There is No Such Thing as a Free Security System

I am really proud to be a part of the security industry.  It is so rewarding to be able to provide families and businesses with peace of mind and a true sense of security.  I do sleep very well at night.  Having said that, like all business models, there are big gaps in what we preach as an industry and what the true execution of the security business model provides.

There are really only two types of security systems (including Video Surveillance) that we sell to the business and residential customer. Almost all systems fall into one of these two categories: 1. The well designed and thought out system, utilizing the latest technology and products to properly secure your home and business, installed by a security professional  2. The system that just gets you by.

At the end of the day, it is totally up to the discretion of the family or business as to which system they deem sufficient to give them peace of mind. Not necessarily a true sense of security, since almost all prospective clients are aware that for their safety they should obtain the system that provides them that true sense of security but, usually, due to budgetary constraints, or hard core sales tactics, they may settle for system #2: The one that just gets you by.

So, it is almost always a money decision. Usually, people and corporations will get the level of security and professionalism they can afford in relation to the perceived threat. I have proposed literally thousands of video and security systems over the past twenty years, and this is almost always the case. It is basically my job to let the person know they have options, and those options will either increase their security level by a little or by a lot.

Unfortunately, the business model of the security industry emphasizes the installation of the least expensive, common denominator type system, sold to the consumer by a sales guy that they will never see again, hurriedly installed by a subcontractor whose business may or may not be security, that they will also never see again, then monitored and serviced by some business in India. There is only one point to all this: Get the contract signed. The person or company who sold you they system may literally sell your rights to the contract within a week! Then you will basically have no recourse what so ever. And that is why there is no "Free Security System".

This is America folks. Do you really think ADT bought Brinks Security for Three Billion Dollars because they are giving away "Free Security Systems"? Not happening. Can you believe that a company that is trying to install a "Free" system into your home or business will use the highest quality product available to protect you? Is it really possible that a company that is trying to talk you into a "Free" system is going to recommended all of the devices needed to really give you that true sense of Security?

Please just make sure that based on your budget and the perceived needed level of security, you know which of the two categories of security system type you fall into:

1. The well designed and thought out system, utilizing the latest technology and products to properly secure your home and business, installed by a security professional
2. The system that just gets you by. Sometimes called "At least I've got something!"

If you fall into category #2, you can call almost anybody for your security needs. A cable company. A company located in New York, New York. A fly by night operation that you will never hear from again. Doesn't matter that much. Your equipment will be inferior, your installation will be hurried and done in a non-professional manner, and you will pay an exorbitant amount every month for 3-5 years until your "Free System" is profitable to the company that currently owns the contract.

But if you fall into category #1, be proud of the fact that you have done almost everything possible to provide that peace of mind and a true sense of security to your family or business. You have purchased a high quality product that is built and tested for a commercial type application (Like the Honeywell Vista 21iP, or the DSC NEO), you have bought a product from a local company that will stand behind the product, you know the system will be professionally installed by an employee of the company you bought it from, and you will have a positive, professional, relationship with your local security company. 

Ask yourself if your security company is part of the community you live in? Do they really care what happens to your business or home? Can you go to their showroom and chat with the employees or to see how their products really work and feel? Do they really care about you and your family or business, or are you just a signature on a contract?

There are real and meaningful differences between security companies. If you make a wrong choice, the result could be something that you regret.

Remember, there is no such thing as a "Free Security Systems".

Moore Security Solutions

2432 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson AZ, 85719

(520) 881-2885

Five Tips for Adding Video Surveillance to Your Business or Home Security Solutions

Why would a business owner invest in IP video surveillance? They do it to reduce expense, improve customer service and productivity and increase the company revenues. These added "eyes and ears" give them an additional tool to manage and control their business and service. Homeowners will add video surveillance to be able to watch their home while they are away on vacation or even at work.  It brings them peace of mind knowing they can see who is at their front door. Often your insurance company will give you a discount for the added protection which can help offset the initial cost of the system. 



Here are five considerations when adding video surveillance to any security system:

1. Bandwidth A LAN with 100 Mbps or Gigabit Ethernet connections will get you started. Performance if best when you have a fast Internet service and cameras with MPEG4 compression.

2. Router and Switch You'll use an Internet router and a LAN switch or wireless access point to connect the cameras. This is standard in most  wireless configurations.

