The Oshawa Security Systems Assessment: Unpacking a Phone Company Security "Installation"
When a new client comes to us after a disappointing experience with a major phone company's security offering, our first step is a thorough, no-obligation forensic assessment. We don't just look at what's there; we investigate how it was done. This process reveals a consistent pattern of corner-cutting and poor practices that compromise your safety.
Here is exactly what we check:
1. "Was It Done Right?" - The Integrity of the Installation
This is our primary concern. A system can have all the right parts, but if it's installed incorrectly, it's fundamentally unreliable.
Sensor Placement & Strategy: We check if sensors are placed in logically vulnerable points or just wherever was easiest to run a wire or stick a device. Phone company installers often follow a generic "cookie-cutter" plan that ignores the unique layout and entry points of your specific business or home.
Device Securement: We look for sensors and cameras that are loosely attached, misaligned, or placed on surfaces that cause false alarms (e.g., a motion detector aimed at a heating vent). A secure install is a reliable one.
Wire Management (if wired): For wired systems, we inspect the quality of the cable runs. Are wires properly secured and concealed? Are they run in a way that could cause damage or is a tripping hazard? Sloppy wiring is a sign of a rushed job.
System Configuration: We test the system's programming. Are delay times logical? Are all zones and sensors properly labeled and accounted for? We often find systems where "Master Bedroom" is actually the back door, a critical error in an emergency.
Our Finding: In over 90% of phone company takeovers we assess, we find significant installation errors that render the system less effective, if not entirely compromised.
2. "Is It Wired or Wireless?" - The Foundation of Reliability
This is a critical distinction that impacts the system's performance, maintenance, and longevity.
The "Wireless" Trap: Phone companies almost exclusively push all-in-one, proprietary wireless systems. While wireless technology has improved, it has vulnerabilities:
Battery Dependency: We check the age and status of every battery. A system with dead or dying batteries is a paper tiger.
Signal Interference: We assess the environment for potential signal interference from other devices that can cause communication failures.
Jamming Vulnerability: Low-quality wireless systems can be easily jammed by a knowledgeable intruder, disabling your entire security system without you knowing.
The "Wired" Assessment: If we find a wired system, we perform a full integrity check:
We test the continuity and voltage of the existing low-voltage wiring to ensure it's up to the task.
We verify that all connection points are secure and corrosion-free.
We assess whether the existing wired infrastructure can support modern, high-definition cameras and advanced sensors, or if it needs an upgrade.
Our Finding: Phone company systems are typically cheap, fully wireless kits designed for easy mass deployment, not for robust, long-term reliability.
3. "Has The Phone Company Locked Out The Equipment, Or Is It Proprietary?" - The Issue of Ownership and Freedom
This is the most common and frustrating "lock-in" tactic we uncover. It's designed to trap you, not protect you.
The Proprietary Lockout: The equipment provided by phone companies (e.g., panels, sensors, cameras) is almost always proprietary. This means:
It is intentionally designed not to communicate with any other brand of security equipment.
You cannot add a better, third-party camera or a different type of sensor. You are forced to use only their overpriced, often inferior, replacements.
The system's brain (the control panel) is "locked" to their monitoring service. You cannot take your system to a different, more affordable, or higher-quality monitoring provider.
Who Really Owns It? We help you answer a crucial question: Do you own the equipment, or are you just leasing it? In most phone company contracts, you are leasing the hardware. If you cancel, they will demand you return it or charge you an exorbitant fee, leaving you with nothing.
Our Finding: A system locked to a single provider is not your system. It is a tool they use to control you and ensure recurring revenue, with your security as a secondary concern.
Your Path to Peace of Mind: The Oshawa Security Systems Restoration Process
After our thorough assessment reveals the shortcomings of your previous phone company system, we don't just point out problems—we deliver a comprehensive solution. Our restoration process is designed to transform your unreliable setup into a robust, dependable security asset you can trust.
Here is our step-by-step commitment to making your system right:
1. Strategic Replacement & Battery Overhaul
A system is only as reliable as its weakest power source. We eliminate the risk of failure due to dead or dying batteries.
Our Action: We proactively replace all batteries in every sensor, smoke detector, and the main control panel with new, high-quality, long-life batteries.
