Alarm Billing
The Evolution of Alarm Payments: What Alarm Installation Companies Need to Know for 2025
In 2015, Cornerstone Billing Solutions looked ahead to see how customers would pay in the future. Now, ten years later, it’s clear that a lot has changed for Alarm Installation Companies. Technology has moved fast, and so have the rules around handling customer payments. This means if you’re in the alarm business, you need to…
Read More5 Reasons Why Automating Billing Software is a MUST in 2025
Happy New Year! Ready to tackle 2025, or are you still running your business like it’s 1995? The alarm industry is brimming with cutting-edge technology to prevent crime, minimize loss, and protect lives. Yet, so many alarm companies cling to outdated methods when it comes to their operations—billing being one of the worst offenders. Here’s…
Read MoreGood Quoting: Fast, Flexible & Classy
Winning a new customer starts with a good conversation, and then a good quote. The conversation should uncover the prospect’s needs and priorities in making a decision. The quoting process should then address those needs and priorities, in a professional and compelling way. A good quote can be the difference between winning and losing the…
Read MoreReduce Stress: Invest in Expertise for Effortless Collections
Most of the office managers we work with would rather have a root canal than try collecting money from past-due customers! It’s stressful to put pressure on customers you worked so hard to find and win. Well, Cornerstone has a solution that takes the pressure off. Cornerstone’s Solution – Billing Plus! Our Billing Plus service…
Read MoreSafe Streets USA
Company: Safe Streets USALocation: Garner, North CarolinaWebsite: http://safestreetsusa.com Background SafeStreets USA is one of ADT’s oldest, largest, and most experienced Authorized Dealers operating in 46 states across the US. The company does over 50,000 alarm installations annually and about 98% are residential customers The Challenge Like many security dealers, SafeStreets was using a…
Read MoreRecurring Credit Card Transactions: Painful to Comply
Over the last few years, the credit card industry has adopted new rules that make it tough for small companies to stay in compliance. Including for recurring payments charged by security alarm companies. IF your company accepts Visa and Master Card for recurring subscription invoices, please review your processes versus the list below. Does your…
Read MoreSecurity System Monitoring (And Almost Everything Else)
Monitoring Everything? Monthly fees for security system monitoring are the main driver of company value in this industry. And the average monthly fee for alarm monitoring has been rising at a healthy clip in the last few years, why? More Monitoring = More Control The traditional perimeter security system monitored the entry points and interior…
Read MoreDoes Great Alarm Software do Everything…or the Main Things?
We often hear: “We want alarm software that does everything we need!” That would be software nirvana…but it’s also a tall order. First, “everything” for one security company will be different for another. Every company has its own target market, and operates in certain sub-markets and niches. So building software for an audio/video-driven company may…
Read MoreCustomer Acquisition Cost: Do you Know Yours?
How much does it cost you to acquire a new customer? Most security companies don’t really know – but they should. If you’ve ever seen an episode of “Shark Tank”, one of the most common questions from the Sharks is: what’s your customer acquisition cost? It’s a key metric for any business, and one you…
Read MoreLifetime Value of a Customer: What’s Yours?
There are a few key numbers that are extremely valuable to know, as owners plan and make investment decisions. One of those is the “Lifetime Value of a Customer”, or LTV. It’s pretty simple to determine, so let’s step through the process. No doubt your company has a wide range of recurring revenue amounts for…
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