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CAN YOU CANCEL MONITORING FOR SERVICE CALL DEFAULT
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Ken,
    I would like to pose a question for your newsletter fourm.
    If a customer becomes past due on an 'service call' invoice, not a monitoring invoice, can we hold them liable for defaulting under the monitoring contract and pursue collection proceedings as we do if they do not pay the monitoring charges?   BTW, your newsletter is extremely informative. Thanks for your service.
Regards,
Duane Pascale
All Island Security Inc
New York
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ANSWER
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    Depends on your contract with the subscriber.  If you have the All in One form then you have this provision:
    "The parties agree that due to the nature of the services to be provided by ALARM COMPANY, the payments to be made by the Subscriber for the term of the services part of this agreement form an integral part of ALARM COMPANY's anticipated profits; that in the event of Subscriber's default ... in any payment or charges to be paid to ALARM COMPANY, the balance of all payments for the entire term herein shall immediately become due and payable ...." Kirschenbaum TM and Copyright
    With this contract all of the subscriber payments are tied together, so a default for one service constitutes a default under the contract triggering a default of all RMR payments.  
    If however your contract does not tie the services together you cannot terminate monitoring just because a service call charge isn't paid.  I've seen it done and if the subscriber decides to inform its rights it's the alarm company that has the problem for breach of the monitoring contract.  
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RMR SOFTWARE
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Ken
    I am looking for a different software package to do my recurring billing as well any thoughts?
Respectfully,
John P
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RESPONSE
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    Try SkyBank Financial.  Contact Thomas Aronica at 800-617-9980, applynow@skybankfinancial.com,   http://www.skybankfinancial.com     I think that company can set you up with inexpensive RMR software and handle your RMR credit card transactions.  It's been listed on The Alarm Exchange for long time now and services a lot of alarm companies.
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COMMENT ON MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
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Ken
re:  Management Software
    I know there are several industry specific options for software, however, I'd like to offer another solution.  Some of you will recoil at this, because of the Qbooks,  but, I offer:
    The combo of  Smart Service, and it's companion, iFleet.     http://www.smartserviceinfo.com/
with Quickbooks Enterprise, contractor edition (or QBooks Pro at least) is a GREAT management integrated platform.
    Pros: of Smart Service:  Great scheduling software, easy to add in service calls.  Calls go to techs iPhones, or iPad Minis, totally paperless with iFleet add-on.
Tech gets list of calls, clicks when en route, clicks when arriving. Can add items used, battiers, parts as he goes. Can take a photo and it links to the customer file. Customer signs on the device.  Integrates directions to the next call. Clicks when done, emails a copy to your admin and to the customer.  Your dispatcher can click on tech locater at any time and it will show all your techs on a maps so you can dispatch the closest tech to that last minute call.  Affordable, pay one time up front (I think it was under $5k two years ago)  They log in and do all the update work for you remotely. There are usually at least 3 updates per year with significant features.    
    Also, with Quickbooks, there are more apps coming out that interface with it every year.  Forget the old Quickbooks that wouldn't do recurring billing. Thats all changed. They even print and mail my invoices for those non-technical clients that want paper bills, for less than a dollar.
Rick Overholt, GM and Founder
OMNI Fire and Security Systems L.P.

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New York Alarm License Course /  Classes
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New York State APPROVED 81-HOUR
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