The 9 Biggest Mistakes Made When Purchasing an Access Control System

In an era of increasing workplace violence and owner liability, many companies are considering access control systems for added security.

If you are thinking about adding an access control system, you know how confusing it can be. There are so many options and technologies that it can turn into quite a daunting task. There are many things to look for when selecting the right access control system for your business.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes people make when buying an access control system, and pointers to help prevent them from happening to you.

1. NOT IDENTIFYING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Many companies have not clearly identified what they want an access control system to do for their business. Like anything else in business, how can you achieve an objective you have not defined? Establish your reasons for needing/wanting a system and base your system evaluations around your objectives. And plan for the future…if you think your business may expand, make sure your access control system can grow right along with you.

2. IGNORING OTHER BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEMS

This mistake can really be costly. Many people buy an access control system without considering its impacts on other building control systems, especially fire detections. Make sure your access control system integrates in a code compliant way with other critical building controls.

3. NO SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN

Will your company enter the user data into the system? Will your company maintain and update user information and run system reports to identify use and security issues? You can do it yourself or outsource the work. You should have a plan in place before selecting a system and vendor, as not all will be able to accommodate every type of need.

4. HIRING SOMEONE WITH NO ELECTRONICS EXPERIENCE

Recent surges in workplace violence have caused many new companies to enter the world of access control. Many who aren’t experienced with software, low voltage equipment, electronics and local codes try to bluff their way through projects. Insist on system designers and installers with demonstrable experience with access control

5. NO DOOR HARDWARE EXPERIENCE

It’s easy to make a mess of expensive door frames and doors. Door hardware is critical to the access control system as well as the operation of your business. Make sure your installing vendor is well-versed in door hardware (and power) or is using a licensed locksmith to handle the hardware portions of the project.

6. DON’T KNOW THE INSTALLING COMPANY’S PLAN FOR INSTALLATION

Quality access control system installers pre-test the operation of a system prior to installing it at your business. They’ll hook up and test the equipment at their shop before coming to your business. They’ll unpack the equipment, use short cables to connect the components and test it to make sure everything works correctly. This process allows issues to be resolved prior to installation and the practice will ultimately save you time and money. Make sure you understand how your access control system installer will handle all phases of your project.

7. NO SURGE PROTECTION

Surge protection helps prevent damage from lightning strikes. Many companies try to cut corners with surge protection, only to hit you up later with high repair costs for damaged equipment. Look for surge protection on all data lines and reader cables, and for power supplies at each panel. What you pay now for surge protection can save you a ton of money later.

8. NOT PURCHASING SEPARATE POWER SUPPLIES FOR EACH DOOR LOCKING DEVICE

Sometimes strikes and locks can send voltage spikes back through the power supply into an access control panel. This can create data errors and/or circuit damage. Separate power supplies for each door locking device help reduce risks of voltage spike-related issues.

9. NO SPARE  EQUIPMENT

You or your vendor should have an inventory of common items you may need throughout the useful life of your system. These include readers, control panels and cards.

Need help with your access control system in Northern California or Oregon? We’ll be happy to help you. Contact the specialists at Hue & Cry.

What You Can Do to Help Your Security Contractor Finish the Job on Time

Security contractors are typically one of the last guys on the job. There’s a lot riding on them to get their work done on time, so there aren’t any costly delays.

To help keep things running smoothly, here are a few things that you can do to help your security contractor.

• Work & Plan Ahead – Work with your security contractor to plan ahead. Talk with them to see what things they may need to successfully complete the job on time. Get a time estimate on how long they think the job will take. Based on your discussion with them, establish realistic timelines for completion of tasks.

• Communicate – Communication is critical on any construction project. The most common cause for disputes on the jobsite stems from a breakdown in communication. Work hard to facilitate dialogue with your security contractor. You can do this by establishing a clear channel of communication between all parties.

• Discuss Potential Issues – Having a discussion about potential issues that could arise during the project can help you develop contingencies to avoid delays and other headaches. Sit down with your security contractor to voice concerns and issues that could arise on the site.

• Don’t Fall Behind – We know this is easier said than done. However, security contractors are generally the last ones working on the job. If things are falling behind schedule, it’s only going to delay their work. Just take a look at our post, “How a Qualified Security Contractor Can Make Your Life Easier” to get ideas on how to keep things on schedule.

