Commercial
Security
There’s more than one way to skin a cat or so the saying goes, but with a lot of items on the to do list, there are really only two choices: do it myself or pay a professional. So, sure I can add a couple of shelves in the kitchen, but can I add a second story to my bungalow? I can brush my teeth everyday, but can I fill my own cavity? The same choice presents itself when deciding on the best way to secure your business. Nowadays there’s more than one way to stop a crook. But should you go DIY or call in the professionals? Let’s look at the pros and cons of self-monitoring versus 24/7 professional security monitoring.
Pros and cons of Self-Monitoring
The biggest advantage of self-monitoring has to be the cost. Once you have made the one off payment for the cameras and monitoring app, it is virtually free. There might just be a minimal monthly cost to keep the app running, but that’s usually about it. You can watch live video from your smartphone or tablet wherever you are. Sounds great, but in reality you get what you pay for, which means in this case not a lot. If you have no life outside of work, never sleep, your phone battery never dies and you never engage flight mode, self-monitoring might be for you. However, if you like to spend your weekends with the people who matter and not thinking about work, 24/7 professional monitoring might suit you better. What is often forgotten with self-monitoring is what you will do in the event of an alert that you can’t identify as false. Live video streaming might not allow you to confirm the exact issue meaning when you call the emergency services and inform them of this, you could be allocated a low priority response code. By the time you arrive on scene to confirm the issue the greatest damage may already have taken place or as a lone responder there might be very little you can do.
Pros and Cons 24/7 Professional Monitoring
Professional monitoring, like most professional services, is more expensive than the DIY version. But there are ways it can actually save you money. Professional CCTV systems remove the need for a security guard on site. Your ‘security guard’ is still watching 24 hours, 7 days a week, but he has been replaced by a team of experts at a Security Response Centre like those used by Melbourne’s top security provider, Chartercom. The moment any issue occurs your security team is deployed and you are notified while they are on route to respond with the appropriate action. From the Security Response Centre experts are able to identify the reason for an alarm and determine appropriate steps immediately based on generations of experience and the latest technology. Your security response team will often arrive before the relevant emergency services. Now that’s peace of mind, which for many is priceless.
The Final Word
Self-monitoring and 24/7 professional monitoring both have their pros and cons. Ultimately the decision comes down to you. However, if you’d like a confidential assessment of how 24/7 professional monitoring from Chartercom can make your business safer and your life easier, then get in touch with one of our dedicated team members on 1300 844 844, or visit us at chartercomsecurity.com.au
We are reaching the end of the financial year, which means there are a lot of essential tasks you’ll be putting on your to-do list: summarising income and expenses, conducting stocktake, collating records, completing the dreaded tax return, and getting budgets in order for the financial year ahead.
Hopefully you’ve had a great year and you’re making plans for new hires or new premises as your business expands. I’d like to add one more item to the new financial year’s agenda: business security.
Many CEOs still respond to the question of business security needs with a blank stare. And who can blame them? None of us enjoy thinking about worst-case scenarios. As business leaders, we have such clear visions of our business’ prosperous future that security risk becomes an afterthought. However, failing to incorporate security into your business plan leaves your business, and your vision of its future highly vulnerable.
At Chartercom we have generations of experience in helping some of the nation’s best-known brands stay safe. We include Nike, Mercedes, Toys R Us, Country Road and iSelect among our customers. This financial year make security a priority for your business by including my top five recommended security measures to protect your business in your 2016/2017 plan:
It is a fact that video cameras help prevent crimes and break-ins. Strategically placed CCTV deters criminals whether they are thieves or vandals, and often create a ‘halo effect’ by reducing risk in near by areas as well. Of course, in the event of crime CCTV helps restore justice. Some of the most famous arrests that came about as a direct result of CCTV include the Boston Marathon Bombing, and the 2005 London Terrorist Attacks.
One of the greatest benefits of professional alarm monitoring is peace of mind. You know your business is protected wherever you are because let’s face it, you can’t always be on site. Some companies start with self-monitoring, but in our experience they soon hand this over to professionals because the reality of responding to a threat as one individual without the proper resources is daunting, and often ineffective.
