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Ken:
You have a great forum which I enjoy reading about the many varied subjects and their threads.
I'm writing regarding the "clock not set properly" issue, and the remote downloads to reset them.
Why not simply give each client a few written sentences of instruction on how easy it is for them to reset their own time?
They do it with their microwaves, their stoves, heck, even their alarm clocks when the power goes downs, or from DST, or for any number of other issues. What is the big deal? You might even add that you can continue the policy of doing it remotely for each client, but after "X Date" it will be a billable event.
Issue resolved.
Best regards,
Vito A. Badalamenti
American Alarm Systems, Inc.
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Ken:
I just wanted to send you a bit of info surrounding your last post on the Keypad Time. DMP systems are a little different than all other panels out there. Our panels actually get a time update from the receiver once a day when they communicate.
This really solves this situation...and additionally it makes for the easiest Daylight Savings transitions of any product available. The panel has a GMT offset programmed in to it...and the receiver also has a GMT offset...so even monitoring all over the country is easily accommodated.
Just wanted to add a little "plug" for DMP on this topic. :-)
I enjoy your emails...
Mark Hillenburg | Product Architect
Digital Monitoring Products
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Ken:
re: Keypad clock cause for liability?
One type panel we use, DSC, requires you set the time for you to remove the trouble light. Of course the time doesn't have to be correct, but you have to set it. The reason you should try to keep the clock current is the panel log uses that clock to log events. It is very usefull to be able thru either key pad or download function to pull the log out and show the customer the panel was armed or disamed or not even armed at a particular time. It is my experience that these clocks can be off a few minutes over time, but it is still within a window that should coincede with central's log for monitored events.
As far as devaluing your company's future sale, when we have purchased companies we do not purchase the name or any parts, vehicles or retain employees. The accounts we have purchased have been at one of the two central stations we contract. Since these came from a usually small company, they already were receiving a better service than a larger company would supply so these dovetailed in with our treatment of accounts, which is to be there for the customer. I think it is an added value in that it brings you to a more personal level with your customer.
John Elmore Jr
Security By Elmore Inc
Birmingham, Alabama
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I asked John to clarify if the clock needs to be seen on the keypad - and he added this to his comment:
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You lawyer guys express things different...The clock in the panel is the displayed time on the keypad. You can view the log thru the keypad and the panel log will give you the event and time that the panel logged it at the keypad. Again, this is the DSC type panel and requires you to set the time. VISTA, what ADT uses the most, does not require you to set the clock unless you have an Alpha keypad and the time is displayed and then it is for the customer's benifit. The real reason you have a clock is forlogging, test schedule and autoarm or scheduling which most companies do not use. In the case of VISTA panels to do 24 hour test you usually just
do an offset of how many hours from power up till you want the panel to test, you don't have to actually set the clock. In that case all bets are off as to comparing the panel log to central's log because the panel has no idea what time it is just how long to send the next test signal.
Hope that helps
John
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Well Ken...
first I must say how much I love your service. And doggnone
it...your info is very, very, (did I say VERY?) entertaining.
A cop for 16 years, then 31 years in the security biz...yep, I've seen it all.
I'm writing to assure my fellow alarm buddy, Lou Arellano, that litigious type personalities will literally sue over anything they can. Bet you a buck this guy or gal has filed more than one ridiculous law suit and the local
judge is up to their respective mental disorder and will throw it out in a heart beat.
I'm equally sure it is a small claims filing because even the lowest bottom feeding attorney wouldn't see enough in this (except maybe for newsprint) to take on such a ridiculous charge before a magistrate in a more serious money lawsuit.
I missed an appointment when I was wearing a Mickey Mouse wrist
watch...guess I shoulda sued ol' Mickey because his little hand was on the '1' and his big hand was on his wee willie when it should have been on '5'.
Lou should go to court wearing such a non-working watch and hold it up before the court and say, "Your honor, Mickey let me down but I was smarter than a Kindergartener, so I depended on my Cell Phone which checks the time automatically with Verizon...by the way your honor, does the Plaintiff have a cell phone with him/her because any thinking person would never be so lamo as to depend on only one source for time when it comes to an IMPORTANT engagement such as your court."
Then after the case is thrown out (with much laughter), Lou should have the local press standing by so he can get some free advertisement for his company. The local press would no doubt feature such a humorous story and
ol' Lou surely would get more than a few appointments for sales out of it!
Heck...he's got a money maker there...think I'll get one of my relatives to do the same so I can get some freebie press coverage for my little company...haha! Hickory, dicory, dock...it's time to sue Mickey's clock!
Your pal,
Ron Moore
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Ken
we have account that auto arms and disarms from the clock in the panel. I don't think anyone would like the panel to arm with employees still inside, or disarm early.
A kitchen clock has a different application then a jewelry store that employees is relying on it for security. This is a copy of a on going problem with a honeywell product that has this clock problem, where they admit they know about this for years.
To have some ones vault disarm at a unexpected time is a liability
To have over done egg is another.
George E. Martin