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Month: March 2019
EMC Security Celebrates 25 Years!
2023 marks EMC Security’s 25 year anniversary!
In 1998, our very first customer, Greg Brooks of Watkinsville, signed up with EMC and has been with us ever since. We feel honored to have earned your trust for so long. It has truly been our pleasure. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being our customers. We look forward to many years to come!
Greg Brooks of Watkinsville is number one with EMC Security.
No, he isn’t the largest account, nor does he generate the most alarm calls. Brooks is number one in another way; he’s EMC Security’s first customer.
That was 25 years ago, and he’s still satisfied. “I wouldn’t dream of using anyone else,” said Brooks. Over the course of 25 years, he’s interacted with EMC Security many times.
“When we accidentally trip our system, it seems like the monitoring center calls to check on us before I can even get it
shut off,” said Brooks. “It amazes me how quickly they respond. It’s a good feeling knowing EMC Security is watching out for you.”Alarm calls aren’t the only reason Brooks has worked with EMC Security employees. Over the years, he’s had technicians visit his home to replace lightning-damaged equipment and to upgrade his system.
“When we got rid of our landline phone, EMC Security installed a cellular communication,” said Brooks. “If the power is out, I’m still protected, and I can take advantage of the EMC Security mobile app to control the system when away from the house.”
Brooks also gives the company’s technicians high marks. “Every EMC Security technician who’s visited has been professional and courteous, even down to removing their shoes before entering and vacuuming up any mess before leaving. They take as much time as necessary to make sure you’re comfortable with operating your system,” said Brooks.
“I recommend EMC Security without hesitation,” said Brooks. “I never worry about my reputation when I do because I know they’re not going to disappoint my family and friends.”
New Payment Portal Instructions
EMC Security has developed a new payment portal for viewing invoices and making payments.
The portal is secure and does not save credit card information. Below are instructions on how to access the portal from our website. You must have an email on file and sign up (one time) with that email. If you do not have an email on file, call 770-963-0305 for assistance.
Visit www.emcsecurity.com/payment-portal
You will be directed to our new payment portal. Once there, follow the instructions below.
- If you have logged in on the previous online portal, simply login with your Username (which is your email) and your password.
- If not, click “Sign-up here“.
- Complete the fields on the page and click ” √ Register”.
- This will take you to the Dashboard (which is the default screen).
- The tabs at the bottom of the screen allow you to view the following:
- Invoices Due
- Paid Invoices
- Receipts
- To pay an invoice due, click on it and complete payment.
- You can save your payment method and add users by clicking the tabs on the left side of the screen,
Give us a call at 770-963-0305 if you encounter any problems.
The Pros of DIY Security Systems
If you’re considering purchasing a home security system, there are two options in which you can choose:
Professional installed system- Do it yourself system
It goes without question that DIY security systems have dominated the home security market in recent years, but how can you determine if they are right for you? Let’s take a look at the pros of the DIY home security systems below.
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Helps You Cut Cost and Save Money
Looking for ways to secure your home on a budget? If so, installing a security system yourself might be the optimal route for you. A basic DIY home security system usually comes with sensors, motion detectors, base station, and keypad. The cost ranges from $199+. Once you’ve purchased the system, you’ll still need to pay the monthly service fee for monitoring of your alarm, but you’ll save hundreds of dollars from the cost of having your system installed by a professional tech.
A benefit of purchasing from EMC
Security is our full-service technical support. Need help? Give us a call. If you need a technician to visit your home, we can do that too. You’re never on your own purchasing a DIY system from EMC Security like you would be if you purchased it online or from a big box retailer.-
A DIY Security System Is Portable
The average person lives in 11 different homes throughout the entirety of their life, so if moving into a new house is in your future, a self-install kit may be right for you. DIY security systems are wireless, making them easy to install, expand, move, upgrade and change.