3. Computer for Managing the System

• A Windows PC with at least 1 GB RAM and a dedicated video graphics card is required for the video management system that controls the security cameras, recording, and monitoring (review the VMS capabilities and requirements).

4. Viewing the Video

• The PC will allow you to monitor video streams from multiple video cameras.
• To deter crime, it is helpful to  display monitors prominently where anyone will see them.
• Remote viewing can be done through a multitude of devices, including laptops and PCs, Wi-Fi phones, and 3G smartphones.

5. Video Storage

• You'll collect video feeds on disk drives. The capacity required depends on several factors such as how long you want to store the video (how many days until it records over the top of the oldest recording) and the resolution. Storage can be as simple as an SD card but in typical professional setups a DVR is required.
• Scheduled or event-triggered recording, such as motion detection, reduces the quantity of camera feeds and demand for bandwidth and disk storage. For example, recording all feeds for 24 hours from the single camera streaming high-quality MJPEG video would require 112 GB of storage space. If you limited the recording to motion-detected capture and that totaled 6 hours, it would require 28 GB of storage.
• On-disk data encryption provides security protection.
• Network Attached System lets you centralize the video feed storage with the same kind of efficient access and protection that other business data has.

When you begin budgeting for video surveillance, you'll find that prices for cameras start at just a few hundred dollars. In total, the cost for a small business to purchase and have an IP video surveillance system installed typically ranges from a few thousand to several thousand dollars. For businesses this is a small price to pay for complete management of your business and staff. For homeowners it is great peace of mind knowing you have added that extra layer of security.  Keep in mind that quite often your insurance company will give you a discount for the added protection. Hiring a professional to install video cameras and manage your video surveillance solutions will save you time and money in the long run.  The IP configuration can be confusing and is best left to an expert.  It is recommended that you look for a local company that has been in the business for a number of years, is locally owned and operated and will be there for you in the years to come.  

Analog vs. IP Security Cameras

ANALOG (CCTV) VS IP CAMERAS

Analog

Analog or CCTV (closed circuit television cameras) such as those typically used in video surveillance, transmit a signal to a specific place on a limited set of monitors. They have been a trusted and reliable solution for both homes and businesses for many years. Analog cameras are convenient, easy to install, cost effective and reliable.

CCTV systems can typically be set up to record continuously or can be motion activated, recording only when the sensor sees movement.  Analog cameras can be set to record straight to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), which allows it to record analog signals as pictures. The DVR designed for CCTV purposes is connected to the camera through point-to-point coaxial cables which convert the signal from analog to digital and then record it on a hard drive.  The DVR and video recording software allow recording and playback of the video with a range of options in playback.

Upgrading a current analog system can be done with the latest in analog technology, HD-SDI (high definition serial digital interface) cameras.  This high definition analog based CCTV technology provide high quality HD video images with exceptional resolution and detail. Prior to the development of HD-SDI cameras the only way to get this type of resolution was through a megapixel IP camera.  This new technology offers a low cost solution to those wanting greater detail and many extras. The signal is still sent over coaxial cable, is point to point and plug and play.

IP CAMERAS

IP Cameras, or the Internet Protocol Camera is a type of cameraIP cameras are truly digital.  Whereas an analog camera transmits the signal via the coaxial cable to a DVR which then coverts the signal, an IP camera itself takes on the role of the DVR for compression, video motion detection and image adjustments.  It is then transmitted back to the NVR as a fully digital stream. The software in an IP camera offers some additional features but the camera does most of the work.

IP camera systems are able to offer higher resolution megapixel cameras than analog cameras.  They can be wired or run through your wireless network.  Megapixel cameras allow you to zoom in on a specific area with minimal loss of definition. You are able to capture important details such as a license plate or even a specific transaction on a cash register. For those with several locations, multi-site management is easy with IP cameras as everything can be viewed on the internet.  Replacing an existing analog camera with IP cameras may not be as expensive as you think.  For example, only one megapixel camera may be needed where there were four analog cameras.

More and more IP cameras are being used for their “intelligence” and not just recording incidents.  They are able to record and count customers and customer patterns. They can also be used in monitoring customer service, alerting and monitoring for deliveries, monitoring employees and register transactions and much more.  IP cameras are a necessary tool for complete management of your business and employees.

