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Category: EMC Security News
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Sandy Springs False Alarm Ordinance Updates
The City of Sandy Springs passed an update to their false alarm ordinance.
As of June 19, 2019, in the event of an intrusion alarm signal, Sandy Springs Police will require video, audio, or in-person verification of an actual event before dispatching an authority to your home.
EMC Security is compliant with all Sandy Springs ordinance requirements. Is your provider? Click here to check the Sandy Springs fine report.
City officials are in the process of communicating the change to all homeowners and businesses in Sandy Springs. We encourage everyone to learn more at www.sandyspringsga.gov/alarm-ordinance. Please make note of the fines for false alarms, including those for calls into the 911 center without the appropriate verification. View the video below for more information.
In order for EMC Security or any provider to continue to provide emergency dispatch on behalf of a Sandy Springs resident or business, a true verification system must be used. Citizens and/or alarm companies have 24 hours to provide video or audio clips (to verify an actual intrusion event) to the 911 Center.
We are committed to providing more protection choices and flexibility so our Sandy Springs customers can protect their homes and families while meeting the requirements of the new ordinance.
EMC Security service options include:
OPTION 1: Customer Verification and Dispatch
Provides smart-phone notification of an alarm condition to our customers. Our customers can then take action, up to and including contacting authorities. This basic notification service will make no provision for EMC Security to dispatch for any alarm signal on behalf of the customer.
OPTION 2: Customer Verification with EMC Security Dispatch
Includes full-service monitoring of fire alarm, personal emergency panic and silent hold-up signals from the home. Notification of homeowner and contacts by our central station will be provided for other alarm conditions, including all intrusion signals, but will not include police dispatch.
OPTION 3: EMC Security Verification and Dispatch
Full service including monitoring and dispatch services on all fire alarm, personal emergency, and silent alarm duress signals, and will include police dispatch on true verified alarms.
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How to Choose a Home Security System (Series)
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re shopping for a home security system.
That’s because it’s a massive, growing category that covers everything from standalone DIY devices like cameras and video doorbells to smart locks and motion sensors.
Yes, the home security market is an absolute assortment of options. That’s great because there’s bound to be something that’s right for you, but it’s also a challenge to sort through the mess of stuff on shelves today to find that perfect device or comprehensive system. It can be difficult to sort through the information to get a clear idea of what you need to get up and running.
This blog series will help you get started.
We’ll outline the different ways in which you can purchase home security with EMC Security, depending on your home and what security equipment currently exists, including:
STARTING FROM SCRATCH
- Option 1: Self-Install Security System
- Option 2: Professional Installed Security System
FINE-TUNE WHAT YOU’VE GOT
- Conversion
POWER-UP YOUR PRE-EXISTING SYSTEM
- Takeover
Each of these options
have their benefits and can be more or less ideal depending on the individual needs of individual homeowners or renters. Let’s begin our assessment of each option by starting with those who do not currently own a home security system, and therefore need to start from scratch.Up first is the Self-Install option, better known as the DIY Home Security System.
Option 1: DIY Home Security
DIY smart-home security systems, do not requires professional installation, and allow homeowners and renters to bypass the need to hardwire their homes due to innovations in wireless connectivity.
Here are a few things to help you determine whether a Do-It-Yourself security system right for you:
Advanced Technology
Wireless DIY security is the hottest security product on the market. Everyone loves its ease of use, convenience, affordability, effortless home-automation, and interactive features.
Wi-Fi Communication
DIY Self-Install systems communicate to our monitoring centers via Wi-Fi technology with a cellular option.
Cameras and Automation
The DIY system is the hub for home-automation devices and cameras that integrate to your security and are controlled via one mobile app.
All the Heavy Lifting
We’ll program and label each device specifically for your home, so all you have to do is open the box, peel and stick the equipment in place, plug it in, connect to your Wi-Fi, and go.
Where to Buy
The DIY system can be purchased either by visiting emcsecurity.com or by contacting us at 770.963.0305. Monthly monitoring is $16.95 for Wi-Fi, $23.95 for
cellular option.Beware of Imitations
Don’t be led into a false sense of security. Never purchase a system from a company that does not require 24/7 professional monitoring, nor provide technical support.
Up next, we’ll take a look at the option for a Professional Installation.
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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.
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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.
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Don’t Miss an Important Call from EMC Security
Do you ignore calls from numbers you don’t recognize?
If you answered yes, read on for important safety tips regarding your EMC Security home monitoring system.
