JasonOfOz Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 HI Everyone, I have been researching alternatives to CASH (Mentor RBS). Here is a list of my research so far - feel free to add / edit / comment. http://www.mentorbs.com/utcfs/Templates/Pages/Template-66/1,8070,pageId=75501&siteId=408,00.html http://www.pcdata.co.uk/html/alarm_master.html http://www.advancedfieldservice.com/industry_sectors.aspx http://www.connect2field.com http://www.redzebrasoftware.com/demo/ http://www.tesseract.co.uk http://www.myservicemanager.com/cctv-security/ http://www.pdasolutions.co.uk/index.php?q=faq ps. CASH's monthly fee seems high - has anyone had any experience of getting a discount on this? pps Please feel free to share with us any other tips/hints that you would consider now you are using the solution you have in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.wilson Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 we write our own, if you have the time then id advise that as it allows you to customise it to you rather than work to the system Quote securitywarehouse Security Supplies from Security Warehouse Trade Members please contact us for your TSI vetted trade discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJames Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 We are currently trialing our own web based software and so far it works very well. The developer will be selling to other alarm companies. The software should work with any database we use AM, we print the jobsheet in HTML upload it to the website and it emails directly to the engineer on the jobsheet. The jobsheet can be tailored to you exact requirements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonOfOz Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 We were tempted to do this - even within a Salesforce / SugarCRM framework but got too scared to do it because we're not software people and really don't have the time to be doing something that we're not pros at, even though the benefits of having something just for us is highly important - sometimes you need to sacrifice by focusing on what we're good at. We have built software in the past but never again - I guess we're not really good at managing these things. Plus if there are companies out there whose bread & butter is to do this every day of the week, we thought that they can't be that bad or they wouldn't be in business... Here's a question though, what did CASH and the other systems not do/provide, that you needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrHappy Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 The developer will be selling to other alarm companies. The software should work with any database we use AM, 3rd party interface = hissy fit ? Quote Mr Veritas God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJames Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 3rd party interface = hissy fit ? Nah print as HTML the developer then finds the bits like -customer name- address- type of call ect ect and puts them in the right place, the software even takes the engineer name off the jobsheet so it knows who to email works perfectly. Here's a question though, what did CASH and the other systems not do/provide, that you needed? They dont provide it cheap enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonOfOz Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 Amen to that!! (staring down the sharp end of a £15k investment) But then there's something called opportunity cost.... Realistically I don't think I could build a CASH replacement for less than £15k. The biggest downside I can see is that I can't get into it and start tweaking it to the way we want to use it (fair enough though). Does your in-house system take in all the alarms info from the ARCs as well as have tablet integration for the Engineers (which would be something else to code)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belfastengineer Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 We are getting Cash installed in three weeks we got a good few £££ of original quoted price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlarmScot Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 We have a really fancy software. As engineers we carry PDA which carry the jobs and then office can add or remove jobs from us as were on the road. Then we carry Laptops which has ever alarm manual we every maintain and install plus all customer information for each job we go to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew.brough Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Does said fancy software have a name? Quote www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlarmScot Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Its called on Computers CRM which is just a Industry Term. For Customer Resource Management or Customer Relationship Management. Its a Microsoft Dynamics Software but I think its been bespoke made as not just us that use it but Heating Guys and stuff uses it too. It must speak to loads of system as it sends text messages to customers saying 'Your Engineer today is X' Then when we log off our job and go onto theirs, its sends a Text messaging saying 'Hi, X is just leaving s/he last job and be with you in X mins' which it uses a Maping system to work out how long it take plus acts as part our Remote Working Rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew.brough Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Bit like the messages I get from my courier co. As a customer I think that's really neat. Bet you can't guess what crm software we use? Quote www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlarmScot Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Bit like the messages I get from my courier co. As a customer I think that's really neat. Bet you can't guess what crm software we use? I have not a clue what system you use. But is it a Bit Paper and Filling Cabinet? Oh it also assigns us jobs when were outside without office ever having to speak to us. Just a Magic BEEP *NEW JOB* *AUTO ACCEPT* means you been given a new job. As they say 'You get paid from leaving house to returning to the house' = They get their money from us. Its like stuff in the vans we got. We have a system which watches Fuel, Cameras and My General Driving. Which it looks at how I break and change gear and then scores you