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Energy Efficient Ways to Automate Your SMBs Security

June 13, 2013 by jthompson Leave a Comment

By Kate Lee, Marketing Specialist at My Alarm Center, a residential and small business alarm monitoring service provider. The company’s flagship service, MyHome, offers mobile home control and monitoring, the newest technology available in the market.

At one time or another, we have all experienced the feeling of vulnerability concerning security systems in our place of business. Nobody wants to be that co-worker who leaves a door or window open for a potential intruder to gain access to the building, costing your business hundreds or even thousands of dollars in stolen property and office equipment, not to mention putting an employee’s health at risk.. Such worry can easily be eliminated by making the switch to automating your businesses security system.

Securing your business is important for many reasons, but how can you do this while also saving money and energy?

Automating your business’s security system can save you money and protect your office when you’re out. . The latest in security technology integrates automation systems that are easily customized to your business’s busy schedule. These security systems save energy by allowing you to control your business’s cameras and other appliances remotely while monitoring them via the internet.

Many of the newer systems on the market today end up paying for themselves several times over as a result of the energy costs savings. Newer security devices allow you to remotely turn off exterior lights, control the thermostat, and adjust camera and surveillance settings. Being able to automate security systems — and even lighting and temperature control within the office after peak hours — can shave substantial dollars from your monthly electric and heating bills. Installing a remotely-operated security system and surveillance system can also eliminate the cost of having on-premises security personnel –an expense which can add up greatly over time.

The following energy efficient products will allow you to remotely secure your business while also saving energy… and undue stress.

Night Owl LION-4500 Four-Channel Video Surveillance System

Whether you are away on business or the office is closed, this video surveillance system allows you to remotely monitor the activities of your business. Placing your cameras in strategic locations grants you the ability to track anything that goes on in and around your business. Video footage is fed through the internet so anywhere with a Web connection can serve as your “eye in the sky.” Whether your business is on the top floor of a high-rise or a warehouse in the suburbs, these cameras allow you to observe every aspect of your business on a daily basis. This product helps save energy by allowing you to record during specific times of the day rather than leaving surveillance on during all hours of the day.

Mini 2-Inch Spy Camera DVR with Screen

Unlike traditional security cameras which alert would-be-intruders to their presence, affording them an opportunity to circumvent an alarm system, this system is rather James Bond-esque as it captures audio and video footage while going completely undetected. Place this camera inside your office or above side doors and alternate entrances to track any suspicious activity around your office. This camera has instant play-back and live video features and will allow you to capture any intruder’s noises and actions without alerting them to the fact that they are being watched.

4-Pack Mini Magnetic Contact Alarms

No matter the size or location of your business, this product can offer powerful protection for any office space. Place these tiny alarms near any window or door and you will be immediately alerted when they are opened. This will make you aware of when people are coming and going and help ensure every window and door is closed before leaving the office. Not only will this increase your security, but it’s battery-powered system can save you on energy costs.

We know how time consuming running a business can be. With the endless meetings and client trips, the security of your office space should be one less worry. Automating your security system with the aforementioned products can help keep you and your co-workers safe, not to mention save your business energy and money!

How to make your business more appealing to new and existing workers

May 25, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Right now the economy sucks; there is no other way to say it. Yes, the political spin mongers are out there telling us about how rosy it is supposedly getting, but I like that old Mark Twain quote “There are lies, damn lies, and statistics,” (thanks to : Mark Twain. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved May 25, 2010, from Brainy Quote: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marktwain128372.html)

The thing is that this recession shall pass, and American business will go on-changed but persevering. At that time, American employers will need to concentrate on keeping and attracting new workers. One thing the American employee has learned from this recession is that they work far too much and enjoy far too little off time compared with the rest of the world (who view Americans as people who work themselves to death).
Here is a wonderful article on the issue: http://users.ipfw.edu/ruflethe/american.html

A company that I worked for seven years had a great incentive and they really didn’t realize it: Every year the business shut down for Christmas week (the week between Christmas and New Years). In a company that demanded a lot from its workers it was one thing that kept the standard front line employee from wandering off to other endeavors even though the company was very stingy with raises and was not the gold standard as far as benefits. The entire week was paid for by the employer.

