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   The Seven Most Common
   Pitfalls when Choosing a Security
   System
   What they are and how to avoid them...

Ownership of the Equipment
The Pitfall: Not Clarifying Ownership of the Equipment

Believe it or not, most of the major security companies sell you the installation of a security system, but retain ownership of the equipment itself. This is rarely clear in their quotation or sales literature and is often found buried in of the terms and
conditions of sale - it is not something they want to highlight. Customers of these major companies are often locked into a rental agreement for 6 or 7 years which can not be changed even if the after sales service is poor.

The G4S Security Systems Promise: We Will always provide an outright sale quotation, with full transfer of title and ownership, and you can remove us as your service provider after 12 months if you do not get the support you expect.

Getting What You have paid for
The Pitfall: Not Getting what you have paid for
It is of course imperative that your security system is fit for
the purpose you have identified. However due to the many thousands of parts to choose from in designing a security system, your busy schedule will rarely allow you the time to ensure that the components supplied are the best match for your requirements. A Camera Lens for example can cost from £3 to £350 depending on which one of the hundred plus suppliers you choose from. Without specialist knowledge you could easily be supplied with a cheap lens, charged to you at
quality lens prices.

The G4S Security Systems Promise: G4S Security Systems will supply only good quality equipment which will meet your requirement for quality and reliability. We will never supply an inferior product and pass it off as a quality product.

Choosing the Right Equipment
The Pitfall: Knowing what the Right Equipment is
It is easy to supply a variety of components for a security system, only to find after a few weeks or months that the system does not work as well as it should. Unless your security company knows how components work together over the longer term, you could be buying a system that could be malfunctioning within 18 months. Incorrectly specified cables for example will impair a systems performance over the long term. Needless to say most problems will only start occuriing once the short warranty period has expired.

The G4S Security Systems Promise: We employ some of the most skilful engineers in the industry who are extensively trained in all aspects of design and installation of security systems. If we install a system that develops problems due to our use of the wrong type of component or cable, we will rectify the problem at our cost.

Checking a Companies Capabilities
The Pitfall: Not Checking the capabilities of your security supplier
In the security industry, large companies often acquire their volume sales in the domestic market, selling low cost rented intruder alarm systems to the mass market. Most of their engineers are skilled in installing domestic systems, and lack the skills for the more technical requirements of the commercial market. Today's network integrated security systems, incorporating highly specified technical equipment to meet the sometimes complex requirements of customers, require highly competent specialists.

The G4S Security Systems Promise: G4S Security Systems employs more network software security specialists than some of the “major” security companies, and we have always installed a security system “fit for purpose”. We are approved distributors for GE Security, Honeywell Engineering Systems and Lenel - three of the most reliable integrated system suppliers on the market.

Paying Only for what you need
The Pitfall: Buying higher spec equipment than is required
Most security systems provide an amazing number of bells and whistles, which look good at the sales presentation, but are never used once the system is installed. In most instances, less than 20% of these additional features in an access control system are used by the client. Not only are you paying for something you do not need, you are often paying for on-going software licences for these modules that you do not even remember are there.

The G4S Security Systems Promise: We design a system ‘fit for purpose’, and will actively discourage clients purchasing unnecessary features’. The systems we supply work effectively at minimum cost, and maximum efficiency unfettered by the superfluous whistles that no one ever blows..

Ensuring a High Level of Service
The Pitfall: Paying for Service you never receive
It is a sad fact that parts of the service sector of the security industry are allegedly as poor as the “car service” industry in terms of its quality of maintenance and after sales service. It
is vital that you agree service standards, service level agreements and schedules for visits. Also insist on getting signed dockets from each service engineer, confirming the visit.

The G4S Security Systems Promise: After sales service is a key part
of our total commitment to our clients. We work to your deadlines, not ours. Our engineers will respond to any call 24 hours per day, 7 days a week if required. Ask to see our service agreements, we have a full range to meet a wide
variety of options and choose the one that best meets your needs.

No 7 A Quick Resolution when things go wrong
The Pitfall: Getting Short Change when you complain
Have you ever complained to a major security company about their service? If you are lucky, you will get a nice letter from a “customer complaints manager”, but in most instances little else happens.

The G4S Security Systems Promise: We hope our service is always 100%, but if you are unhappy for what ever reason just let us know. Any complaint is quickly passed to a Director of the company, who is required to respond within two working days. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction the complaint will be automatically escalated to the Managing Director (or his deputy during his absence) for his action. He will respond within five working days.

Give us a call! Fill in a brief form and we will ring you back, or call us now on 0844 811 0012 for no obligation advice and more good reasons to choose G4S Security Systems .