Options From Access Control to Video Surveillance
As a business owner or organizational leader, how do you know when to prioritize upgrading your security systems or implementing a new security strategy? The question really comes down to being proactive or reactive.
“Do I need to provide a safer environment for my employees and customers? Do I need to manage access and identify who is in my building? Do I have peace of mind that my business is safe from theft or vandalism?”
These are relevant questions that only you can answer for your own business needs. And when you have clarity, you can rely on experts from Fearing’s Audio Video Security, with offices in Madison and Milwaukee Wisconsin, to design and install business security solutions that are built on a foundation of versatility, flexibility, and scalability.
As industry-renowned leaders for product quality and customer support, Fearing’s has researched and developed business security systems that utilize the latest technology and work well with your other systems. From in-house monitored Access Control and Video Surveillance to Burglar Alarms and BluePoint Alert systems to contact the authorities, Fearing’s Audio Video Security has business security solutions for all industry needs.
Barrett Smallwood, Security Design Engineer with Fearing’s Audio Video Security recommends taking a proactive approach to your business security needs. In a recent interview from his office in Madison, Wisconsin, Barrett addressed the most common reasons a business decides to upgrade its security.
Q: What is the tipping point that drives business to buy or upgrade their business security?
Barrett: The drive is comes down to a forward-looking “invest in it now” strategy, or a reactive “invest more in it later” response, after the potential damage that could have been diverted has occurred.
Q: What are common reasons that companies are installing security systems?
Barrett: Most of the new installations we do are in conjunction with a new Access Control and/or Video Surveillance system. Common reasons for installing a system is generally a reactive response instead of a proactive action, because of, for example, the recent rash of gun store robberies. When an industry starts having issues, like the high price of copper driving internal shrinkage, it radiates throughout and most businesses rush to get something in place.
Q: For a company that doesn’t yet have security, what are benefits of a security system, beyond just an alert to authorities if there is a break in?
Barrett: Alerting the authorities has not really been the drive or benefit of having a system for the last two decades, seeing as the average municipal authority response time is 45 minutes to an hour–if anyone responds at all. The benefit of having a security system in place is the traditional high decibel “siren” that is tripped when an alarm device is triggered in hopes that the intruder will leave the site immediately. Another benefit is the ability to truly monitor your premises’ state of your doors and windows. The last person out (or a remote user) is able to see if everything is closed, or if someone is moving inside. This is the main use of the system for some large residence and company owners, allowing them to see if everything is closed without having to walk the property.
Companies are taking a taking control by monitoring their systems themselves through software programs and mobile applications in conjunction with video surveillance to see alarm events. A random alert from your business alarm will not receive the same priority as a business owner or employee calling the police department directly for help. What you want is a prioritized call. You can do that by providing visual or verbal evidence with the help of these apps for a “verified” response.
Q: How long does a security install typically take? Or an upgrade? How disruptive is it to business operations, typically?
Barrett: The installation is relative to the size of the site, the complexity of the system, and the number of devices to be installed. With wireless technology becoming more affordable and commonplace, the disruption and time on site have greatly diminished, with most of the programming being done in the Fearing’s office.
Q: What are emerging options or technology for business security that potential customers should be aware of?
Barrett: Again wireless systems have greatly come down in cost, and easy-to-use mobile applications give you a quick visual of your business at any time.
Find out what business security solution would work best for your business by talking with one of Fearing’s security experts. Contact Fearing’s Audio Video Security today at (800.252.2253)
