Alarm Companies

While homeowners might disagree on a wide variety of issues, it's the rare person who can honestly say that they don't care what happens to their family or property. For more than 100 years, alarm companies have made their livelihood by installing systems to protect lives and belongings, both residentially and commercially. Installing an alarm system is now a pretty common task in many homes all across the country. Having the peace of mind that comes with knowing an alarm company is monitoring the goings on around your house (whether you're on vacation or sound asleep in your bedroom) is something that more and more homeowners deem important. Alarm systems can even make a property more marketable.

History of the Residential Alarm Company
Older alarm companies simply sold alarm systems that would create a lot of racket when a property was breeched. This would, of course, alert neighbors and anyone in the house that an intruder was present, and then it was up to the homeowner and the people in the vicinity to deal with the problem. The system was generally purchased out right; after the alarm company came in and set it up, the homeowner was on his or her own.

Over the years, more and more emphasis was placed on having the account monitored by a central station for police or fire dispatch. This might be at the customer's insistence, the insurance underwriters' demands, or at the urging of the alarm company. Around 1980, the alarm system industry began to recognize the value of the "recurring monthly revenue" (known as R.M.R). These new "R.M.R" accounts represented steady cash flow to the alarm company, and allowed them to provide even better service for their customers. Instead of just bringing the presence of a problem to the attention of those in the immediate vicinity of the home by use of sirens and loud noise, these alarm systems provided a direct link to the professionals who handle such problems.

In about 1990, a new industry approach emerged on the scene. These were the mass marketers. They would put in systems at no immediate profit, sometimes deferring it 12 to 24 months. The equipment might be owned by the customer or it might be rented. The only common denominator was the "R.M.R." Mass marketer alarm companies really brought home security to anyone who wanted it, and made alarm systems accessible to those who might not have been able to afford a high initial installation fee.

The Modern Alarm Company
Today, there are several thousand alarm companies in the country. Some are large with thousands of accounts, while others are small with just a few customers in a localized area. Some companies operate out of private homes, and some are national with hundreds of employees and multiple locations.

So the bottom line for the customer is this: Go into an alarm system relationship like you would a marriage. Look for commitment, longevity, stability, and mutual respect. Be partners in the relationship, and don't be afraid to ask questions about what kind of services they offer, where their home base is located, and what advantages their particular alarm company has over another. Make sure to get several quotes from several different companies, and take your time when comparing alarm systems. When the time comes that you need your alarm and the monitoring company that goes with it, you'll be glad you did!

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