I'm pretty sure my CS is setup for DMP, I;ve never used the internet DMP though. I should set mine up for it, but Im too lazy.
| > These "direct to end user" monitoring services are strictly for those | > who either don't require the services of a dealer (a small minority), | > or those who can service their panel themselves (likely an even smaller | > minority of the alarm buying public). Discount stations make more from | > dealing direct to the end user than they do selling services to the | > dealer (in the telephone industry, we used to call it "cream | > skimming"). For example, I can get ADT monitoring for $3 monthly, or my | > current supplier for $4.50 monthly, or I too can get service from these | > companies for a couple of bucks a month. From my perspective, it | > depends upon what they will do for me...test signals, cancel codes, | > daily trouble and alarm reports etc. ADT are by far and away the worst | > of the lot (no tests, cancel codes or reports and worst...hair trigger | > monitoring which is the source of major false alarms). My current | > station is nothing less than superb in every way on the criteria and | > station support I need to service my customers base! And if I went to | > the el cheapo monitoring stations, I would get basic signals only, | > which might be enough for many dealers and most end users. | >
| > So the discount station sells to you direct for $10 and makes $9 a | > month. If they sell to me, they make $7 or $8 a month, and also have to | > keep a fussy dealer happy with extra support services. | >
| > However, from the perspective of an end user such as yourself, if you | > don't need a dealer, and you don't require service, and you don't mind | > paying a year up front, then by all means use them. In my experience, | > you will experience just as good monitoring as you get from any of the | > major suppliers, but without the need for an onerous long term | > contract. Do ask exactly what they supply for the money they charge you | > though. | >
| > Monitoring is just another service. It IS an important part of your | > alarm service though ! Unfortunately, the alarm industry has tied it | > down contractually for their own benefit such that the end user is at a | > disadvantage most of the time when he goes to get it !! | >
| > However, don't plan on using VoIP in any of its forms for your security | > services just to save a buck. I know some of these outfits sound almost | > too good to be true, but don't try to go too cheap !! It's too "iffy" | > yet in spite of what many will say. Stick with the stations 1-800 lines | > to communicate if you are long distance from them and you won't have | > any reason to be second guessing your decision later on.... | >
| > R.H.Campbell | > Home Security Metal Products | > Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | >
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| | In my situation, I am looking for direct Internet monitoring | (not VOIP) since I already have a network adapter (Icom module) | connected to my DMP panel. | | I assume that your comments about VOIP being a bad solution don't | apply to this setup, right? | | Interestingly, one national web-based company that I contacted | advertised $9/month on their website but wanted $25/month for Internet | monitoring of my panel which didn't make sense to me. The only thing I | could think of is that the DMP Central office interface is nonstandard | for them so they would need to buy/lease/use extra costly | equipment. Any thoughts?