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No Restrictions to Add-ons
Many homeowners decide to purchase a basic security system initially and add or upgrade it over time. DIY home security systems are usually compatible with other popular smart devices which means you can shop around for a variety of options allowing you to truly customize your system based on your needs. For instance, if you purchase a basic DIY security system with a keypad and sensors and later decide you want to add video doorbell or indoor surveillance cameras, you can easily upgrade your current system.
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Access to Smart Home Features
Say goodbye to the days of old when you had to worry about having forgotten to turn off the lights before leaving for vacation. Online portals and smartphones make it possible to integrate cameras and smart-home devices with your security system and control everything remotely.
Ultimately, determining whether to hire a security company to do the work or deciding to handle to installation on your own depends on your individual circumstances. But if EMC Security is your choice, you can bet that you’re never on your own. We are just a phone call away.
EMC Text-Alert Notifications and Response – Free Optional Service
EMC Security is dedicated to providing the most reliable security systems that not only protect Georgia families and businesses, but also simplify our customers’ lives through remote services, home automation, video cameras, and more.
We are also committed to providing choices and options that make it easier for our customers to utilize their security systems and for potential customers to feel safe at home.
In that spirit of convenience, we’re now offering EMC Text-Alert, an innovative chat notification enhancement you won’t see anywhere else. With EMC Text-Alert, you and everyone on your emergency contact list will receive a group chat notification in the event that an alarm is triggered. If someone knows what’s going on, he or she can respond appropriately.
View a demo from your smart-phone: click here
OPT-IN HERE >>
How It Works:
1. When an alarm is triggered at your home or business, everyone on your emergency contact list will receive a text with a link to enter the group chat.
2. Upon entering the group chat, participants can discuss the situation.
3. Users can dispatch or dismiss the alarm from the group chat using a verification code.
4. From the time the notification is sent, participants have 60 seconds to respond. After this time, normal call procedures will be followed.
Why It Works:
1. Convenience: Sometimes taking a call isn’t convenient. Think about it you’re at work, out to dinner, at a movie, on a business trip, or somewhere else where you may not be immediately available to take a call. A discreet text notification can be much more accessible.
2. Efficient Communication: Everyone in your emergency contact list is notified at once, and can use the chat function to determine what triggered the alarm. Based on what’s discussed in the chat, appropriate action can then be taken.
3. Reduced False Alarms: Many things can happen to accidentally trigger an alarm — save time and money by dismissing the alarm directly from the chat notification.
4. Reliable Security: EMC Text-Alert is the first line of notification. Participants have 60 seconds to respond to the initial notification before normal call procedures are followed. So even if you aren’t immediately available to answer the notification, you’ll still be protected.
In addition to the same level of protection from EMC Security you know and trust, the new EMC Text-Alert feature not only offers yet another level of security and convenience, but it’s also provided at no additional cost.
SIGN UP >>
To learn more about EMC Text-Alert, contact EMC at 770-963-0305.
What Is a Smart-Lock?
What are Smart Locks?
Keys are simple devices that have been people have used for thousands of years to open and close locks. These inexpensive and easy to use tools have always existed as popular instruments for securing locks and protecting valuables.
Although the lock mechanism has constantly evolved, only recently did it become technical enough to exist independent of keys altogether. Thanks to modern home security technology, homeowners are now able to enjoy the convenience of a keyless entry home.
What does a smart lock do?
EMC Security offers powered smart locks which provide you keyless access control from a numerical keypad. You can unlock and lock it from your couch, your car or from work.
Goodbye keys.
Hello Why choose an EMC Security-powered smart lock?
When installed as part of an EMC Security home security system, a smart lock gives you awareness and peace of mind. If you’re out running errands or stuck in traffic on your way from work, your kids can use the could
to enter their home when they arrive.
Guide For Placing Your Home Security Cameras
It’s no secret that having homesecurity camerascan help you avoid or reduce the likelihood of your home being burglarized, while simultaneously keeping you, your family, and property safe.
