Alarm monitoring companies

Alarm monitoring companies give businesses the extra edge in protection. Do you currently have burglar and fire alarms installed in your business? Are you thinking about buying a new security system? An alarm and security system that’s not properly monitored is little more than a deterrent to casual thieves or vandals – but the right security company gives you the protection you need.

• Alarm monitoring prices
• What others said they wanted

If you run a small business, you should know that America experiences approximately $40 billion in fraud every year. And homeowners should realize that property crime rises as a direct result of a recession. Monitoring can protect both business and personal assets, and protect the safety of employees and loved ones.

Choosing the right company

With the rise in crime, major security companies are offering a variety of monitoring services. You need to choose a company with a good reputation and experience in the industry. How can you know if the monitoring companies you are looking at are offering quality service? One way is to determine how successful a company has been at serving its market niche by looking at its sales volume. One recent study suggested that if you totaled the number of security providers in your local area, from do-it-yourself alarm kits to professional systems, you’d likely find more than 100 choices in your local area. This might be a surprising number since most people only are familiar with a few of the top companies.

There is a reason you know those big names: about 80% of home and business security systems are run by the biggest players in the industry. It may be a bit overwhelming trying to choose between the large numbers of companies. To make the best choice for your home or business, start by carefully evaluating your needs:

• What type of property do you need to protect?
• When is it in use?
• How many people should have access?
• Are there any pets in your home that could accidentally trigger a burglar alarm?
• Does your business store any particularly valuable supplies or equipment?
• Do you have any existing alarm equipment that needs to be incorporated into the system? (Video cameras, card access systems, etc.)

Armed with these answers, you can evaluate what the various companies have to offer and how well they can meet those needs.

How alarm monitoring works

When you choose a company that offers round-the-clock monitoring, it’s like having a full-time remote security guard. Whenever an emergency occurs, the professionals at the control center will respond quickly to your needs.

If an alarm is triggered, the system waits around 30 to 45 seconds to allow you to deactivate it. If it’s not deactivated, the system will send an immediate signal to the control center, where trained professionals jump into action.

First, they call the home or business to determine if there is a true emergency. If no one answers the phone or the person answering reports an emergency, the control center agent will report the event to the police and fire departments in the area. The control center can also alert other emergency numbers you provide them. This normally includes cell phones and phone numbers of family members or neighbors.

What should you look for?

Any worthwhile monitoring company will protect you twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. But as you might guess, not all companies are alike. This applies to the equipment and technology they use and also to how they do business. When you are choosing a service, trust and reliability are important. You must look for services that are licensed and insured. The most reputable alarm companies will stand behind the products they install and offer warranties.

Security companies should also pride themselves on their employees. Look for providers that run criminal background checks on agents and all employees. The most highly qualified monitoring services are certified. Certifications can come from several different organizations, but one of the best known is the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association. This immediately lets you know that the company meets national standards and stays on top of the latest trends. You may also want to use a service that handles video surveillance. 83% of businesses installing commercial alarms also install video cameras for even greater protection of company assets. And since the development of HD video, equipment once used only in businesses is now available for your home. Currently, around 37% of people installing home security monitoring choose to add video.

Once you find a security service that provides the options you need, set up an appointment to meet with an agent. Specifics like where to place sensors, what types of surveillance are necessary, how much it will cost and more can be discussed with the security pro before you make any final decisions.

Prices paid for alarm monitoring

Pricing details: We found a company that was only going to charge us $19.99/month.

- Restaurant, Kinston, NC

Pricing details: We were looking for pricing from a few companies and we were able to find one that was going to charge us $38.00/month for monitoring.

- Equipment Sales & Service, Reno, NV

Pricing details: Our company was looking for quotes from different monitoring companies and we came to an agreement with one for a rate of $40.00/month.

- Computers - Software, Bennettsville, SC

Pricing details: We were able to come to an agreement of $29.00/month with a great company.

- Retail, Rensselaer, NY

Pricing details: We went with a company that only charged us $18.95/month.

- Equipment Sales & Service, Cumming, GA

Pricing details: I was able to come to an agreement with a security system company for $29.99/month. That is half the price I was paying before with another company.

- Retail, Minneapolis, MN

Pricing details: We found a company that gave us a rate of $24.99/month.

- Computers - Software, Riverside, CA

What other people are looking for

We need an alarm system that will entail both office and warehouse access, video surveillance and monitoring for both burglary and fire.

- Business Services, Houston, TX

The building is a former commercial building now used to store cars. There are two garage doors and one standard door. Need motion detectors to cover one large open space (~7000 sq. ft). Need fire alarms and monitoring. Also require wireless as there is not a phone line in the building. Thanks.

- Real Estate Agency, Fountain, CO

I am looking for an integrated security system for a community college which currently has 29 alarmed buildings and numerous keypads.

- Education, Santa Maria, CA

Looking to replace current alarm services company at three liquor stores in the Mishawaka and South Bend IN area. Will need effective services at a reasonable cost.

- Retail, Mishawaka, IN

Install cameras for a 1,850sq ft. retail shop.

- Restaurant, Austin, TX

I have a small warehouse in a not-so-nice part of town. I'd like to have an audible alarm which would automatically call the police and me if it was tripped. What would that cost?

- Media/Entertainment/Publishing Industry, San Francisco, CA

Located in downtown San Bernardino and we are looking to alarm all main doors to campus buildings.

- Education, San Bernardino, CA

Would like to have a quote on a basic monitored alarm system with two door sensors and two motion detectors and possibly two CCTV cameras with internet access.

- Other Services, Murphy, NC

I currently have a system installed. I am looking for pricing from security monitoring services in my area.

- Information Services, Douglasville, GA

I am starting a business at a new location and it already has a system installed. I am looking for quotes on security services.

- Retail, Flint, MI

We are looking for information from a few different security services companies. We have a system and it's currently not being monitored by anyone.

- Government, Marblemour, WA

Our company is looking pricing from companys that provide security services. The company that we were using has just gone out of business and we need to hire a new company ASAP.

- Retail Store, Galesburg, IL

My company is looking to purchase monitoring services.

- Retail, Hayward, CA

We currently have a system install and we are looking for quotes from a few different companies to monitor our system for us.

- Self Storage Company, Riverside, CA

Our company is looking to get quotes from different companies. We already have the system and we need a trusted company to do the monitoring for us.

- Equipment Sales & Service, District Heights, MD

We are looking for pricing options from a few different alarm companies. Our system is already in place and we need for a company to monitor it for us.

- Government, Marblemour, WA

Interested in talking to a few monitoring companies as we are interested in replacing the company we are currently using.

- Retail Store, Galesburg, IL

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