It’s easy to forget that digital security begins at the physical level. Of course you should be protecting your digital property with passwords, firewalls, and encryption, but before any of that you need physical safety. Your server room should be fitted with appropriate locks, there should be lockable storage for vulnerable devices, and don’t neglect less obvious threats like printer theft due to the printer’s memory.
This is perhaps the most basic of security measures. Going back to the printer, it is simply less likely to be stolen if it is located in a visible well-lit location. The same goes for all your property. Lighting is a key deterrent to crime.
The Final Word
The experts at Chartercom are ready to help you get your business security in tiptop shape for the coming financial year. So put security on your to do list and speak to one of our dedicated team members For a confidential assessment of your security needs, contact us on 1300 844 844, or visit us at chartercomsecurity.com.au
Self-monitoring alarms are more advanced today than they ever have been before. Gone are the days when the only option was for the alarm panel to self dial your phone number allowing you to hear the siren on answering. You can now receive this information via text message with zone descriptions of where exactly the alarm has been triggered. Another option is email alerts providing you a cheaper service option that still connects directly with your smart phone. Text message and email alerts provide you with a written record of any security incidents. You can also connect to a visual image via your phone through a camera located in the building. But don’t be fooled, there are still major issues with self-monitoring business security systems. Make sure you have considered the following if you are intending to go down the self-monitoring security route.
How Reliable is Your Smart Phone?
Ok so your self-monitoring security system has successfully responded to a threat by sending you a text message or an email or by dialling your number. Maybe it has done all three. However, it’s almost impossible to guarantee you will always be there to pick up the message straightaway. Is your phone sometimes on silent for an off site business meeting? Do you travel for work meaning you are forced to sometimes engage the flight safe travel button on your smart phone? Are you ever in an area of no service? Do you ever run out of battery towards the end of a busy day? Most of us will answer yes to at least one of these questions meaning your self-monitoring security system has some serious weak spots.
You Get the Message, Then What?
Imagine the worst has happened. You got the text message from your self-monitoring system to say an alarm has been triggered on the back entrance and the second floor of your building. Now what do you do? Drop everything and make like batman straight towards the danger zone? Call the police and tell them an alarm has gone off, but you don’t know exactly what the issue is? Even visual alerts don’t always give you the full picture especially because the technology is new and the images can be unclear. If you can’t confirm the problem, your call will be allocated a low priority response code by the emergency services, which is probably not what you were hoping for. By the time you arrive on scene to confirm the issue the greatest damage may have already taken place.
Can your System Tell the Difference between a Fire and an Intruder?
This is a really important question. There are some self-monitoring systems out there that can monitor both break-ins and fires, but they are rare and a lot more expensive. Obviously, a fire requires a very different type of emergency response and a message lost in cyber space could result in even more damage than if a break-in message gets delayed.
Is it Really Cheaper in the Long Run?
Self-monitoring systems are cheaper when they are first installed, but what happens when they need maintain or fixing? You have to pay someone to come out and fix it for you. These maintenance calls can be costly and time consuming. Aside from this how much time will you spend monitoring your own businesses security that you could be spending doing more important business development tasks?
What’s the Alternative to Self-Monitoring?
For larger businesses and especially companies with multiple premises the smarter choice for business security monitoring is to opt for 24 hour 365-days a year professional monitoring. A reputable security company can offer you a wide range of security systems such as burglar, smoke or fire, invasion and personal injury alarms depending on your needs. The experts monitoring your premises will never ignore an alarm. They will respond immediately and effectively and when necessary they know exactly which emergency services to engage.
If you are considering Alarm Monitoring options for your business, then take the option companies like TOYSRUS, BMW, Grill’d, Jeanswest and AXA chose. For a confidential assessment of your security needs contact Chartercom Security on 1300 844 844, or visit us as chartercomsecurity.com.au
As a commercial real estate agent it’s important that you have tried and tested policies and procedures in place to ensure continuity and flow. Often, clients who are purchasing properties are time poor, so operating as a full service agent can really work in your favour. This doesn’t mean that you need to facilitate the entire process from start to finish, but if you can go that extra mile, it can prove to be advantageous for your business. So, what kind of suppliers should you have on your speed dial to ensure that every sale and purchase goes through seamlessly? Let’s take a look.
