Category: Residential Security

Introducing Resideo’s ProSeries: Tech Savvy and Easy to Use

Are you looking for a cutting-edge security and smart home system? Resideo’s new ProSeries delivers a complete security and smart-home solution that’s simple to use and integrates seamlessly into your life.

With a refreshed user interface, ProSeries is easy to use with a consistent look and feel across all products, including the panel, touchscreen, and app. This streamlined look makes it easy to learn and operate your new ProSeries security system.

In addition, the ProSeries offers built-in voice control for hands-free operation, video alarm verification to reduce false alarms, and convenient hands-free system disarming. It’s truly the next generation of alarm technology.

ProSeries works with a family of wireless sensors and devices which are interchangeable across the entire platform. 

Homeowners can take advantage of an expanded line of sensors and life-safety devices and can easily add smoke and carbon monoxide detection, flood sensors, smart thermometers, and more. Best of all? These life-safety sensors are all connected throughout the system. If a smoke alarm goes on in your garage, you’ll be notified in your living room or anywhere you happen to be with the TotalConnect 2.0 smartphone app. 

Other devices include indoor and outdoor wireless sirens with built-in strobe lights and an indoor MotionViewer and video alarm verification. These MotionViewers are totally wireless and transmit alerts and images, even in a blackout situation without power or Wi-Fi.

All of this backed up by Resideo’s decades of experience in the alarm industry and powerful AES-128 encryption to ensure a high level of data security. 

Advanced Security Systems is proud to offer the ProSeries family of security products to all our customers in Northern California and Southern Oregon.

Give us a call at 877-443-6366 or schedule a consultation today, and learn more about protecting your home with Resideo’s ProSeries.

Related:

Keep An Eye On Your Front Door With Skybell® Video Doorbell

The Complete Guide To Keeping Your Packages Safe

Update Your Total Connect 2.0 App For A New Look & Feel

Updates on the 3G Sunset

We’re another month closer to Verizon and AT&T’s planned sunset of the 3G cellular network in 2022.

The idea is that if the cell companies shut down the older 3G network, they can free up resources for more advanced networks, like LTE and 5G. The issue facing consumers is that many alarm systems use the 3G network to send signals to our Central Monitoring Station.

If your alarm system uses cellular communication, there’s a good chance you’re using the 3G network and will need to upgrade before the shut-off date in 2022.

While 3G was once the state-of-the-art network has been replaced by newer network protocols known as 4G LTE, which stands for Fourth Generation Long-Term Evolution. 4G LTE is more robust, offering greater speeds, larger data limits, and more reliability. As consumers, we’ve seen the changes in cellular network technologies when we upgraded from BlackBerries to the original iPhone to today’s ultra-fast iPhone and Android models.

So how do we update your existing alarm system to use the latest technology? Our technicians are visiting thousands of customers one by one and swapping the cellular radio module inside the alarm panel. It’s a simple job, but also one that’s critically important. All alarm systems that don’t get upgraded to 4G LTE by 2022 will be DOA.

Advanced Security Systems is taking a proactive approach to ensuring our customers aren’t impacted by the 3G sunset. Our alarm technicians will automatically complete your LTE upgrade if we are at your property to perform repair or maintenance service. We’ve also begun contacting all of our customers who will need their systems upgraded. If you haven’t heard from us, feel free to call our office, and we’ll check to see if you need the upgrade.

If you want to learn more about the sunset and your upgrade options, please contact us today! Toll-free 877-443-6366 or visit us online at www.advancedsecurity.us/3G.

*Upgrade special is based on your system’s age and capabilities. Please note that some systems cannot be upgraded and will need to be replaced. 

12 Things You Never Knew About Home Safety

1. Always arm your security system!
Whether you are home alone, asleep at night, running to the store, or leaving on vacation, arming your security system is the best way to keep you safe from intruders.

2. Store valuables in your child’s sock drawer rather than in your nightstand.
Thieves often scour the master bedroom but tend to leave children’s rooms untouched.

3. If your front entrance contains decorative glass, install your security keypad in a spot that is not visible from the doorstep.
That way, burglars won’t be able to peer in and see if the alarm is set.

4. A mail slot goes against the wood grain, weakening the horizontal integrity of a door and making it easier to kick in.
Opt for a mailbox, or install your slot near the bottom of the front door, no higher than a quarter of the way up.

5. Keep car keys next to your bed while you sleep.
If you hear a suspicious noise and suspect that someone is trying to break in, press the panic button on your key ring. The car alarm will sound, and the burglar will have no choice but to flee the scene.

6. Plant thorny shrubs, such as rosebushes, beneath ground-floor windows.
They’ll add beauty to your garden and deter burglars.

7. If you’re going away on vacation, ask a neighbor to check daily for flyers stuck in your front porch.
Crafty criminals have been known to leave pizza ads in door jambs to see how long it takes for residents to remove them.

8. Rather than loading up the car the night before a weekend getaway, quickly do it in the morning right before you leave.
Left in front of the house, a fully packed car can serve as a green light for those looking for one.

