KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ
ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE
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comment on what service plan covers / Software and central station webinars
October 3, 2023
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SEE WEBINAR REGISTRATION BELOW – REGISTER NOW
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SOFTWARE WEBINARS:
With all the discussion, and dissatisfaction, about management software our first webinar series is by software providers offering comprehensive software programs for the alarm industry.
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TODAY'S WEBINAR:
Title: Fieldhub: All In One Operations and Accounting Software For Security and Fire Integrators
When: October 3, 2023 noon ET
Why attend: FieldHub is a comprehensive software program that integrates proposals, planning, warehouse inventory management, scheduling, field technician mobile applications, invoicing, accounting, tracking systems and devices, creation and linkage of a central station account, and much more
Who should attend: managers and owners
Presented by: Miles Fawcett, Founder and CEO of FieldHub Inc. 202.417.8196; miles@fieldhub.com www.fieldhub.com
Hosted by: Ken Kirschenbaum, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2290942861013931612
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TOMORROW'S WEBINAR:
Title: Micro Key Solutions
When: October 4, 2023 noon ET
Why attend: Robust Accounting and Monitoring Solutions for the Security Alarm Industry delivering user-friendly, seamlessly integrated accounting, service, and central station monitoring software that centralizes your data, integrates service tracking, and streamlines operator communications.
Who should attend: managers and owners
Presented by: Victoria Ferro, President, Micro Key Solutions, 407-870-0040; vferro@microkey.com, Courtney Wagner cwagner@microkey.com and Chris Lientz, clientz@microkey.com www.microkey.com
Hosted by: Ken Kirschenbaum, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6163494282721597275
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Title: Innovative Business Software: operating software for central stations
When: October 5, 2023 noon ET
Why attend: Innovative Business Software is central station solution to smooth operation and integration
Who should attend: managers and owners
Presented by: Jen Kolind, President and CEO of Innovative Business Software Inc. 469 556 2822; jens.kolind@innovative247.com www.innovative247.com
Hosted by: Ken Kirschenbaum, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2817426411948243036
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Title: Bold Group: Why you should choose Bold Group for your alarm business operating software
When: October 6, 2023 noon ET
Why attend: Bold Group provides comprehensive business management software solutions tailored specifically for the security industry with cutting-edge software empowering security organizations to efficiently manage every aspect of their business within a unified platform, thereby simplifying their operations. Wide range of features caters to the diverse needs of security organizations incorporating essential functionalities such as general ledger management, billing and invoicing, scheduling, workflow management, and more.
Who should attend: managers and owners
Presented by: Julie Lichty, SVP, Product Management, julie.lichty@boldgroup.com https://www.boldgroup.com/company/contact-us/
Hosted by: Ken Kirschenbaum, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5891194730763654750
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Title: WorkHorseSCS
When: October 11, 2023 noon ET
Why attend: Alarm business operating software solution for Sales, Field Service, Customer Service, RMR (Recurring Monthly Revenue), Electronic contracts and Digital Signatures, all conveniently housed in one unified platform. Streamlines your alarm company's processes with Single Point of Data Entry solution. Integrates with over 40 Central Stations, along with leading platforms like Alarm.com, Alula, resideo, SecureCom, and SecureNet.
Who should attend: Managers and owners
Presented by: Steven Hayes, 941.229.8200 steven.hayes@workhorsescs.com www.WorkHorseSCS.com
Hosted by: Ken Kirschenbaum, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3965237386615522648
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Title: Cornerstone Billing Solutions: Solutions for your alarm business operating software
When: October 12, 2023 noon ET
Why attend: Customer Management Software and Automated Recurring Billing in one cloud-based software platform. Live customer support. Cornerstone's software includes: complete subscriber records, recurring details, billing history, quotes, job tickets, service calendar, mobile tech app, inventory, robust reporting, collections, central station/alarm industry integrations, and more. Our automated recurring billing ensures 100% of recurring is billed.
Presented by: Scott MacDougal, Founder and Owner of Cornerstone Billing Solutions. (847) 405-9517 ext 2 ; scott@alarmbills.com www.alarmbills.com
Hosted by: Ken Kirschenbaum, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/790183156955638876
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comment on what service plan covers from article on September 9, 2023
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Ken,
After reading this particular article [Sept 9, 2023], it brought to mind, as in warranty coverage, some of this is common sense along with, do you want to keep your customer? I believe as an industry, we have a more urgent problem. For we old timers in the industry the cry of the industry for years was “these systems last too long and do not fail”.