However,
strategic placement of your cameras can significantly improve their effectiveness.Regardless of the type of security camera you choose, their overall success is dependent on where you choose to place them inside and outside of your home, which makes knowing where to place them incredibly important.
Deterring or catching criminals is only possible when your cameras are positioned in the right locations. As such, we’ve compiled a list of four home security camera placement tips so you can know where to install home security cameras to maximize its effectiveness.
TOPICS:
#1. Ideal Placement for Home Security Cameras
#2. Things to Consider When Placing Your Home Security Cameras
#3. Common Security Camera Installation Mistakes
#4. Home Security Camera Placement Laws
#1. Ideal Placement for Home Security Cameras
Well planned arrangements of yoursecurity camerasplay a crucial role in providing wide-coverage surveillance. So how should you decide where to place your home security cameras?
The following recommendations for camera placement are based on statistical research.
• Front Door – nearly 34% of all burglars enter through the front door
• Back Door – approximately 22% of burglars enter through the front door
• Off-Street Windows – 23% of the burglars enter through a rear window
Read more on how cameras can help you feel safer at home >>
#2. Things to Consider When Placing Your Security Cameras
Prior to installing a home surveillance system, be sure to maximize its effectiveness by asking the following questions:
• Where do you think you actually need security cameras?
• Where are the most obscure areas inside and outside of your home?
• Are there any entrances (doors, windows) that would appeal to thieves?
• Have you or a previous owner ever experienced a break-in?
• If so, when and where did it occur?
Each of the proceeding considerations
matter and can be used to help form guidelines for home security camera placement and helping to determine the best locations for installing home security cameras.In addition, security cameras run the risk of being tampered with if someone is determined enough to commit his crime anyway. Ask yourself whether you want thieves to know you have cameras or not. If you do, you may want to consider having cheap fake cameras (dummies) in easy-to-see places and your more valuable cameras hidden, so if a thief tampers with the visible cameras, you’ll have them on tape using the hidden security camera while they commit the crime.
Are your cameras secure? Learn more >
#3. Common Mistakes When Placing Security Cameras
Both indoor and outdoorsecurity cameraplacement play a major role in determining whether your home security will yield optimal results. Here’s a look at the most common mistakes to avoid when considering where to place home security cameras.
1. Forgetting to Secure Your Cameras
One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make is not securing their security devices, which leaves them vulnerable to tampering. So, where should you place your outdoor home security cameras to avoid possible sabotage? A good rule of thumb is to put the camera 9 feet above the ground which will help minimize tampering and keep it safe from destruction.
It’s worth noting that placement of your indoor security cameras may differ from that of those on the outside of your home since outdoor security cameras are more susceptible to damage from harsh weather conditions or vandals.
2. Overestimating the Cameras Abilities
Having clear objectives for your camera’s purpose and performance are key to measuring its results. You need to decide what goals you want to accomplish when your camera to perform when considering placement. Homeowners frequently overestimate the camera’s abilities to do things like pick up someone’s face, license plate, and the house across the street all at once. However, poor planning makes complicate feat such as these, difficult, if not impossible — which is why mapping out a diagram is important to ensure that every camera plays a role in capturing multiple angles.
3. Positioning Each Camera at Top Height
Many homeowners falsely assume that positioning their cameras at the highest point of their property is a wise choice because it provides a full view of the outside of their home. And while there
is some truth and purpose to this practice, it should be noted that doing so will likely result in an inability to capture important details which may be crucial for provided criminal evidence. Instead of capturing an offender’s face, you may only catch just a figure which may make it impossible to identify an assailant, Therefore, it’s important to clearly think the placement of each camera before committing to such decisions.4. Insufficient Lighting
Regardless of where you position your home security cameras, it’s important to be mindful of how poor lightly can negate all of the
efforts you’ve poured into protecting your home. Investing in cameras that perform well in low light environments is ideal for providing visibility in night-time or low light situation; however, they’re really no good substitute for ensuring that there’s ample lighting for clear footage. Nevertheless, too much light into the lens of any camera will cause surveillance footage to becomeoverexposed and useless.5. Narrow Field of View Cameras
In an effort to help soften sticker shock, many homeowners invest in less expensive cameras, which often lead to a
subpar performance in many areas, including anarrow field of view. Unfortunately, the reward of having saved $20 is not worth limiting to thescope of your home surveillance. Avoid making this mistake by ensuring that any forthcoming purchases are those in which the cameras have the WDR feature.#4: Comply with Rules for Home Security Camera Placement
Last but not least, be sure to comply with security camera placement laws when deciding where to position your cameras. Avoid legal actions from concerned neighbors by complying with local, state and national laws when considering where it is legal to put surveillance cameras.
