As a business owner, you will always have to consider the security of your brick-and-mortar business. While many security companies will provide protection for your assets and customers, they don’t all offer the same services. As you search for a new commercial security service, keep an eye out for these must-have features.
Good Quality Monitoring Equipment
There’s no getting around the fact that every company's security protection starts with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment. This can include everything from motion sensors and security lighting to surveillance cameras and smart locks.
Before you commit to any commercial security service, find out what equipment the company will install in your business facility. This is important for several reasons.
You’ll want to make sure you’re getting equipment that will work well and last for years. Don’t forget to ask about warranties for any equipment you purchase for your business. Additionally, the equipment shouldn’t be too complex, or the cost will outweigh its usefulness. Make sure the equipment will be easy to use with minimal training.
Trustworthy Monitoring Personnel
Rather than installing a security office with monitoring equipment in your business, it may make more sense to use the service provided by the security company’s remote monitoring centers.
As with any professional service, you’ll want to make sure you can trust the monitoring service’s employees. Find out whether they have undergone background checks and other vetting processes.
You should also ask about the monitoring process. A service with years of experience will have an established response plan for every type of emergency. You’ll want to know what will happen when the monitoring service detects a problem at your business site. Will they call you first or contact emergency personnel immediately?
Asking these types of questions will help you determine how long it will take for help to arrive in a real emergency.
UL Certification
Look for a security company that maintains current UL standards/certification to ensure your business receives the highest protection quality.
UL (Underwriter Laboratories) is an independent testing service that ensures equipment and processes meet excellent standards for safety. A business must qualify once per year to maintain a UL certification.
Customer Assistance
Every security company’s reputation depends on the satisfaction of its customers. This means reading reviews for any company you’re considering hiring can be helpful. Previous customer reviews can help you discover common flaws in a security company’s services.
You should also ask the company’s representative directly about customer service availability. You will want to know that you or your employees can get efficient help when needed. Your security company should have someone available 24 hours to address your company's security needs.
The best commercial security service will protect your business and its customers from safety hazards and criminal threats. As you shop for a security service provider, look for technology and services that will do more to offer comprehensive protection. This can help you choose the best service for your business.