Your Benefit: No more false alarms or middle-of-the-night failures. You gain confidence that every component is powered and ready to protect you, 24/7.
2. Precision Rewiring & Connection Integrity
Loose wires and poor connections are a leading cause of system failure. We bring everything up to a professional standard.
Our Action: We meticulously check, secure, and re-terminate every wiring connection. For systems that require an upgrade, we run new, high-grade cables that are properly concealed and secured, ensuring a clean and safe installation.
Your Benefit: A stable, "invisible" infrastructure that works flawlessly. You get the reliability of a professionally engineered system, eliminating the glitches and communication dropouts of a sloppy installation.
3. Rigorous End-to-End Testing
We don't assume it works; we prove it. We put your entire system through its paces, simulating real-world scenarios.
Our Action: Our technicians methodically test every single component. We trigger every door and window sensor, test every motion detector, verify all camera feeds and angles, and sound the sirens. We then conduct a live test with our monitoring station to confirm seamless signal transmission.
Your Benefit: Absolute certainty. You will see with your own eyes that your entire system—from the sensor on your back door to the alert at the monitoring center—is functioning perfectly.
4. Comprehensive Client Training & Empowerment
A security system is useless if you don't know how to use it confidently. We ensure you are the master of your own security.
Our Action: We don't hand you a manual and leave. We provide one-on-one, hands-on training at your property until you are completely comfortable. We walk you through:
Arming and disarming the system effortlessly.
Using the mobile app to view cameras and receive alerts.
Understanding what the different alerts and beeps mean.
Performing basic troubleshooting.
Managing user codes for family members or employees.
Your Benefit: Empowerment and confidence. You gain full control over your security, turning technology from a source of frustration into a tool of empowerment.
The Oshawa Security Systems Promise: A System That Works For You
Our job isn't done until your system is not just installed, but fully adopted. We transform the phone company's failed "product" into your trusted, reliable security partner.
You are left with a system that is:
Reliable: Powered and wired for uninterrupted service.
Effective: Thoroughly tested and certified to perform when it matters most.
User-Friendly: Understood completely by you and your family or staff.
Ready to finally have a security system you can depend on?
Contact Oshawa Security Systems today. Let us restore your confidence and provide the professional security solution you deserve.
The Oshawa Security Systems Resolution
After our assessment, we provide you with a clear, honest report and a path forward. We can often repurpose existing wiring and even some hardware if it's non-proprietary and up to our standards. More often, we design a new, transparent system that you truly own, built on quality, open-architecture equipment that won't hold you hostage.
Don't be locked into a bad security decision. Contact Oshawa Security Systems for a full, professional assessment of your current system and a plan that actually puts your security first.
What Are You Looking For?
Whether it’s protecting your possessions while you are on vacation or your family while they sleep, we will give you the peace of mind that should the worst happen.
Our commitment to a seamless client experience begins the day of installation. Prior to concluding our on-site work, your dedicated installer will not only ensure the entire system is perfectly configured and integrated with your mobile device but will also provide a comprehensive, hands-on training session. This ensures you are fully confident and capable of monitoring your property from anywhere in the world, right from the palm of your hand.
Your complete mastery of the system is our final step before we leave.
The process can be broken down into three key stages: The Signal, The Verification, and The Dispatch.
Stage 1: The Signal (An Alarm is Triggered)
Event Occurs: A monitored sensor is triggered. This could be a door or window opening, motion detected in a restricted area, a glass-break sensor detecting the sound of shattering glass, or a panic button being pressed.
System Communicates: Your security control panel immediately sends a silent alarm signal to the 24/7 Central Monitoring Station. This communication happens through one or more dedicated paths, such as:
Broadband Internet: The primary and fastest method.
Cellular Network: A crucial backup that ensures the signal gets through even if the power or internet is cut.
Landline Phone: A less common legacy option.
Stage 2: The Verification (The Monitoring Center Responds)
Signal Received: A trained monitoring professional receives the signal on their computer, which instantly displays your account information, including the property address, the type of alarm (e.g., "Front Door Breach"), and your designated emergency contacts.
Attempt to Verify: The operator's first action is to attempt to verify the alarm. They will typically:
Call the Premises: They will call the phone number(s) you have provided. If you or an authorized user answers, you must provide a pre-established safe word or password. If the correct password is given, the operator will cancel the alarm.
