QUESTION:
Ken,
We have purchased contracts from you before and we noticed that you have contracts for remote video monitoring. As far as you are aware, is the video monitoring service, by itself, regulated? We have been working on our database and video scheduling software and we wish to cover the as many bases as possible to reduce the liability for the video monitoring service we will be providing. We are not a central station. The only monitoring service we will be providing is remote monitoring of our customers’ security cameras. They will be monitored by certified security guards that are trained to handle the events they detect over the security cameras. They will be able to react to prevent crime by either using a speaker, switching on strobes mounted with the cameras, or by contacting the authorities if he sees a crime in progress.
Will your contract cover this service adequately, or do we need something more? Is there regulation that I should be aware of that would prevent us from providing this service? I haven’t found any that directly relates to this? Any input or opinion would be greatly appreciated. By the way, we are licensed, bonded and insured in the State of Florida and meet all qualifications as a CCTV installing company in the State of Florida.
Best regards,
Brad
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ANSWER:
Remote video systems and monitoring consists of installation of CCTV which communicates through the internet to a central server maintained by the manufacturer of the system. The CCTV is viewed on cell phones and computers. This is different than central station video monitoring which views and responds to alarm conditions.
A contract for remote video systems can be purchased at www.alarmcontracts.com.
The above question is addressed by our CCTV Supervisory Contract, also to be found at www.alarmcontracts.com. This contract governs the installation of the CCTV, monitoring of the video, data storage by the central station and data retrieval.
I thought video monitoring would be more popular by now, but it seems to be attracting more interest and enabling the alarm industry to add yet another recurring revenue contract to its services. Don't miss out on this technology and revenue.