When it comes to protecting your business premises, a reliable burglar or intruder alarm system is a must-have. But the question arises: should you invest in monitoring for your burglar alarm? In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and considerations from a business perspective to help you make an informed decision.
What Is Remote Alarm Monitoring?
Alarm monitoring involves connecting your burglar alarm system to a remote monitoring centre (also called an ARC – Alarm Receiving Centre), staffed 24/7 by a team of monitoring operatives. When an alarm is triggered, the ARC receives an alert and takes appropriate action, such as notifying you, local authorities, or a designated security team.
5 Benefits of Alarm Monitoring for Businesses
Research shows that an estimated 28% of all UK business premises have been a victim of crime within the last year, with 15% of those incidents being theft and 9% burglary. It is therefore important to look at the benefits that alarm monitoring can bring to a business.
1. Rapid Response in Emergencies
When an alarm is triggered, every second counts. Professional remote monitoring ensures a swift response, minimising potential losses and damage.
2. 24/7 Protection
Criminals don’t stick to a 9-to-5 schedule. Alarm monitoring provides round-the-clock protection, even when there are no security personnel or staff on-site.
3. Enhanced Security
Monitoring centres are equipped with the latest technology and trained personnel to assess and respond to alarms accurately, including business burglar alarms. This reduces false alarms, ensures a focused response to genuine threats and therefore enhances business security.
4. Peace of Mind
Knowing that experts are watching over a business or site can offer peace of mind. Rest easy knowing that any security issues will be handled promptly, no matter the time or day.
5. Insurance Benefits
Many insurance providers offer discounts on premiums for businesses with monitored alarm systems, as they pose a lower risk.
What To Consider When Deciding on Monitoring for Your Burglar Alarm
While alarm monitoring offers numerous advantages, it’s essential to consider a few factors before making a decision.
Cost
Monitoring services come at a cost, typically through a monthly or annual subscription fee. Evaluate your budget and the value of added security to determine if it’s feasible for your business.
Type of Business
The nature of your business may influence your decision. Retail stores, banks, and businesses with high-value assets may find monitoring particularly beneficial.
Location
If your business is in an area with a higher crime rate or experiences frequent break-ins, monitoring becomes more critical.
Integration with Other Systems
Consider whether your alarm system monitoring can integrate with other security systems, such as video surveillance or access control, which may enhance overall security.
Customer Experience
You will want to have a good relationship with your chosen monitoring centre and trust them to deal with any incidents quickly and efficiently. Customer service and the overall experience are therefore very important. Look for an honest, transparent and communicative team.
Choosing Monitoring for Your Burglar Alarm
Investing in monitoring for your site’s burglar alarm system is a strategic move. It offers a layer of protection that can be invaluable in the event of an emergency as well as the peace of mind that comes with professional alarm monitoring can be a worthwhile investment, safeguarding your business, assets, and reputation.
Remote Burglar Alarm Monitoring with RMS
At RMS, we provide 24/7 remote monitoring for a variety of security and non-security systems for sites and businesses across various industries. Our category 2 ARC is NSI gold approved and we hand select our monitoring operatives, combined with continued investment into new technologies to provide the very best monitoring service on the market.
Learn more and receive a free quote by getting in touch here.
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