A call from the EMC Security Monitoring Center may indicate that there is an emergency at your home or business, or we may be calling to alert you of a problem with your alarm system. We know that many of our customers are using their cell phone as their monitoring center primary contact numbers, and we want to make sure you don’t miss an important call from our monitoring center. Many mobile phones will not display the caller name, only the incoming number, so you will need to enter this information on your phone.
Please enter these numbers in your cell phone and identify them as EMC Security Monitoring Center or EMC Security.
678-765-1000
1-888-745-4733
Insuring these numbers are identified as EMC Security, willinsure that you never miss an important call regarding your alarm system and your family’s safety.We don’t want you to miss an important call from our security monitoring center so please take the time to add these numbers to your cell phone and share them with your friends and family members. Everyone has something worth protecting, so share your sense of security with
you neighbors and coworkers and you could get two free months of monitoring. Find out more about our referral program here. -
Panic Button Protects Customer and Stops Home Invasion!
Home intruders strike homes whether people are at home or away.
Statistics show someone is home in three out of every ten burglaries.
The EMC Security monitoring center received a panic alarm from the keyfob of the security system customer in Gainesville, Georgia. Once the panic button is pressed, the alarm sounds in the home and EMC Security immediately dispatches the police. The woman that pressed the panic button told us that she thought she could hear someone breaking into her home through one of the windows.
She heard noise on the outside of her home for a few minutes but did not think someone was trying to enter the home. Soon after she could hear the sounds of a person inside the home. The customer was fortunate enough to have a key fob with a panic button to manually set off the system when she heard sounds of a break-in and noises of someone in the home.
The system activation – and alarm – scared off the potential intruder.
Though we do not know what the intruder’s intentions were, we know that the security system potentially saved the customer’s life and valuables.
Please inquire about including a panic button key fob as a part of your home security system. The EMC Security panic button key fob will always operate whether your security system is armed or not. It is a valuable addition to your security system.
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What Makes EMC Security Different Than the Others?
The biggest difference: No Contracts!
You can’t purchase another professionally installed security system without agreeing to at least a 36-month contract. This practice has been the standard for years so the providers can offer low up-front installation and equipment fees. The problem with this is once the equipment costs would be paid off, the high monthly fee (absorbing the equipment costs) does not reduce.
Since our inception in 1998, EMC Security has offered no-contract monitoring service. You pay for your equipment upfront with monitoring and communication charges paid on a month to month basis, with the option to cancel any time. If you need to finance the equipment, we have an interest-free option for that as well.
Security Technology
EMC Security sells a variety of security equipment including Honeywell security technology. Honeywell is the largest manufacturer of security technology in the world. All the equipment is non-proprietary which means that other companies can reprogram it for their monitoring system. Some well-known, national companies do not sell this type of technology, preferring instead to use their own proprietary equipment, blocking other companies from monitoring the systems. This trend is unfortunately one that locks customers in as well, because the system is worthless if you are not happy with the monitoring service.
Alarm Monitoring
EMC Security’s monitoring cost of $16.95 per month and has not changed since 1999. We believe everyone should be able to afford to be safe at home, so we keep costs low. Most notably though is our Secure Path Technology. No matter what extra features a home security system offers, the bottom line is whether someone is monitoring your home 24/7 and can get help to you fast when you need it most.
EMC Security pioneered a monitoring architecture that sends a signal simultaneously to two, separately staffed, UL listed, CSAA Five-Diamond Certified command centers, which means a highly trained operator will always be available to answer the call. With an average response time of 14 seconds, homeowners have the added peace of mind that comes with rapid response.
Most security providers utilize a single command center that requires rerouting in the event the first center is busy or otherwise disabled, wasting time and creating unnecessary risk.
Additionally, security technology is built with an “alarm signal delay” of at least 45 seconds. EMC Security overrides this delay so the signal is transferred to our monitoring centers immediately. A lot can happen in 45 seconds and we don’t want to take that chance when lives are at stake.
What EMC Security Can Do For You That Others Can’t
Custom System vs Package Deals
The reason why buying home security can be so confusing is that companies offer security “packages”. The packages start at a base price, often with “free equipment” included, and go up to what is often an astronomical price. EMC Security does not offer package pricing. Our systems are customized for your home and lifestyle so your system is the perfect blend of technology that fits your needs.
Customer Service
Finally, what separates EMC Security from the rest is our ownership and values. Because we are owned by three of the largest non-profit power companies in Georgia, we are able to keep costs down and focus on service. Like our parent companies, we put customer satisfaction above everything else because we know that happy customers are key to maintaining a successful business. By endorsing highly ethical business practices, both within our organization and across our customer and potential customer base, we send our message as a standard, not as a fallback.
This is very important when the lives of our customers are at stake.
