Page 83 - Security Today, November 2017

Dealer Strategies
not practical or possible to use a cellphone, whether they’re on the job or in a building that doesn’t allow good reception (signals can often be blocked by metal or concrete, such as a parking garage). Cellphone connections can drop or be blocked for any number of reasons. Professional monitoring is available around the clock, regardless of the situation.
THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR TRAINING
An alarm is often triggered by incidents like an intruder, fire or car- bon monoxide leak. When a user determines the cause of an alarm, it takes a great deal of discipline and self-control to take the right steps. An untrained person is prone to panic or to be unsure what to do and when to do it.
“That’s why we place so much emphasis on preparation for our monitoring operators,” said Grant Graham, director of monitoring operations at MONI Smart Security. That includes more than 96 hours of classroom training along with eight weeks of hands-on men- toring, as well as ongoing quality assurance checks.
“We want to create an environment where there’s a consistent protocol for handling alarms,” Graham said. “Our agents are likely to encounter all types of situations, and they understand the impor- tance of following procedures that are constantly being practiced and refined. They know that calm, controlled response is crucial for effec- tive alarm resolution.”
DON’T DITCH THE SMARTPHONE
A smartphone isn’t the best way of monitoring an alarm event, but it’s still an essential part of the equation. The ideal situation is live moni- toring that allows the central station to quickly verify an alarm while providing real-time status updates to the homeowner.
MONI has adopted that process through patented ASAPer tech- nology, which creates an interactive messaging hub that allows cus- tomers to communicate with their emergency contacts via text, chat or email. They also receive constant updates from MONI until the alarm is resolved.
“Communication means everything during an alarm event,” Gra- ham said. “ASAPer provides faster resolution than traditional meth- ods by streamlining the communication process and making it inter- active. Everyone benefits by having the latest information about the status of an alarm.”
THE BIGGEST BENEFIT OF LIVE MONITORING
It can be difficult to convince potential customers that it’s not just about making a sale. By emphasizing the benefits of live monitoring instead of MIY, you’ll be helping them understand the importance of speed, convenience and assurance that they can’t get from a phone – no matter how smart it is.
Robert Ogle is a senior communications specialist at MONI Smart Security.
Online Security Technology Training
Take charge of your security technology training with our online training courses. Train as an individual or implement a companywide program with a Corporate Account.
and
Our courses are suitable for everyone in the security industry. They are available 24/7, making it the most convenient and cost-effective solution for anyone who wants to improve security knowledge or skills. Approved for Continuing Education (CE) by various security associations and government bodies, the courses include:
• CCTV + Digital Video — now updated with new content covering the latest technology & products!
• IP Networking
• Access Control
• Biometrics Technology
• Fiber Optics
• Basic Electricity
• Wireless Technology
Learn more at securitytodayacademy.com
Go to sp.hotims.com and enter 508 for product information.
WWW.SECURITYTODAY.COM DS9
Untitled-8 1 10/11/17 2:56 PM