• Hold Regular Meetings – Holding regular project meetings can help keep everyone in the loop about progress and potential issues on the horizon. It’s a great way to regularly review progress and get everyone on the same page.

Following these tips can significantly help your security contractor. At Hue & Cry, Inc., we are a leading life safety and low voltage security contractor in California. We have successfully completed numerous construction projects.

To see our work and find out more about us, please visit our page on Contractor Programs or call us at 1-800-762-3196.

Why It’s Better to Go With a Local Security Contractor

When it comes to hiring a low voltage security contractor, you have two options.

1. You can hire a big national or regional contractor.
2. You can hire a local contractor.

As you might have guessed from the title of this post, it’s usually better to go with a local security contractor. And we’re not just saying this because we’re one of the top California security contractors. Here are the reasons why it’s usually better to go with local contractors.

• Local Knowledge – A good local security contractor generally understands the local permit process. Local contractors have the benefit of knowing the area’s rules and regulations for construction. When you go with a national company that doesn’t know the city, you could be in for some delays and other headaches.

• Availability – When a problem pops up on the job, having a local security contractor typically makes it easier to get in contact with someone. It could be a major hassle to communicate with someone in another time zone.

• Better Communication – When working with a small family contractor, you know who you’re going to communicate with on a regular basis. Larger companies may have you talking to several people throughout the job, making it difficult.

• Keeps Jobs in Community – When you hire local, you’re keeping money in the community. Studies have shown that working with local businesses strengthens the economic base of a community. It also helps to build strong neighborhoods by keeping residents employed.

It’s important to note that not all local security contractors are created equal. Be sure to check their references and licensing.

Read our post “Signs You’ve Hired the Wrong Security Contractor.” It includes some excellent information on what separates good local contractors from the bad ones.

How Security Cameras Protect Your Valuables

The FBI says that a home burglary happens somewhere in the United States every 15.4 seconds. The average loss is around $1,300.

Some of the things that burglars love to steal include cash, jewelry, computers, personal electronics, firearms and important documents. Having a home security system can help safeguard your house. Additionally, security camera surveillance systems can help prevent vandalism as well as theft.

Here are a few ways that security cameras help protect your valuables.

• Monitors Household Staff & Guests – Keep an eye on repairmen and other maintenance staff while you’re away from your home with security cameras. If something turns up missing, you can go to the camera to see if a repairman or some other service staff was the culprit.

• Keeps an Eye on the Kids – Sometimes it’s the kids that are the culprits of stealing or accidentally breaking valuables in your home. Having security cameras positioned in rooms where keepsakes are held is an excellent way to discourage your children from handling them. Plus, you see who your kids are inviting into your home while you’re away.

• Watches Your Home When You’re on Vacation – Burglars often strike when you’re away from your home for long periods of time. Having security cameras can help you monitor your home when you’re on vacation. Positioning cameras at key access points around your home can help identify unwanted visitors when you’re away on a trip.

• Protects Outdoor Items – Are you worried about someone stealing patio furniture or other valuables outside of your home? Placing security cameras around your home acts as an excellent theft deterrent. Having cameras right outside of your garage can help to protect your car, bike and other valuable possessions.

At Hue & Cry, Inc., thousands of homeowners in Northern California and Southern Oregon trust us for their home security needs. To find out how we can help you, please visit us at www.HueAndCry.com or call 1-800-762-3196 to explore your security options.

Signs You’ve Hired the Wrong Security Contractor

Finding a qualified life safety and low voltage security contractor is a difficult job.

That’s because most of them all say and do the right things at the beginning. It’s only after they get on the jobsite that you realize they don’t know what they’re doing.

To help avoid this pitfall, here are some potential red flags that you should find out when they’re bidding on the job.

• Doesn’t Have Proper Licensing – A qualified life safety and low voltage security contractor will have a license to work in your state. It’s important to check licensing before hiring someone. The good contractors have their licensing on their website for easy access. Be sure to examine the expiration date of the license.

• Unethical Business Practices – Is the contractor offering to do unethical things to save you time and money? Are they willing to do things without the proper permits? If this is the case, it’s probably because they’re not qualified to get a permit or they’re doing inferior work that won’t pass an inspection.