Listen-in (if equipped): If your system has two-way voice capabilities, the operator may listen for signs of a break-in or emergency.
View Video (if equipped): For systems with professional video monitoring, the operator can instantly pull up live video from the triggered zone to visually confirm a threat (e.g., see an intruder).
Stage 3: The Dispatch (Help is Sent)
Emergency Services Activated: If the alarm is verified (e.g., no answer, wrong password, or a visible threat), the monitoring professional will immediately contact the appropriate emergency services—guard service, fire, or medical—and dispatch them to your exact address.
Owner Notification: Simultaneously, the operator will begin calling your list of emergency contacts (e.g., you, your spouse, a neighbor) to inform them of the situation and the actions being taken.
1. The Gold Standard in Certification: What "ULC" Means
ULC (Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada) is the nationally recognized standards body for security in Canada. A ULC-Certified Monitoring Station is not just a room with operators; it is a facility that has passed the most rigorous, independent audit of its:
Procedures: Every action an operator takes is based on strict, proven protocols.
Technology: The center must have multiple, redundant forms of communication (cellular, internet, radio) and backup power systems to ensure it never goes offline.
Staff Training: Operators undergo extensive and ongoing training to handle high-stress situations calmly and efficiently.
In short: ULC certification is your guarantee that the monitoring center itself meets the highest benchmarks for reliability and performance.
2. The Critical Drawbacks of Offshore Monitoring
Many large, nationally advertised companies reduce costs by routing alarms to centralized, often offshore, monitoring centers. This model introduces two major risks:
Language and Communication Barriers: In an emergency, every second and every word counts. An operator with a strong accent or a non-native understanding of local dialects, street names, or colloquialisms can lead to misunderstandings. A panicked homeowner saying, "There's a man in my back kitchen!" needs to be understood instantly and precisely. Any delay for clarification can be critical.
Time Delays in Dispatch: This is perhaps the most dangerous flaw. The chain of communication for an offshore center often looks like this:
Alarm signal goes to a center in another country or a centralized national hub.
The offshore operator verifies the alarm.
The offshore operator must then call the local police or fire department in your community.
They may be placed on hold or transferred, and must accurately convey your address and situation to a dispatcher who may be unfamiliar with the monitoring company.
This multi-step process inherently creates delays compared to a local, direct relationship.
3. The "Local" Advantage: Speed and Context
A locally based ULC station eliminates these drawbacks entirely:
Direct, Familiar Communication: The operator answering your alarm is a trained professional in your own province or region. They speak clearly, understand local geography, and can communicate with you and emergency services without any barriers.
Pre-Established Relationships with First Responders: A local monitoring center has direct phone lines to the dispatch centers of your local police, fire, and ambulance services. They have built relationships with these dispatchers. When they call, they are a known, trusted entity, and the alarm is treated with the highest priority. The call is not "a call from a foreign call center," but an alert from a recognized local security partner.
Streamlined Process: The response chain is dramatically shorter and faster:
Alarm signal goes to the local ULC station.
The local operator verifies the alarm.
The local operator directly calls their known contact at local dispatch.
Summary: Local ULC vs. Offshore/National Monitoring
Feature Local ULC Monitoring Typical Offshore/Centralized Monitoring
Standards Highest (ULC Certified): Independently audited for technology, procedures, and training. Varies (Often Internal Standards): May meet basic requirements but lacks independent, rigorous certification.
Communication Clear & Local: No language barriers, understanding of local context. Potential for Barriers: Accents and language nuances can cause misunderstandings.
Dispatch Speed Fastest: Direct, pre-established relationships with local first responders. Slower: Multi-step process involving calling distant emergency services.
Reliability Maximum Redundancy: Required to have multiple backup systems (power, communication). Varies: May have robust systems, but not independently verified to the ULC standard.
