August 3, 2011
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Comments
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Ken,
In reply to Daphne's options [see the July 18 2011 email below] with spec home alarm system customers, she may not need a new contract just a refresher of why we are in the alarm business which is reoccurring revenue. First I doubt the homeowners would be eligible for insurance discounts for either option 1 or option 3 so have your company continue to pitch the alarm monitoring because discounts may be available. Also if they are in the same development I would not give them a yard sign if they were not monitored. Second I strongly suggest not to offer option 3 alone, you are starting to give up the future of valuable reoccurring revenue. I would suggest handling the self monitoring as additional notification to central station monitoring and not a substitute. What happens if the customers cell phone is out of service range, has a dead battery, the ringer is silenced or worse the homeowner responds or sends a neighbor over to find a burglar in the house. Just because a company like ipDatatel has invented something does not mean it is something good for the customer or your business to continue to grow and make more money. Most important of all my advice is never install something which benefits a customer for free, you are starting down a path of not realizing the value of the products and services your company can offer.
Mark in Florida
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Daphne
Why would you even consider this 3rd option
Stephen
SEM
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Here is the email the above responds to:
Introducing the new Subscriber Enabled Monitoring Service Contract
July 18, 2011
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Question
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Ken,
We are beginning to provide what I am calling "self-monitoring" . I believe I saw a thread on this earlier, but am unable to locate it so forgive me if this is redundant. May question is this: Do we need another contract to address this type of monitoring?
I am using the term to refer to an alarm system programmed to communicate to a customers designated cell phone number with alarm information.
Most of our alarm install are in new construction spec homes. The
builder pays for the system to be installed but not programmed. When
the Home buyer moves in they are put in contact with them and and they
currently have 2 options:
Local Alarm: They sign the disclaimer we purchased from you, we write
in that they were offered monitoring and refused. Then if they pay for
the labor to program for local alarm (not monitored) we program and
leave.
Monitored Alarm: Monitored by the central station for a fee.
We want to now offer a third option. With an Internet communicator
from ipDatatel installed for a fee, they can receive text and email
notification of opening and closing, alarms and troubles for a reduced
fee.
But since the device is communicating via the Internet and opens
another avenue for potential liability.....ie "i thought it was going
to call the Police".....I think it warrants an opinion from the Master
of Alarm Contracts!
Kind Regards,
One Who Appreciates Your Service,
Daphne
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Answer
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The Standard Alarm Monitoring Contract is for central station monitoring. It should not be used for "self monitoring" unless it is modified to cover remote access. We have made this change to the Monitoring Contract and it now provides for remote access.
The current contract for "self monitoring" is the Remote Video Monitoring Service contract which is designed for viewing video through the subscriber's computer or smart phone. Since that contract was designed remote viewing and self monitoring by the subscriber has become more common. There will be a new contract called Subscriber Enabled Monitoring Service Contract which will permit subscribers to access their system, remotely arm or disarm the system, view CCTV at the premises and receive alarm signals. This contract will not provide for central station monitoring, though it will provide for data storage at the central station or on the server through which the data passes.
By the time this email comes out the Subscriber Enabled Monitoring Service Contract will be posted and available on the order form page of our web site at https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/alarm2.htm.
Call our Contract Administrator Eileen at 516 747 6700 x 312 for more information.