ADT is the most effective “Do Not Enter” sign on the market. Unfortunately, brand recognition is probably their best feature. Their bark is definitely worse than their bite.
Sonitrol, on the other hand, doesn’t have the same name recognition. We’ve been around for over 50 years, though, and those in the know know us. More than that, they trust us, people at the local law enforcement offices and fire departments. Most importantly, our customers trust us. They trust us because we provide the best products combined with the best services on the market. In short, we might not have the best signs, but we offer the best security.
Here’s a review of how we beat the pants off ADT with our offerings.
Approach to intrusion
ADT: Motion detectors monitored from central stations.
Sonitrol: Verified audio/glass break detection sensors monitored from central stations.
What this means: ADT watches to see if there’s a beep on their screen from motion in a room. Sonitrol watches for those beeps too but then listens to what’s happening in the facility to confirm whether or not it’s a legitimate alarm.
Coverage
ADT: 25% (covering doors)
Sonitrol: 100%
What this means: ADT works with motion detectors that face toward doorways and halls. Sonitrol works with audio detectors that pick up sound anywhere in the room, not just in one direction.
Verified response
ADT: Motion detectors are not verified.
Sonitrol: The proprietary audio systems Sonitrol uses are approved for verified response police departments.
What this means: Police can prioritize and as a result dispatch quicker to Sonitrol’s systems.
Point of detection
ADT: Detection begins after entry. Response time starts once criminal is inside the building.
Sonitrol: Detection begins before entry is made 25% of the time.
What this means: Sonitrol’s audio detectors can pick up the sound of criminals as they’re fiddling with locks or even just discussing plans outside a facility in the middle of the night. We’re able to detect criminals this way a quarter of the time. ADT doesn’t have the technology in place to be able to sense any trouble before a break in, beyond simple motion detectors or advanced camera systems.
Average police response time
ADT: Over 40 minutes.
Sonitrol: Less than four minutes.
What this means: ADT doesn’t offer verified services. As a result, they dispatch for a lot of false alarms. Police tend to prioritize other calls ahead of ADT because the chance for a false alarm are so high. Sonitrol is the opposite. We verify our alarms with audio and other technologies. So police trust Sonitrol and go as soon as we call.
Apprehension results
ADT: Not disclosed.
Sonitrol: 170,000 apprehensions since 1977.
What this means: Sonitrol tries to catch criminals in the act by coordinating with the law enforcement officers who respond at the scene. We work hard on our products, so we’re proud of our accomplishments. ADT won’t say how often their systems have worked in catching criminals.
Online access
ADT: Purchase ADT select account for an additional charge.
Sonitrol: Receive access to mySonitrol.net at no additional charge.
What this means: In order to monitor or make changes to your system yourself via an online porthole, ADT makes you upgrade your purchase. Sonitrol offers this service for all our customers.
Monitoring center workload
ADT: 10,000 accounts per console
Sonitrol: 2,200 accounts per console
What this means: It’s kind of like a student to teacher ration. The less students per teacher, the more individual attention each student gets. The same is true for security monitoring services. The less accounts per console (or group of people monitoring the accounts), the more attention each account gets. Sonitrol gives your account almost four times the attention that ADT gives.
Performance Guarantee
ADT: No guarantee that their products and services will properly secure your facilities.
Sonitrol: Guarantees $10,000 coverage for undetected alarms.
What this means: If someone breaks into your facilities without Sonitrol detecting them when we should have, Sonitrol will pay up to $10,000 to replace lost and damaged property.
False alarm guarantee
ADT: No guarantee to cover false alarms.
Sonitrol: Guarantees to pay any false alarm fees that are not caused by the customer.
What this means: If a stray cat walks through your parking lot, sets off an alarm, and then gets the police dispatched, the police don’t appreciate it. After the first false alarm dispatch, the police start sending you bills, which quickly add up. Sonitrol reimburses you for those bills, as long as they weren’t caused by you.
Service Guarantee
ADT: Call their 1-800 number. On site supports gets billed to you.
Sonitrol: 24/7 phone support and on-site technical support, no charge.
What this means: If a storm damages your gate system or an alarm won’t quit sending false signals, Sonitrol will send a tech out to fix the issue and won’t charge you a dime. ADT will bill you by the hour, even if they’re replacing their own equipment that malfunctioned.
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Summary
The short of it is that Sonitrol simply offers a better overall product than ADT.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here are our numbers:
ADT in Louisville: (855) 989-5031
Sonitrol of Louisville: (502) 966-8999
Give us both a call. Compare for yourself. Then get yourself some business-grade security.
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