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contract for multi sites
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Ken
I am signing a municipality for installation and monitoring services in 5 of their locations. Can I use one master contract for the installation work referring to "attached schedule of protection"? Can I also do the same with the monitoring, or should those be the separated? I am currently using your individual agreements.
If you post on website please sign
anon
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Answer
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The Standard Form Contracts are designed for a single location, but making changes for multiple locations is not difficult - for me. If you use an All in One for multiple locations those details will be in the Schedule of Equipment and Services and you will have to detail information for each location, such as type of installation, price, dates of service, etc. If every installation and service is the same for each location it's easier. Obviously if every location has it's own unique characteristics then you may as well use a new All in One for each location. If you need assistance preparing terms of a contract you can always contact me.
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marketing issue
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Ken
I would like to know what the % of revenue our industry uses to determine their budgeted marketing dollars, and if that is not how the industry determines their budget, what is the normal practice for our industry?
Thank You
Annette El-Jor
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Response
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Marketing guys will have to answer that one or maybe some of the companies with astute marketing practices
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take over question
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Ken
When I enter a residence and observe a existing alarm system and the customer wants a take over or modify I have a few questions. I always ask the homeowner if they are under contract with anyone else prior to moving ahead with quote. However if the owner is deceitful is there any protection for me in the all in one? I do not specifically see any clause. If not what wording or clause can I add to protect my business? Thank you.
Doug S
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Answer
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You are not required to ask about existing contracts and you will have liability if you take over a system owned by the subscriber that is being monitored or serviced by another company. If the equipment is not owned by the subscriber that equipment will have to be surrendered on demand to the other alarm company. The other alarm company may sue its subscriber if the contract term is remaining, and although I don't think you have liability you still might get sued, just for the fun of it.
The Disclaimer Notice deals with take over accounts; get it at www.alarmcontracts.com
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service contract
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Ken,
We just installed a 41 camera IP Based Surveillance System & the customer is asking for a Maintenance Contract. We used the All in One for the construction which spelled out the purchase price and the yearly charge for remote access. We will get another contract for the maintenance. Are there any resources on how to figure out what to charge on the maintenance contract?
Thanks,
Ron
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Answer
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The All in One [in this case Commercial All in One] includes a Service Contract, so you don't need another contract. In fact it includes all your services, other than PERS and Fire [there are separate contracts for those services].
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Indemnity Question
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Ken,
We are seeing more and more prospective customers with purchase orders or contracts with indemnity clauses that they are wanting us to sign. We have potential customers that want us to just sign their purchase order or contracts with there indemnity clauses but will also sign our contract. We send all of our contracts that potential customers want us to sign through our insurance company in which they really have no problem with but they make the comment to check with legal on the indemnity clause of the contract. Is their a solution here as it is beginning to cost us major business. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Darrell Jordan
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Answer
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The indemnity issue is a tough one and here to stay. You can omit your indemnity provision if necessary. You should avoid signing an indemnity provision. Some ways around it however are: 1) name the sub as your additional insured on your policy and limit your indemnity to that coverage; 2) limit indemnity to available insurance coverage, and make sure you're covered for contractual indemnity on your policy; 3) omit the sub's indemnity provision and instead suggest that each party carry insurance and agree to look to their own insurance coverage for any loss. **********************
Comment on iPad / iPhone time tracking app from April 21 2014 article
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Ken,
I wanted to offer some input on Donnetta Byrd’s question in the April 21 newsletter regarding an iPad / iPhone time tracking app for her company’s technicians:
My company designs iPad sales presentations for security companies so we spend plenty of time experimenting with new apps and solutions that become available. We have been very happy with the Freshbooks Cloud Accounting software—which offers a reasonably robust time tracking option and an intuitive user interface (http://www.freshbooks.com/timetracking.php). Most importantly to Donnetta’s needs, they have free apps available for iOS, Android and the web plus a 30-day free trial of the solution.
Users can classify their time allotted to each project and the task they are working on within that project—so it is a great solution not only for payroll purposes but also for getting a better understanding of where your company’s human resources are being used.
Good luck and let me know if I can provide further input—cheers!
Luke Goetting
business development | puffingston
www.puffingston.com
Listed in The Alarm Exchange under category Technology and Services that increase or preserve your RMR
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Ken,
As far as time clock check in by phone, iPad, Android, PC, or any other web browser based system, we have used Briarco software for over 20 years, and their new Fusion product not only handles the time clock functions, but also allows techs to view service calls, print tickets, have service tickets signed via the phone or tablet, check customer history, alarm signal history, call lists, alarm zones, equipment, or even real time Central Station activity while at the call. At the office the real time activity of the techs, installation, and sales staff can be monitored as well on a schedule screen as they check in and out.
The SOS Security Office Solutions Software not only handles our billing, service dispatching, equipment data base, and every other aspect of our security business, but also allows us to review all of our alarm history over any period of time, sorted by type of event, customer, etc. We then can create follow up service tickets, or tasks from within the same system. No more PDF reports, running lists, etc. It is an incredible package, that has saved us hundreds of hours in office and customer service administrative hours. There are many more features, but I would highly recommend anyone who wants a single integrated Alarm company management package to consider Briarco. www.briarco.com
Michael Smith, President
SCN Security Communication Network, Inc.
Corona, California
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Comment on clock-in clock-out from April 21, 2014 article
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Ken
Comment on clock-in clock-out. I don't need to know the answer, but is it OK to deduct lunch time from a workday? Some employees have breakfast, coffee break, lunch and afternoon snack. Some office employees are pretending to work, some are on a phone with friends, some are doing shopping on the internet. If you plan to demand clock-in clock-out of your most productive employees (technicians), you deserve to get screwed.
Dusan
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Comment on alarm co has fire from April 21 2014 2014 article
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Ken;
I would like to point out that if Mike Proudfit had arranged for a key holding /alarm response service, (such as Metroguard provides here in Connecticut) his fire/sprinkler problem would have been greatly diminished as a result of much earlier detection.
Frank Harsche
Metroguard Inc.
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TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REPLY TO THIS EMAIL OR EMAIL Ken@Kirschenbaumesq.com. Most comments and questions get circulated.
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Speaking Engagements
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Metropolitan Burglar and Fire Alarm Assoc of New York. May 15, 2014 4:30 to 6:30 PM at Marriot Hotel, Uniondale, NY. Comprehensive analysis and comparison of the Standard Form All in One contracts. All alarm dealers welcome. No charge for attendance. Dinner and MBFAA meeting will follow the seminar. For more info and to RSVP contact Alan Glasser, Executive Director of MBFAA at 718-894-6712 or mbfaa.ny@gmail.com
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Northeast Security & Systems Contractors Expo Thursday, May 22, 2014 10 am to 5 PM at Royal Plaza Trade Center, Marlborough, MA. registration https://www.expotracshows.com/neacc/2014/ Presentation on Alarm Law issues and Q&A will be at 2 PM. For more info contact Gary Spaulding, NEACC President 207-384-2420 gary@spauldingsecurity.com
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Alabama Alarm Association. AAA's Fall Meeting and Trade Show - October 21, 2014 from 3 to 5 PM at DoubleTree Hotel 808 South 20th Street Birmingham, AL 35205 for more info contact AAA Executive Director: director@alabamaalarm.org (205) 933-9000
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Electronic Security Summit for 2014. October 22-24, 2014 at the landmark Broadmoor Hotel. Colorado Springs, CO. For more information contact Alexander J. Quirin, CEO & Managing Partner, Advisory Summit Providers, LLC., (786) 999-9738 alex.quirin@aspsummits.com www.aspsummits.com
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