There is now an alarm system which combines both alarm and home automation capabilities into one very simple unit. The name  is Go Control,  produced by 2 Gig Techonlogies, Inc. I describe it as follows: “simple, easy to use, and cutting edge”. Go Control allows you to control it via the internet / smartphone app, or with the cool touch screen. The best thing about this is that it is so simple to add equipment. This means you can start small and add cameras, keypads, motion detectors, when you want them.

Apex Protection Services, LLC has installed many of the Go Control alarm packages and ALL of the customers are just in awe as to how simple it is to operate. As an alarm company who highly values our customers, Apex Protection Services, LLC would not use, install or support any equipment that does not meet our high standards. Below are a few things the Go Control alarm system provides:

• Clear, simple and easy touchscreen control for the owner
• Internet and Smartphone aps
• Wireless monitoring (no more phone lines needed)
• Home automation (including lighting control, thermostat control, etc)
• Apex Protection Services, LLC is offering discounted prices to install and monitor this cutting edge system!

Here is a link to some Utube videos  showing all the capabilities of Go Control:

http://youtu.be/rkCFpa48Jag

keywords: Apex, Apex Protection Services, Go Control, 2gig, Alarm, alarm system, home automation, monitoring

Today, I want to discuss some common service calls that Apex Protection Services responds to every Holiday Season.

The first and most common service call Apex Protection responds to is ” my door is no longer working with the alarm system”.  Now, any other time of year, this could be anything; however, this time of year the most common cause is a wreath hanger covering the magnet in the door. This breaks the connection between the magnet and sensor, making the door’s zone show “open” or “faulted”.  Now, some people go ” hey, put the hanger on and the door stopped working, I remove it and the door STILL does not work, what’s up?” Solution, the magnet probably stuck to the hanger when it was removed. Check the hanger, check to see if there is a hole in the door (about the size of your pinky finger, normally)

Next service call that Apex Protection responds to is; motion sensor(s) sending a ”false alarm”. Usually the simple solution is something is in the line of the motion which may move when the home’s heating turns on, maybe the motion is right above or below a vent (a blast of heat can trip a motion), or the Christmas Tree is right in front of the motion.  With motions, just be aware of where decorations, etc are being placed. Maybe have someone watch the keypad and you wiggle stuff a little and see if it trips any motions (if you have motions).

Another service call Apex Proteciton responds to is; Fire Alarms. Alot of cooking is going on this time of year, and some things may go wrong, creating smoke. If your smoke detector goes off, enter your code at the keypad (dis-arm) but do not press reset (with DSC this may be a seperate function for fire alarm zone), until you clear all the smoke out and you may even “fan” the actual smoke detector(s), then you can reset the system.

Finally, the last kind of service call, “we are going out of town tomorrow/tonight and the system is not working, can you come out now”.  Apex Protection Services, LLC has no problem accomodationg anyone, day or night but, it is an extra charge for a Hot Shot service call. A $65.00 service could jump to $100.00 or more based on the problem… and other companies are the same. Help out your alarm company and test the alarm system a couple weeks in advance so you can give sufficient notice to your service provider if you indeed have a problem. (9-10 times your problem would be a “low battery” as they only last 2-4 years).

Have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season,

Shane Turner, Owner

keywords: service, service call, Apex, Apex Protection, door, holiday, Holiday Cheer, false alarm

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/10/new_council_map_now_out_of_cit.php

Keywords: City of Dallas, Dallas, Council

This new glass break can be inserted (recessed) into the ceiling or wall. It is about the size of a half dollar, but powerful enough to respond in an instant. This small unit will cover a 15 square foot area.

http://www.securityworldnews.com/2011/05/16/how-to-efficiently-place-security-cameras/

keywords: cameras, Apex Protection Services, install, camera location, surveillance, security camera

Here is the link to the article…

http://www.securityworldnews.com/2011/05/21/home-alarm-monitoring-systems/

Shane Turner, Owner

Keywords: Apex Protection Services, Apex, Home Alarm, Alarm, Wireless, Wired, Home Security

Thanks,

Shane Turner- Owner

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Dealers/1321605?pageNum=1

Keywords in article: Apex protection services, llc, Burglar, Alarm systems, Dallas, Scams, Wireless, Monitoring

Let me start by saying that Apex Protection Services, LLC takes the false alarm problem very seriously and are working hard to eliminate this problem. Most people don’t consider what kind of an effect a false alarm can have on both local police departments and the communities. Consider this… the city of Dallas, TX has at least 97-98% of all alarm calls turn out to be FALSE. Now, while local law enforcement is responding to these false alarms, actual crimes are happening elsewhere. At this point, the community is suffering on two fronts, A: not enough law enforcement response to actual crimes, and B: law enforcement is now, for the lack of a better description, not as quick to respond to alarm signals due to the amount of false alarms (the  Boy Who Cried Wolf syndrome)… and to be honest, who can blame them.

A solution that Dallas came up with is Verified Response, which was en-acted in 2005 and repealled two years later (below is a link to more info about this attempt).

http://www.dallas.org/node/84 This next link is an interview with then Dallas Police Chief, David Knunkle,  http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/04/mayoral_candidate_david_kunkle.php

What most cities have done to help deflate false alarm rates is to require Alarm Permits for an anual fee (some are every 2 years).  Obviously, this is not the type of problem that a simple solution as this will fix.                                                           So, how can you and I work to really curb this false alarm problem? Here are some ideas:

(1) Choose an alarm company that has a low false alarm rate. (call your local PD and they should be able to inform you to which companies are more susetible to false alarms).

(2) Know your alarm system and use it often, this will allow you to stay familiar with it. Many false alarms are due to customers not knowing how to disarm the system, move into a home with one and start pressing buttons, not knowing that it is still linked to Central Station, or just don’t use it until vacation time and can’t remember how to use it. Call Apex Protection, or your alarm provider for a review of your system today.

(3) Remember, you get what you pay for. Anyone selling a system for 99.00, or any deal like this… isn’t charging enough to take the time and make sure that, (a) the system is installed and programmed correctly, and (b) that you, the owner and user of the system, are well trained on how the system works.

Keywords in article: Apex, Dallas, Dallas PD, alarm permits, false alarms, local news

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Legislation/1321408

Shane Turner, Owner

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