Higher resolution IP cameras do require a lot of bandwidth so plan accordingly.  There are ways to set up a system to reduce the required bandwidth, such as cropping out he unnecessary parts of the field of view, so having an experienced and trained technician with a reputable company is important. Higher resolution and the demands of an IP camera do require more memory, so when choosing a DVR or cloud storage, do not skimp on memory. This is one area to be more safe than sorry.

Conclusion

There are many considerations to make in choosing between an analog system and IP solution.  The cost of an analog system is typically less expensive but you will often sacrifice image quality and features.  The convenience and ease of set up in an IP system is a bonus but the required bandwidth and memory can be detrimental. Other considerations include simplicity, resolution, cabling, scalability and flexibility, pricing and intelligence.  It can be a big decision for businesses and homeowners on which video monitoring solution is best for them.  Working with a company trained and active with video surveillance installations is the first and most important step in your decision making process.  They can help guide you through the process, placement and options available. As in many instances, a DIY solution is not always the best or least expensive option.

The Internet of Things

Whatever your opinion on the subject may be, there is no denying the fact that we are entering a time that billions of wireless personal electronic devices are soon going to be connected to the Internet of Things.

We choose to embrace the concept. There are guaranteed to be hurdles to jump through, but you can’t stop progress, and we have shown an incredible love for our personal electronic devices (PED).

The Internet of Things

Can you imagine not having your phone? The answer is no. I can’t be without mine, and I’m nowhere near the PED geek that most folks have become.

Also, we think it is exciting. Technology is fun and stimulating if you don’t take it to seriously, and use it as a tool to make this  crazy world a little easier to navigate.

Our company started to take The Internet of Things and Home Automation serious when I realized as a rental property owner that having a bunch of keys to operate access to my properties, while averaging a new tenant every two years, was pretty stupid. With new access Keylocks, I could install a protected code entry for the new tenant, delete the last tenant out of the system in five seconds, and Presto! No weird rental property stories, no big expense of time and money to re-key everything, and peace of mind for the new tenant. The continued use of keys is on the road to oblivion. Think about the last time you checked into a hotel. No keys.

So, with the advent of new access control systems for doors, the ability to control the temperature of your home or business from a PED, light control, total control of your security system, then the merging of video surveillance into the mix so that you can remote view your house from anywhere, and it was game on.

Bandwidth is the way of the world. Inner connectivity is going to drive new technology. Climb aboard for the journey, it will be quite a ride. I guess you can embrace it or reject it.  Moore Security Solutions has decided we want to be a part of it.

Moore Security Solutions

2432 E. Broadway Blvd

Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 881-2885

"Everyone Needs Moore Security"

Benefits of Analog Camera Kits

Analog or CCTV (closed circuit television cameras) such as those typically used in video surveillance, transmit a signal to a specific place on a limited set of monitors. They have been a trusted and reliable solution for both homes and businesses for many years. 

Analog cameras are convenient, easy to install, cost effective and reliable. CCTV systems can typically be set up to record continuously or can be motion activated, recording only when the sensor sees movement.

Analog cameras can be set to record straight to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), which allows it to record analog signals as pictures. The DVR designed for CCTV purposes is connected to the camera through point-to-point coaxial cables, which convert the signal from analog to digital and then record it on a hard drive. The DVR and video recording software allow recording and playback of the video with a range of options in playback. Upgrading a current analog system can be done with the latest in analog technology, HD-SDI (high definition serial digital interface) cameras.

This high definition analog based CCTV technology provides high quality HD video images with exceptional resolution and detail. Prior to the development of HD-SDI cameras the only way to get this type of resolution was through a megapixel IP camera. This new technology offers a low cost solution to those wanting greater detail and many extras. The signal is still sent over coaxial cable, is point to point and plug and play.

Moore Security Solutions

2432 E. Broadway Blvd

Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 881-2885

"Everyone Needs Moore Security"

Can You See Profitability with Video Management Systems?

Video Surveillance Cameras in Showroom:

Take a minute to imagine that you are at a business conference, or on vacation, or just conducting your daily routine. If you’re a business owner or business manager or, of course, a home or property owner there may not be a better management tool in your toolbox than a video surveillance and management system that allows you to look at your iPad, P.C., iPhone or Android device to get a quick overview of your business, home, or property.

Video Surveillance Cameras at Night in near Pitch Black:

Just two months ago we had a package delivered to our office with an important part in it that we needed to complete a big job. Well, we couldn’t find the package anywhere. Then it clicked. Look at the Video. We went back to the day it was delivered, and saw the U.P.S. man deliver a package. But the package was too small to be the part, so we knew it was never delivered! Problem solved.

