Protection One
Protection One was founded in 1988. It conducts home security evaluations before recommending specific security system components and design, and then monitors its components from one of its monitoring centers. In 2007, Protection One became the first national provider to introduce a Web-based service that enables its customers to access their own security systems through Internet-connected computers and cell phones. Its e-Secure customers also can receive e-mail and text notifications of certain events, as well as view video surveillance cameras via the Internet or cell phone.
Protection One was the only security company listed as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies (honesty and openness) in 2008 on Forbes.
Brink’s Home Security
We had Scott Security (local company) at our old place, but when we moved we wanted a well known security company. It was a toss up between ADT and Brinks. The deciding factor was that ADT’s sales rep failed to show up to the appointment we made, and Brinks’ rep did come. We’ve had no real problems with Brinks Security, so feel fairly confident to recommend them. The installers seem to be well trained and thorough in their work. But, beware of their sales reps, ours was careless with the placing of his briefcase and badly scratched the kitchen countertop as a result, for which he never apologized or even acknowledged doing. Anyway, Brinks’(aka Broadview) monitoring is on the expensive side ($35/mo), but they are quick to make contact if you set off the system by accident. The only problem we have had is during our renovation, Brinks wanted us to have their repairman in to move the keypad and stated that if we did it ourselves it would void our warranty. This cheesed off my husband a lot.
- DHsquared
Canadian vs American
Tyco International Ltd. reverse took over a smaller security services company named ADT Limited in 1997 and formed a new subsidiary named ADT Security Services. The Brink’s Company spun off Brink’s Home Security in 2008 and re-branded it as Broadview Security. Tyco International Ltd. is acquiring Broadview Security in a transaction that will bring together two of the largest names in home and commercial security and Broadview will merge and operate under ADT Security Services. This is American.
Groupe Vidéotron Ltée. acquired a few companies with the intention of using its cable network for purposes other than television broadcasting in 1987 and incorporated a new subsidiary under the name Protectron in 1988. Wellspring Capital Management LLC acquired Protectron in 2001 and Protectron became the largest privately owned Canadian electronic security company. In 2002, Protectron acquired the Canadian subsidiary of Protection One, the second-largest security company in the United States. The business has been part of Reliance Comfort Limited Partnership since 2005. In 2007, Reliance purchased VOXCOM Security Systems, a leading national provider of security-monitoring services in Canada and Voxcom was re-branded as Reliance Protectron. This is Canadian.
AlarmForce manufactures, installs and monitors its own security systems using its own proprietary technology, without outsourcing any of the processes. This is a unique Canadian.
Wish Never with Alarm Force
I have recently finished with a 3 yr contract and returned all equipment. I have my termination letter and UPS proof of delivery. Alarm Force claims that I did not return everything. I wish I took a photo of the box to prove I did. Now I have a bill for missing equipment for $291.36 and sent me to collections. This is stealing and harrassment. I have filed a complaint with BBB, Market Place and other blogs. Please do not get Alarm Force get a real security company. Also, customer service reps are rude and this usually comes from top down management. After researching this company I wish I never gave them my business and hard earned money.
AlarmFarce
I have worked for an security alarm company for a little over 5 year 3.5 as tech 1.5+ as an inspector. Alarm Force should be called Alarmfarce. The sytem they use is antiquated by design. What i mean is the technoligy is at least 20 years old. Also most of their customers use the phone to arm/disarm system (can you say redail!!!!!) also they do NOT have phone line siezure which means that if the phone is off hook it can NOT call out or if the Bulglar calls in it can NOT call out. Placement of the panel is another story. The kichen counter or behind a couch is good enough?? Next most devices are 2-way taped on?? Also for the first 30 to 90 seconds the “operator” you hear is a recording until a live operator can get to your alarm. Next and most important Joel Matlin advertises his 2-way as a good way to confirm alarms only thing is if the bulglar is queit the it goes the same way as any other alarm unverified. Next if it is a robbery in progress and the operator comes on after you press your panic button i really hope you are wearing a bullet proof jacket.