Top 3 Reasons to Upgrade to a Smart Home
It may be hard to believe but in the early
1980s the most advanced technology in smart home devices was a gadget called The Clapper, which allowed homeowners to turn their lights on and off by simply clapping their hands twice.Fast-forward more than thirty years later and it’s easy to see how drastically things have changed.
When it comes to technology, recent advancements have enriched the way we live our lives. In many cases, those advancements have made simple tasks such as staying in touch with our friends and family much simpler but perhaps the best examples can be found among the many ways modern advances have helped us live smarter, more efficient lives at home. In fact, research shows that more than 90% of homes in the United States own a smart home device. Smart home automation transforms your home into a comprehensive system that all works together to make your home a more comfortable, convenient place to live.
1. Continuous control for people on-the-go
Having a smart home lets you access your smart devices from anywhere in the world. EMC Security allows you to conveniently control a range of smart home devices from the comfort of your mobile device, allowing you to do things like:
- Monitor outdoor visitors via doorbell camera feeds.
- Control your lights by turning them on and off.
- Unlock or lock the doors to your home.
- Control the climate of your home via our smart thermostats.
2. Integrate with your favorite tech
Contrary to popular belief, investing in a smart home system that actually works doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Thanks to the emergence of voice-activated speakers like Google Home and Amazon Echo, EMC Security can easily integrate with devices you may already own, giving you the ability to control smart locks, thermostats, smart lights, and your security system by simply using your voice.
3. Customized to suit your needs
Want your home to be as unique as you are? With EMC Security Home, you can customize your system allowing you to focus on all the features you find important to meet your needs.
For example, let’s say you want to design a home security system that extends itself beyond intrusion detection. You can personalize your security system by adding features like a smart doorbell, outdoor security cameras, and smart thermostats.
Just because buying a home is a major investment, it doesn’t mean updating your home with smart devices has to be costly or unaffordable. EMC smart home technology delivers hundreds of features that help make our lives more convenient while transforming your home everything you want it to be.
Teaching Your Children to Work the Security System
A home security system provides you and your family with additional protection in the event of an emergency.
Ideally, adults should be the only people operating a home security system; however, what better way is there for children to learn how to keep safe than by learning how to work the home security system by themselves?
How to Teach Your Kids about Your Security System
- Review your home’s access points, such as doors and windows, discussing how the alarm system is triggered and the process that follows.
- Provide instruction on how to turn the system on and off. Review the password with them and express the importance of keeping it secure by not telling others. This is particularly important if your child has friends over while you’re not at home. To be on the safe side, consider changing the password periodically.
- Practice! Set up times to perform practice drills and review security measures. This is a great time to teach children what to do in the event of a false alarm.
- Consider a mobile security app for additional peace of mind and convenience. With the mobile app, you’re able to view, arm, and disarm the security system from anywhere.
- Establish a family safety plan, such as a fire escape plan and what to do if your alarm goes off. Review the plans often to ensure your children know how to stay safe.
Contact EMC Security at 770.963.0305 to learn more about the mobile app and other smart-security services.
How Much Does Home Security Cost?
Depending on the provider, the cost of a security systems can vary widely with a wide assortment of monthly fees. Below, we’ll go over some facts and let you decide if a security system is the right choice for protecting your home and family.
