We have all seen the growing development of the apps for your smart phone and although not seen by the public, Rottweiler has been working in our “top secret” room with some great improvements.  Rottweiler was first to the industry with it’s Web Enabled Security Systems and now we are moving forward on a much improved version of business products for businesses that want to know more, do more and allow for great access especially when businesses have multiple locations.  I can’t tell you everything here now, but I can tell you Rottweiler delivers the wow factor!

Years ago Rottweiler recognized that people were seldom home when burglary or home intrusion happens.  Because of the years of negligent providers of dial-up security products, subscribers often were left completely in the dark when it comes to notification of events.  And when customers were notified it became an “are you OK” question followed by embedded scar tactics created for self preservation of subscriber dependence.  Our observation also recognized the inability for people to know if their systems were even working or not.  People, if your security system does not notify you EVERY time when it is armed and disarmed, you are at risk.

Because of Rottweiler’s Web Enable security monitoring, the guess work is gone.  Rottweiler notifies users in milliseconds, with detailed information and with updated status on the go. 

Rottweiler does not stop there either.  Surveillance systems installed by Rottweiler can notify you proactively once a signature is provided from cameras on their systems.  Now you can still buy traditional surveillance camera systems and there are many to choose from.  But if you have the choice of alarms vs. information tracking, why would you select an old fashion product?  The cost is nominal.  If you are a business, the choice is not even worth the discussion.  Know in seconds what happened instead of looking through hours of video to try to find the incident.

Rottweiler’s VoIP business telephoneofferings have also stepped up into the mobile society factor.  Today you can receive a call from the office and transfer it right back to the office if you choose.  Why waste your time telling clients they were transferredto the wrong number and that they need to call back?  Samsung’s Mobile Extension, aka MOBEX, allows calls to transfer back to the office when sent to a cell phone.

Rottweiler provides intelligent security products for smart people.  Card Access, Camera Surveillance, Security and much more.  Call Today to see what Rottweiler can do for you!  770.529.5678

Like all forms of technology, camera technology has jumped in recent years.  It was just over 11 years ago that I received my first digital camera.  Now 6 cameras later the image quality has improved dramatically.  18 mega-pixels of HD quality in a 30 inch picture, unbelievable.  But guess what, all pixels are not created equal.  Camera types use different pixel sizes, I’d bet you did not know that and I also bet that you did not know there is not a “standard” for pixel sizes either!  

Camera knowledge in the business surveillance market it is no different with untrained camera installers.  To help their financial crisis, computer integrators, telephone installation companies and even building maintenance crews install everything from Costco sold products or home grown versions of miss matched camera products from a decade ago.  Often we get the calls asking for repair or modification to a solution that is just plain impossible to repair.  Yes, you are right, if the customer would have invested 10% more they could have recieved a better foundation to work with in a camera solution and might not have to replace it.

Many installers, and customer too, have the misconception that the better the quality of video, the better quality of image, can you say…NOT!  There is a substantial difference between video and image.  What your naked eye sees, is not the same as what is usable in surveillance.  Recognition quality images consist of several factors.

• The bigger the chip set, the better the quality of the image.
• Lens speed
• Focal length
• Lighting and depth of field
• Shifting conditions

Those are a few of the considerations necessary for a quality camera surveillance system.  There are some other factors to consider as well.  IP Camera, Mega-pixel camera or analog camera?  Each has its purpose, but the reality is that IP Cameras for the most part are on the way out for most manufacturers and Mega-Pixel cameras use allot of storage space for imagery.   If you want a surveillance system that has teeth, contact Rottweiler today for a site visit.

We have not even touched on the newer analytics or communication factors that are now available.  So if you want a surveillance system that does more than just record, Rottweiler has the products that can alert you of activity on your property as it happens.  Proactive surveillance camera systems can be very affordable if you installed the right camera to begin with.  Know when trespassing, loitering, or property probing occurs rather than after an event happens to determine what happened. 

Just like our Web-Enabled Security Systems, Rottweiler believes that a proactive approach to security is better to reactive.  Knowing that something as or is about to occur is better than the time it takes to investigate what happen that distracts you from your every day business operations.  For the same price you could have a Rottweiler trained camera installer and subsequently a better camera solution rather than contracting untrained installers, which in  the end can be VERY costly.

Save your money, call Rottweiler today!  770-529-5678

In a bold move today, Rottweiler president Duke Smith announced that starting January 1st, 2011, every new 36 month contract will receive cellular monitoring service without additional fees for the duration of the 36 months.  Traditionally, better security companies offer dial up monitoring services for $ 18.95 per month but leave customers vulnerable to line cut issues or weld customers for higher rates for monitored cellular services. 

