comment on what service plan covers / Software and central station webinars October 4, 2023

KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ
ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE
You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com
********
comment on what service plan covers / Software and central station webinars
October 4, 2023

SEE WEBINAR REGISTRATION BELOW – REGISTER NOW
*
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.

TODAY'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
*
TOMORROW'S WEBINAR:
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
*
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
*
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

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

More on who owns intellectual property from article on September 11, 2023

Ken:
          Sorry John; I own the software........
MS
*
another comment
*
Ken,
In response to John Drucker's post regarding fire alarm panel codes, I wanted to throw my comments in as well.
          I agree with him on the code requirements however, in the Kirschenbaum Fire Alarm All in One contract, which is an agreement between the servicing company and its customer, there is a paragraph that says the passcode to the system is the property of the alarm company. It also states the same concerning the panel program software.
          There are very important reasons for this. First, I am commenting on our use of the Silent Knight panel and its ability to be "locked out" from a company takeover or from misuse by adding or taking devices out or off the system from the way it was installed. This unauthorized work might be done by either the customer or another alarm company that might be doing other work on the same job.
          Let me share two experiences I had on two different jobs. My company designed and installed a fire alarm system for a Holiday Inn Express which was a four story building here in Ohio. The account had been online for 3 years when we had a ground fault occur. When it occurred the customer attempted to fix the issue by pressing silence and reset several times. Every alarm technician reading this understands that silence will stop the beeping but it won't fix the ground fault; neither will reset. The customer having no knowledge or certification looked at the manuals left with the system and decided that performing a jump start of the panel was the most appropriate response. He did that and it wiped out the panel programming as if it were a new panel out of the box. It came up beeping and still showed a ground fault. He then broke down and called for service. Upon arriving at the premise it was discovered that the sprinkler pit was full of water and the ground fault was due to water getting into the gate tamper switches in the pit. The ejection pump in the pit had failed allowing water to slowly buildup. The customer learned what a ground fault was that day and what not to do when it happens.
          On another job, we had been getting a test failure every other day on the fire alarm account. In talking with the customer on the phone I asked him if they dropped a phone line to the building. He said no. This account was still on POTS lines. Upon arriving at the premise I verified that both phone lines were working and monitored the communications on both lines and changed the panel time and date to observe it report its daily test signal. It tests line 1 on the first day and then line 2 the next day and alternates back and forth as it is required to. On the 2nd line it dialed a bad number and not the central station receiver number. Upon going into the panel program, I discovered the 2nd line number had been changed to a number that was not the receiver telephone number. I asked the customer if anyone else had been working or doing any programming on this system and he said no, not that he was aware of. How or who changed it? No one knows.
          While the code states the customer has access to the program code I object to it from the standpoint that in my two experiences above what would happen should a fire have occurred and the installing and monitoring company gets named in a lawsuit? I have no problem providing a panel code when a customer drops service but, what happens when the installing company exposes themselves to liability by providing it at the panel or in the documentation where it might be accessed by anyone. While I would think it does not happen all the time it only needs to happen once under the worst of conditions to get you into trouble. That code is not necessary to reset or silence a system necessarily. It’s only for programming and the installing company has every reason and contractual right to protect itself from customer incompetence or unauthorized programming access.
  Respectfully Submitted,
Ron Baumann, NICET IV 112283
ProAlert Security Systems, LLC
Cincinnati, Ohio 45253
513-353-3141 office
www.proalertsecuritysystems.com
***
Response
*
          Texas has a specific statute that requires that the code be given to the customer, but only if the customer signs a Release.  You can get the release form from K&K by calling our Contract Administrator Eileen Wagda at 516 747 6700 x 312. [cost is $175]
          If you sell a fire alarm system and have no further involvement with that system, which means you provide neither monitoring, repair service nor inspection, and the warranty is over, you can give the programming codes to the customer.  If you provide “after install services" I agree with Ron, it’s not necessary for the customer to have the codes and the Fire All in One addresses the issue.

Software and central station webinars

          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
*
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?

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
****
STANDARD FORM AGREEMENTS: To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com
*
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.
*
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
*
Wondering how much your alarm company is worth?
Click here:  https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth

Getting on our email list / Articles archived:
Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list.  Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up.
********
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