Building and managing a business is a lot of work. There are employees to hire and train, marketing and advertising to plan, accounts to maintain, regulations to follow, and of course, customers to keep happy. But if you’ve overlooked installing a strong, quality security system for your Western North Carolina business, you could lose everything you’ve worked so hard for. We’re always surprised how many business owners don't have a comprehensive security system, or even have no system at all.

It’s tough to think of everything you might need for your commercial security system, and many business owners are so busy, they don’t have time to consider it. The most helpful thing you can do to protect your business is to consult with a professional security company. Here’s a comprehensive list of information you can provide to the security company, as well as the best questions to ask them to make sure you’re getting the right security system for your company.

Information About Your Business

1. How many locations does your business have? Whether you have one or one hundred, a good security system company will want to know the location of each one, so they can provide you with the best option to keep each one protected.

2. What is the layout of each of your locations? You might have a small headquarters with just a few rooms, a large warehouse with multiple entry points, or a complex of various types of buildings in one area. Give your security consultant a tour of all of them if possible, or provide them with detailed layouts of each location. You’ll particularly want to advise them of all entry points at each location — doors, windows, and any other vulnerable points of entry such as garage doors or loading bays.

3. How many people come in and out of your establishment throughout the day? Do you have a storefront with customers walking in and out? Or just a few employees who check in at HQ at the beginning of the day and then work mostly off site?

4. Are there any areas of your business that need to be private or off limits to either customers or some employees? Perhaps you have an office that houses sensitive information or equipment that only certain employees should be able to access. Or you might want to make sure that all your employees can access a break room, but customers don't accidentally wander into it. Your security consultant can advise you of the best way to keep private areas off limits, such as with keypad entry.

 

Questions to Ask the Security Company

Many security companies offer a “fast, free quote,” and some will even try to sweeten the deal with free equipment. But how do you know you’ll be getting the best service? Here’s what you need to ask the security consultant so you’ll have all the information you need before you sign on the dotted line.

1. What kind of ongoing maintenance plan do you offer?

2. Do you use a local call center, or one that is remote?

3. Can you provide me with a complete list of all products and services that are included in my security package? Will you install equipment that is proprietary only to your company?

4. Will the final cost be clear on the quote you provide?

5. Will you be able to tailor my security system to meet my specific needs, or do you only offer a “one-size-fits-all” deal?

6. If you offer free equipment or a low introductory rate, will my rates increase, and when?

7. Can you provide me with references from other businesses who have used your services?

Pro tips

Other security companies will sometimes offer low introductory rates or free equipment, but they’ll raise their rates a few months after you begin your contract with them.

Always be sure that pricing and all equipment, along with the total length of your contract, is fully transparent on your quote.

If a company provides you with equipment that is proprietary only to them, you’ll have to replace all of that equipment if you switch to another company.

A security company that uses a local call center ensures that when you have an emergency, you’ll be talking to someone who knows your area. Local monitoring means faster response times and a monitoring station that knows your local police and fire departments.

For a comparison of Southern Alarm & Security and two national companies, click here and here.

Why Choose Southern Alarm & Security? 

Southern Alarm & Security will always provide you with a free, reliable, fully-transparent quote for your commercial security system. We’re local and have been in the security business for over 80 years. We use a local call center that knows the area and will respond quickly when you have an emergency.

From small to large business settings and industrial and government facilities, we do it all. We use industry-leading Hikvision cameras. With their flexible and versatile systems, Hikvision cameras can easily be customized to meet any customer’s needs. Our cameras are non-proprietary, so if you ever decide to go with another security company, your equipment goes with you!

We offer flexible purchase options — you are able to buy or lease our camera systems.

Call us today and have one of our sales consultants customize a system that fits your needs!