3G Sunset Hits Security Industry

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

A major change in mobile communication networks is on the horizon and will affect millions of security systems nationwide. The sunset of 3G cellular networks has begun, and you may need to take action to ensure your home or business security system will be able to communicate with our 24-7 monitoring station in the future.

“This is part of adapting to technology evolution,” said Maria Moretti, director of corporate operations at American Alarm. “We went through it, on a smaller scale, several years ago when the 2G network was shut down. So, we understand the impact and the importance of getting ahead of the curve for our customers.”

As many as 10 million home and business security systems in the United States now use 3G communicators to transmit signals to a monitoring station. The transportation industry is also affected significantly, with millions of tractor trailer trucks and delivery vehicles using 3G communicators for their wireless telematics systems.

“Anyone using a 3G communicator today will have to update their technology to make sure their systems can still send signals,” Moretti said. “We are staffing up now to help our customers make the transition.”

The end of 3G is occurring because the national wireless carriers, including Verizon and ATT are deploying new technologies to accommodate growing demands for streaming content, and for the exponential growth of networked wireless devices, often called the Internet of Things. To make room for the new network technology, both with frequency bandwidth and equipment on their towers, the wireless carriers will shut down their existing 3G networks.

The exact timing of the 3G sunset is an evolving matter, as the change will occur tower-by-tower in specific areas of the country, not all at once. Verizon and ATT are expected to keep most of their 3G networks operating until at least 2021. However, some parts of the country, including areas here in New England, are already losing 3G coverage.

“What we saw during the 2G sunset is the timing can be unpredictable,” Moretti said. “We want to make sure our customers’ security systems can always communicate with our central station so we can react to emergencies. That’s why we are launching our 3G update program now.”

American Alarm will be reaching out to affected customers by mail with more details.

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Enjoy Small Business Saturday Securely and Successfully

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Since its launch in 2010, Small Business Saturday has given smaller retailers and other local firms a chance to compete against the major online powerhouses, such as Amazon. As one of these smaller companies, you want to make the day as successful as possible.

That means using every tool and platform available. Ensure all your goods and cyber assets are secure, and your personnel both honest and competent. This way, you’ll increase your chance to end the day in the black and not the red.

Small Business: Big Results

The event has had a real-world impact throughout New England and the rest of the United States. In 2018, it drove nearly $18 billion in sales, according to the National Federation of Small Business (NFSB).

That’s not too surprising when you realize that there are:

  • About 28.8 million U.S-based small businesses
  • And these represent 99.7% of all U.S. businesses

Read more →

School Vandalism is Costly: Security Systems Can Help

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

School is back in session, which means school vandalism unfortunately tends to rise accordingly. Surveillance and security solutions can help school administrators to deter or resolve such incidents.

School-related vandalism — a type of crime involving any damage or defacement of school property — is a real problem in Massachusetts and beyond. According to the Vandalism at School website, the annual price tag to remedy this kind of crime runs at around $8 billion nationally.

Read more →

Self-Checkout: Most Commonly Stolen Items

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Gaps Plague Retail Self-Checkout Security

We know that self-supporting retail technology — with its sensors, devices and big data capabilities — offers us many conveniences. However, basic self-checkout platforms don’t always work well for retailers, here in New England, and beyond.

In fact, the Springfield, Massachusetts-based chain of stores Big Y World Class Markets decided it had to remove its self- checkout aisles, according to a Worcester Telegram.com article. In large part, this move was because of the higher incidence of thefts. The article notes that shoplifting is five times more likely at a self-checkout terminal than at a typical human-manned cash register. Read more →

5 Great Tech Reasons For A Business Security Update

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

You probably don’t spend much time thinking about your building’s security infrastructure, but it may be time you did.

Many property/business owners buy and install security solutions and then forget all about them. As with all high tech products and services, a security solution cannot run permanently on autopilot. It needs a bit of care and tending. Read more →

How will Cybercrime Impact Commercial Real Estate in 2018?

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

In the commercial real estate business, protecting your building’s internet and data is as important as physically securing your doors and valuables. To remain competitive or even leapfrog your competition in this technology-driven world, CRE’s must invest more in interconnected technologies. This somewhat unavoidable investment increases your buildings exposure to the booming industry, cyber crime.  Read more →

Is Your Commercial Real Estate’s Security System Future Ready?

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Much like how technology is impacting the lives of consumers, commercial real estate (CRE) is also experiencing a digital transformation of sorts. Today, consumer technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that CRE accommodations like connectivity, quality of life and security must also advance. 

According to a recent Deloitte Market Report, to remain competitive or even leapfrog your competition, CRE companies must make their physical space future-ready. Here are the top three focus areas that will make the biggest impact:

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Our Best Business and Home Security Stories of 2017

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Best Home and Business Security Stories of 2017All of us at American Alarm would like to wish our readers a pleasant and prosperous 2018. One thing we have been proud of in 2017 is providing our readers with solid, informative security related content throughout the year.

Here are some of our favorite stories from the past year. We hope you continue reading to stay abreast of best security practices for 2018. Read more →

How to Protect Your Home or Condo Complex from Holiday Package Thieves

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

This year in the 25 days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, UPS says it will deliver over 750 million packages to its customers. In fact, UPS says this record-breaking seasonal global delivery volume is approximately 5 percent above last year’s holiday peak shipping season volume.

FedEx, which also anticipates another record peak holiday shipping season, estimates it will deliver between 380-400 million packages. In the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the U.S. Postal Service also expects to deliver 850 million packages, which is more than a 10 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Read more →

How Stores Can Mitigate Organized Retail Crime this Thanksgiving Shopping Weekend

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Thanksgiving shopping weekend can be a hectic experience for everyone involved but for your business, it’s one of the most profitable. All told, 20 to 30 percent of your 2017 retail sales will likely happen this holiday season with a large portion will occur this weekend.

Of those considering shopping the long holiday weekend, the survey found that 20 percent plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day (32 million). Black Friday will remain the busiest day, with 70 percent planning to shop (115 million).

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