As we move further into the summer months, security becomes more and more of an importance, especially with the state of the world today.
Karolyn Foss has been with ADT (founded as American District Telegraph) for two-and-a-half years and specializes in negligent liability for small businesses and residential life safety.
“I do alarm systems, burglar alarms, CCTV (closed-circuit television), access control, home-automation, business-automation, cyber-security for small business (which is really big right now),” Foss said. “We also do home healthcare with medical alert systems, as well.”
Foss said it’s important to do due diligence when dealing with home security and said ADT is the “watermelon” when dealing “apples to apples.”
“We are two years older than the telephone,” Foss said. “When you look at the age of the company, we are number one in the nation and number one in leading security information and technology. Our research and development takes into consideration so many different things that other companies don’t acknowledge.”
Foss added in researching companies, it’s important to check with the Better Business Bureau and look at the history of the companies in terms of lawsuits against them and their reputation.
ADT doesn’t use third-party companies in responding to security activations.
“All of our folks are trained very specially with licenses,” Foss said. “They can decipher an emergency. When that phone rings on the other end, we can make the decision whether or not we need to go to 9-1-1 or if it’s an automatic dispatch.”
Foss added when a resident is signing up for the security system, there is the option of having ADT call police or the customer first.
Foss said ADT has eight national centers and 200 offices which adds to the protection for the customers.
“If one has an earthquake and goes down, there are others THAT can pick up your calls,” Foss said. “They are all inter-linked, if they can’t reach you or you want the cops called first, they’ll do that.”
ADT also doesn’t do door-to-door sales, instead they do security reviews for customers and will go item by item to ensure the plan fits the customer’s budget.
“We’re going to go step-by-step, penny-by-penny and person-by-person,” Foss said. “You’ll never call a 1-800 number with me.”
Foss wants to get to know customers and find out what they want protected and work within their budget.
The digital era has really re-vamped how security works and cellphones are a part of the process.
“There are pin-codes to make things simple,” Foss said. “You can arm and disarm from your phone. Whether it’s home or office, everyone can have their own pin-codes.”
ADT uses seven-inch touch-screens with built-in video and alerts the home-owners on their phones anytime the alarm system is interacted with.
“If the kids come home and put in their codes, it’ll send you a text message,” Foss said. “The camera will take a picture and confirm the person who used their code.”
ADT can also link up to lighting, smoke detectors and even the VHAC system.
Each piece of the ADT security system is individually piece-mealed together, not a traditional “plan” system.
Foss’ coverage area is anything Lubbock and north.
“I have a legal degree so I’m what you would consider a matrix representative,” Foss said. “I will personally drive to anything. I do have larger clients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, however, I try to keep it at home. I’m based here locally.”
Foss stressed for customers to needs analysis and security reviews before choosing a plan.
“Number one, do your due diligence,” Foss said. “If you trust the person that is in front of you and the company you’re working with as an excellent, ethical company, that’s someone’s personal decision.”
Foss said she is open to any time for appointments and will work with the customer’s schedule and encourages residents/businesses to not just go with a company who “knocks on your door.”
“I have a state security license and a legal degree to do what I do,” Foss said. “I’m a corporate employee, not a dealer. That in itself makes me different.”
As far as old security equipment from another company, Foss said they may be able to use some, but recommends having it checked for compatibility.
“I would like to look at the equipment and see if it’s compatible,” Foss said. “If it is and the homeowner likes the looks of it, let’s use it. But if they are against it or it’s ugly, that’s their choice and they can change it out.”
ADT does have plans including zero down, zero interest with a soft credit check as well as referral rewards programs.
For more information on ADT and Karolyn Foss, call 806-640-8046 or e-mail wkfoss@adt.com.
