Businesses change over time. You may have added employees, expanded your building, opened another location or changed the way your facility operates.

Your security system needs to keep up with those changes.

A system that worked well several years ago may no longer provide the same level of coverage or functionality your business needs today.

Here are five signs it may be time to take another look at your security system.

1. Your Business Has Expanded

One of the most obvious signs is simply growth.

If your business has added new offices, storage areas, entrances, parking areas or additional locations, your original security system may not cover everything.

New areas can create security gaps that weren’t there when the system was first installed.

A security assessment can help identify areas that may need additional cameras, sensors, access points or other equipment.

2. Your Security Equipment Is Outdated

Technology continues to change, and older security equipment may not provide the same capabilities as newer systems.

Older cameras, outdated access equipment or aging alarm components can limit what your business is able to monitor and manage.

This doesn’t necessarily mean everything needs to be replaced. In some cases, updating specific components may be enough to improve the overall system.

3. You Have Security Coverage Gaps

Walk around your property and consider what your security system can actually see and monitor.

Are there areas where cameras don’t provide adequate visibility?

Are certain doors or storage areas not monitored?

Are there parts of your property that employees or visitors can access without the appropriate security controls?

As businesses change, areas that once seemed low-risk can become important security concerns.

4. Managing Your System Has Become Difficult

Your security system should make it easier to manage your business, not create another complicated task.

If employees are struggling to use the system, managing access has become difficult or you aren’t sure who has access to certain areas, it may be time to reevaluate your setup.

A security system should fit into your daily operations and be practical for the people who use it.

5. Your Security Needs Have Changed

Sometimes the biggest sign that your system has outgrown your business is that your business simply operates differently than it did when the system was installed.

Maybe you now have more employees. Maybe you store more valuable equipment. Maybe you have employees working different hours. Or perhaps you have added another location.

These changes can create new security needs that your original system wasn’t designed to address.

Take a Fresh Look at Your Security

Outgrowing a security system doesn’t necessarily mean starting over.

A professional security assessment can help determine what is still working, where gaps may exist and which parts of your system could benefit from an upgrade.

The goal is to make sure your security system reflects the business you have today, not the business you had when the system was first installed.

Quinlan Security Systems works with businesses throughout Chicagoland to design, maintain and upgrade commercial security systems. If your business has changed, it may be time to take another look at your security needs.

Quinlan Security Systems. Protection You Can Trust.

Power outages can happen at any time. Severe weather, equipment problems, construction accidents and other unexpected issues can cause a business to lose power.

While most business owners are thinking about keeping operations running, it is also important to consider what happens to your security system when the power goes out.

Without proper planning, an outage could affect cameras, access control, alarms and other security equipment.

Will Your Security System Stop Working?

Not necessarily.

Many commercial security systems can be designed with backup power options that help keep important equipment operating during a power interruption.

The length of time a system can continue operating depends on the equipment being used, the backup power available and how the system was designed.

This is why backup power should be considered when installing or evaluating a commercial security system.

What Happens to Security Cameras?

Security cameras require power to operate and record video.

If cameras lose power, they may stop recording unless they are connected to an appropriate backup power source.

For businesses that rely heavily on video surveillance, this can create a gap in coverage during an outage.

A security professional can evaluate your surveillance system and determine what equipment should remain operational during a power interruption.

What About Access Control?

Access control systems can also be affected by a power outage.

Depending on the system and equipment installed, doors may have different responses when power is interrupted. This makes it important for businesses to understand how their access control system is designed to operate during an outage.

Businesses should consider both security and employee safety when determining how doors and entry points should function during a power interruption.

Alarms and Monitoring

Security alarms are another important consideration.

A properly designed system can include backup power to help maintain security even when the building loses electricity. Monitoring can also provide an additional layer of protection by allowing security professionals to respond to alarm signals.

Your security provider can help determine how your alarm system is expected to operate during an outage and what backup options are available.