By Rottweiler’s move, customers are provided cellular monitoring services solveing the issues of line disconnects, line cut vulnerabilities and similar list of vulnerability issues created by use of VoIP providers.   It also resolves a whole host of hidden issues users have experienced that have migrated to AT&T U-verse services, Comcast Xfinity Services or other Internet ordered VoIP products.  Products that often prohibit dial up reporting of alarms and intrusion and subsequently continue leaving home owners vulnerable to line cuts.

Mr. Smith stated, “because of the volume of cellular users Rottweiler services, we were able to negotiate a better rate plan from our cellular carrier, thus creating the ability to pass the savings on to our customers and provide a better protection plan at the same rate that other providers provide for dial-up.”  He also stated that “it provides an unmatched commitment to provide the best products available at a terrific price.  It’s a bold move, I know, but those who realize the importance of security realize Rottweiler will continue to drive the market.”

Rottweiler believes that ever security system should communicate within seconds to the subscriber.  Their field proven web-enabled systems offer a full list of options for users that also want an even better view of security information.

Rottweiler also offers surveillance camera systems that provide video analytics which alert you when alarming issues occur.  What is interesting is that you no longer have to replace every camera to take advantage of the video analytics!  Rottweiler also provides apartment complex security, access systems, vehicle tracking systems, business VoIP telephone systems and personal emergency response systems.

With the changing of the time next week comes an opportunity to again remind our readers that it is time to test smoke detectors and for those still using the battery operated ones, to replace the batteries in them.  If your security system has a service light lite on a keypad it is time to address the issue.  This season also presents another opportunity for you to go ahead and test your security system at the same time. 

When you test a security system you are testing several things.  First the ability for the system to communicate to monitoring and second the monitoring stations ability to communicate to you the alarm you.  Obviously if either fail you need to contact Rottweiler Security for resolution to the security issue.

It’s also a great time to mention what you should do in the event you have triggered your system into what is often referred to as a “False Alarm”.  Here are a few tips;

• Stay calm.  If you have “fat fingered” your code take a deep breath and try to remember your code.  Often the siren will start to sound and that usually causes a little panic in remembering your access code.  So take a deep breath and try to enter your code again.
• If you are the one that has triggered the false alarm be prepared to give your password to monitoring when they contact you. 
• If you are not the person called, contact the authority who is the one called to let them know you have triggered the alarm and for them to expect a call.
• Once you have triggered the alarm and received your responses, now is the time to make assessment and rate your system for the effectiveness of the alarm system.

There are some underlying questions you need to ask.  What is effective?  Did monitoring contact you and contact you quickly?  If either of those questions a no, then it is time to review what failed and take appropriate actions.  Our Rottweiler Web-Enabled Systems will text messages to all users in your community of notification partners.  Make sure that all users did receive the notification.

With the holidays coming up you will want to give advance notification for any security system that will need to be installed and any issues discovered addressed promptly.  We only have a few weeks before the holidays start and we want to make sure that everyone has a safe holiday whether you are home, away or have added guests in your home!

With the arrival of the cooler temperatures in Atlanta comes the increase need for heat within the home.   Consequently, most homes in Atlanta burn combustible fuels (propane, natural gas, wood and fuel oil) to provide that heat.  Multiple issues arrise with the burning of fuels, but the primary two deadly issues are carbon monoxide poisoning (a by product of a fire or combustion) and smoke inhalation which often contains many different kinds of toxic, airborne and deadly byproducts.

The deadly fire in Gwinnett County for a woman in her late 40′s should be a wake up call for many Atlanta residence.  It was reported that this was the 2nd fire in her home this year, the first on April 23, 2010.    What is troubling for me is that it appears that she did not take corrective action from the first fire.  What also may surprise you is that we often see many of the mistakes in homes throughout the Atlanta area.

Better than 90% of sites we visit for security alarm systems lack security safety devices.  Smoke detectors are often placed in wrong locations, are improperly installed, aged beyond the 10 year recommendation or are insufficient because of the already mentioned issues.  Because we care about our customers, we felt it was time to remind folks of the respect we need to have for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

So here are some basic safety questions that you need to ask  yourself about detectors.

1. When were the smoke detectors purchased?  (If older than 10 years, replace them.  Every manufacturer recommends replacement every 10 years.)
2. Where are they located? (You need one in every sleeping room and by every furnace or water heater.)
3. When did you test them last?  (Test them monthly)
4. Should they trigger, is anyone notified?  (attach them to your monitored security system!)
5. Do you have a carbon monoxide detector by your furnace or water heater?