Other ideas are comp time, 37.5 hour work week, summer business hours, and flex time. One thing I did when I lead a sales team was stagger the work week. On Monday morning we were in at 7am and generally worked until 6, but on Friday we came in at 8:30 and left at 3; in fact, if I saw Jr. sales reps or sales assistants in their cubical after 3:30, I officially kicked them out of the bull pen turned out the lights and locked the door. As a manager, HR wondered why “my people” were so loyal-gee it wasn’t that hard. Needless to say if I ever needed to ask for overtime from someone, it was cheerfully accepted, and I avoided asking very often and my sales people knew it.

Other things I have seen effective were buying the first round after work on Friday night at the local watering hole, giving a hard working but seldom recognized employee the company business card and saying, “take your wife-sweetheart out to dinner and a movie-companies buying (every thing but alcohol).”

Implement these ideas now, and when the big loosening of the economy comes you won’t find your business trying to lock the door’s to keep everyone from leaving. I have seen it from the other side as well, a company who sort of enjoyed being demanding, when the economy loosened they could not effectively conduct business, they did not have enough front line people. Also the growth of job sites like www.glassdoor.com are becoming a very usual part of a person’s job search, and you don’t want your company to be poorly rated here if you want to attract new employees.

Looking for a GeoVison Security Camera System to help secure your small or medium business? Call www.CameraSecurityNow.com today at 877-422-1907 for a free phone consultation. Ask about the new Hybrid DVR/NVR surveillance solutions.

10 Ways to Make Your SMB "Green"

December 15, 2009 by Sarah Leave a Comment

1. Adjust the AC. Once you’ve adjusted your office temperature to where you want it, turn it back a couple of degrees. Two-three degrees won’t really make a whole lot of difference and will definitely save your company money in the long run.

2. Check your light bulbs. When it’s time to change the light bulbs, it’s recommended you opt for more energy-friendly ones. They may cost slightly more but in the long run, they’ll save you money as they last up to ten times longer and work just as well.

3. Choose furniture wisely. Invest in furniture that’s going to last and won’t have to be changed every time you redecorate or get new technology. Good heavy duty, neutral furniture is yet another money safe.

4. Turn Your Computer Off. Lots of people leave their computers on over night and let them go into standby mode. This means your computer is using as almost much power as it did when you were using it throughout the day. Turn it off and better yet unplug it. Do the same for printers, copiers, and monitors, too.

5. Don’t over-light. If you have large windows in your office, take advantage of sunny days. Forego large overhead lighting for practically placed lamps. Don’t leave your office in the dark, but there’s not need for your lights to be so bright they’re blinding.

6. Look for the energy star. Most appliances have an energy-efficiency ratings these days. Always ask about that when purchasing new equipment. Some computers even turn themselves off after certain bouts of inactivity. Laptops are also cheaper to use as they can consume up to 90% less power than desktops.

7. Turn the lights out when you go. Make it a habit to turn the lights out whenever you leave a room, especially if you’re going to be gone for a while. No sense in wasting electricity and it really does make a difference on your power bill!

8. Motion Detectors. Another way to save money and not waste electricity is to install motion detector lights that turn on when someone enters a room and goes off when the room is free of motion for a certain period of time. These are great for bathrooms!

9. Control your outside lighting. If you have signs or lights outdoors that you forget to turn off or that run for long periods of time, have a time installed so that outdoor light doesn’t stay on on a 80 degree sunny day.

10. Find other ways to keep your office cool. Have a fan installed or make sure you have blinds or screens over your windows. These can knock a room temperature down several degrees and keep you from blasting the AC before you need to.