End users see significant benefits from using their smartphones and other mobile devices to watch what’s going on at their businesses. Here’s what integrators need to know to meet customer expectations.
Like many managers of small businesses, Kevin Mykle gets awakened in the middle of night from time to time by a call from his central station to let him know that an alarm has come in from his company — Surrey, British Columbia-based Stampede Tack & Western Wear.
When technicians at Aberdeen, N.J.–based security dealer Garden State Fire and Security install or service a system, one of their tools is a laptop equipped with cellular data connectivity. To put the system on test, technicians use a portal operated by SentryNet, Garden State’s wholesale central station, which has locations in Greenville, Miss. and Pensacola, Fla.
Fire alarm control panels are finally catching up with newer communications technologies, and having network and cellular connectivity also unleashes new capabilities.
The fire alarm business has always been driven largely by code requirements — and for years that meant every fire installation had two phone lines to help ensure that alarm signals would be received by the central station.
Questions from security dealers and answers from power experts aid in setting up a reliable security system — and restoring failed power equipment back to fully functional.
Security dealers don’t typically spend much time thinking about power supplies. Nevertheless, they are a critical part of an intrusion protection or fire alarm system, helping to ensure that the system will function even in the event of a power outage. This article focuses on some of the most common technical questions when it comes to security and fire alarm system power.
It’s becoming increasingly commonplace for third-party central stations to offer video monitoring services — sometimes known as managed video services — such as remote video guard tours, video verification of alarm signals and video escort services. But often these services represent a relatively small percentage of the third-party central station’s total revenues.
Getting the price right is key to operating a successful customer-conversion program from POTS to wireless alarm signal transmission. Add-ons can help maximize cellular system appeal and profitability.
As more and more homeowners opt to forego traditional phone service in favor of cellular service or VoIP, alarm systems with cellular communication are being installed like never before. Some dealers are encouraging all customers to use cellular, even when they have a traditional phone line, because that option minimizes potential future headaches if the customer should cancel voice service at some point in the future.
No longer just a solution for remote accounts, cellular now is the preferred alarm communications method for many alarm dealers. Here’s what dealers need to know about their cellular choices — and what’s new with the technology.
How people communicate with one another has undergone enormous changes in the last few years — and as a result, the home phone line that for decades was a cornerstone of customers’ alarm systems has begun to seem like an endangered species. According to the Federal Communications Commission, about two-thirds of U.S. homes now have a broadband connection such as DSL or a cable modem. And increasing numbers of Americans are also using that connection to support voice service using VOIP. Combine this with the near-ubiquity of cell phones and we now have a situation where many households have no traditional telephone.
Wireless tech for outdoor intrusion detection is very popular, as well as the ability to set up temporary detection. All that, plus false alarm reduction, makes for a growing opportunity.
Some security dealers and platform providers are reluctant to share details about pricing and margins, but most of those interviewed for this article were willing to discuss the subject in broad terms.
Advances in surveillance video equipment and widespread availability of broadband connectivity such as DSL and cable modems have made possible a range of video monitoring options. How do these options impact a dealer’s operations? What is required to support them? How should they be priced? And how profitable are they?