If you experience a real emergency at your place of business, every second counts. Everything happens fast during a chaotic incident, but what should happen even faster is your emergency response time. Executives often make the mistake of believing all security and emergency response systems work the same. However, you need to ask yourself, how well have you optimized your security alarm response?
What Factors Increase Alarm Response Times?
Legacy systems are notoriously outdated and do not always sync well with modern add-ons and other adjustments. They can also be unreliable and slow. Another common problem is the security and alarm components are often not fully integrated. This can result in multiple departments monitoring various alarms. At first glance, this might seem like a great way to cover all the bases, but it can lead to confusion and increased risk to your organization.
What System Type Is Better for You?
There are two main types of systems to choose from when it comes to securing your business.
Unmonitored security systems are less expensive and often cost less to implement. These systems record evidence, should you ever need it, but individuals need to spot emergencies and call the relevant authorities.
Monitored security systems involve working with professionals monitoring operators to identify alarms and send the appropriate emergency response team. For instance, these professionals send the police in the event of a suspected burglary or send the fire department when something triggers a smoke alarm.
If you want to reduce the emergency response time, choose monitored systems. Note that these systems operate at different tiers, depending on business needs. For example, you might prefer that on-site guards monitor the security footage, while external professionals handle smoke alarms. In contrast, some companies allow monitoring professionals access to everything.
Why Choose a Monitored Security System?
When evaluating the benefits of a monitored security system, it’s important to consider the bigger picture and the long-term effects. Corporate executives who do this quickly begin to see monitored systems as the much better option. You can also work to integrate multiple systems into one solution to help monitor legacy and modern systems through one platform.
More Effective Response
When a house goes up in flames, it’s estimated that people have only three minutes to get out. Considering that businesses often contain more flammable materials and explosives, that time can shrink. Either way, the faster the fire department gets there, the more effective the response. The same goes for burglaries. Would you prefer an alarm system that makes it possible to catch the burglar in the act or long after he or she is gone?
Long-Term Savings
Buying a monitored solution always costs more upfront and in monthly expenses. Even so, this costs your business a lot less than paying for human guards to man positions on the property every hour of every day. You may still need human officers on-site, but you need fewer of them if you have a good, monitored solution in place. Monitored solutions also provide excellent backup for human guards, so that they do not have to encounter and resolve dangerous situations alone.
Greater Security
Consider an instance where a shooter or armed robber breaks into your place of business. At the time of entry, they probably dressed inconspicuously and brought no attention to themselves until the moment of action. This gives your staff and customers limited time to react. The individual may even threaten to shoot if someone calls the police. Similarly, in a fire emergency, people may lose their phones in the stampede out the door. Who calls emergency responders and how soon? Having reliable professionals at the ready better serves you.
What Can Businesses Do to Address Alarm Overload?
An ideal, optimized security alarm response automatically alerts and dispatches the appropriate authorities once discovered. If your business frequently triggers false alarms, however, the authorities may not treat your emergencies with the same urgency, especially when they occur concurrently with others. Worse, you may be fined for sending authorities to false alarms.
False alarms also contribute to alarm overload. A high volume of false alarms can significantly reduce response times, no matter how well-designed your system otherwise is. Designing and building a system that addresses this benefits both your business and public safety.
One way to reduce alarm overload is to rely on high-quality sensors that are appropriate for your industry, building type, and general location. Next, choose an experienced and trusted alarm integration and monitoring software company.
Who Can You Turn to for Improved Emergency Response Times?
Security Information Systems, Inc. is the premier choice for companies all around the world. We specialize in monitoring and alarm integration software that helps ensure fast response times to every emergency. Clients in 120 countries call on our expertise to protect their businesses and we hope you will too.
For more information about how our systems can protect your investment, send us a message or give us a call. We look forward to working with you.