The manufacturers have found an answer to that problem. They discontinue a particular model of system. As of a certain date, they stop manufacturing replacement parts, forcing the dealer to replace the system. This has become magnified by the proliferation of wireless systems. Your customer may have a perfect working system that has been discontinued, and one peripheral device fails and there is no replacement that will integrate with the system. Talk about a miserable conversation with your customer explaining that the entire system must be replaced, and its only seven years old.
Thank you 2Gig, DSC and indirectly, GE. Better spell that out in your maintenance agreement contract.
Stan Corn
Alarms, Inc
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Response
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First I want to re-emphasize that no Kirschenbaum Contract™ provides for “maintenance”. I’ve taken this position for at least 40 years. You may provide Inspection and Repair Service; Service on request; but you do not agree to “maintain” a system as operational. I do recognize that you may agree to “maintain”, particularly with a fire alarm or maybe elevator communication monitoring system, but you then need to be careful that you are not responsible for keeping that system operational all the time, rather than responding to a request to service or a scheduled inspection visit.
Ordinary wear and tear certainly doesn’t include damage caused by external factors. A dog chewing a wire, an object hitting and damaging a motion sensor or painting over a device, as examples. A device that stops working for no apparent reason is likely ordinary wear and tear.
Obsolete equipment rendering an entire system obsolete is another matter. Those systems can’t be fixed no matter how the damage or non-operational device failed. How can I forget throwing out my 12 Dragaonfly cameras? But don’t think it’s just the alarm industry. I bought an 85 inch 3-D TV that had problems within 6 months and was informed the manufacturer no longer supported the model [yes it was a new model].
Stan makes a good point that keeping the customer happy often overrides whether a repair is covered or not by the Service Repair Plan. You’re probably not going to collect RMR for the Service Repair Plan for 35 months, never hearing from the customer, and then charge for a visit even if the painter or dog messed up a device, though you could charge for that obviously.
Particularly those not familiar with charging for a Service Repair Plan there are often questions on how to price the Plan. Well, when in doubt you can stick with a “per call” arrangement so neither you nor the customer need to gamble. But if you’ve had the customer for a while you probably have a service history from which you can predict future service calls. If you think you’ll have to visit a customer twice a year and a device may cost $200 then you can project your pricing for the Plan. If it’s a new system remember that it’s likely that all repair service is going to be covered by the warranty, so by the time the warranty is over the system should be operating properly without ordinary wear and tear issues. If not, that may be on you.
Remember that while it may be a gamble to option Repair Service Plans with RMR rather than Per Call [and pay as you go] repairs, there is no “equity” in per call service revenue; you build equity in your business [increase the business value] by building RMR, and includes Repair Service Plan RMR or other RMR for inspection or the other itemized services specified in the All in One agreements. These Standard Form Agreements are designed to maximize your revenue by increasing sales, increasing RMR and building equity.
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Software and central station webinars
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If you haven’t signed up for the webinars you’re making a mistake. The live presentations offer you the opportunity to ask your questions and get answers. You can join on any device including your office computer or your smart phone, so even if in the field or driving you can join and even participate.
If you miss the live webinar, no worry. It should be posted on the K&K Website for alarm webinars within a few days of the live presentation; go here to check: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-webinars
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Central Stations series: Why You Should Be Monitored By Our CS
Hear from the leading central stations and “Why you should be monitored by” that central station. The topic of remote operator monitoring from outside the central station facility and the dynamics that issue presents is sure to come up. The question you need to be asking is why isn’t your central station participating and why are you still using your central station if it’s not participating?
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October 17, 2023 noon ET, Emergency 24
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5032873072502046552
October 18, 2023 noon ET, Statewide Monitoring Corp
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3560536843132524128
October 19, 2023 noon ET, Legacy Security Services
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4084258420664728661
October 24, 2023 noon ET, National Monitoring Center
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/106284724856601695
October 25, 2023 noon ET, Dynamark Monitoring
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5050152997423183449
October 26, 2023 noon ET, COPS Monitoring Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1774793620122519136
October 31, 2023 noon ET, Rapid Response Monitoring Center
Registration Link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2959829660260960857
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STANDARD FORM AGREEMENTS: To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com
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CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY - You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304.
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ALARM ARTICLES: You can always read our Articles on our website at www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles updated daily *************************
THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily.
https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-exchange
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Wondering how much your alarm company is worth?
Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth
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Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq
Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Attorneys at Law
200 Garden City Plaza
Garden City, NY 11530
516 747 6700 x 301
ken@kirschenbaumesq.com
www.KirschenbaumEsq.com
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