ticketing system.
03 Benefits
When a PSIM pays off.
A security management system is not an end in itself. Typical situations in which it makes the difference:
Several subsystems, several manufacturers
Video, access control, fire, intrusion and building services run on separate screens. During an event, your team has to piece the information together in their heads.
Several sites
Campuses, branches or buildings are to be monitored centrally, on site during the day and from headquarters at night.
High documentation requirements
Hospitals, pharmaceuticals, industry, critical infrastructure and public administrations must be able to prove who responded when and how.
Changing operators
Shift work, security service or reception: response procedures ensure that every person responds with the same confidence.
04 Selection
What to look for when choosing.
We clarify these questions before every recommendation. They also help to compare quotations.
Can your systems be connected, in your version?
What matters is not the number of drivers, but whether a suitable driver exists for your systems in the version in use and which messages and commands it supports. According to Advancis, more than 550 interface drivers are available for WinGuard. To the WinGuard interfaces →
Report only, or control too?
Some interfaces only receive states, others allow commands back to the system. Clarify early which control functions you really need during an event.
How are the floor plans created?
Good plans are half of orientation. What matters is whether existing CAD drawings (DWG, DXF, DGN) can be used and who prepares them. CAD for WinGuard →
What happens if the server fails?
Ask about Hot Standby, location servers and behaviour during network outages, and have the switchover tested during acceptance.
How is it licensed, and how does the system grow?
Licence models often count data points, interfaces and workstations. Have the order of magnitude calculated for your expansion today and in five years. WinGuard editions and licensing →
Who looks after the system on site?
A PSIM lives from upkeep: new detectors, changed procedures, updates. What matters is a partner with manufacturer training who is reachable and knows your system.
05 Example WinGuard
WinGuard as a PSIM.
WinGuard by Advancis is an open integration platform for security, building, communication and IT systems. As an Advancis system partner, we plan, integrate and support WinGuard throughout Switzerland.
550+interface drivers for systems from well-known manufacturersaccording to Advancis, 10/2025
4editions, from Express for one workstation to Enterprise for several sitesWinGuard X5 manual, as of 03/2023
+2Hot Standby servers that take over in case of failureProfessional and Enterprise
DWGCAD drawings in DWG, DXF and DGN as the basis for floor plansCAD Support module
Questions
Frequently asked questions about PSIM.
What is a security management system?
Higher-level software that brings together messages from fire detection, intrusion detection, access control, video and building systems, sorts them by priority, shows them on the floor plan and guides the response with procedures. Every operator action is logged.
What is the difference between GMS and PSIM?
In terms of content, none. Gefahrenmanagementsystem (GMS) is the usual term in German-speaking countries, PSIM (Physical Security Information Management) the international one.
Does a PSIM replace the fire detection system?
No. The fire detection system keeps its statutory protective function. The PSIM adds overview, location on the plan, guided handling and documentation.
What does a PSIM cost?
That depends on edition, number of data points, interfaces, workstations, redundancy and project scope. For WinGuard, we calculate the licence transparently via the data point units before the quotation.
Does a PSIM need a control room staffed around the clock?
No. With Event Routing, events go to the workstation responsible at the time, for example to the reception on site during the day and to headquarters or a security service at night.
Can existing systems continue to be used?
Yes, that is the normal case. A security management system connects the existing systems instead of replacing them. Beforehand, we check manufacturer, version and required functions for every connection.
The next step
Which systems should work together?
Briefly describe your systems and sites. We will tell you honestly whether and how a PSIM pays off for you.