How you answered those questions and consequently the action you take (or don’t) may determine your survival of the upcoming winter and associated cooler temperatures that may force the issues to the surface.  Taking the time to review detector locations, subsequently testing the detectors, updating units and replacement of aged or defective detectors in your home are wise choices that you will not regret.

In the last couple of months I have found it interesting the number of phone calls received from businesses that have tried to implement some form of SIP communications system.  After enough pain experienced, business owners call very frustrated in their attempts to resolve the issues.  Good news is, we still take frustrated customers. 

The first one came from a company in Calhoun, Georgia that had bought a product at a wholesale club.  This was a surprise for me because the last I heard, wholesale clubs were in the business of selling food, jewelry, lawn furniture and other consumable items but not in the phone business! 

This customer stated that the system just was not working for him.  He was tired of dealing with the constant issues and felt he spent his time managing the “phone system” and not his business.  They bought a Samsung OfficeServ 7100 from Rottweiler Systems and the last conversation that he had with me stated he was impressed how versitle it is.

Since that system installation, we have had multiple customers with similar issues trying to run their businesses with VoIP lines, another using a “talkswitch” and yet another that had finally given up of using an Internet SIP solution placing the phones in boxes in a closet.  With similar encounters of  problematic issues it becomes necessary to bridge the topic of SIP.  

It has been my observation that any time someone has to explain how something works (as they are selling it), that it will cost you more money the closer towards the “yes” that the salesman is looking to receive from you.  I believe this is very true of SIP and the way it is being marketed.  Often explained as VoIP, (which it actually is not), customer service reps and associated sales staff often diagram that it is what makes an Internet phone work, that too is incorrect.  So lets clarify what is SIP and what is SIP Trunking?

What is SIP?  In its simplest form SIP is an application.  The biggest use of this application is found in the Internet world and is used in the set up and tear down of voice calls and video applications that are used with newer IP telephones. 

Here are a few suggestions when considering purchasing a product that uses SIP or the vendor offering it.

• Don’t purchase SIP services from an Internet entrepreneur that is trying their hand in the “phone-business”.  You may find that two years ago they worked the help desk of the local computer service center.  So, the first rule is…if the vendor you are considering has been in business less than 5 years, don’t carry the conversation any further. 
• Don’t sign any contract that locks you into service for years into the future.  Good vendors don’t require contracts of longevity.  However, we know that uninformed and unsuspecting businesses make the mistake of moving too quickly and often will.
• Don’t let a SIP provider provide you with your business numbers!  This will cause you the greatest pain when you can’t take their pain any longer. 
• If they don’t have local field technicians, don’t buy it!  You’ll be throwing away your money.
• Make sure that any IP phones purchased carry a warranty longer than any contract.  Didn’t I say don’t sign a contract?
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  

With promises of savings, hosted VoIP companies that utilize SIP often look like this.  First they’ll sell you their version of SIP phones (that will be your first gulp), then there usually is an installation charge (usually in the hundreds of dollars) and then soon to follow will be the technical support calls.  Prior to this they often will bring a contract.  At that you should run!  Often accompanied by an illusion of savings, which if you look at it long enough will make you wonder.

I believe that SIP is here to stay and that businesses will continue to implement various versions of telephone equipment that utilize SIP and will use this form of communication.  In my opinion, Samsung makes the best VoIP phones on the market today and in Atlanta, Rottweiler Systems does the best installations of VoIP business systems.

SIP, implement it correctly and you will be satisfied, but if you don’t hire the right company, the taste of SIP will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

For those that know us well, know that we began our business implementing a new product called DSL.  In the early 1990′s it was the buzz and a hot new product.  Today it is more like a legacy product but for many is still hard to identify the issues of faulty operation.  What a nightmare of issues delivery brought us for a few years,  until what was then called Bellsouth, now at&t, started deploying the product throughout it’s domain.  Now we have a new product trying to make inroads called Hosted PBX that uses quite a few similarities.

A “new” concept that seems to be infecting our business community has appeared called “Hosted PBX” (often called virtual PBX), or is it new?  Let’s just take a look at the architecture of the product before we have any conclusions, shall we?

Hosted PBX creates “little islands” of businesses that share in a much larger system and its resources.  What that adds up to is that your business will share in both resources and technical support staff when you have issues.  Rather than a company investing in their own system they “rent space” on a monthly basis.  Payments do not end at the end of the contract term and you must buy the phones.  Business customers also will pay an account setup fee as well.  Sound like a deal yet?