Facts About Break-ins
Data from the FBI 2012 crime report shows that one in every thirty-six homes in the United States will be burglarized this year, resulting in an average loss of $2,230 per break in (totaling $4.7 billion in property losses). Even more shocking is that a burglary takes place every 15 seconds in the U.S. By the time you finish reading this blog, another home will be broken into.
While monthly fees certainly can vary, a basic security system will cost you far less than what the average burglary will cost you. EMC Security in particular has a popular self-install system for just $299 and offers financing on all systems with just $99 down. Additionally, most homeowners insurance companies reduce premiums by up to 20% with proof of having a security system installed in the home.
Potential Savings
While monthly alarm monitoring varies by provider, a security system may ultimately be less of an expense when you include all of the potential savings. As compared to the yearly $2,230 average loss of a burglary, you could potentially have years of home security before reaching how much you could lose from just one burglary without a security system.
The main deterrent for people thinking about getting a home security system is most often the cost. Studies show that a home without a security system is 3 times as likely to get broken into so you might decide that the cost is worth covering the potential risks – a decision that only you can make for yourself.
If you’re interested in learning more about EMC Security’s systems and costs, contact us at 770-963-0305 or visit our website.
Common Questions about Security Cameras Answered
Statistics show that 83% of burglars determine if a home has a security camera before attempting to break-in.
In addition to deterring would-be criminals, security cameras also provide homeowners the convenience of being able to
monitored your home at any time, from anywhere. Want to make sure the kids made it home from school? Check your app to see your kids arriving home safely. Want to keep an eye on your home when you’re away on vacation? Peek at your security footage whenever you feel the need.When deciding on whether or not to opt for security cameras, most customers have questions related to how they actually work and which one will fit their specific needs.
We’ve compiled a few of the most common questions to help you understand all of your home security options.
What types of security cameras are there?
EMC offers three types of security cameras: indoor and outdoor WiFi cameras, doorbell video cameras, and
Flir DVR/NVR camera solutions.Indoor and Outdoor WiFi Security Cameras:
Indoor and outdoor cameras seamlessly integrate with your security system and the latest in smart-home technology through the Alarm.com mobile app.
Video doorbells allow you to see, hear, and speak to anyone at your door whether you’re in your kitchen or across town. Connect your doorbell camera to your security app and control your camera, security, and other automated features such as locks, lights, and thermostat.
If your needs require a more vigorous home surveillance camera system, DVR cameras are among the most dependable cameras on the market, designed for those who want to keep an eye on things with exceptional, high-definition live streaming video and on-site storage.
Are security companies monitoring my security camera footage?
Cameras are self-monitored. EMC Securitydoes nothave access to your cameras or video accounts, so we do not monitor your video camera footage. Video cameras record the footage and send you, the user, a notification and video clip. You can then go to the camera app to view live footage.
Where are the best places to put security cameras?
When deciding the best locations to place your security cameras, it’s important to take a walk around your home with your security goals in mind. Consider the places a potential intruder could enter your home: windows, doors, garage door, or even through the basement.
Also consider placing them out of reach. Some recommended places include:Front Door: An estimated34% of all burglars enter your home through the front door.
Back Door:22% of burglars enter through the back door.
Basement Stairs: Most basements are accessible through small windows that are large enough for a person to enter through.
Off-street Windows:23% of burglars enter through a
first floor window.How is my security footage stored?
Video clips are stored on the Cloud and are accessed via your mobile app. Subscribe to EMC Security’s Video Service for $5 for the first camera and just $1 per additional camera.
Can I monitor my security cameras from my phone?
Yes! Receive alerts and clips of motion detected, and control your alarm system, lights, locks, and thermostats.
Will I be contacted if the security cameras detect anything?
Yes, you can program your system to send instant video clips from home of what matters most to you, from alarm activity to your children coming home from school or a package being delivered.
To learn more about EMC’s security camera options, give us a call today at 770.963.0305. Purchase cameras online here from just $79.
