Alarm System Monitoring

[copperglobe]

I've had an alarm system at the washes for 30 years and I understand the benefits of it- it's caught the bad guys plenty of times. The question is that my system is monitored by a company that calls me on my cell when the alarm goes off. I then get on the cameras, see what's going on and then either see nothing and go back to bed or jump in the truck and head out. Even on vacation when I get a call I jump on the cameras and if something is there I'll call the cops and have them check it out.

I guess my question is why do I have it monitored? Why not just have the system call me directly and bypass their monthly fees?

What's your situation with alarms?

 

[Earl Weiss]

I have monitoring - do the same - Check the cameras. If I do not answer they will send the cops. They also send for immediate response if panic alarm is triggered.

 

[OurTown]

Why not just have the system call me directly and bypass their monthly fees?

Ours is monitored with cellular communication that has a battery backup. Could you get a system to directly communicate to your phone if the thieves cut all the lines?

 

[wash4me]

Eze Sys.com will do that and lots more.

 

[boywonder]

I have a monitoring system, with alarms. I get a text message within 30 sec of opening a coin box

 

[OurTown]

Eze Sys.com will do that and lots more.

I like this idea and will look into it further. For using it for an security system it seems like you would want a cellular type internet in case the wires get cut. Another minor issue could be if you missed the call or text. Who would call the police to check it out?

 

[OurTown]

I see that eze System has a cellular controller.

 

[wash4me]

I should point out that eze is not rated for being an actual alarm though if you Hook it to door contacts it will call text or email you. Mine is set to log when the doors open during the day and then after hours to call me. Also I have it set to call me if the hot water goes below a certain temperature

 

[chaz]

I get an email from my surveillance system each time my ER door opens. Along with the email I get still shots form 3 cameras....the thought is if someone steals or destroys the DVR, I’ve already got photos to help ID them. Obviously my”alternate” in box has lots of photos of me.

 

[mjwalsh]

Just to add about alarm systems ... it seems like there is value to having the alarm tell you which specific sensor is violated even though an operator might have lots of sensors. Also it seems like the main controller would be more reliable if it was hard wired as much as possible.

A very high end audio - alarm system engineer told me when I was setting up my alarms that "supervised alarms" are the best. By supervised ... he explained that anything that shows that the alarm (wired or wireless) is broken anywhere in the system ... it will also remotely tell the operator or the alarm company that that condition occurred. BTW instantly at the second that brokenness occurred.