Conclusion:
While a larger company might offer a lower monthly fee, that savings often comes from using non-ULC and offshore monitoring centers. Local ULC monitoring is important because it replaces potential language issues with clarity, replaces time delays with speed, and replaces unknown standards with a certified, locally integrated guarantee of quality. It ensures that when every second counts, your security system performs at its absolute best.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how we support you:
Minimal Customer Maintenance Required
For the most part, your system will operate silently in the background. Your primary responsibilities are simple:
Periodic Physical Inspection: Occasionally, just visually check that your cameras have a clear view and haven't been obstructed by new foliage, dirt, or spider webs. A quick wipe of the camera lens with a soft, dry cloth can maintain a clear picture.
Battery Changes (if applicable): For any wireless sensors (like door/window contacts), we will inform you of their expected battery life (often several years). When the battery runs low, the system will send a low-battery alert to our monitoring center and to you via the app. Replacing them is typically a simple DIY task.
Our Commitment: Proactive Monitoring and Support
This is where Oshawa Security Systems provides essential, peace-of-mind service. We don't just install your system and leave; we are there for you to ensure it remains fully operational.
Remote System Health Checks: Our monitoring platform continuously receives "heartbeat" signals from your control panel. This allows us to proactively detect any communication issues or system faults before they become a problem.
Automatic Software Updates: Just like your smartphone, your security system receives firmware and software updates to improve performance and security. These are pushed out remotely by us, often without you even noticing.
24/7 Technical Support: If you ever have a question, receive an alert you don't understand, or notice anything unusual, our support team is just a phone call away. We are there for you.
Professional Assistance: Should a complex issue ever arise that requires a technician, we will schedule a visit to get your system back to 100%.
Your Peace of Mind is Our Priority
In short, while the system is largely hands-off for you, it is actively managed on your behalf by us. You can rest easy knowing that Oshawa Security Systems is continuously working in the background to ensure your protection is never compromised.
We are always here to help. Please don't hesitate to call us with any questions at all.
That's one of the most important questions you can ask. Our response protocol is specifically designed to be fast, effective, and to protect you from unnecessary costs.
Here is exactly what happens when your alarm is triggered:
Step 1: Immediate Verification by Our Local Monitoring Center
Our local, ULC-certified monitoring professionals immediately receive the alarm. Their first action is to attempt to verify the threat by calling your designated contacts. If the alarm is confirmed or if there is no answer, we move instantly to Step 2.
Step 2: Dispatch of a Local Security Guard (Our Standard, Cost-Saving Protocol)
To provide a immediate physical response while shielding you from potential fines, we dispatch a local, licensed security guard.
Why a Guard First? Many municipalities now charge significant fees—often $300 or more—for a false alarm police dispatch. By sending a guard first, we get a trained professional on-site within minutes to verify a real threat without risking a costly false alarm penalty for you.
The Guard's Role: The guard will arrive promptly, conduct an external inspection, and verify if there is a legitimate breach. This service is provided to you at a reasonable cost, avoiding the exorbitant police fee.
Step 3: Escalation to Police (If a Threat is Confirmed)
Only if our security guard confirms a real and active threat (e.g., a broken window, an intruder) do we immediately contact the police and dispatch them to your home. This ensures that the police are responding to a verified emergency, prioritizing your call, and that you will not be charged a false alarm fee.
Summary: Your Protected, Two-Tiered Response
Alarm Triggered ✅ Our Local Monitoring Center verifies the alarm.
Phase 1: Physical Verification 👮♂️ A Local Security Guard is dispatched for immediate, cost-effective verification.
Phase 2: Emergency Response 🚔 Police are dispatched only if the guard confirms a real crime in progress.
This intelligent process ensures you get a fast physical response while we proactively manage your liability and costs. Your safety and financial peace of mind are our top priorities.
We believe you should never have to choose between top-tier security and affordability. While other companies may cut corners with offshore call centers or non-certified stations, we provide you with the peace of mind that comes from a fully certified, local monitoring center without the premium price tag.
What This Means for You:
The Highest Standard of Care: Our ULC certification is your guarantee that our monitoring center meets the most rigorous national standards for procedures, technology, and staff training.
Local Expertise & Speed: Your alarm signals are handled by experts right here in the region, ensuring clear communication and fast dispatch thanks to our direct relationships with local authorities and guard services.
Intelligent, Cost-Effective Response: As part of our service, we utilize a verified guard response protocol to prevent you from incurring costly false alarm fees from police, which can be $300 or more per dispatch.
