Are you a security installer thinking about using a third-party ARC to remotely monitor your sites? Keep reading to discover what exactly a third-party ARC does and how it can support security installers, as well as the pros and cons of outsourcing your remote monitoring.
- What is a third-party ARC?
- How can a third-party ARC help security installers?
- What are the benefits of security installers using a third-party ARC?
- So should security installers use a third-party ARC?
- Next steps?
What is a third-party ARC?
ARC stands for Alarm Receiving Center. An ARC is a purpose-built facility designed to remotely monitor the security systems of a site. Systems that can be monitored include CCTV or VSS, Site Access, Intruder Alarms as well as fire safety systems. ARCs are manned by professionally trained monitoring operatives who actively monitor a client’s sites 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At RMS, we monitor more than just security systems. We can monitor non-security systems such as fridges and freezers, air conditioners, flood warnings and much more.
ARCs receive data and signals from triggered site systems that notify and alert the monitoring operatives of site activity and potential security breaches. The monitoring operatives can then confirm the alarm and action the necessary response.
To ensure the highest level of professionalism and service quality, reputable ARCs adhere to stringent compliance standards. For instance, being a third-party ARC with NSI Gold certification ensures that the facility, operations, and staff meet the industry’s most rigorous technical and management requirements, including the key standards of BS 8418 for detector-activated CCTV systems and BS EN 50518 for Alarm Receiving Centres. This commitment to compliance is crucial for security installers, as it provides an assurance of quality that is often mandatory for insurance purposes and police response protocols. Partnering with an accredited ARC can give you a significant competitive edge when proposing solutions to clients in high-risk sectors, such as manufacturing and waste recycling monitoring, where compliance is non-negotiable.
How can a third-party ARC help security installers?
A third-party ARC can help security installers solely focus on installing systems for their clients as well as other revenue-generating activity. A third-party ARC provides confidence to security installers that their sites are continuously monitored, guaranteeing that no triggered alarm will go unacknowledged. Remote monitoring by a third-party ARC can improve the overall safety and security of an installer’s sites, as well as reduce false alarms.
The problem of false alarms is substantial; recent research indicates that avoidable fire alarms, such as false alarms, cost SMEs in the UK a collective total of almost £700 million every year, with the national economy losing over £1 billion annually due to these disruptions.
A primary value-add of using an ARC is alarm verification. Modern ARCs utilise advanced technology, including sophisticated video analytics and AI, to confirm an alarm event’s legitimacy before escalating the response. This verification process drastically cuts down on false call-outs, which not only saves your clients money but also helps them avoid potential fines from the local Fire and Rescue Services or Police, especially in London where charges have been introduced for excessive false alarms. Furthermore, working with a partner who understands the importance of technology integration, as detailed in our guide on the role of cybersecurity in alarm and CCTV monitoring, means you can offer clients cutting-edge solutions that are both secure and reliable.
What are the benefits of security installers using a third-party ARC?
There are many benefits of using a third-party ARC if you are a security installer.
Focus on installation work
When outsourcing to a third-party ARC, you can concentrate on what you know best and deliver high-quality installation work and other revenue-generating activities. Delegating other tasks, such as remote monitoring, can be effective in not damaging the quality of your current work. This is a core part of developing a successful business model, allowing you to streamline operations and ensure your focus remains on high-value client delivery. For example, by entrusting the 24/7 management to us, you free up your internal resources to focus on complex projects, such as designing systems for large commercial offices.
Provide higher quality service for customers
By offering remote monitoring to your customers via a third-party ARC, you can provide a higher quality and more effective service to clients. This also creates upselling opportunities. Beyond basic security, many clients today require support for managing out-of-hours requests and health and safety compliance, making comprehensive call handling services an attractive add-on for your service portfolio. This shift towards integrated facility management is a major trend, as explored in our piece on how 24/7 monitoring improves efficiency in facility management.
Cost-effective
It can be a more cost-effective option to outsource your remote monitoring to a third-party ARC if you are a security installer, than if you were to carry it out in-house. Building a proprietary monitoring facility involves enormous capital outlay for infrastructure, technology, and continuous staffing, which is simply not feasible for most installers. Outsourcing allows you to leverage a partner’s existing, accredited infrastructure, reducing your overheads and ensuring service continuity with built-in system redundancy, a critical factor detailed in our analysis of how backup protocols are key for remote monitoring.
Time-efficient
Outsourcing your remote monitoring to a third-party ARC can also save you time, especially if you don’t have an abundance of available resources. The time saved can be reinvested into business growth, developing new technical skills, and enhancing client relationships. Consider the administrative burden of vetting and training staff to meet the BS 7858 security screening standards required for ARC operatives; a third-party partner manages this complexity entirely for you.
Improve site security & safety
Having any type of remote monitoring in place for your sites will improve their overall safety and security. This is particularly true for high-risk environments such as construction sites and large industrial warehouses. For these sites, monitoring often includes specialised services like lone worker support or pre-programmed remote health and safety patrols that go beyond standard intruder monitoring to actively mitigate operational risks. The ability of the ARC to provide immediate, real-time intervention, as opposed to relying on a keyholder who may be minutes away, offers a tangible enhancement to safety across all client sites, from restaurants to residential complexes.
So should security installers use a third-party ARC?
Security installers can benefit from using a third-party ARC. Not only can it provide installers with a more vast product offering to their clients, but it also elevates them above their competition, due to being able to offer an advanced remote monitoring service that can improve overall site security and safety. Using a third-party ARC also allows installers to focus on what they know best, designing and installing security systems to a high standard.
Installers can therefore benefit from delegating remote monitoring activity to an ARC, as it can be a time and cost-effective solution for installers of all sizes, compared to the costs and logistics of them taking this on in-house. A professional ARC acts as a trusted operational partner, improving your service delivery and supporting your credibility. We offer valuable insights into the decision-making process in our guide on what security installers should look for in a professional ARC partner.
Next steps?
If you’re an installer who is interested in working with a third-party ARC to provide remote monitoring for your clients, get in touch today. At RMS, we think of ourselves as an extension of your company, providing honest, transparent and professional service, with a commitment to 5* customer service. Our dedication to operational excellence is built upon decades of experience and a deep understanding of your business needs, making us the leading choice for security installers in the UK.
Call us today to discuss your needs and to find out more at 0330 002 1149 or fill out an online contact form.
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