Cleaning Company:
Part of buying and selling a property is ensuring that the premises are clean and presentable for the new occupant. As part of your service as an agent, you can offer the name of a reputable cleaning company who can not only help to prepare the property for tenancy, but who can provide an ongoing service. In a commercial building and office environment, it’s essential that the building is kept to the highest of standards. A cleaning company who specialises in commercial real estate can not only perform a bond clean, but can also assist with tasks such as:
1. Cleaning car parks, windows and fire stairs
2. Cleaning and sanitising bins
3. Watering gardens
4. Replacing light bulbs
This could be a great service to a potential client as one less thing they have to worry about.
Removalists:
Another great contact you can share with your clients can be a reputable removalist. Moving into and out of a property is a potentially stressful time and it can be difficult to find the best movers to suit your needs. If you develop a good working relationship with a moving company you may be in the position to negotiate a referral deal. Perhaps you could foster a good connection with a moving company by consistently referring business and by encouraging cross promotion. Nevertheless, it is essential that you have upmost confidence in the service they provide as it has the potential to reflect negatively on your agency if they don’t perform.
Security Firm:
When a client buys a property, one of the first things that they are going to be concerned with doing is making sure that their new space is secure. As part of your service it is helpful to be able to offer the details of a reputable security firm. This will then tick off another dot point on your clients to do list; since your client trusts you to handle the purchase or sale of their property, they’ll also trust your judgement and thus referral. Offering the services of a security firm like Chartercom is a bonus for your client. Chartercom Security has an excellent reputation for strategic, innovative and cost effective security solutions for businesses Australia-wide, with such a referral only improving the reflection of your business.
If you provide a commercial real estate service that not only makes a purchase effortless, but one that also helps to make the lives of your clients easier, it will only serve to enhance your reputation as a full service buyers/sellers agent.
Chartercom can provide a custom security system for your clients. We have a range of security measures that can be actioned to give yourself and your client the piece of mind that you are dealing with the professionals and that all your bases are covered. Let Chartercom help your clients get the most out of their commercial security system. Call us on 1300 844 844 or visit us at chartercomsecurity.com.au for a confidential assessment of your commercial security needs.
Buying a new home is a very exciting time in anyone’s life – and from a lifestyle perspective there are few things more exciting! Handing over the balance of sale means that you are now the proud owner of a property and ready to start calling it your own. Moving into a new home can be frantic and you can often get overwhelmed with an enormous ‘To Do’ list. To help you out, we have outlined some key things to remember when moving house to hopefully avoid any hiccups during this exciting transition.
When you’re moving into a new house you will be hugely excited, but often distracted. This is totally understandable. Your mind is going to be full of all sorts of things, from what kind of furniture will work in the space, to where you’re going to put everyone in the house. It may be the case that you put off or neglect thinking about some of the less exciting, but still vital, parts of moving. One key component of moving into a new home is ensuring that you have its security sorted out so that the safety of your family can be guaranteed; a monitored alarm, sensor detectors or surveillance cameras may be some such security options explored. If you don’t have security organised, you run the risk of being susceptible to break-ins and burglary. After all, the modern day thief is very intelligent – and a smart crook will know that a new house on the block is far less likely to have their security up and running. Make sure you are one up on the burglars and protect your home and family before you move in.
Moving into a new home requires some work. This much goes without saying, and you can choose to either hire full service movers or to hire a truck and do it yourself (or a mix of the two). If you opt for the former you’ll need to ensure you’ve budgeted for this and if you opt for the latter you need to make sure that you have plenty of good friends on board who are willing helpers!
If you have a dog or cat (or any other kind of pet) you need to ensure that the backyard is adequately prepared. Does your dog require secure fencing or a dog door? There couldn’t be anything worse than completing the big move only to have your puppy escape and go marauding around the neighbourhood!
When you move into a new home, there’s always the thought that the keys you have are the same as the previous owners. It’s definitely recommended that as part of your security check that you change the locks to avoid any possible break-ins. This should be done in a timely manner, and potentially even before you’ve moved into your new property.
