What is it that you’re really purchasing when you finally install that security system? You may think it’s security (duh?), and in a way, you’d be right. But, if you take a minute to dig a little deeper, you’ll discover that what you’re really purchasing is peace of mind.

The peace of mind that comes from knowing that when you go out of town, your business and all its assets will be protected with your new access control and burglar alarm system. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your employees and staff are all safe with your motion-detecting lights, fire and sprinkler systems, and flood sensors.

The peace of mind of knowing that you are prepared should the worst happen.

For small- or medium-sized businesses with minimal security needs, it’s easy to be swayed by off-the-shelf home alarm systems. In many cases, these may even be sufficient for your needs. But when you think about what it is you’re really buying when you’re shopping for security systems, you may be hesitant to reach for the cheapest option.

Think of it this way: a security system should be purchased in accordance to the assets it means to protect. Meaning, if you don’t keep sensitive material on premises or don’t have a large commercial space, or large numbers of employees you may not need a system with all the bells, whistles, and integrations available.

However, for companies with more extensive operations, those with large and commanding physical location, greater numbers of employees, and high-value assets, a more sophisticated commercial security system may be necessary.

Whatever your decision, when you do decide to fit your business with some security upgrades or a first-time installation, there are few things you should keep in mind once the system is in place:

• First and foremost, make sure all key personnel are trained on how the security system works, are comfortable operating it, and have any necessary access or security codes for their clearance level.
• Second, since traditional alarm systems often rely on standard telephone wiring to transmit alerts, you may want to consider having a cellular backup system to protect your security implementation against phone line failure.
• Third, for retrofitting an existing facility, opting for a wireless system may eliminate the labor costs of routing wiring through existing walls.
• Finally, it’s not uncommon for false alarms to be tripped for various reasons. You can reduce the cost and stress of these misfires by maintaining your system regularly. Making sure sensors are properly-placed and clean.

But if you do buy a security system online or is only rated for Residential applications, whensomething happens and you go to your insurance company to replace lost income or property, YOU WON’T BE COVERED – they’ll deny your claim!