• Missing Liability Coverage ­– A good security contractor will show you their certificate of liability insurance. Don’t hire anyone that doesn’t have liability coverage. Their mishaps could become an expensive problem for you if they don’t have insurance.

• Proposal Seems Unbelievable – If they’re saying the can get the job done in record time at a crazy low price, beware. These are big red flags that signal they are not qualified to handle the job or the work may suffer because they’re cutting corners to submit a low bid.

• Sends You Home Contractors – Another red flag is a company that sends out home alarm installers to work on a large construction project. Make sure the contractor has experience working on jobs similar in size to your project.

• Bad Reputation With Other Contractors – Have other contractors on your job heard of them? Do they have good things to say about them? These are things that you’ll want to ask the other guys working on the job.

Stop putting up with bad security contractors in California and hire Hue & Cry, Inc. We are an experienced low voltage security contractor that knows our way around a construction site.

We have lots of experience working on construction projects in California. To find out more, please visit our Contractor Programs page or call us at 1-800-762-3196.

Should You Insure Precious Valuables?

The answer to this question is a no-brainer. If you have valuable items in your home that you would hate to lose in a fire or a burglary… then you need to insure them.

Insuring valuable items can help you replace them or at the very least get money back should they be lost in a fire or stolen by burglars.

When it comes to insuring them, there are two mistakes that homeowners sometimes make:

1. They don’t tell their insurance agent about jewelry, fine art or other valuable collectables in their home.
2. They underestimate the value of their personal belongings when talking to their agent.

Don’t let this mistake happen to you. Take the time to inventory all of the valuable items within your home. Then think about how you want to insure them.

You general have two options. The first involves individually listing each item separately from your home insurance policy. The other, lists them under your homeowner’s policy under categories such as jewelry, art, sports memorabilia, etc.

Choosing the right option typically depends on the value of the item/items. If it’s a very valuable possession, you’ll want to individually list them. Typically, there are value limits when items are listed under a homeowner’s policy. Whichever option you select, it is very important to have proof of ownership and its value. This might require getting an independent appraisal.

The key is to know what you own and how you plan on protecting it when talking to your insurance agent. Keep in mind many insurance companies offer discounts and rebates for home security systems and hardwired smoke detectors.

For more great tips on homeowner’s insurance, read our post “Ways Homeowners Can Cut Insurance Costs.” Also be sure to follow us on Facebook. You’ll get lots of great money saving security tips for your home.

How Access Control Can Help You Monitor Employees

For many, the image that comes to mind when thinking about access control is the swiping or scanning of an identification badge to unlock a door.

This is one of the functions of an access control system. However, today’s modern systems go far beyond managing access. They also give you the ability to monitor employee behavior and improve productivity at your business.

To help you understand the advances in access control technology, here are several ways that these systems can help you monitor your employees.

• Employee Arrival Times: Today’s systems allow you to generate a list of days and times that employees enter and leave the building. It’s an excellent way to make sure staff is arriving to work on time and not leaving early.

• Monitor Access to Restricted Areas: Some companies use access control systems to restrict employee access to certain areas of a building. As an example, a store might want to limit access to areas where money and valuable inventory are stored. An access control system can help monitor who is entering and leaving these important areas, reducing the possibility of theft.

• Keep an Eye on Support Staff: You might have cleaning staff or other outside help that needs access to your building. With an access control system, you can monitor and regulate when cleaning staff and outside help have access to your building. You can give access by day and time with one of these systems.

• Manage Technology: Some companies use access control cards to help manage employee printing and photocopying access. This helps to keep down the volume of printing and photocopying. It also allows you to monitor how much individual employees are printing and copying.

These are some of the top ways that this technology can help you monitor employees in a non-invasive way. How do you monitor employees at your business? Leave your comments below.

For more great business security tips, be sure to follow the Hue & Cry Facebook page.

The Dumbest Places to Hide Valuables in Your Home

You’ll want to avoid stashing valuables in these five areas of your home because burglars will find them.

1. The Backyard

It seems like something only people in the movies would do. But it actually happens in real life. An Oregon woman buried a safe containing more than $250,000 in gold in her backyard. When she went to dig it up, it was gone. You can read the entire account in the Mail Tribune.

