Jason Smith
BuyerZone.com Editorial Staff

Would it make sense to have tens of thousands of dollars of inventory but no way to protect it from theft or vandalism? Or to risk the invaluable customer data that modern criminals crave? Burglar alarm systems can prevent the havoc and disruption caused by theft and break-ins.

What do burglar alarm systems do?

A burglar alarm system helps detect unauthorized entry onto your company's premises. When tripped, the system sends a signal to a central monitoring center. These monitoring centers provide 24/7 service and will alert local police to dispatch authorities to the scene.

Burglar alarm systems misconceptions

You may be asking yourself a ton of questions about burglar alarm systems. Are they for me? Can I afford one? Are they difficult to use and install? Let's run through the myths of burglar alarm systems and try to put your concerns to rest:

Myth #1: They're too expensive. These days, a burglar alarm system for businesses are quite affordable - a small business can get a basic system for a few hundred dollars. Many vendors provide the equipment and installation for a modest fee and charge a low monthly monitoring rate.

Myth #2: There's no value to my bottom line. You may never need it, but the small total cost will pale in comparison to the losses you could realize without protection - your equipment, merchandise, customer information, operation uptime, and even employee confidence that you run a safe work environment.

Myth #3: They're too hard to use. Operating a burglar alarm system can be as simple as memorizing a few numbers that make up your passcode.

Myth #4: I don't have time to train employees. It typically takes under an hour to explain and demonstrate how burglar alarm systems work.

Myth #5: The system won't work if my phone lines are cut or I lose power. Most burglar alarm systems are equipped with sophisticated battery and/or cellular backup systems that kick in right away should your power or phone connection fail.

Myth #6: False alarms will have us "crying wolf." Many burglar alarm systems allow you to cancel alarms yourself. There are also audible delay features to give authorized personnel time to prove to the monitoring station that they belong there.

Myth #7: They take too long to install. A burglar alarm system for a small-to-medium sized business can be installed in 4-8 hours. A provider can have your alarm up and running and your staff trained within a single workday.

Myth #8: I don't need one; I have insurance. Insurance exists to replace lost, stolen, or damaged property. But it can't replace the losses your company experiences due to downtime. What happens if an intruder rips up your phone system or smashes your servers? How about if they steal confidential information about your customers or partners? Insurance won't reimburse you for business lost or the fear your customers experience from having their identity tampered with.

With a monitored burglar alarm system installed, your business benefits are two-fold - you prevent people from breaking in and stealing or damaging your merchandise, equipment and information, and you also maintain your ability to keep your business running.