What is the difference between a commercial and a residential security system? Who has access to the building and when? How are special areas such as storerooms, restaurant cooking facilities, or cash registers protected? What special regulations need to be met for securing elevators, stairwells, or parking lots? How will data storage and playback issues…
Do you hear a faint chirping noise coming from the back hallway or the basement? Don’t ignore it. It might be your smoke detector. Smoke detectors are designed to chirp or beep when they need servicing. Common Reasons for Smoke Alarm to Beep When the battery in your smoke alarm is starting to get weak,…
Low-Crime Neighborhoods of Detroit SafeWise released its rankings of Michigan’s 20 Safest Cities of 2021. On the 2021 list, 9 of the 20 cities are considered suburbs of Detroit. They include: Gross Ile Township #3 Oakland Township #4 Huntington Woods #9 South Lyon #13 Addison Township #16 Highland Township #17 Rochester #18 Berkley #19 Brandon Township…
Wired or Wireless? When we talk about wired versus wireless in-home security, it has little to do with whether a piece of equipment has physical wires attached to it. The terms wired and wireless refer to the communication signal that is transmitted from one piece of security equipment to another. For a security system to…
The Difference in Security Cameras Cameras are one of the most critical components in your security arsenal, and not all security cameras are the same. Why you ask? Consider these differences: Various types and sizes of cameras Indoor vs. outdoor cameras Cameras that are easy to camouflage Cameras that provide high-quality video footage Wired cameras vs….
Most large commercial-grade fire alarm systems today are an addressable fire alarm system. Addressable fire alarm systems, also known as addressable fire panels, give every smoke detector or sprinkler head on the system its own uniquely identifiable address or call point. When any sensor on the system is triggered, the main control panel shows exactly which device or point was triggered to pinpoint…
Are Contracts Required with All Security Companies? No. Not all security companies require a contract, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a no-contract company is a better option. There are pros and cons to contracts. The key is to know what you are paying for in a contract and details about the reputation of the company. …
Hidden Security Cameras When it comes to security cameras, you can choose whether you want them installed in visible locations or have them hidden within your building. There are two different perspectives with this topic. Keep them in plain sight to deter crimes from occurring. Thieves are less likely to target your home or business if…
Security Camera Night Vision Light is crucial for a camera to work. Without light, the camera can’t see anything, so how do security cameras work at night? Infrared radiation (IR), or infrared light, is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to human eyes. It is essentially energy, a heat, that all objects emanate….
Smoke Detector Placement Fire can spread extremely fast. In just minutes, a building can be fully engulfed in flames. Smoke detectors are critical to give people inside homes and commercial buildings early warnings so they have time to get out. Proper smoke detector placement is also key when it comes to keeping your home or business safe. Residential Smoke Detector Placements At a minimum, The National Fire Protection…
What Is Fire? Fire is the result of a chemical reaction called oxidation. Oxidation is the combination of oxygen with another substance. In the case of a fire, the oxidation happens so quickly that light, heat, and sound are released. A fire needs oxygen, heat and fuel to burn. These factors are frequently referred to…
Is it legal for you to break into your own house?
Cloud-based solutions often have a predictable subscription model with low upfront hardware costs and minimal ongoing IT demands. On-prem systems may seem cheaper initially, but costs pile up over time with server maintenance, manual updates, IT support, and hardware replacements. Over 5 years, cloud typically wins in both cost-efficiency and value delivered.
With cloud-based security, notifications and live video are instantly accessible via smartphone or browser. You can view the situation, lock down doors, or contact authorities in real time. On-prem systems require someone to be physically present or logged into a secure network, which can cause critical delays during emergencies.
Cloud-based access control gives you detailed audit trails and user access logs in real time. You can quickly add, remove, or change permissions—even for specific timeframes or doors. On-prem systems require more manual intervention, and reporting is often limited or outdated, increasing the risk of unauthorized access slipping through the cracks.
With cloud security, the vendor takes care of updates, backups, cybersecurity protocols, and uptime monitoring. Your internal team can focus on strategic operations rather than system upkeep. On-prem solutions put all responsibility—security, backups, redundancy—on your team, which can be both costly and risky if something’s missed.
Cloud systems offer unmatched agility. You can roll out new features, onboard users, reconfigure access rules, or connect new devices almost instantly—no need for site visits or system reprogramming. On-prem systems are harder to reconfigure and scale, often requiring technician visits, downtime, and hardware limitations that slow you down when agility is key.