by Tommy Smith | Aug 9, 2017 | Business Security Cameras, BUSINESS SECURITY SYSTEMS, Business Security Tips
What the Ray Rice Video Teaches about Commercial Security…A picture is worth a thousand words. In today’s words, a video is worth ten thousand words! It was one thing to hear that Ray Rice committed domestic violence; it another thing to actually see the domestic violence on video. The video has created a fire storm across the country.
With technology advancements in cell phone cameras and security cameras in almost every aspect of our lives, video has become the new “witness.”
How does this impact your security as a small business owner?
Small Business Owners and Video Surenillance
A small business owner cannot watch their business 24 hours a day. They could hire security guards. This is a very expensive option. Business security cameras are a more effective option. With today’s technology, these cameras have become very sophisticated and security effective.
You can install these cameras in your office, your parking lot, your warehouse, or anywhere you want to watch for security issues. Wireless options make it even easier to have cameras that see when you are not present. Streaming technology makes them easier to view the video and store the video data.
Criminals are not stupid! More and more they realize that video cameras can be used to apprehend them. The notification of cameras on your premise can act as a deterrent to break-ins and other security breaches. If someone does breach your business, the police can use the videos from the cameras to apprehend the criminals more quickly.
Cameras and videos are the now part of every aspect of our lives. If you would like us to give you an assessment and demonstration on how video cameras can provide security for your business, give us a call. It is only a matter of time before cameras in the work place will be the common security devise as locks were in the past.
by Tommy Smith | Aug 9, 2017 | Business Security Cameras, BUSINESS SECURITY SYSTEMS
Does Video Monitoring Violate Your Employees Privacy Rights?
Last week a small business owner asked me, “If I use video monitoring in my business, does this violate my employee’s privacy rights?” Great question! The short answer is No. The federal law does not prevent video monitoring even when the employees do not know or consent to being monitored.
Let me dig deeper into this question.
According to the US Department of Commerce, employee theft contributes to 30% of the small business failures. While employees have a legitimate right to workplace privacy, it must be balanced with the right of the employer to protect themselves from employee actions that may harm their business.
The Benefits of Video Monitoring
Installing video monitoring in the work place will usually reduce theft and crimes that may occur in your work place.
You can use video monitoring to evaluation employee performance.
Workers’ comp experts say cameras can be effective in preventing fraud. Rebecca Shafer, president of Amaxx Risk Solutions Inc. in Hartford, Connecticut, said major retailers such as the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc. have used security footage to help investigate comp and liability claims.
Many business insurance companies offer business insurance discounts when you install security cameras.
The Disadvantages of Video Monitoring
The biggest disadvantage is video monitoring creates a potential for litigation and claims involving invasion of privacy.
Unions do have the right to negotiate in their collective bargaining process the use of video monitoring.
You never want to install video monitoring in bathroom or changing places. It is always safer to avoid hidden cameras.
Best Practice
Your best practice is to ensure employees are aware about the information collected from video monitoring. There may be situations when a particular employee is not made aware of the video monitoring, such as suspected employee theft.
If you are considering video monitoring for your business, give us a call. We will explain all of your options so you can take advantage of video monitoring while eliminating the disadvantages.
by Tommy Smith | Aug 9, 2017 | BUSINESS SECURITY SYSTEMS, HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS
We are proud of being a locally owned and operated security company in the Atlantic area. Often I get questions from prospective clients, how do you company to the national security companies? Rather than answer the question directly, let me share with you the benefits you receive from working with a local Atlanta business. My thanks to sustainableconnections for their article on local businesses.
Ten reasons to Think Local and Buy Local
- Buy Local — Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community
- Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
- Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun — all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of Atlanta.
- Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
- Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
- Get better service: Local businesses hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
- Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
- Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
- Buy what you want: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but meeting the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
- Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
Conclusion
We love the Atlanta area. It is where we make our home and the home of our local business. We consider it a privilege to serve the Atlanta community to make it a safer place for all. Thank you for the honor of serving you.
by Tommy Smith | Aug 9, 2017 | BUSINESS SECURITY SYSTEMS, Business Security Tips, Home Security Cameras, HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS
Benefits of Wireless Home Security for Your Atlanta Home
When people ask me about the benefits of a wireless security system for their Atlanta homes, I usually reflect with them about the changes smart phones have brought to our daily lives.
We can now buy on line anywhere our smart phone operates. Home computer no longer rules our world. We can share pictures and texts with our friends on social media sites. When we want directions or a good place to eat, we use our smart phones. We have become a mobile society. For some their smart phones are never more than 3 feet away, even when they sleep.
The technology that brought us the smart phones is the same technology behind the wireless home security systems. Using the wireless home security system you can get complete home security protection 24/7. You can install a variety of options like motion detectors, water and fire sensors, video cameras as well as windows and door sensors. With today’s wireless technology you can control your home’s lights, heat, and cold, raise window blinds along with remote door locking.
At the heart of these options, is that control you have wherever you go. With all of these home security options, you control them from your smart phone or remote computer. You are always in charge. You can be two places at once!
When you consider the hard wire home security alternative, the choice favors wireless. Hard wired systems involve messy installations with holes in your wall; they involve phone lines that can be cut by the bad guys to gain entrance to your home; they involve higher costs for hard wired home installations; and hard wired systems do not give you the ability to take your system with you if you should move.
Wireless home security systems have revolutionized the home security business just as the smart phones have revolutionized the way we live. Give us a call and let us explain how a wireless system can provide the home security you want for your family.
