Traditional security monitoring has historically been tied to legacy alarm panels and phone systems connecting security solutions to 911 operators. These legacy alarm solutions have not kept up with the increased demand for security monitoring or with the advances in technology.
Today’s connected devices are capable of providing much more data than was available in years past. However, without security systems configured to receive, transmit and understand this data, modern security solutions can be hamstrung. In addition, the way monitoring is set-up and conducted can directly affect emergency response.
Traditional Security Monitoring Providers
Traditional security monitoring companies fall into three separate categories. Each of these categories has specific challenges and limitations that make their effectiveness less than optimal when it comes to fast, informed emergency response and rich data availability to ECCs and first responders.
Legacy wholesale monitoring centers
Legacy monitoring centers typically provide white-label support for end-users. They verify emergencies and relay key data to 911 via a 10-digit analog voice call. Legacy centers generally cannot readily integrate rich data sources, which can mean inefficient transmission of data to ECCs and delayed response times.
Monitoring point solutions
A monitoring point solution receives alarm/sensor data, and provides call takers who verify the emergency and contact 911 via a 10-digit voice call to coordinate responses. In addition, these solutions lack enterprise-grade security infrastructure, have limited customization capabilities, and cannot work with multiple monitoring centers or help customers scale globally.
Vertically integrated security companies
Vertically integrated companies typically offer end-users security solutions via a distributor network. Solutions include necessary hardware and/or equipment such as cameras bundled with monitoring services, and the company verifies emergencies using its own sensor data and phone calls. These offerings typically feature a legacy technology stack that requires additional time and development resources to integrate with customer systems, have limited customization capabilities, and provide few or no tech-enabled options such as a mobile app.
A challenge all three of these solutions share is limited relationships with ECCs, which can result in delayed dispatch.
The RapidSOS Monitoring Difference
RapidSOS Monitoring is fundamentally different from these traditional security monitoring service providers, and as such doesn’t suffer from the same limitations.
Unlike legacy monitoring providers, RapidSOS Monitoring’s single-API and easily customizable Flow Builder delivers speed and flexibility. Rich data sources, such as video, can be sent into over 5,200 911 centers around the world.
Unlike monitoring point solutions, RapidSOS Monitoring re-imagines the monitoring experience by combining humans and technology. With fifteen geographically redundant sites, we make it possible for international connected device companies to offer faster, data-enriched emergency response all around the world.
Unlike vertically integrated security companies, RapidSOS Monitoring provides a ready-to-go API for 24/7 monitoring, with minimal developer resources needed to implement access to caring, highly trained monitoring specialists. Easily customizable workflows and rich data integration enable a faster, more informed emergency response.
Additionally, RapidSOS has built strong relationships with 911 across the country and with ECCs around the world.
Why connected device companies choose RapidSOS Monitoring
Companies are swiftly becoming aware of the benefits of partnering with RapidSOS to enhance emergency response and better serve their customers with enterprise-grade security solutions.
Honeywell
Honeywell Building Technologies recently linked their Connected Life Safety System (CLSS) to the RapidSOS emergency response data platform to provide faster, more accurate communications with ECCs. RapidSOS technology will securely transmit detailed data about the emergency, such as the type of hazard, severity, and location within the impacted building, to ECCs in case of fire.
ecobee
Sustainable smart home leader ecobee’s Smart Security system combines professionally monitored home security with ecobee thermostats and sensors. Smart Security’s connection with ECCs is powered by RapidSOS, delivering 24/7 professional monitoring for enhanced home protection. Optional video verification can give monitoring centers access to live footage during an event to speed response.
RapidSOS Monitoring is a turn-key white-glove monitoring service that offers caring, highly trained monitoring specialists to serve your customers when they need it most. We’ve worked hand-in-hand with public safety to re-imagine the monitoring experience by connecting humans and technology. RapidSOS partners with the highest certified monitoring centers and offer multiple redundant sites so that you can add Premium monitoring to your offering with minimal developer resources. In addition, RapidSOS offers 911 training and consulting services (15k+ 911 telecommunicators trained and 20k+ hours spent working with 911 annually) to educate telecommunicators on RapidSOS Monitoring services to ensure the fastest, most effective emergency response for your customers.
Could your current offering benefit from integration with a security monitoring partner like RapidSOS? Talk to an expert today.