We wish you all the best with the new home that you have or are thinking of purchasing. Don’t forget to think about your security needs well ahead of time to ensure that you’re not left high and dry by the time the dust settles on your latest purchase. Chartercom Security can provide you with a customised security solution that will be sure to prevent those unwanted burglars from spoiling your brand new home.
Call us on 1300 844 844 or visit us at chartercomsecurity.com.au for a confidential assessment of your security needs.
If you’re a business owner you’ll know how vital it is to consistantly strive to keep your company secure – whether it’s from internal risks like employee shrinkage or external threats like burglary. With that in mind, there’s more to being secure than simply bolting the door and hoping that people won’t work out where your weakness lies. Now more than ever, the threat to your business is multi-faceted and you need to be on the front foot when it comes to keeping your business safe. To ensure that you are protecting your company you need to be sure that you’re investing in and implementing best practice. Here are the most important things we feel you should cross off your security list first:
ONE: Get good quality CCTV on your property
There’s a huge amount to be said for the deterrent properties of installing CCTV for your business. Plus, if you combine a strong surveillance camera presence with additional services like security patrols and on-site guards, it will help to deter people from considering your property as a potential target. If would-be thieves do choose to ignore your security system they will do so at their own risk – your surveillance footage will be perfect for identifying them to police.
TWO: Install the right kind of security fencing for your property
Part of keeping your property safe and secure is having the right kind of fencing to keep the wrong people out, and the right people in and secure from threats. Appropriate fencing will work to deter potential intruders and will help to keep people safe, and when used in conjunction with your security system, you will observe the creation of a formidable team.
THREE: Keep valuable items secure in a safe
This might seem like a bit of a no-brainer, but you need to ensure that you keep your valuables secure. The right kind of safe or locker is essential, however it must meet the needs of your insurance provider – how and where it’s installed can play a role in the reimbursement for a potential claim. Be sure to contact your insurance provider before you are caught on the back foot.
FOUR: Use a firewall in your business
The threats to your business aren’t just going to come from the physical world – they’ll also exist online. You need to ensure that you are keeping your online property safe and that you protect your data. Speak to your IT provider about this and ensure that it’s a well-established component of your overarching security system.
FIVE: Use an alarm system
A good system that works on motion sensors, or whatever is appropriate for your business, will help to keep your company secure. Speak to the expert team at Chartercom to find out more about their round-the-clock monitored security systems to figure out what would be the best fit for you and your business.
Don’t forget that we can help you with any and all of your security concerns – so if you need a hand to keep your business safe and sound, get in touch today! At Chartercom we can formulate a custom security solution for your business that doesn’t only offer peace of mind but all of the benefits listed above. Let Chartercom help you get the most from your commercial security system.
Call us on 1300 844 844 or visit us at chartercomsecurity.com.au for a confidential assessment of your commercial security needs.
If your business is operating out of a warehouse or looks like it soon will be, there are some pretty specific things that you need to put in place (or confirm that you have) to ensure that your business is running smoothly and will continue to do so. Security is a big concern for any business owner, and you need to lay foundations to protect your assets and your staff. After all, your reputation and revenue depend on you being able to produce your product or service uninterrupted. If a security threat stops production for whatever reason it can severely compromise work flow. Warehouses are frequent targets for theft given the potentially large amount of valuable stock, the numerous access points and the often-secluded location. As a result, it’s vital that a comprehensive security system is part of your business. We wanted to highlight some of the key elements of warehouse security in an attempt to help you better protect your assets and give you greater peace of mind.
If yours is a business where people are coming and going all day, it may be helpful for you to keep a closer eye on what’s going on by using a sign-in book or log. Simply make it part of your policy that all guests and visitors have to go via the main office to sign in in order to access your space. In the event that a theft does occur on your property you can narrow it down to a certain day and even time and then check your security camera footage from that date.