Don’t Wait Until an Outage to Test Your System

One of the easiest ways to identify a potential problem is to test your system before an emergency happens.

Businesses should periodically review questions such as:

• Does our security system have backup power?
• How long can critical equipment operate during an outage?
• Will our cameras continue recording?
• How will our doors and access points operate?
• Will our alarm system continue communicating?
• Has our backup equipment been tested recently?

Understanding the answers ahead of time can help businesses avoid surprises when an outage occurs.

Security Should Work When You Need It Most

A security system isn’t only important when everything is operating normally. Businesses also need to know how their security equipment will respond when something unexpected happens.

Power outages are a good reminder to look at your security system as a whole and make sure critical equipment has the appropriate protection and backup.

Quinlan Security Systems can help businesses evaluate their existing security systems and identify ways to improve reliability and protection. From alarms and video surveillance to access control and other security solutions, Quinlan can help businesses prepare for the unexpected.

Quinlan Security Systems. Protection You Can Trust.

For service businesses, security goes beyond protecting a building. HVAC companies, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, roofing companies, contractors and other service-based businesses often have valuable tools, equipment and vehicles that are stored on-site or left at different locations throughout the day.

A security system designed around the needs of a service business can help protect these assets while also providing greater visibility into what is happening around your property.

Protecting Company Vehicles

Work vehicles can contain thousands of dollars in tools and equipment. A break-in to a single vehicle can mean lost equipment, repair costs and delays for your employees and customers.

Video surveillance can help businesses monitor parking lots, vehicle storage areas and entrances. Cameras can also provide recorded footage that may be useful when investigating suspicious activity or a theft.

For businesses with larger fleets, license plate recognition and other security technologies can provide additional visibility around vehicle entrances and exits.

Keep Tools and Equipment Secure

Tools and specialized equipment are essential to keeping a service business running. Whether they are stored inside a building, warehouse, garage or outdoor area, these items should be protected from unauthorized access.

Access control can help businesses limit who can enter storage areas or other restricted spaces. Instead of relying on traditional keys, businesses can control access based on employees, locations or specific areas of the facility.

Protect Your Facility After Hours

Many service businesses operate during normal business hours but have employees coming and going at different times.

Intrusion detection and security alarms can help protect the facility when employees are not there. Doors, windows and other entry points can be monitored for unauthorized activity.

Combining alarms with video surveillance can also give business owners and security teams a better understanding of what is happening when an alarm is triggered.

Don’t Forget About Employee Safety

Security isn’t only about protecting property. Employees may also be working early in the morning, late at night or arriving at a facility when few other people are around.

A properly designed security system can help businesses monitor entrances, parking areas and other parts of the property where employees may need additional protection.

Security for Businesses With Multiple Locations

Many service companies operate from multiple locations or have employees traveling between job sites.

Managing security across several properties can become difficult when every location has a different system. A centralized security approach can provide businesses with better visibility and make it easier to manage security across their facilities.

Build a Security Plan Around Your Business

Every service business has different security concerns. A contractor may need to focus on vehicles and equipment, while a landscaping company may need additional protection around outdoor storage areas and fleet parking.

The right security system should be designed around how your business actually operates.

Quinlan Security Systems provides security solutions for service-based businesses throughout Chicagoland and the surrounding areas. From video surveillance and intrusion detection to access control and remote security management, Quinlan can help businesses protect their property, equipment and employees.

Quinlan Security Systems. Protection You Can Trust.

Managing a security system should not be complicated.

And neither should managing your relationship with your security provider.

That is why Quinlan Security Systems provides customers with convenient online access to their account through the My Account section of the Quinlan website.

Whether you are a business owner, facility manager, office administrator, or property manager, having easy access to important account information can make managing your security services more convenient.

One Convenient Place to Manage Your Services

The My Account section provides customers with an easy way to access their account without having to track down paperwork or search through old emails.

Online account access can be especially helpful for businesses that need to manage security services while also handling everything else that comes with running a facility.

