Automation has uncovered significant issues for facility managers concerned with assets protection while operating on limited budgets. The fundamental need to integrate all of the security and fire safety functional devices into one PC system requires an understanding of the important elements of a PC-based security system beyond the manufacturers' brochures, advertisements, and other claims of features, speed, and compatibility. This report focuses on the special characteristics of one design engineering approach to command and control physical security systems in a set of unique environmental and operational circumstances. (Author abstract modified)