9. Lower the volume of your telephone ringer.
This way a passerby won’t be able to hear it go to voice mail, which is an indication that no one is home.

10. Don’t store wood near the side of the house, as intruders can easily use it as a stepladder up to a window.
Keep logs in the garage or a pile at the edge of the yard.

11. If a yard worker or unknown visitor uses the bathroom, he may unlatch the window so he can gain entry later.
Be sure to double-check the lock.

12. Choose your locksmith wisely.
Some are unlicensed or dishonest, so always look for a well-established locksmith business that is bonded and insured.

What to Know About the Upcoming 3G Network Sunset

Verizon and AT&T have announced the Sunset of the 3G cellular network in 2022. Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the 3G Network Sunset.

What is happening?

In the coming months, cellular companies will shut down the older 3G network to free up resources for the more-advanced LTE network. Currently, your alarm system uses the 3G network to transmit alarm signals to Advanced Security System’s Central Monitoring Station. While 3G was the state-of-the-art network when your equipment was installed, the FCC is now allowing cellular carriers to shut down the 3G network in 2022. After that, the 3G network will no longer be supported by cellular carriers and your alarm system will not be able to communicate unless you update your alarm communicator.

 

Why is it happening?

Cellular networks have undergone a steady evolution since the 1980s. By ending 3G services, cellular carriers are able to repurpose limited network resources to the newer LTE and 5G networks.

 

Is cellular still a good option?

While we offer a number of communication technologies, cellular is one of the most effective, secure and reliable. With more and more people canceling their land-line phone service, cellular communication has become the standard in the alarm industry. Of course, we would be happy to discuss alternatives with you.

 

Will cellular technology change again?

The current LTE network will be the standard for the foreseeable future. But since technology advances rapidly, it’s likely that cellular networks will evolve to new technology in the future. At that time, LTE communicators will likely need to be upgraded to keep pace, however cellular companies have committed to supporting the LTE network for the next 10 years.

 

Why not upgrade to the 5G network?

While the 5G network promises many advantages, it’s not ready for widespread consumer use. A few cities have seen the introduction of the 5G network, but these are limited cases. It will likely be several years before 5G networks are widely available.

 

What do I need to do?

Advanced Security Systems can let you know if your system needs will be affected by the 3G Sunset. You can call us directly and we’ll be able to assist you.

Advanced Security Systems Announces Acquisition of Petaluma’s K & R Security

Petaluma, Calif.—Advanced Security Systems announces the asset purchase of one of Petaluma’s oldest and largest security system providers, K & R Security, Inc.

 

Karim Salih, president and operator of K & R Security, is also announcing his retirement along with the sale. Salih and his wife will remain in the Petaluma area and continue to be active members of the community.

 

“In announcing my retirement, I was careful to select a security system provider with over 48 years of combined experience, not only in security systems, but access control systems, surveillance systems, and fire alarm systems. Advanced Security fills the bill with a proven track record of operating a local, family-owned, regional security company.”

 

Chuck Petrusha, president and CEO of Advanced Security Systems, offers a warm welcome to the K & R Security clients. “I can assure our K & R Security clients a smooth transition with the quality of service, monitoring, and testing you’ve come to trust,” says Petrusha.

 

Advanced Security Systems with offices in Santa Rosa, Eureka, and Crescent City, will continue to service K & R Security customers from its existing Sonoma County location. Customers can use K & R Security telephone numbers to contact the main office and the monitoring station—707-762-5311 (office) and 800-353-3064 (24-hour monitoring station)—that they are used to.

 

Advanced Security Systems is a full-service alarm company with capabilities of monitoring, and working on leading brands in the market place. Advanced Security technicians are factory authorized and trained in the latest technologies and security products.

 

For more information, visit www.advancedsecurity.us.

Advanced Security Systems Merges with North Coast Signal

(Pictured above- George Valdovinos, Service Coordinator, replaces a security sign to reflect the merger of North Coast Signal into Advanced Security Systems.)

Fort Bragg-   Advanced Security Systems has announced a planned merger with one of Mendocino Counties’ most knowledgeable alarm companies- North Coast Signal Inc.  North Coast Signal has served the Mendocino County area for 10 years and shares the same values as the 45-year-old, family-owned Advanced Security.  Together they will form a full-service security and life safety company with a complete line of security, fire, surveillance, and medical monitoring.  The merger also benefits North Coast Signal’s customers by utilizing Advanced Security Systems’ 24-hour state of the art alarm monitoring center.  After the transition, North Coast Signal owner, Tony Barlow, will retire this year.

 

North Coast Signal customers can expect expanded services while they receive the same local service and fast response they have come to trust.  Expanded services include 24-hour on-call technicians to provide service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, locally owned and operated monitoring center, factory trained and certified technicians, easy automatic payment options, and online bill pay from the website- www.advancedsecurity.us.

 

“We are excited to welcome North Coast Signal’s clients into our company.  This merger is a great fit for both of us as we are already servicing these same communities.  It is a great honor to help protect these customers and keep up the level of service that only a local security company can provide” said Chuck Petrusha, CEO.

 

For more information, please call 707.962.0333 or visit www.advancedsecurity.us.