Why Online Access Matters

Convenience

Access your account when it is convenient for you, rather than being limited to a specific business hour.

Easy Management

Having important account information available online gives you another convenient way to manage your relationship with Quinlan.

Less Paperwork

Digital access can make it easier to keep information organized without relying on paper records.

Accessible From Anywhere

When you are managing a business, you are not always sitting behind your desk. Online account access gives you another way to stay connected.

Security Service Should Be Easy to Manage

Quinlan believes customer service is about more than installing and maintaining security equipment.

It is also about making the overall customer experience easier.

The My Account section is another example of how Quinlan uses technology to make it simpler for customers to manage their security services.

Visit the Quinlan Security Systems website and look for My Account to access your customer account.

Because protecting your business is important.

Managing your security services should be easy.

Quinlan Security Systems. Protection You Can Trust.

Manufacturing and industrial facilities have security challenges that are different from a typical office building.

Large properties. Multiple entrances. Employees working different shifts. Loading docks. Valuable equipment. Inventory. Restricted areas. Heavy machinery. Contractors and visitors.

Security needs to keep up with all of it.

Protecting More Than the Front Door

For a manufacturing or industrial facility, access control may need to extend well beyond the primary entrance.

Different employees may require access to different parts of the property. Management may need to restrict certain areas. Contractors may need temporary access. Former employees may need to have their credentials removed immediately.

An electronic access control system can make managing these permissions much easier.

See What Is Happening

Video surveillance is another important component.

Strategically placed cameras can provide visibility throughout the property, including:

• Parking areas
• Loading docks
• Building entrances
• Production areas
• Storage facilities
• Perimeter areas
• Restricted locations

Modern video technology can provide more than traditional recording. AI-powered analytics can help identify activity and make surveillance footage more useful.

Know What Is Happening Around Your Property

Industrial properties can cover a significant amount of ground.

Virtual fence technology, intelligent video analytics, and other advanced surveillance solutions can help businesses monitor activity in areas that may be difficult to watch continuously.

The right security strategy can help businesses identify unauthorized activity, protect valuable assets, and provide greater awareness of what is happening throughout the facility.

Security Designed Around Your Operation

There is no universal security package for manufacturing and industrial businesses.

Quinlan Security Systems works with facility owners and managers to understand the property, identify vulnerabilities, and develop solutions that make sense for the operation.

From access control and video surveillance to fire systems, alarm detection, intercoms, and monitoring, Quinlan can help bring multiple security technologies together under one experienced security partner.

For manufacturing and industrial facilities, security needs to work as hard as you do.

Access Cards

Access cards are one of the most familiar forms of electronic access control.
An employee simply presents a card to a reader to gain entry.
Best for: Businesses with a large number of employees who need consistent, easy-to-manage credentials.

Key Fobs

PIN Codes

PIN-based access allows authorized users to enter a code at a keypad rather than carrying a physical credential.
PINs can be assigned individually or used for specific access requirements.
Best for: Certain doors, restricted areas, or situations where carrying a physical credential is less convenient.

Mobile Credentials

Mobile access allows a compatible smartphone to be used as a credential.
For businesses looking to incorporate newer technology into their security systems, mobile credentials can provide convenience while reducing reliance on physical cards and fobs.
Best for: Businesses that want modern, convenient access options for employees and authorized users.

Which One Is Best?

It depends. Some businesses may benefit from one credential type. Others may use a combination based on the location and security requirements.

Quinlan Security Systems can help you evaluate the options and design an access control solution that fits the way your business actually operates.

Because good access control is not about choosing the newest technology.

It is about choosing the right technology for your business.

Yes. And when these systems are properly integrated, they can provide a much stronger security solution than operating each system independently.

Think about what happens when someone approaches a secured entrance.

An access control system can determine whether the person is authorized to enter.

A video surveillance camera can provide visual confirmation of what is happening.

An intercom system can allow someone inside the building to communicate with the person at the door.

Three technologies. One security strategy.

Access Control

Access control determines who can enter a specific area.