We witnessed the concept in the 1980′s with MaBell, called Essex service.  Expensive service, few features and administrative overhead for service tickets or assistance.  Little has changed with the Hosted PBX concept.

Where are the savings that are often illustrated with Hosted PBX?  Well actually, there are none.  The idea that somehow you will will save money often is overlooked until you discover the actual costs involved within the contract.  Just as in the traditional systems model, business owners are responsible for their structured wiring in the business.  Business owners are also responsible to install and maintain the other electronic devices associated with the networks as well and here is the “Gotchas”.  Hosted PBX companies are often across the country and don’t (and won’t I might add) dispatch to service any of the above issues, which leaves you ”isolated from working service”.

Often contractors do not follow the wiring standards associated with business communications standards and electrical contractors often do not provide the necessary testing results when wiring is initially installed.

The better choice is to purchase a quality business telecommucations system for the office.  A small investment now will provide you with its associated Return on Investment later on down the road.  Now if you are still interested in a Hosted PBX solution, and have your business in Atlanta, may I suggest ours?  Here is why.

1. We first assess the network to insure that it can sustain the added data transmission necessary with VoIP Telephone Systems.
2. What areas need to be resolved can be discussed at length.  Addressing areas of concern now make for a lasting relationship when your business stays in business. 
3. If there is an issue with the Hosted PBX service, we can resolve it quickly.  You are still responsible for your site infrastructure and associated service fees, but your business is not island without service because we are local to Atlanta and have the resources to address any issue.
4. Best part of all, the phones you buy for the service, can be implemented into your own system down the road when you grow.  Keeping your investment within your business makes good business sense.

Our commitment to “Working Service” guards our customers against both foreign companies that prey on unsuspecting customers within the Atlanta area.  If you contract with a hosted pbx company, make sure they will come to your site.  If you don’t, you may be in isolation from working service.

How sweet it is to see Samsung BCS return with a sweet & sexy phone once again!  Rottweiler Systems, Inc., Metro Atlanta’s Samsung Certified Dealer is proud to announce the launch of two new products from Samsung.  The Samsung SMT-i VoIP telephones and the OfficeServ Communicator software application that ties video and instant messaging to your business telephone.   Both products are used with the OfficeServ family of business communication products and again place Samsung ahead of other business systems in the market.

Rottweiler’s commitment to bring only the best in communications and security solutions to the business community here in Georgia is also found in our decision to continue to provide and support of Samsung business phone systems.  Observing other products fail over the years, and making the right decision to purchase and maintain Samsung as your communications core has proven to be one smart move.

Currently Samsung is the number one purchased phone system in America.  Why?  It works and does not require the IT staff to maintain it, is easy to set up and users don’t plague the management with complaints.  Put it in the closet and let it run.  Return of Investment comes quick and cost is of little issue either because of the Businses Advantage Choice Rewards and 0% leasing (part of the BACR program) offered by Rottweiler.  Unlike other more expensive obsolete systems, or their evil twin sister (that robs you monthly) called “hosted PBX”, Samsung delivers the most economical system for the dollar invested in the business today.  Cost of ownership usually has continual  Return of Investment and is guarded with the Samsung 5 year manufacturers warranty.  Add the 0% lease option by Rottweiler and you have a winning hand.

Rottweiler Systems is excited to see this improvement to the existing family of phones and applications, specifically OfficeServ Communicator.  OfficeServ Communicator comes in two versions;  Basic and Professional which provide you with many new and advanced features.   Samsung’s OfficeServ Communicator and Messenger are all bundled together with the versatility and cost saving features that are a part of VoIP and can be installed with any OfficeServ 7000 series business phone system.

Link your Microsoft Outlook to OfficeServ Communicator and you now have a mobile office as you travel.  OfficeServ Communicator also acts as an out-of-the-box softphone as well.  One of the nicest features of OfficeServ Communicator is the built in Instant Messenger client that allows your business to control the IM messaging that has caused network security penetrations for many companies.

Rottweiler provides Web-Enabled Security systems, economical VoIP hosted solutions and surveilance camera systems as well as a host of other products.

We have seen some very interesting issues over the last 24 months and never have I witnessed some of the surprises that some of our new customers have encountered lately.  Case in point, a calling customer described their discovery of the evaporation of the unstable equipment vendor they used when a security system activated and also the domino failure of vendors of the entire notification system.  How did it happen?  

When they arrived to their warehouse and opened the door, out flowed the water that had been gushing out during the night while the plant was closed.  Information from the customer’s water bill, reported some 20,000 gallons of water had flowed into and through their warehouse manufacturing facility.  The damages to their facility wasn’t their final surprise either.   

