IP Alarm Signalling - Maintaining Security and Reducing Costs

The current and ongoing economic situation is no doubt a serious one; however I bet for most of you the phrase 'in the current climate' is starting to grate...

In any business climate, keeping costs down and revenue up should be a key element in operations and a key factor for success. When applying this formula to the security industry, especially, quality is an important third factor to take into account. Switching to a cheaper brand of pencils is unlikely to have many adverse effects, but sacrificing alarm signalling reliability could mean a massive bill and a massive headache – especially as crime is expected to rise. But what if costs could be cut AND integrity maintained?

Recurring costs usually tie up more security budget each year than new spend. A digital communicator is a relatively inexpensive purchase, but the ongoing signalling costs can be more than twice the original cost of the unit each year. And the costs associated with the continuing running of a more secure polled, managed network can easily get out of control. For reducing telecommunications overheads, using an existing network infrastructure is the answer. 

The majority of companies now already have an IP network in place - for sending emails or getting information off the web. Using this existing infrastructure to also transmit alarm data makes signalling and installation simpler. With no more waiting for dedicated analogue lines to be installed, and no more paying for them, companies are increasingly evaluating the figures and asking their installers to move towards IP. When replacing a digi with an IP transmitter, the initial investment can be recouped within the year and for more costly managed alarm networks, an IP transmitter should pay for itself within a few months. 

This reduction in ongoing costs is not accompanied by a reduction in quality. BoldNet IP offers Grade 3 alarm signalling (same insurance bracket as BT Redcare) with a polled, managed and encrypted network signalling. In the event of a network issue, the monitoring centre is immediately informed and the IP transmitter can then be programmed to send further messages over GPRS until the issue is resolved.  

And IP transmitters are as simple to install as a digi - at the transmitter end, all the engineer has to do is plug in an Ethernet cable and wire into any standard existing alarm panel with a digi output.   

IP alarm signalling has taken some time to take off in the UK – with some early concerns about network reliability. Having seen the end of any teething problems, one thing to be sure of is that the uptake of IP signalling is on the rise - be that a by-product of the 'current climate' or just of good business sense.

Please contact us if you require any further information regarding our BoldNet IP solution.