Does Your Business Have a Big Brother?

As you all should have, I was reading the latest Duct Tape Marketing blog the other day.  It was a small blurb about a podcast interview with the Executive Director of AT&T’s Small Business Group.  A great interview discussing some of the products and services AT&T has specifically designed for small businesses.  The one service that really caught my attention was the Remote Monitor Service.  This is probably, in part, due to my healthy fascination with automation and security.

The podcast prompted me to take a look at Remote Monitor, as well as alternative products and services, and how small business owners can use these tools to improve their businesses.  I’ve actually had a bit of experience with security systems and remote monitoring, but never with a service.  I’ve installed a security system and video recording system with remote monitoring.  Both installations took a significant amount of time.  AT&T’s installation looks like a simple process for your average business owner.

AT&T’s service:

After reviewing AT&T’s service, it really looks like a great option for small business owners that want to keep track of what’s going on in their business when they aren’t there.  In your service, you can include the following types of sensors: video cameras, video cameras with pan & tilt, door & window sensors, and temperature sensors.  All you need in addition to the system is a high speed Internet connection at your office.  You’ll be able to view the cameras from anywhere in the world and you can get notifications on your mobile phone when the sensors are triggered like an open door or a change in temperature.  Monitoring your small business has never been so easy and affordable - and it could save you significant time and money.

Usage examples:

• A restaurant owner could install temperature controllers in their refrigerators.  Real-time notification is sent to their mobile phone if a drop in temperature is sensed.  That could save the owner money, time, and reputation.
• A jewelry store owner could install video cameras and door and window sensors.  If a door is opened after hours, the owner will receive notification on their mobile phone.  Then they can log in to the cameras to see whether the person entering the store is someone who should be there.  Again, that could potentially save the owner significant time and money.

Alternatives:

AT&T’s service is actually the reselling of a service by a company called XANBOO, which is also resold by Motorola.  So, you really have three different choices to purchase the same remote monitoring hardware and service.  All three require an up-front hardware purchase and a monthly monitoring service fee.  It seems that AT&T is actually the cheapest, however.

A great alternative is a product called Home Heartbeat.  This is a great system because you can add water valves and water sensors.  They currently don’t have cameras available, but they plan on adding this capability.  The upfront and monitoring service cost is about the same as the AT&T service.

Another alternative is just going with a video system, and possibly a standard security system.  You can purchase a monitor-able video system at a store, like SmartHomeUSA.com, and not have to pay a monthly service fee.  You’ll just have to get to a computer on the Internet to view the video.  You can add on a custom or installed security system and pay a monthly fee for monitoring.  There are practically limitless alternatives in security system monitoring.

Conclusions:

If security and monitoring are important to you, you should take a good look at using one of these tools.  They may cost some money, but think of the potential savings and piece of mind they will bring to you.  If you run the type of business that handles cash and/or product, you should definitely have one of these services.  Even if, like me, knowledge and data is your product you should consider some level of security beyond a lock.

Dan
I am my own big brother

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