If installing a commercial security system is still on your “wish list”, consider these things:

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations:

• A burglary occurs every 15 seconds.
• Property owners suffered an estimated loss of $15.5 billion last year due to burglaries.
• After a burglary, it falls upon the business owner to prove to the insurance company the worth of lost valuables and replacement cost of damaged property.
• Some of your personal items cannot be replaced monetarily.

What do you need?

First, find a reputable company! This is the MOST important part of a security system. Installing a security system is more than throwing a couple of devices on a door and wall and leaving. If the installers are not trained properly, faulty wiring could mean you are arming a system that does not function. If the system is not functioning properly, your system will not communicate properly. And when will you find out that the system is not communicating properly? The morning after a burglary! You also want to look for a local provider who has live operators and not an automated service. Who wants to push buttons or dial zero, if your siren is sounding?!

Check with your Chamber of Commerce to see who they recommend. The Better Business Bureau website can tell you who has an A+ rating in your area. You can also go to your state’s website and check for a business entity report to see how long the company has been in business. A company that has spent years in the security business is more than likely to have a great deal of experience and knowledge. When you hire an employee, you ask for references, right? Ask a potential security provider for a list of their customer references. After all, you are putting the safety of your property in the hands of the security provider.

BUILDING THE PERFECT SECURITY SYSTEM!

Basic Intrusion

• How will a burglar enter the business? 
• Where is the first place a burglar will look for valuables? 
• Do you have any unconventional entry points?
• Does your offices have heavy drapery or blinds?
• Is there loud machinery and equipment or vents that can produce movement during closing hours?

All of these items are key in building your system. Never take a price over the phone and assume that you are secure! Always have a knowledgeable consultant survey the property. A reputable company will require a site visit to listen to what you want and make knowledgeable recommendations for building your system. Along with doors and windows, they will look for unconventional points of entry like roof access, basement, even walls in neighboring businesses. For the best protection, find a system with verified audio or verified video. These systems have been proven to have the highest apprehension rate along with the fastest police response time. Catching a burglar in the act will allow you to keep any property he may have tried to make his own. These systems cut down on false alarms and will save you money on false alarm fines and allow your local law enforcement to respond to real problems in your community! Since most businesses plan on success, make sure the system you purchase will support the growth of your company and allow you to add on to it.

Cameras

Need cameras? Walking through your facility with a knowledgeable consultant will help you choose the right cameras to help you achieve your goals. Cameras come in a variety of pixels. Will you use them for detection, recognition or identification? Large areas may require multiple stationary cameras or one camera that pans or zooms. And while it may sound simple to choose an indoor or an outdoor camera, certain indoor environments with high dust or moisture may require the use of an outdoor camera. A consultant can also verify that there is adequate bandwidth to support viewing your cameras, especially if you will be using them remotely. And then there is recording footage: do you need a Digital Video Recorder, Network Attached Storage, Cloud System or combination of these devices? A GREAT consultant will listen to your needs and use his or her knowledge to build the perfect system for you!

Access Systems

Managed access systems allow you to track and limit entry to buildings and sensitive areas of your business, providing protection for valuable information and data, and a safer work environment for employees. No more lost keys. No more expense of installing new locks or re-keying. When an employee leaves, or is reassigned, the access card is easily deactivated. If needed, a new, updated access card can be issued. Businesses are vulnerable to internal, as well as external threats. Access control solutions can track and restrict who goes where and when. Only authorized users can enter your facility, or designated areas within your facility – reducing the possibility of internal theft and external threats, protecting your physical and intellectual property, and limiting potential workplace violence. Look for systems that you can manage online and receive free activity and user reports. It is also a good idea to find a provider that can make immediate changes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whether it is catching a burglar in the act, purchasing the right camera to prevent loss, or finding an access system to track and secure entry, a properly built security system will save you money in the long run.

Contact us if you have questions or comments.