What if a package was delivered to your doorstep at home, but you are in Wisconsin? Did it get delivered? Don’t you want to be sure? Do you rent property? Wouldn’t you like to have a view of the front porch to see if any unauthorized parties were being staged on your little corner of the world?

I cannot give you an exact number of the percentage of these video management systems we have installed here at Moore Security Solutions in the past five years (that’s when Remote View Video really started to cross the technological barriers required to make these systems work. Think Bandwidth) that have made their owners very happy that they bought into this great technology, but suffice it to say it is very close to 100%.

Let me ask, are your employees opening your facility on time while you are away? Are the customers being attended to? Did your children get home on time and safely? You can use the video system as a teaching tool to let your employees know how you want things to be done(and not done). The list of applications and services provided by these video systems are limited only by your imagination. We had a client that had an older dog that they wanted to keep an eye on while it was outside and they were at work. Watching your pets is a very popular use of the systems. Of course, the quality of the picture has increased by leaps and bounds, and the price has gone down. This also helps to account for the rising popularity of video management and surveillance systems. Look, it’s your property. It’s your business. It’s your family and clients. You have a right to know what’s going on in your world.

Moore Security Solutions

2432 E. Broadway Blvd

Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 881-2885

"Everyone Needs Moore Security"

5 Great Reasons to Track your Teenage Driver

Teen Drivers are expensive.  Their insurance is expensive and they tend to get in more accidents due to their inexperience. More often than not, that is not the primary reason parents want to put a GPS tracking device in their children’s cars.  It is much more about tracking where they are going and who they are going with.  With the increase use of cell phones we often feel a false sense of security. 

We feel like we can call or text them at any time, so we know they are safe. They can check in, but we really have no idea of where they are or what they are doing.  A GPS device will let you know, in real time, where they are, how long they have been there, when their car starts up and if they are speeding or idling. 

All this information can be seen in real time or sent as an alert to your cell phone of email.  As a parent, this give you reassurance that you are doing all you can to keep your teen safe and out of harm's way.

5. Reduction in Insurance Rates-Often insurance companies will give a 10-20% reduction in the rate of a driver if they have live tracking GPS.  The GPS deters them from speeding and reckless driving. It also can let you know if they are driving the vehicle out of the hours you have set up on a schedule.  So if you worry about whether your teen is sneaking out of the house and taking the car, you won’t have to stay up all night to find out. A text alert can be sent to your email or phone letting you know the vehicle is moving.

4. Theft- Do you worry your teenagers leaving the keys in the car or the ignition running while they run into a convenience store?  Idling reports will give you an indication this is happening. If you vehicle is stolen, you will know exactly where it is and give the police this information.  At Moore Security Solutions, we have had several incidents of stolen vehicles from our customers who use fleet GPS for their work vehicles.  Recovery is fast and easy.  A recent study by the FBI show that the decline in vehicle theft over the last 10 years is directly linked to the increase use of GPS devices.

3.  Worry About Their Activities- Teens don’t always make good choices when it comes to who they hang out with.  Parents worry about drug and alcohol use.  GPS tracking will record very specific behaviors, addresses, stops and idles.  This will give a parent a good indication of the activity their teen is involved in, allowing them to take action before it is too late.

2.  Lying About Where They Are Going or Where They Have Been- Cell phones let us be in contact with our teens but they do not let us know if they are really where they say they are. Teens that know their parents are watching their activity will be much more truthful about their whereabouts.

1. Speeding- Teens often don’t realize the power and danger of their vehicles.  They get in a car as an inexperienced driver with their friends. They are showing off and drive too fast. With the onslaught of cell phones and texting it is even more important to watch the driving and speeding patterns of your teenage driver.

Installing a GPS device in your teens cars may seem to some like and invasion of privacy (mostly the teen).  In reality it is a measure to keep them save not only with their driving habits, but also allows you the peace of mind to really know where they are at all times. For only a few pennies a day you will have comfort in knowing you have done all you can to keep an eye on them until they are out of the house.

Call Moore Security Solutions at 520-881-2885 for a live demonstration of our Fleet GPS Tracking Solutions.  You will be happy you did!

Moore Security Solutions

2432 E. Broadway Blvd

Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 881-2885

"Everyone Needs Moore Security"