Network downtime's hidden costs analysed by AddSecure
AddSecure's analysis highlights the immediate operational challenges and customer retention risks posed by network downtime. The hidden costs can accumulate significantly.
Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) face substantial operational and financial challenges during network outages. According to AddSecure, immediate costs arise from increased staffing needs and customer service burdens.
When network connectivity fails, monitoring stations lose contact with alarm systems, forcing staff to implement manual emergency protocols. The need for additional personnel and overtime expenses can amount to thousands of pounds, even for medium-sized operations. Customer service teams must handle inquiries from concerned clients, consuming significant resources.
Network downtime also impacts customer retention and business risks. Property owners may lose confidence in their security systems, potentially leading to demands for upgrades or changes in providers. Uncertainties regarding insurance coverage and reputational damage among commercial clients further exacerbate the situation.
AddSecure emphasizes the need to understand alarm signalling providers' network strategies. Single-network architectures expose entire customer bases to the same failure points. Ensuring network redundancy and diversity is critical, especially with the shift from traditional landlines to mobile networks, to guarantee reliable alarm signal transmission.