Is Professional Alarm Monitoring Worth It?
Modern alarm systems can send alerts directly to your phone, so do you still need professional alarm monitoring?
The answer depends on what you want to happen when your alarm activates.
With self-monitoring, you receive the notification and decide what to do. With professional monitoring, a dedicated monitoring centre can also receive alarm events and follow a predetermined response plan — including at times when you may be asleep, working, travelling or unable to respond to your phone.
Watchdog Alarms offers both options, so the right choice comes down to the level of response you want.
What Is Self-Monitoring?
Self-monitoring means your compatible alarm system sends notifications directly to your smartphone or smart device.
Using Alarm.com with a compatible Watchdog system, you may be able to:
- Receive alarm and sensor notifications
- Arm and disarm remotely
- Check whether the system is armed
- Receive arming reminders
- Monitor connected doors and sensors
- View compatible connected cameras
- Manage your security through the app
Self-monitoring can be a good option if you usually have your phone with you and are comfortable deciding what action to take when an alert arrives.
Its main limitation is also straightforward: the response depends on you. If you miss the notification, have no mobile coverage, are asleep, on a flight or otherwise unavailable, you may not be able to respond immediately.
What Is Professional Alarm Monitoring?
Professional monitoring connects a compatible alarm system to a dedicated monitoring centre.
Watchdog offers 24/7 professional monitoring through an ASIAL-certified Grade A1 Monitoring Centre operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
When an alarm event is received, trained monitoring personnel can follow the response instructions established for your property. Depending on the event, your nominated instructions and the services arranged, that can include contacting nominated people and, where appropriate, coordinating alarm response, mobile security patrols or emergency services.
Professional monitoring does not mean every alarm automatically results in a patrol or emergency-services attendance. The response depends on the alarm event and the response plan attached to the system.
Self-Monitoring vs Professional Monitoring
Self-Monitoring May Suit You If:
- You want notifications sent directly to your phone
- You are comfortable responding yourself
- You usually have reliable access to your phone
- You may have CCTV available to check the property
- You prefer not to use professional monitoring all year round
Professional Monitoring May Suit You If:
- You want the alarm monitored around the clock
- You travel regularly
- You may not always be able to answer your phone
- You want a predetermined response procedure
- You want the option of arranging professional response services
- You prefer another layer of protection beyond phone notifications
Some customers choose both: they receive notifications themselves while the alarm is also professionally monitored.
What Happens If My Alarm Activates While I Am Away?
With self-monitoring, you receive the alarm notification and decide what to do. You might check your cameras, contact someone near the property or take another action depending on what you can see and the type of alert.
With professional monitoring, the monitoring centre can receive the event independently of whether you notice your own phone notification and follow the instructions associated with your account. This is one of the main reasons people choose professional monitoring when travelling.
Can I Use Professional Monitoring Only When I Go Away?
Watchdog’s current home-monitoring service is flexible and does not require a lock-in monitoring contract.
If you usually prefer self-monitoring but want additional protection while travelling or leaving the property unattended, speak to Watchdog about the monitoring options available for your system.
Does Professional Monitoring Mean I Lose Control of My Alarm?
No. Professional monitoring and smartphone access are not mutually exclusive.
With a compatible system, you can still use the Alarm.com app to interact with your alarm while professional monitoring operates in the background.
Depending on your setup, you may still be able to:
- Arm and disarm remotely
- Check system status
- Receive your own notifications
- View compatible cameras
- Monitor connected doors and sensors
- Manage users
The monitoring centre simply provides an additional response layer for supported alarm events.
Does Alarm Monitoring Rely on My Home Wi-Fi?
Not necessarily. Compatible Watchdog alarm systems can use cellular communications rather than relying solely on the property’s home internet connection.
That is an important distinction because wireless alarm sensors, Wi-Fi and cellular alarm communications are different things. When choosing a monitored alarm, ask how the system communicates if the home internet connection is unavailable.
What Happens During a Power Failure?
Watchdog’s current home alarm systems use internal backup batteries. That means a supported system can continue operating for a period during a mains-power interruption, subject to the equipment, battery condition and system configuration.
Backup batteries do require maintenance. If an older alarm has not been serviced for a long time, its battery condition is worth checking.
Can My Existing Alarm Be Professionally Monitored?
Possibly. You do not necessarily need a completely new alarm simply because you want professional monitoring.
Watchdog can assess many existing systems to determine whether they can be connected to a modern monitoring service or upgraded with compatible communications equipment.
If you already have an alarm, have it inspected before assuming the entire system needs to be replaced.
Is Professional Alarm Monitoring Worth It?
For many people, the deciding question is: if your alarm activates and you cannot respond to your phone, what do you want to happen next?
If you are happy to receive alerts and manage the response yourself, self-monitoring may be all you need.
If you want a dedicated monitoring centre available 24/7 to receive supported alarm events and follow an established response plan, professional monitoring may be worth the additional ongoing cost.
Neither option is automatically right for every home. The best choice is the one that gives you the response you actually want when something happens.
Talk to Watchdog Alarms About Home Monitoring
Watchdog Alarms provides both self-monitoring and professional home alarm monitoring options in Perth.
Whether you are installing a new system, want to add monitoring to an existing alarm or simply want to understand the difference between the available options, we can help you choose a setup that suits your home.
Watchdog offers:
- Alarm.com self-monitoring
- 24/7 Grade A1 professional monitoring
- No lock-in monitoring contracts
- Cellular communication on compatible systems
- Existing alarm assessment and upgrades
- Local Perth support
Get a free quote from Watchdog Alarms today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is self-monitoring?
Self-monitoring sends alarm notifications directly to you through a compatible app or smart device. You are then responsible for deciding what action to take.
What is professional alarm monitoring?
Professional monitoring allows compatible alarm events to be received by a dedicated monitoring centre, where trained personnel can follow the response instructions established for your property.
Can I receive phone notifications and still have professional monitoring?
Yes. Compatible systems can provide smartphone features while also being professionally monitored.
Will a patrol automatically attend every alarm?
No. The response depends on the type of event, your nominated response plan and the services arranged for the system.
Can I monitor an existing alarm?
Many existing alarms can be assessed for monitoring or communications upgrades. Compatibility depends on the equipment installed.
Does a monitored alarm need home Wi-Fi?
Not always. Compatible Watchdog systems can use cellular communications rather than relying solely on home internet.
Does Watchdog require a lock-in monitoring contract?
Watchdog’s current home-monitoring service states that its monitoring options have no lock-in contracts.