15 Point Checklist

We understand that choosing an integrated business security system and the right company to design, install and monitor that system is a complex decision. To help make that vital judgment, American Alarm is pleased to provide you with this tool – it’s a scorecard to help you evaluate potential security partners. It’s based on a federally funded security study conducted several years ago in Massachusetts. We’ve crystallized the results from that study, added some of our own benchmarks based on our 40-plus years of experience, and crafted this list:

If a security vendor is trying to sell you a business security system and can’t or won’t immediately embrace these 15 points, and provide documentation to show how their company performs in each of these areas, then they are not at the top level of system design, installation or customer service.

5 Points you should insist on from your Business Security Provider

1. At least five customer references in your area / industry.
2. Proof of financial stability – a copy of their Dunn & Bradstreet Report.
3. Complete systems integration capability including video surveillance, access control, intrusion, and fire alarm systems which can all be networked and provide a full range of remote monitoring services via telephone, radio frequency, and internet.
4. Full disclosure, in advance, of all makes and models of equipment being proposed and a hands-on trial or demonstration at a reference site.
5. Non-proprietary open-market product lines so you don’t get locked-in to one technology.

5 Points you should insist on in your Business Security System and Installation

1. Licensed systems technicians to do the work (required in most states).
2. Fail-safe system monitoring, which includes no signal transmission delays; radio frequency back-up communication links; automatic test signals to monitoring center at least weekly; dispatch response measured in seconds, not minutes and low false dispatch rate due to enhanced verification procedures.
3. Support infrastructure including MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers) and computer generated as-built drawing capability.
4. Quality installation practices including soldering for all wire splices and a separate zone for each device. This is vital for reliability.
5. Professional project management capability – case studies of installations similar in design and scale to your own.

5 Points you should insist on for Business Security System Maintenance and Alarm Monitoring

1. A service team on site within 24 hours of your call.
2. A 24-hour, 365-day a year technical assistance line staffed by trained personnel.
3. Local U.L. listed, 5-Diamond certified, central monitoring station owned by your installation company and open for your inspection.
4. Substantial on-call technical team covering a broad geographical region for emergency service.
5. Flexibility and documented capability to provide enhanced on-site service response plans to meet your specific business needs. These may include on-site response time of 4 hours or less, annual preventive maintenance & system testing programs, automatic software upgrades, user training/retraining programs, etc.