on how eco you are in driving style. It is spooky amount stuff you get in field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew.brough Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Sorry didn't notice you weren't a trade member. We use a product called MASterMind Monitoring that I talk about practically every day on the trade side so it was in jest was my comment If you're in the trade, why not ask for trade status so you can see all the forums? Quote www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlarmScot Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Sorry didn't notice you weren't a trade member. We use a product called MASterMind Monitoring that I talk about practically every day on the trade side so it was in jest was my comment If you're in the trade, why not ask for trade status so you can see all the forums? Oh Yes I remember you said that in a forum about SIA speaking. To be honest, Its just I CBA getting copy of my ID, Company Details and etc. As I am not here on a official capacity but more a personal as like to see whats going on in the industry. I am a Safety & Security Engineer is my fancy work title. Used to be Technician but passed some tests and become a 'Engineer' unsure on the whole difference apart from now I work alone half time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew.brough Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 You should join us. If you're interested in what's going on, the hidden forums are where it's at Quote www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cubit Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Oh Yes I remember you said that in a forum about SIA speaking. To be honest, Its just I CBA getting copy of my ID, Company Details and etc. As I am not here on a official capacity but more a personal as like to see whats going on in the industry. I am a Safety & Security Engineer is my fancy work title. Used to be Technician but passed some tests and become a 'Engineer' unsure on the whole difference apart from now I work alone half time Some tests? Care to elaborate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlarmScot Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Some tests? Care to elaborate? It was internal tests with our training and development officer. Basically. 1) Giving good customer service - The normal Always smiling, Showing ID, explaining what I be doing and how long I roughly be. (Company has a long list on it from laying matts down to hovering up all worked areas and etc. 2) Using correct tools and equipment for the job - Was given a host of faults and problems and was expected to know where to look and fix the fault. As the company has a First Fix is Last Fix Policy. which is where we should never have to return to site again and fix the same fault. You should join us. If you're interested in what's going on, the hidden forums are where it's at It is just to much hassle. You should just do it automatically for me just coz you like me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew.brough Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 What's that got to do with engineering? Quote www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cubit Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 It was internal tests with our training and development officer. Basically. 1) Giving good customer service - The normal Always smiling, Showing ID, explaining what I be doing and how long I roughly be. (Company has a long list on it from laying matts down to hovering up all worked areas and etc. 2) Using correct tools and equipment for the job - Was given a host of faults and problems and was expected to know where to look and fix the fault. As the company has a First Fix is Last Fix Policy. which is where we should never have to return to site again and fix the same fault. It is just to much hassle. You should just do it automatically for me just coz you like me Ah, i see, so you're an engineer then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlarmScot Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 What's that got to do with engineering? I have not a clue. To be honest I just accepted it as I get paid a bit more. Our company has stupid job titles. Like our Apprentices are not called Apprentices but called Trainee Safety and Security Engineers and that is due to our company does not take part in the Goverment Apprenticeship scheme and to be honest they get paid £7.50 per hour! and rises every year! Ah, i see, so you're an engineer then. Maybe you could tell me what difference between a Technician and Engineer is then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew.brough Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Not the only place to have such titles. One of my friends has an amusing signature on his email. Rather than saying managing director and solutions specialist it just says 'The boss' Quote www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cubit Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 I have not a clue. To be honest I just accepted it as I get paid a bit more. Our company has stupid job titles. Like our Apprentices are not called Apprentices but called Trainee Safety and Security Engineers and that is due to our company does not take part in the Goverment Apprenticeship scheme and to be honest they get paid £7.50 per hour! and rises every year! Maybe you could tell me what difference between a Technician and Engineer is then? Based purely on your responses on here, surely that should be technician and engineer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlarmScot Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Not the only place to have such titles. One of my friends has an amusing signature on his email. Rather than saying managing director and solutions specialist it just says 'The boss' My boss puts that on his emails. Also if somebody says 'But Why do we have do it' His normal reply is 'Coz I am the boss and I am telling you!' but he seriously tell you why it happening. Based purely on your responses on here, surely that should be technician and engineer? I don't follow you. My wee head is working overtime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Sounds like an inspirational leader. Quote Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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