TIP TO CLIENTS ON ALARM ACTIVATIONS

Remember we live in a time where crime has become a profession and criminals are much more advanced than in the past. They know how to break in at any place.

Yes our Reaction Unit will respond on all your alarm signals but if the criminal is hiding and has somehow got inside your premises and has disconnected the alarm system then he will wait till the reaction officer leaves the premises before he proceeds with his activities.

That is why it is important that when you as client receive a phone call from the Control Centre informing you of an alarm activation to come out and check with the response officer or have a key holder available to do it on your behalf.

Remember we will let the reaction officer wait for you or your key holder at the premises until you arrive. He will check the premises to ensure that it is safe to entre.

QUINTON HARRIS
Control Center Manager

Alpha Security & Alarms Control Centre The Alpha Security Emergency Control Centre is manned by 2 controllers 24/7. They are linked to all emergency services as well as a Chaplain for counseling purposes. The main purpose of the Controllers is to chase response times to meet the demand from our client base. There are two workstations on the workbench and a Satellite tracking system to locate and dispatch reaction vehicles. One controller is responsible for radio communication to the vehicles and the other attends to the incoming and outgoing telephone calls. Alpha Security complies with the SAIDSA By-Law 25 specifications and include a CCTV Monitor that enables the Controllers to monitor activities both in and outside the Control Centre. The photo's below portrays the layout of the workbench and the location of the CCTV Monitor. Premises checks Alpha does premises checks for our clients when they are away from home. These checks get done once every 24 hrs and you as client decide if you would like the check to be done at day or at night. You as client must furnish us with a key holder and a number that we can get hold of if there is anything wrong at your premises so that we can have the problem resolved as soon as possible. Keys for premises We at Alpha have keys for gates of some our clients to enable us to get into the premises and do a thorough check. However the keys are time consuming and reduces the reaction time to get on to the premises as he has to first go through the holder of the keys to get the correct key code for premises. In attempt to get quicker reaction times to resolve the key situation Alpha has introduced the lock key safe and digi pad which you as client can purchase and have installed at your premises which will enable our reaction team to be on your premises sooner. REMINDER TO ALL CLIENTS "PLEASE TEST YOUR ALARM SYSTEMS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY FORTNIGHT AND EVERY TIME BEFORE YOU GO ON VACATION - THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT YOUR SYSTEM IS STILL FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY!!!!!!!" Please report your problem to our technical division immediately Click here to report a fault Did You Know ? The "Alpha Security Emergency Call Centre" handles an average of 2 525 incoming, and makes an average of 14 357 outgoing calls per month, that means that the centre handles a total of 16 882 (99.76%) negative and 41 (0.24%) positive calls per month Funny call center stories Caller: "Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?" Operator: "I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about". Caller: "On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?" Operator: "I think it means the telephone point on the wall". Customer: "I've been ringing 0700 2300 for two days and can't get through to enquiries, can you help?". Operator: "Where did you get that number from, sir?". Customer: "It was on the door to the Travel Centre". Operator: "Sir, they are our opening hours". Tech Support: "O.K. Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager." Customer: "I don't have a 'P'." Tech: "On your keyboard, Bob." Customer: "What do you mean?" Tech: "'P' on your keyboard, Bob." Customer: "I'm Not going to do that!" Caller: I can't make outbound calls on my cell phone. Rep: Do you have the phone with you? Caller: Yes, I'm talking on it right now. Rep: The phone is working just fine. You just called me. The embarrassed caller quickly hung up. Thunder storms lightning All security systems world wide operates on a 12 to 16 volt battery. During thunder storms lightning sends a spike to the system that is much greater than what the battery can handle and subsequently triggers alarm signals throughout the area of the storm. Controllers in the Control Centre have no option but to start at the top of the stack of signals received. Signals vary from 200 to 300 signals per storm. All signals are regarded as a possible break-in. The Controllers also scrutinize the stack to attend to the panic signals first. Once again do they clear the queue by starting from the top of the stack. Kempton Park and surroundings are unfortunately prone for electrical storms. What does the center do? The Centre monitores in excess of 4500 alarms, it manages the operation with two controllers and a network of computers per shift. In 2003 Alpha spent up to R 500 000-00 to upgrade their Control Centre to comply with SAIDSA Standards To ensure that all the alpha clients can still enjoy a top level of service. The Control Centre handles an average of: 40 453 signals per month 16 883 is actioned and phoned. 8 466 Vehicle responses on alarm conditions. The Centre handles an average of 14357 outgoing and 2525 incoming calls. In total the center handles 45 720 actions per month How are signals received The radio transmitter installed in your home is frequency connected to our Control Centre and has a dedicated code that identifies the customer. The dedicated code is added to your details reflected on our database and enables us to receive a signal from the transmitter when activated. The signal is transmitted to a repeater network that enables it to reach the base station in the Control Centre. The raw data received by the base station is transferred to a computer and is decoded by the software that enables the Operator to respond to it. This all takes but a split second.