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 ********************** Register for Webinars / Licensing story / Batteries / Virtual Doorman September 15, 2023 ************************ Licensing story ********************** Ken, In 1999, when I was first employed at ADT, they were in transition to move their local office from Eugene to Springfield, Oregon, just a few miles nearby. Eugene did not have any alarm license ordinances but, Springfield did, and they were extensive. Not only did they have a long standing alarm users permit ordinance, the city also required any and all alarm company(s) to register their ownership with the city, so they could perform background checks on the owner. If they are not a felon, no problem. An Alarm Business Owner's License was issued and sent in the mail. The city also wants every sales person AND technician to also be licensed, ie: background check to make sure no felons are going into citizens' homes. No problem for me or any ADT employee because we were already background checked prior to hire. When I brought this issue up to my coworkers and managers, there was much grumbling from them and zero cooperation. I was the only one who cared, so I took the initiative to obtain my own individual Alarm Sales License and I proudly displayed it at the office and at home. More importantly, I carried a copy in my briefcase and always showed it when selling in Springfield. It helped in closing deals. There is no charge to get it, just a single page application to fill out, and in a week, my new license would appear in the mail. It became routine to renew every couple years. Then one Saturday afternoon, my front doorbell rang. It was 2 young alarm salesmen from a new-in-town competitor. I told them I wasn't interested because I already had ADT and pointed at my sign. They had seen it but still tried to offer me a better deal, ie new equipment, new contract, new company, free install, etc. They had no idea who they were talking to. I said I wouldn't mind seeing the new equipment, BUT, I would only do business with a local company. One of them replied We're local, we just opened an office in Eugene. One of them handed me a card. I said So you are based in Eugene, but door knocking in Springfield. I bet you don't know about the alarm permit and alarm license laws for Springfield, do you? They responded No, so I gave them the pertinent information on how and where to do it, and why they had to do it. Plus, why their technicians, managers AND the owner also had to do it since they obviously want to do business in Springfield. I explained how the city just wants to protect their citizens from unwittingly, allowing convicted felons into their homes and businesses that could have possible ulterior motives. This is one step the city takes to ensure the quality of alarm sales people. It has happened, and that is why it's been a city ordinance for, ever. They asked me how I knew so much so I told them I worked there and that it was my duty to advise the licensing dept of this interaction, and pass along their card. I suggested to the both of them, to go get their license immediately, regardless what their boss says or does, because it would be very embarrassing to knock on another city employees' front door and it'll all ready noted, that on this day, you were advised of the ordinance, so it's your choice to continue to work in Springfield licensed, or unlicensed. Just beware (that) sooner or later, someone is going to ask to see your license and you don't want it to be a city police officer. So, now you can't say you didn't know. That company came and went quickly. I guess I got what I wanted. I simply wanted them to professionalize their game, ie get licensed, -OR - like Matt Dillon always said, Get out of Dodge and don't come back! Regarding providing my City Alarm Sales License # on the face of the contract, I never did that. Cynthia Branen-Hart Retired Security Consultant Oregon ************************* Batteries ************************* Ken Re Comment on 8-hour standby requirement for communications from article on August 23, 2023 How much battery backup does a cellular transmitter have? The device with the least battery standby is your weak link. Rod *************************** Virtual Doorman comment from article on August 25, 2023 ******************************* Ken, Thank you for sharing and pointing out the essence of utilizing your contracts for anything video related. As all should be aware, unlike traditional intrusion monitoring, video has a variety of elements that require judgment calls. Setting client expectations and protecting your company and monitoring provider by memorializing the relationship is essential. Remote Guarding, video verification and other remote video services is finally gaining the traction it deserves. We have great AI platforms as Actuate and others that bring these propositions full circle. Regards, Peter P. Giacalone, President Giacalone Associates, LLC 201.394.5536 www.giacaloneassociates.com ********************** Response ********************** Video monitoring can be very profitable but not all central stations are equipped to provide the monitoring services. While most central stations can handle the video clips, 24/7 live monitoring is another matter and obviously takes dedicated operators. Be sure to sign up for the Central Station Webinar Series starting in a few weeks to learn more about the top central stations and their services. ************************ WEBINARS SCHEDULE and REGISTRATION: SOFTWARE // CENTRAL STATIONS ********************** 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. ********************** 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.comwww.fieldhub.com Hosted by: Ken Kirschenbaum, Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC Register here:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2290942861013931612 *********************** 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 *********************** 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 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
