Choosing Between DIY vs. Custom Security Systems for Businesses
Your business is something you've worked hard to build, and keeping everything secure is essential. With so many different options to choose from, it might seem challenging to find the right system. From standard cameras to alarm systems to smart locks, various products work to protect you, your employees and your business. Here at Abt, you'll find a collection of individual products that are designed to help keep your business safe ... but Abt also offers our own in-house custom security systems for businesses. When choosing between DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses, there are several factors to consider before making a decision. Below, you'll find the pros and cons of each system and the different benefits that come with each.
Exploring Product Options
Depending on the size of your business, there's a range of products to consider when choosing between DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses. The first thing to consider before looking at products? Whether you'll want to monitor your DIY system yourself or have your business professionally monitored by a custom security team. When you buy individual products, you're often choosing to monitor alerts and video feeds on your own via smart devices. Alternatively, you can have a custom security system like ones from Abt do the work. To learn more, read up on our guide to monitored vs. self-monitored security systems. When it comes to products, installing video surveillance means you have the option to have a physical record of anything suspicious on your property, though some DIY products simply broadcast the feed to your smartphone with an alert. Either way, video can assist authorities during an investigation or help you keep an eye on your own property. Professional burglar alarms or intrusion prevention sensors help report unwanted activity to the proper authorities as well, while the DIY version sends an alert to your smartphone instead. Including smart locks or access control can reduce the risk of unauthorized access as well and ensure that only you or employees have access to certain areas. Finally, each of these systems can be monitored 24/7 by on-call experts to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, you receive the proper response. That comes with a custom security system like the one from Abt. If you're installing a DIY security system, though, keep in mind that you'll often need to subscribe to the brand's subscription service to access past video feeds and similar data—and that having on-call experts on hand is an add-on. Not sure where to start looking? Abt provides a wide selection of security cameras and systems to choose from. We also provide an on-call custom security service that our experts can install, monitor and service. Our dedicated team ensures that each piece of equipment is properly installed to keep your business secure.
When creating DIY business security systems, you can hand-pick which products you want and which you don't; however, quality is almost always a trade off compared to a custom one. Still, these systems are great for smaller companies that don’t require as much space to be monitored. If you have a larger space, a custom system might be the route for you. A custom security system comes with more design options, and the products included tend to be top-performing ones. Plus, you'll have access to experts who can evaluate your needs and help narrow the selection down for you. Before choosing between DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses, consider what you're looking for and which products you actually need. Remember, the more products you want, the longer the installation will take.
The Time Investment
In the long term, whether you choose DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses may depend on how often you want to check your phone yourself and self-monitor your own systems when you get a notification. That's a time investment—and you may prefer a custom security system so that you can stay active in your business while the experts handle the security. When it comes to the installation's time investment, custom systems are installed by professionals, such as Abt's in-house team. This way, all you have to worry about is choosing which products you want as part of your custom system. Companies often make this process easier by bundling items that work well together. Creating a DIY system requires careful planning and a deeper understanding of how each of the products works. Doing it yourself also means there's a chance something won't be installed correctly, so you'll have to go back to fix it yourself. Depending on the product, this process can be very time-consuming. Thankfully, many brands design projects with simple installation in mind, such as Ring or Google Home Security. So make sure to evaluate how much of your free time you're willing to put into the project when deciding between DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses. If you don't feel comfortable installing the system yourself, our service team can install it for you.
Troubleshooting and Keeping it Running
Issues do arise regardless of the style of system you have. With custom systems, you'll have access to professionals who understand the inner workings of the products. Regardless of the urgency of the issue, scheduling a repair is a simple process and your service will get out to your location ASAP, especially if you choose Abt. If you've set up the system yourself, then you'll either have to figure out the problem yourself or try to find a third party to help you out. However, if any part of your DIY security system is from Abt, we do service everything we sell. Bring it to us, and we will try and help find a fix. Make sure to think about anything that could occur in the future when planning and deciding between DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses.
Monitoring the Data
As you debate between DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses, take some time to think about how you'll monitor video footage and other key data. With a DIY system, you'll have to manually keep an eye on things via your smartphone. Meanwhile, a custom security service uses a call center that notifies you or authorities when something goes wrong. They can even look through footage for you if you want to look back on a specific instance and provide you with real-time notifications based on your needs. These centers typically notify the authorities regardless of the threat level, while DIY security systems require you to assess the situation personally.
Understanding Your Budget
Perhaps one of the biggest factors when deciding between DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses is your budget. A DIY system tends to be cheaper upfront, as you won't need to pay for the installation or monitoring services. However, the bill can increase down the road depending on malfunctioning errors, maintenance costs, subscription fees or other issues. With a custom security service, the initial cost is definitely higher, but you'll know that you're getting proper installation along with constant support for when you need it. Plus, routine maintenance checks help avoid any larger issues and keep your system up and running just how you need.
Selecting the Right System from Abt
Ultimately, choosing between DIY and custom security systems for businesses requires extensive planning and a thorough understanding of your specific needs. DIY systems mean you'll avoid unnecessary services or features that you don't want, and scaling the system up or down is easier. Of course, a professionally installed custom system comes with all the bells and whistles, along with 24/7 support and surveillance. Here at Abt, we not only offer a range of security systems for businesses, but our installation team guarantees that each component of your chosen system works perfectly. If you would like to learn more about choosing between DIY vs. custom security systems for businesses, reach out to our team of experts at 800-860-3577. For additional information about purchasing a security system, check out our in-depth buying guide for security cameras.
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DIY vs. Custom Security Systems FAQs
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Purchasing a custom security system means having a professionally installed security system that is typically monitored by professionals to help keep your space safe and secure.
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A DIY security system is completely installed and monitored by the owner without needing professional assistance.
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Yes, DIY security systems are safe, but you’ll want to make sure that everything has been properly installed and is functioning correctly.
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No, not all DIY security systems require a Wi-Fi connection.