The obvious question surfaced, why wasn’t someone notified.   In the pursuit of the answer the customer discovered that the company that had installed the equipment, had vanished.  Evaporated, phone-turned-off and no further information available.  Next they contacted the company that sent them their bill monthly for the monthly services.  Low and behold they had no information listed for the account!  No contact information, no numbers and no signals.  The business became the victim of  “sold to another company”.  The purchasing company did not have a record of the customer or customer contacts, yet billed and subsequently cashed payments for the fire system monitoring.  Monitoring company blind!  On a FIRE SYSTEM! 

Unfortunately we have seen this over and over again in the last 24 months.  The alarm industry is not the only industry that has seen this either.  We have seen it in multiple manufacturers, banks, telecommunication companies and even some government municipality organizations.

But when it comes to a security system and for your protection, you need heads up.  When you don’t have it, problems like this above are caused and often surface after the damage is done.  Rottweiler systems not only give you “heads-up” details but also provide you with the ability to arm, disarm and open doors or activate lights.

Just as important, we also provide a web tool called our “web sight” that allows you to view all the details of billing history and service history, contracts and other documents that are involved with your security system.

If you choose, you do not have to remain uninformed any longer.  A Rottweiler system is a great investment and to provide you with “real security” we provide you with insight into your security system and our belief is that you also need to have access to the records that involve your account as well.

* * * Remember to check your security systems once a month to insure that they are functioning correctly and the information that is on file works and has not changed.

With the resignation and/or the firing of General McCrystal last week started me thinking, is this another “Wag the dog” distraction from a seated democratic President?  To determine its roots, you have to look at the original event that keyed the term “Wag the Dog”.  Ironically, this time it happens to the leadership charged with military action in the same clouded country of controversy, Afghanistan.  Now you might ask the question, what does this have to do with Rottweiler and ”wag the dog” issues in security or telecommunications?  The problem is actually very common in our industry.

When a dog wags its tail that usually means it is happy, expects some admiration from the owner or a reward.  But when the tail wags the dog in  the Rottweiler world though, it is just the opposite.  The cause of such wagging of the dog?  Summer.  Georgia’s stretch of continuous days of heat and thunderstorms have caused equipment outage calls all over Atlanta due to lightning, power surges and heat stressed overloads.  What can your business do to help stop the wagging of the Rottweiler dog?

1. Make sure you have a large enough backup power supply to carry the power load of your critical equipment that runs your business when the power goes out.  If you have batteries in your system, do a simple power outage test by removing power to the backup unit.  If it fails, replace it.
2. Conduct a simple lightning inspection review of your lines, power backup units and look for vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.  If you are not certain how to do that, have a professional take a look at it.
3. Check to see if your business insurance covers lightning damage and update your policy.  If you don’t need this rider on the policy, you may and the cost of equipment replacement exceeds the cost of the insurance.
4. Take time to call the vendor that you are using to insure they are still in business and support your system.  2009 was a year of purge in equipment vendors and the necessity to find a vendor may increase your down time, your delivery of service and repair for a failed system.
5. Our Web Enabled Security Systems transmit notification of power outages to personnel so that when you have an outage of power at the office you can take the action necessary prior to other staff members arriving to find numerous issues when they arrive, giving you the proactive edge.  It also has a cellular unit and is not telephone line dependent.
6. If you have other critical equipment such as generators, freezers or water pump failures our Environmental Security Notification Systems can notify you of temperature drops, pump failures and generator on / off activity.  (It can also notify you of fuel levels).
7. Explore system replacement and upgrade options.  If you are already on the brink of replacement, take the time to get the review costs and start addressing issues that will be required in the preparation of equipment requirements.  If it needs a data rack, put it in place.  New electrical receptacle, get it installed.  A little foresight takes the stress away and proper planning just makes things smoother.

Good leadership takes action as appropriate which brings me back to General McCrystal.  Why was General McCrystal assigned the task in Afghanistan?  Answer, the same reason he was fired / resigned…he spoke his mind.  Had McCrystal remained silent we would not have had a shining light towards the leadership in charge of the Afghanistan war and consequently the lives of America’s young service men.  You may disagree with this statement, but when you look at the indecisiveness of the current administration and their lack in developing a stable government that can withstand the political pressure of the various sects in the country of Afghanistan, you too will question our current leadership staff at the White House.  The problem with poor leadership is their inability to address the issue.

Our best advice, which may be your best solution, is to take a few minutes, follow the few steps we have listed above and if your business experiences an equipment outage you will have taken some steps so that it will resolve quicker, your business will stay in business and you will have helped stop the the wagging of the dog .