Purchasing a commercial security system for your business involves more than simply having an alarm panel installed and calling it a day. When you buy a security system, you’re investing in more than just the equipment; you’re also placing a huge amount of trust in the company that will be monitoring that equipment. Understanding what to look for when buying commercial security will help you provide the best protection for your business assets, employees, and customers.
What to Look for When Buying Commercial Security
Researching and Vetting Security Companies
After you’ve compiled a list of potential commercial security companies, it’s time to do your due diligence on each. One of the first things to find out about a candidate is if they’re properly licensed in the state where they operate. Also, find out how they choose their service technicians and if they’re subject to background checks and drug testing. Are the installation and service technicians local and will there be there to service your needs?
Next, get a list of references — current or past commercial clients that operate in an industry similar to your own. Any security company you choose should have experience in working in your specific sector in order to properly customize a system that fits your needs.
Ask About Equipment and Monitoring
Once you’ve installed a security system, it’s only useful if you actually use it. All too often, business owners with good intentions spring for security equipment that’s unintuitive and too complex for them and their employees to understand.
When considering what to look for when buying commercial security, make sure you ask about the kind of equipment the company will be installing. Have them explain why they chose it over other brands or models and make sure you understand what features are applicable to your type of business. If you have multiple people opening and closing, for instance, find out if you’ll be able to issue separate passwords to provide access control for individual employees.
It’s also essential to know what monitoring service the security company will be using. Who are they? What is their reputation? How quickly can they respond in the event of a fire or a robbery? Are they staffed by carefully-vetted and trained professionals? Having an experienced and level-headed person on the other end of the line is important when your business or someone’s life is at stake. Well-trained monitoring center staff can often help discern between a false alarm and a situation where rescue personnel is needed, preventing unnecessary visits from police and the fire department.
Will your alarm monitoring continue if you lose your phone or internet connection? Does the monitoring company have a backup strategy for remaining online if they lose power in the area where they’re located? These are things to know before you commit, rather than finding out about them once an emergency strikes.
Understand the Terms and Conditions
Ensure that before signing a contract, you have a clear understanding of what’s included in any agreement. Ask about the total cost of the system, including the equipment and installation, as well as monitoring services and any additional fees charged (if the monitoring service responds to a false alarm, for example). Also, find out what the length of the contract will be — something that’s especially important for businesses that are not in a position to commit to a long-term contract.
Make sure to discuss the kind of warranty that will be offered on your security system. How long is it? What types of repairs does the warranty cover? Will the security company be responsible for tending to maintenance and updates to the system or software?
While it’s a lot of information to uncover, finding out what to look for when buying commercial security will ensure that you end up with a system and security company that’s suited to your budget and business.
At ProTech Security, we have a strong history of experience, innovation, and customer service. The ProTech Security Advantage is more than 30 years of service in Northeast Ohio and a strong commitment to providing quality, cost-effective protection for homes, businesses, educational institutions and government facilities. To see what ProTech Security can do for you, contact us today.