In short, we offer the complete package: unbeatable security, local reliability, and exceptional value.
Ready to feel secure? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote on a system tailored to your home and needs.
Smart Lighting & Control: Automate lights to turn on/off at set times, or control them remotely to make it look like you're home.
Smart Thermostats: Manage your home's temperature from anywhere, creating schedules to save on energy bills.
Smart Locks: Lock and unlock your doors remotely, and create unique access codes for family, friends, or service providers.
Video Doorbells & Camera Integration: See and speak with visitors at your door from your phone, and review footage from your security cameras all in one place.
Voice Control: Compatible with popular assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for hands-free control.
By choosing Oshawa Security Systems, you get a unified solution where your security, energy management, and convenience all work together seamlessly. There's no need to manage multiple different apps or brands—we handle the complete integration for you.
Interested in making your home smarter and safer? Let's discuss a customized automation plan that fits your lifestyle.
Theft Deterrence: A monitored alarm system is a proven deterrent to burglars, directly reducing the risk of theft and vandalism.
Fire & Environmental Monitoring: When you add monitoring for smoke, heat, freeze, and water sensors, the system can alert the fire department before a small incident becomes a total loss, dramatically reducing potential damage.
Verified Response: The ULC standard ensures a reliable and verified response, which minimizes false alarms and ensures real emergencies are handled properly, further reducing liability for the insurance company.
What You Need to Do:
To ensure you qualify for the maximum discount, you will typically need to:
Provide a Certificate: After installation, we will provide you with a ULC Certificate of Compliance.
Submit to Your Insurer: You simply provide this certificate to your home insurance provider as proof of your professionally monitored system.
Confirm the Discount: Your insurance agent will apply the discount, which can typically range from 5% to 20% off your premium.
By investing in a ULC-monitored system from Oshawa Security Systems, you are not just purchasing security—you are making a smart financial decision that protects your home, lowers your ongoing insurance costs, and, for many homeowners, is an essential step in securing coverage in the first place.
Ready to protect your home and potentially lower your insurance costs? Contact us today for a free quote and to learn more about our ULC-certified monitoring solutions.
Your alarm system communicates with our monitoring center through one or more of the following robust methods:
1. Cellular/GSM Monitoring (The Gold Standard for Security)
How it Works: Your control panel has a built-in cellular radio (like a smartphone) that uses a mobile network (e.g., Rogers, Telus, Bell) to communicate.
Key Benefit: Maximum Security. Since it's wireless, it cannot be disabled by cutting a phone line or internet cable. This is our recommended primary path for all alarm signals.
2. Broadband/IP Monitoring (The High-Speed Connection)
How it Works: Your system connects to your home's internet router (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) to transmit data. This is excellent for automation and real-time video streaming.
Key Benefit: Speed & Data Capacity. It allows for faster communication of large amounts of data, such as video verification clips or smart home commands.
3. Z-Wave for Automation (The Smart Home Backbone)
How it Works: Z-Wave is not for alarm monitoring; it's a separate, low-energy wireless technology used exclusively for smart home automation devices.
Its Role: It creates a secure, mesh network within your home that connects all your compatible smart devices—like door locks, lights, thermostats, and plugs—to your alarm panel. This allows you to control your entire home's automation from one app.
The Importance of Redundancy
For ultimate protection, our systems are often equipped with dual-path monitoring. This means if the primary path (e.g., your internet) fails, the system automatically fails over to the backup path (the cellular/GSM connection) to ensure the alarm signal always gets through.
Summary: Why Our Method is Superior
Method Purpose Key Advantage
Cellular/GSM Primary Alarm Signaling Ultra-Secure & Reliable; works even during power/internet outages with a battery backup.
Broadband/IP Data & Video Transmission High-Speed; ideal for automation, live video, and system updates.
Z-Wave Smart Home Automation Creates a unified, wireless smart home network for locks, lights, and more.
In short, Oshawa Security Systems uses cutting-edge wireless technology to make your security system more secure, reliable, and feature-rich than any old landline-dependent system could ever be.
Have more questions about how our technology works? Our security experts are happy to explain and design a system perfect for your home.
We Will Walk You Through Exactly What Your Home Security Needs & Ship It To Your Front DoorWithin A Week.