Burying your treasures and valuables in the backyard presents several problems:

1. You might forget where you buried it.
2. Someone may find it.

If you have a safe, keep it inside the house, preferably with a home security system. That way, law enforcement can quickly be alerted of break-ins. Another option is getting a safe deposit box at the bank.

2. A Safe

Let us start by saying a safe is a great way to protect valuables such as cash, jewelry and important documents. The problem is that many homeowners keep their safes out in the open where outsiders can see them.

If you have a safe, make it hard to find. Hide it inside a wall in your laundry room or put it behind a shelf or cabinet or in the floor. Burglars are typically in a rush when they break into your home. Make it difficult for them to find your safe.

3. Dressers & Closets

Many people like to bury valuables under clothing in dressers or closets. This is a big mistake. Burglars like to target bedrooms. They can easily dump all of the contents of a dresser drawer to find the cash, jewelry or other valuables that you’re hiding.

One way to throw burglars of the scent is to leave a small amount of cash inside one of your dresser drawers. They might think that it’s all that you have. You can then hide valuables in better hiding places.

4. Refrigerator & Medicine Cabinets

Hiding a wad of cash or a diamond ring in the refrigerator or medicine cabinet is not a good idea. Some burglars are looking to steal prescription drugs, which would lead them to your medicine cabinets as well as your refrigerator.

Plus if you hide any valuables in a food box or a wrapper, you’re risking the possibility of it accidentally winding up in the trash can.

5. Fake Rocks

Your house key is one of your most important valuables. Yet, many leave them right outside their front door under a mat or inside one of those fake rocks.

Seasoned burglars can easily spot those kinds of things. Get into the habit of not sharing your house keys or any security system passcodes. You don’t want to make it easy for burglars to get into your home.

How a Security System Can Assist With Business Emergencies

Find out how security systems can help businesses deal with all sorts of emergencies including thefts, fires and even acts of terrorism.

The video below shows you how a business security system can protect your company and employees from all sorts of emergencies and catastrophes.

Check out the discovery points after watching this video.

In this video, you will discover the importance of…

• Emergency notification buttons
• Advanced fire and smoke detection systems
• Security camera surveillance systems

We hope that you enjoyed this video. To watch other security related videos, be sure to subscribe to the Hue & Cry, Inc. YouTube Channel.

Why a Fire Emergency Plan Is Important for Your Business

Having an emergency plan in place for fires is important for your business. Every single year, there are nearly 100,000 non-residential structure fires according to the National Fire Protection Association.

With an emergency plan, you can better protect your employees as well as your business in the event of a fire.

Too often, businesses ignore emergency planning. They say there isn’t enough time or it will cost too much money. Don’t fall into this trap. Take the time to create a fire emergency plan for your business. They’re not hard to develop or implement.

To help you get started, here are the most important steps.

1. Develop a fire and evacuation plan

Work to create protocols that employees should take when the fire alarm sounds or there is evidence of a fire. This should include:

• Identifying evacuation routes
• Designating an assembly area outside of your business
• Compiling a list of all emergency service numbers
• Identifying individuals that are trained to fight small fires

Additionally, you’ll want to develop a plan for what to do when a fire alarm sounds, but there is no fire. In these instances, you’ll still want to evacuate the building. However, you’ll want to notify fire services and your fire alarm company of the situation.

2. Plan implementation

At this point, you’ll want to put your plan to work. Educate employees at your business about the fire emergency plan. Take the time to let them know what they should do in the event of a fire as well as a false alarm. Have them read “What to Do if a Fire Alarm Goes Off at Your Business.”

Create maps that show emergency exit routes as well as where employees should gather after the incident. You might even want to post the locations of fire extinguishers on the map.

Make it a point to educate new employees about the fire emergency plan during the orientation period at your business.

3. Look for improvements

Try to look for ways to improve your safety plan as well as ways to prevent potential fires. This might include developing company rules that forbid certain things such as candles and smoking indoors. For more information about fire prevention in offices, please read “Tips to Prevent Business Fires.”

You might also want to look at finding another company to test, monitor and maintain your fire alarm system.

In the end, it’s important to be prepared for fires at your business. For even more business fire prevention and security tips, Like the Hue & Cry, Inc. Facebook Page.