There are certain parts of your warehouse where everyone will need access to, and then there are areas in your space where only certain people will need to go to complete certain tasks. You need to signpost this kind of information very clearly so that there is no confusion from staff. In any warehouse there shouldn’t be persons in areas where they are not required. Restricting access means there’s less opportunity for people to claim items as their own. Shrinkage due to employee theft is a huge concern for business owners, and there are countless measures that you can put in place to keep your employees honest and accountable. Perhaps as part of your wider security plan your business could make it a rule that people have to park further away from the promises (to avoid theft of large or bulky items), or that staff have to work in partnerships – whatever the measures you take, you can easily limit opportunities for employee theft.
It should be a given that you have video surveillance in place, and people working around the clock to watch your property – but what if your warehouse has recently expanded? Do you have the security in place to cover the additional space? You should have onsite security if possible. It may be possible that your local police force can help to protect your property, or that you can contact a private security firm to provide surveillance. Using different types of security (like mobile patrols and alarm monitoring) can help you to cover all your bases.
The most obvious time for an external burglary is at night, when there are few people around and under the cover of darkness. Obviously, you should try to keep your premises as well lit as possible and to keep guards on for a constant security presence. If you can use a security guard in your property you definitely should – it will definitely serve to discourage theft. A security vehicle parked out the front of your property or on a patrol will deter would-be thieves, as will a lighting system. If you have a particularly large property you do need to ensure that you have a sufficient number of guards to protect and patrol your entire warehouse.
As your business grows you’ll find it increasingly difficult to keep track of everyone. Theft can occur when brazen thieves simply walk in and steal items from your warehouse. You can alleviate the stress of not knowing who is who by using nametags and uniforms for your staff; thereby making it difficult for people who aren’t supposed to be in your warehouse to be there. It’s just another simple step to take to keep your business safe.
Don’t forget that you can always call on Chartercom Security for any and all of your warehouse security needs.
We at Chartercom Security are ready to provide you and your warehouse with a custom security solution that will safeguard your staff and merchandise around the clock. Call us on 1300 844 844 or visit us at chartercomsecurity.com.au for a confidential assessment of your commercial security needs.
Peace of mind in business is priceless, and that is the number one reason companies prefer Alarm Monitoring as part of their Commercial Security Solution from Chartercom. There is a soothing satisfaction in knowing that your business is protected from crime 24/7 365 days a year by the latest technology and our security experts. We respond rapidly and effectively to any issue, so you don’t have to worry that your business is unprotected.
However, if you still need additional incentives to protect your business with Chartercom Security’s alarm systems, there are many other advantages. Let me highlight a few for you:
Crime Deterrent
Criminals look for easy pickings. They avoid businesses with visible displays of security systems. Therefore, not only does visible commercial security ensure rapid response, it actually reduces the risk of theft in the first place. You have one more reason to rest easy knowing your business is safe guarded from crime.
Protection from Fire
Up to date alarm monitoring systems are intelligent. They don’t just detect crime. They detect other risks such as fire and immediately call personnel monitoring your business to action. You can feel confident that with a commercial security system tailored to your needs, you are protected from multiple risks with one security solution.
Cheaper Insurance
The peace of mind provided by a security alarm system extends to not only yourself and your business, but to your insurance provider as well. They know the facts – and by installing a commercial security system, the risk of theft and fire is dramatically reduced and therefore your premiums may be reduced. A commercial security system further ensures that any problems you may encounter will be resolved quickly and accurately.
Two Birds One Camera
Did I mention monitoring systems are intelligent? Within a Chartercom Security system you can add Retail Traffic Analysis, which enables you to track the way customers interact in your commercial space, and therefore make positive changes based on the analyzed data Chartercom provides you with.
Immediate Access
Sometimes your phone isn’t exactly where you need it to be in an emergency situation. Alarm monitoring systems can include panic buttons that provide direct access to emergency services as well as to alert your Chartercom security specialists of a threat. They are watching over your business 24/7 365 days a year, so you know they will respond immediately.
At Chartercom we are ready to provide a tailored security solution for your business that doesn’t only offer peace of mind but all of the benefits above. Let Chartercom help you get the most from your commercial security system. Call us on 1300 844 844 or visit us at chartercomsecurity.com.au for a confidential assessment of your commercial security needs.