Phone System
I do not have an alarm service yet and was doing some research to see if there were any issues/complaints about the alarm company. I want to add, that I worked for a security company for 14 years as a service technician. The way an alarm system works is a sensor connected to the main control panel triggers an alarm event when armed. This in turn, activates the dialer inside the control panel. The dialer does a couple of things then. 1 – The dailer relay which is a dry contact NO VOLTAGE what so ever, changes position/toggles to check for dial tone. When the control panel senses the dial tone, it then dials – hence the name – a preprogrammed number, just like a redial on your phone. The monitoring center is then called, again just like your phone at your house. Data is normally exchanged between the Control Panel and the Monitoring Center and then the Control Panel hangs up. The more likely cause is that the phone line probably took a surge that back fed the Control Panel, fused the relay shut and continued to the next device, the modem. This guy probably doesn’t realize this but the alarm probably took the brunt of the surge and slowed it down. He is lucky that all his phones in the house were not damaged. You see in order for the alarm to have priority over other phones in your house, it is usually the first in line if installed properly. In 14 years, I have seen my share of cooked phone lines and equipment. NEVER was it the cause of the alarm system. IT IS A LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEM! It operates in most cases at 12 volts DC and pulls realitively no noticeable current unless the siren is sounding during an alarm. The a/c transformer is usually 12-18VAC. The same as a cordless phone. Come on you Thomas Edison want to be – Don’t talk about things you don’t understand.
Marketing
As far as I am concern the man is smart enough to capture the market and the potential clients by appearing on Radio and TV’s and I think it is sad that ADT with 100 years of service do not learn from this guy which I agree. If this guy pump so much cash to his marketing why not ADT or Voxcom (Reliance Protectron since 2008). As you guys all know Bell Canada announced recently (last week) that they are getting in to Home Security. Telus did last year in B.C. with their HomeSitter package. They are few other companies that are getting in this market and they are making it better. There is another company that offers full Video solution they call it GBSdvr.com.
- JD
Nomore Voxcom
Voxcom (Reliance Protectron since 2008)… very interesting company that does splatter advertisements that they are looking for you… they care, the service they offer…. I had no complaints also until I moved out of the province… for the past 5 months I have phoned, emailed, trying to make arrangements to originally move the equipment to now refusing to pay. They seem to find my phone number to offer promotions etc, but each time I speak with them, they tell me someone has to call me back, it’s not their area. Today I received another bill for service that I am not receiving – when I called again… I was told that it is not their problem that someone has not called me back. It is my problem, my responsibility and all bills for service at an address that they are aware I moved from 5 months ago – I still have to pay for. I was also advised that I have to now pay an additional 23 months worth of contract if I cancel. The man that I spoke with told me he spoke with people all day who had stupid problems, and accused me of not dealing with this and that although they had record of speaking to me – it was still my problem that their company does not return phone calls to get my account moved. They have enjoyed taking the money from my account for service they are not providing.
It is interesting that their big plug when they were selling the system was the ease of moving the contract with you…. I guess they have it right – the contract moves with you but the security service you are paying for doesn’t….
I would not recommend Voxcom to anyone at all!!
Voxcom Company
I can’t write so much about Voxcom (Reliance Protectron since 2008) as I do to Alarm Force, because their wind is not as hard as Alarm Force and I don’t have a direct experience with them. However I find the following three points can be addressed.
Their slogan is “we’re looking out for you”. They are looking out for you, customer, dealer. It sounds caring. I’m told to be a dealer of Voxcom you get superior support. You don’t need to learn everything all on your own. They don’t invest too much on their brand but they do invest on internal support.
On their Website you can easily find security dealers link. They do care about dealers. As a customer you can easily find a local dealer near you.
They don’t build brand too much. In order to compete with competitors, they have to focus on “VOXCOM is a Canadian security and alarm company”. This is not a wise point to make though.
Compared choosing alarm company to dating, I would say, Voxcom is a lover who is silently and anxiously anticipating your glimpse.