A credential may be used to unlock a door, while the system records the event. Businesses can establish different access permissions based on employees, departments, schedules, or restricted areas.

Video Surveillance

Video provides visibility.

When access control and video surveillance are integrated, security personnel can have a better understanding of what is happening around an access point.

For example, a camera can provide visual information about activity at a door while the access control system records the associated access event.

Intercom Systems

Sometimes you need to communicate before granting access.

An intercom system can allow employees or security personnel to speak with visitors at an entrance before deciding whether access should be granted.

This can be particularly useful for:

• Schools
• Office buildings
• Municipal facilities
• Manufacturing facilities
• Industrial properties
• Multi-tenant commercial buildings

Why Integration Matters

Security systems are most effective when they work together.

Rather than forcing employees to manage several completely separate technologies, an integrated solution can provide a more complete picture of what is happening.

Quinlan Security Systems can help businesses evaluate their existing systems and determine whether integration is possible or whether a new solution would provide better results.

The result is a security environment that provides greater visibility, control, and accountability.

One system can protect a door. An integrated system can help protect the entire property.

A school should be a place where students can learn, teachers can teach, and staff can do their jobs without constantly worrying about who has access to the building.
That is one reason access control has become such an important part of school security.

What Does Access Control Do?

Access control systems help determine who can enter a building, when they can enter, and which areas they are authorized to access.

Instead of relying entirely on traditional keys, schools can use electronic credentials and permissions to manage access.

This can provide better control over:

• Main entrances
• Administrative offices
• Classrooms
• Maintenance areas
• Technology rooms
• Athletic facilities
• Restricted areas

The system can be configured around the needs of the individual school or district.

Why Schools Trust Quinlan

Schools have unique security challenges.

There are large numbers of students and staff. Buildings may have multiple entrances. Schedules change. Employees come and go. Visitors need to be managed. Certain areas may require additional restrictions.

Quinlan Security Systems understands that access control needs to work within the daily operation of a school, not create unnecessary obstacles for staff.

That is why Quinlan works with educational institutions to develop security solutions based on the specific needs of the facility.

Municipalities Need Security Too

The same principles apply to municipal buildings.

Government facilities may contain sensitive information, public service areas, employee-only spaces, equipment, and other restricted areas that need to be protected.

Quinlan works with schools and municipalities to help create controlled environments without sacrificing convenience.

Good security is about more than keeping people out.

It is about making sure the right people have the right access at the right time.

For schools and municipalities throughout the Chicago area, Quinlan Security Systems provides experienced guidance, quality technology, and dependable support.

Protection You Can Trust.

There are plenty of companies that can install a security system.

The real question is what happens after the installation.

At Quinlan Security Systems, the relationship with a customer does not end
when the equipment is installed. It is where the relationship begins.

Experience Matters

For years, Quinlan has helped businesses, schools, municipalities, and other organizations protect their people, property, and operations.

That experience matters because security is not a one-size-fits-all industry.

A quality security system starts with understanding the property and identifying what needs to be protected. From there, the right equipment, technology, and installation approach can make all the difference.

Quality Products. Professional Installation. Dependable Service.

Quinlan believes the best security systems are built around three important components:

The right products.

Technology continues to evolve, and Quinlan stays current with solutions designed to provide businesses with better security, improved awareness, and greater control.

The right installation.

Even the best security equipment cannot perform properly if it is installed incorrectly. Proper placement, configuration, integration, and testing are critical.

The right service.

This may be the biggest difference of all. When a customer has a question, needs service, or experiences an issue with their system, they want to know there is someone they can call.

Quinlan takes that responsibility seriously.

The Quinlan Difference

A security company should be more than an equipment provider. It should be a partner.

That means listening to customers, understanding their concerns, recommending practical solutions, and being there after the installation is complete.

That is the Quinlan Advantage.

Quality products. Experienced installation. Responsive service. A commitment to doing the job right.

Quinlan Security Systems – Protection You Can Trust.