Yes I believe remote monitoring is becoming an ever more popular option when clients are faced with assessing their security requirements. As systems become evermore sophisticated and secure, the adoption of a well thought though use of integrated technology e.g. CCTV, Access Control and Remote Monitoring, can in many cases provide a comprehensive answer to the security functions a clients needs to address.
There is no doubt that there are many guarding companies who provide their clients with a high level of service, with well trained, conscientious and competent officers. However there are many instances where the end users experience is far from the case. The level of service they receive falls well below that which is required to adequately provide the degree of protection they require. Hence they turn to other means, which reduces the need for human involvement.
The use of remote monitoring is not the be all and end all when utilising it to prevent or deter various forms of crime. A number of studies have been carried out over previous years relating to the deployment of CCTV systems throughout towns and cities in the UK. It would appear from their overall findings that on the whole the use of CCTV/ Remote monitoring does not in many cases have any noticeable deterrent effect on what can be called spontaneous crimes such as assaults and disorder incidents involving alcohol or drugs. However there is evidence that the use of remote monitoring can when utilised in certain areas have a positive effect on premeditated crimes such as theft from or of vehicles.
As a large majority of individuals/organisations concerns relate to the threat of premeditated crimes such as burglary, theft and unauthorised access to their premises. The use of remote monitoring is therefore a valid option when considering its use against that of a manned guard.
Remote Monitoring v Manned Guarding.
One of the main benefits of remote monitoring over on-site manned guarding must be cost. To provide a manned presence on a site 24/7 with a minimum of three officers working on a rota basis and been paid £6.50 per hour, taking into account N.I plus holidays (excluding training, recruitment, uniform etc.) and working on a 10% gross profit. This would result in a yearly cost of over £70,000. Obviously there are high start up cost involved in the installation of a re mote monitoring facility and the ongoing cost of monitoring but the year on year savings against the manned guarding option would be considerable.
Many clients now choose adopt both facilities, whereby they retain the day officer to carry out daily functions which requires personal contact with personnel on site and switch to remote monitoring at night when the only requirement is for basic patrol duties and still achieve reduced cost.
Other benefits are:
1/ Remote monitoring can provide a wide coverage of surveillance allowing for multiple viewing of vulnerable arrears at any one time. Manned guarding alone can only be located at one point at any given time.
2/ Remote monitoring can provide clients with historical evidence of events and movements whereas clients can only rely for such information on what the security officer has recorded in his duty log.
3/ Remote monitoring can be alerted at once to any unauthorised access to a protected area. Security officers alone may only discover access been gained to site on hourly patrols, if then.
4/
Cameras don’t fail to turn up for work
Cameras don’t go to sleep.
Cameras are not late
Cameras don’t take holidays
Cameras don’t take you to a tribunal
Monitoring Provider
Regardless of how good the monitoring system is, it function is wholly dependent on the monitoring provider. Any client contemplating outsourcing their systems to an external provider must ensure that the providers operation is inspected first hand.
They must satisfy themselves that the provider has the infrastructure in place to support the service.
What is their management structure and what is its experience and background.
Is the monitoring function the main operation of the company or is it a small part of the overall services it provides.
Is the control room structured in such a way that the monitoring facility can be carried out in an uninterrupted manner or is it part of a control room dealing with other functions that may detract the operators.
What training do the operators undergo and what is their retention rate
What manning levels are employed within the control centre in relation to workload?
What levels of supervision are in place within the control centre at any given time?
What systems do they adopt to capture and record information and incidents.
What are their procedures and processes for maintaining client information.
Dependent on the monitoring requirement is the provider CAT1, CAT2 BS7499 certificated.
Taking monitoring out of house
Providing the monitoring provider is a recognised company there should be no security concerns as to outsourcing this facility. Again a client must satisfy himself or herself that the company in question complies with all the required legislation relating to their field of operation and that the systems they use are secure.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Eurotech Win Prestigious Dragon Award
Eurotech Monitoring Services Ltd with its CRS partners, Broadgate Estates and Knightsbridge Guarding Limited has been recognized for their commitment to Corporate Community Involvement (CCI), by winning the Social Inclusion of the Year category of the prestigious 22nd Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards.
The Award was presented with the award by Lord Mayor Ian Luder at an award ceremony at the Mansion House in the City of London on 15th October 2009.
Established in 1987 by the Lord Mayor Sir David Rowe-Ham, the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards (named after the mythical guardians of the City of London, which can be seen at the gates of the Square Mile financial district) is one of the oldest and most well-established schemes to reward companies and public offices across London for their Corporate Community Involvement initiatives, in six separate categories – Education, Economic Regeneration, Social Inclusion, Heart of the City, Lord Mayor’s Award and Volunteer of the Year.
Eurotech Monitoring Services, Broadgate Estates and Knightsbridge Guarding Limited beat off strong competition from 2 other entrants in the same category, including BT and Accenture.
Broadgate Estates launched the Reaching Out programme in 2007 in order to build the management and administrative functions of Cambridge House. In 2008 Knightsbridge Guarding Limited (offering CCTV and access control equipment) and Eurotech Monitoring (Offering Keyholding, Alarm Response and Mobile Patrols) became partners.
Cambridge House has benefited from services worth £212,000.00 and 28 days of pro bono specialist consultancy. This has enabled the charity to become more commercial and efficient and the staff and trustees are able to focus the service provision for all their clients. Services provided have included IT advise, use of a human resources management system, property management consultancy, CCTV, a keyholding and alarm response service, mobile patrols, health and safety and reception management training for Cambridge House staff, and cleaning contract advice.
Kevin Riley Director of Eurotech Monitoring says, “We are extremely proud to have won this award with the help of our business partners. Eurotech has integrated corporate social responsibility into our everyday business to contribute to sustainable economic development. We also work closely with our employees, the local community and society at large to improve the quality of life for people and the environment around us.”
The Award was presented with the award by Lord Mayor Ian Luder at an award ceremony at the Mansion House in the City of London on 15th October 2009.
Established in 1987 by the Lord Mayor Sir David Rowe-Ham, the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards (named after the mythical guardians of the City of London, which can be seen at the gates of the Square Mile financial district) is one of the oldest and most well-established schemes to reward companies and public offices across London for their Corporate Community Involvement initiatives, in six separate categories – Education, Economic Regeneration, Social Inclusion, Heart of the City, Lord Mayor’s Award and Volunteer of the Year.
Eurotech Monitoring Services, Broadgate Estates and Knightsbridge Guarding Limited beat off strong competition from 2 other entrants in the same category, including BT and Accenture.
Broadgate Estates launched the Reaching Out programme in 2007 in order to build the management and administrative functions of Cambridge House. In 2008 Knightsbridge Guarding Limited (offering CCTV and access control equipment) and Eurotech Monitoring (Offering Keyholding, Alarm Response and Mobile Patrols) became partners.
Cambridge House has benefited from services worth £212,000.00 and 28 days of pro bono specialist consultancy. This has enabled the charity to become more commercial and efficient and the staff and trustees are able to focus the service provision for all their clients. Services provided have included IT advise, use of a human resources management system, property management consultancy, CCTV, a keyholding and alarm response service, mobile patrols, health and safety and reception management training for Cambridge House staff, and cleaning contract advice.
Kevin Riley Director of Eurotech Monitoring says, “We are extremely proud to have won this award with the help of our business partners. Eurotech has integrated corporate social responsibility into our everyday business to contribute to sustainable economic development. We also work closely with our employees, the local community and society at large to improve the quality of life for people and the environment around us.”
Eurotech Blog Launched
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