What Is the Best Small Business Security System?

There is no single "best" small business security system. However, there are many security systems that are great for use in a small business. While large businesses might require complex security systems and wire runs. For most small businesses, a wireless system with a cellular connection fits the bill. The right wireless system is both easy to use and reliable.

Let us worry about your security, you worry about running your business!

A good alarm system will give a small business owner features that make their life easier. The systems that we recommend have features you may not have even known you wanted:

• Simple interface for administering multiple users. Each employee can have their own user code. Each employee's interactions with the system will be logged and tracked. You will know who armed the system each night, and you will be able to see who disarms it in the morning. These codes are as easy to remove as they are to put in. So, in case an employee stops working for you, cutting off their access is as easy as pushing a few buttons.
• Remote arming and disarming, and other interactive features. If an employee forgets to arm the system, or if you want to check in on the business when you're not there, you can do that!
• Incredibly easy to service. Most problems that arise take 5 to 10 minutes to solve with Alarm Grid's helpful, free support. If you're monitored by Alarm Grid, we will work with you to keep your system operating. Your small business needs to make sure that its assets are protected. You want to make sure that down time is kept to a minimum. Alarm Grid can do that. Whether a sensor goes bad, stops reporting, or whether you simply need help changing the system's settings, we can help you at no extra cost.
• Constant connectivity, and high reliability. You don't want to have to worry about your system not working when it needed to work. Our recommended cellular connection will ensure that your system is reliable and always connected. Most of these systems are redundant, meaning they can communicate over both cellular and WiFi. If your WiFi goes down, as long as the cellular connections are up, we can call the police.
• Multiple location support. As you grow, as you add more locations, Alarm Grid can grow with you. Our interactive services have multi-location support features that will give you all the advantages of the system we've already mentioned, plus the ability to continuously monitor each location in one convenient place.

These features are present in the top of the line security systems we sell. For small businesses, there are three different wireless systems that we recommend using depending on your preferences: The Lyric alarm system, a Qolsys IQ Panel 2, and the 2GIG GC3. Each of these systems have packages that will save you a lot of money. What's more, unlike some of the big dealers out there, you own the system. You will be given all the codes, master and installer codes, and you can change them at any time. The only real differences between the Honeywell Lyric, the 2GIG GC3 and the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 are the way they look, and the services that you will be using to control them when you're away. The Lyric uses "Total Connect," the GC3 and Qolsys use "alarm.com."

Check out the list of features for each of these systems below...

Honeywell Lyric

Honeywell Lyric Alarm Systemn 3-1 Kit

The Honeywell Lyric Controller is Honeywell's Flagship alarm system. Honeywell is, perhaps, the most highly regarded name in small business security. Their older, wired panels, have been installed in more homes and businesses than any other security system ever sold. If you are unfamiliar with Honeywell, they probably made your thermostat. Their systems are reliable, and draw on their knowledge of electronics going back more than 100 years. The Lyric is, perhaps, the easiest to use wireless system ever made. It is simple to install, easy to program, and looks great on the wall. These systems are highly reliable. The Lyric supports:

• 48 user codes (each user code can be assigned to a different employee).
• Key fob arming and disarming. This lets anyone with a programmed key fob to arm and disarm the system. The same features that you get with reporting work with the key fob as well. The system knows whose key fob does what. You can see who and what people are doing when they interact with your new Lyric.
• Panic alarm in case you need the police called and are in a situation where you can't get to a phone. If your store is being robbed, or some other kind of emergency is happening, the panic will give you the ability to summon the police and fire with one touch.
• Encrypted, Honeywell SiX Series Sensors. For the ultra-paranoid, these sensors talk to the panel using highly secure encryption. This makes these sensors difficult to spoof, and their signal virtually impossible to disrupt.
• Unparalleled Automation control. With a Z-Wave card built in, the Lyric will allow simple programming of things like light switches, thermostats, and door locks. These options can enhance the security of a building, but also save whoever is paying the electric bill a lot of money. Additionally, the Lyric comes Home Kit ready. This native integration gives an end user any HomeKit features they want to use upon getting the system monitored.

Qolsys IQ Panel 2

Qolsys IQ Panel 2, 3-1 Kit

A relatively new security system brand, Qolsys, broke ground with their revolutionary, original IQ Panel. This new, updated panel, the IQ Panel 2, is a stellar move forward for alarms. Thin, simple to use, and filled with all the same functionality as its contemporaries. This system is a great system for any office or small business.

• Compatible with Qolsys' encrypted sensors or any Interlogix sensor already on the market. The IQ Panel 2 is both reliable and fully stocked. It lacks for nothing.
• Supports up to 242 User Codes. This system has more user codes than the Lyric (for bigger businesses). While most businesses wouldn't need 242 user codes, much less 48 user codes, for those that do need more than what is allotted in the Lyric, the IQ Panel 2 is a great alternative.
• Compatible with both S-Line (Encrypted) and Interlogix Sensors. While the Lyric is compatible with 5800 sensors and SiX sensors, the Qolsys will work with their own S-Line sensors and Interlogix' line of sensors. Interlogix, formerly GE, makes some of the best sensors on the market. Comparable in quality to Honeywell, they make for a great experience on the IQ Panel 2.
• Z-Wave compatible, but no HomeKit capabilities.
The IQ Panel 2 doubles as a simple to use Z-Wave controller. However, it doesn't come with native HomeKit compatibilities enabled. For those looking for a robust automation experience, the Lyric will be a better option. For those who don't care, the Qolsys lacks for nothing.
• Alarm.com Compatible. While the Lyric uses Total Connect to manage it's interactions, the Qolsys panels integrate with Alarm.com. Alarm.com is similar to Total Connect in almost every way. However, they generally work with security systems that

2GIG GC3

Last but not least is the 2GIG GC3. In terms of pure usability, this is one of the easiest panels for quickly arming and disarming. Your employees will enjoy the panel's ease of access. You will like the fact that you can monitor every employee's access to the panel with up to 100 user codes. The company 2GIG was actually founded by two former Honeywell employees, and they brought all their skill and expertise when designing the GC3. This makes the GC3 one of the most reliable systems we offer. The GC3 panel is compatible with both Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors and 2GIG Sensors, giving it an extremely diverse sensor lineup. However, just like the Lyric Controller, a cellular communicator will need to be added to the GC3 separately. Additionally, there are currently no encrypted sensors available for the GC3. But in terms of overall usability and accessibility, it's very hard to top the 2GIG GC3.