June 15, 2011

 

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follow up comments on dealer programs

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Ken,

It all comes down to what kind of a person we want to be doesn't it. Is a customer an account number or a human being that deserves to be treated fairly and honestly? I have been bombarded for years to sell my accounts and join a dealer program. The difference is that my customers are "loyal" to me. Some even call me when they are solicited by another company to let me know how much fun it was to let them do their presentation only to rebut with a presentation of their own on how great their existing company is. Our industry has been infected with people who care nothing except for the almighty dollar. That is the bottom line difference between "us and them". At the end of the day, it has to be about more than just money and I feel sorry for those who don't know what I'm talking about.

Great Forum!

Isaac "Ike" Hayden

Dynamic Security Professionals, Inc.

Florida

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More comments on POTS and VoIP

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Ken –

Great forum, as usual. It’s refreshing to see such an informed and civil dialogue on the communication path issue. While I agree that moving away from POTS is clearly the right direction, I am not in agreement with the folks who are pushing IP as the obvious replacement. From our standpoint, an Internet connections is just as susceptible to a $5 pair of wire cutters as a phone line, and the incidence of phone/Internet lines cuts is clearly on the rise. The ADT case in Minnesota is a painful reminder… Plus, most subscribers do not have a battery back up on their IP equipment, so in the event of AC loss, the customer only has a local alarm. Lastly, IP continuity is not as robust as it might/should be. For these and other reasons, we like cellular – and expect the current GSM platforms to have a long life, especially if AT&T and T-Mobile do merge. Cellular is indeed safer – and with the exception of video, can carry the full range of interactive services (just look at Alarm.com).

Peter Rogers

FrontPoint Security

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UL

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Ken,

I appreciate Gary’s words, but what about UL Listing? I am wondering if his device is listed for use with alarm panels and with monitored residential fire alarm systems.

Making broad statements like his misleads some people who don't think about the ins and outs of law suits because of installing non UL listed equipment.

Keith, CO

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