Welcome! What's On Your Mind?

It’s mid-January – are you still sticking to your New Year resolutions?  Even if you have given up on your diet or exercise plan, you can improve your life at home with a few technology upgrades.  Make working from home easier and spending time at home more enjoyable with the best technology.  Echo Workshop has some simple upgrades for your home and office that are sure to help you ease into the new year.

Are you still “that guy” working from home with constant tech issues?  It’s embarrassing, right?  It may be time to consider an upgrade to your network.  Do you have rooms in your home where it’s impossible to use your computer or phone.  Is your cell phone coverage spotty all over your house?  Echo Workshop has lots of options to improve your speed and coverage with partners like Ruckus. 

Let’s talk security!  Keeping our families safe is always at the top of our lists.  Is your security system out of date or unreliable?  Do the cameras you currently have give you a crystal-clear picture of what is going on in your home?  Video doorbells, cameras, and lighting are all part of helping protect you and your family not only from intruders, but also from fire or flooding.

Finally, if saving money is at the top of your New Year resolutions, then we can help.  Echo Workshop has technology to help you monitor energy usage, integrate solar energy, or add a charging station for your electric vehicle. 

Echo Workshop can help you make simple changes in your technology that will make big improvements to your life.  Let’s start 2024 out the right way with more efficiency and security.  We are here to help you improve your network, the safety of your family, and save money.  Contact us to today and let us help you make a resolution you can keep.

See Also: SUMMER SECURITY CHECKLIST

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION

Your integrator can guide you to the right solutions for your space and install them efficiently and safely. Reliability is the key to a successful system, and a professional integrator can ensure the most dependable connections.

Devices like Amazon’s Ring offer plenty of useful video doorbell capabilities, and they can provide ample visibility for your entryways. There are plenty of cool features and expanded capabilities that are easy to use and offer an affordable starting point for anyone looking to jump into smart video doorbells.

And if you want an even more robust system, like remote access control, your integrator can recommend technology that’s even safer, more efficient, and more private. Whether you invest in Ring or a full-scale entry automation system, your technology won't fail when you need it.

SIMPLIFY YOUR SYSTEM WITH APP-BASED CONTROLS

Whether you’re halfway around the world or, more likely these days, comfortably on the couch, you should have access to your system from anywhere. Controls centralized on your smartphone or tablet are available to carry around and manage wherever you are.

SECURITY PITFALLS 

Many vacation homes reside alongside other vacation homes, making the overall neighborhood an attractive target for thieves and home squatters. By targeting vacation homes, both of these groups know their unlawful actions are likely to go undetected for months. If a break-in should occur, the thieves will have long since gone on to other neighborhoods, leaving the homeowners to spend their time replacing essential household components, as well mourning the loss of irreplaceable sentimental items. 

Other problems that could arise over a long span of time are issues resulting from storm damage or property damage from wildlife. A shattered window or skylight as a result of a broken tree limb could cause major damage to both a home's exterior and interior. Even something as seemingly benign as a squirrel can find its way into a home and cause major damage in their desperate attempt to find their way out of the home.

PLANNING FOR SECURITY ISSUES

Here at Echo Workshop, we take pride in working with our clients to develop a comprehensive security package to protect their valuable vacation homes. We know that peace of mind for homeowners and protection of personal property are the utmost priorities for any security system. Our security packages are designed to encompass a home's exterior as well as the interior. They include critical features such as strategically-placed security cameras, a comprehensive alarm system, and other thoughtful features such as lighting and window shades that can be programmed to make it appear as if residents are home. 

START AT THE BEGINNING - THE ENTRYWAY

One of the foundational components found within our comprehensive security package is the DoorBird entry system. The DoorBird is a video door intercom and video doorbell system. Its usefulness quickly becomes evident whether homeowners are away, or simply in their backyard enjoying relaxation time with family and friends. The DoorBird works with both the Android and iOS operating systems, allowing homeowners to answer the doorbell of their vacation home whether they are halfway across the globe, or spending some downtime in the backyard pool. 

See Also: HOW HOME SECURITY HELPS PROTECT YOUR SPACE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

ALARMING STATISTICS

According to a 2013 study by UNC Charlotte, 80 percent of thieves look for an alarm system before trying to break into a home. Moreover, 60 percent will look for another target if they find one.

Porch pirates operate differently. They don’t want to break into your home. In fact, they probably didn’t even plan to steal your packages at all. Most package thieves steal because the opportunity presents itself. 

By making sure your security features are visible, you can help prevent crime from coming to your front door. Surveillance cameras, floodlights, and other components will make your home appear less like a target, so you’re less likely to become a victim.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

When you're preparing to visit family out of state, the US Postal Service suggests you let a trusted neighbor know. They can pick up deliveries and keep an eye on your home while you're gone.

A GREAT DETERRENT

Studies show that outdoor security cameras are a huge red flag for anyone considering a break-in. No one wants to risk their face being captured in the process of a crime, and it's much easier to find an alternative target than risk exposure. Avoid the worst-case scenario, and protect your valuables with the best and most effective deterrent on the market. The price of a security system is little in comparison to what could happen without one.

KEEPING TRACK OF LOVED ONES

While it might be an invasion of privacy to spy on your significant other, keeping track of your pets has never been easier. We all worry about accidentally leaving a pantry door open for a ravenous feline or curious puppy. Instead of racing home or worrying all day, you can simply check the display of a Savant System. Technology has paved the way to keep your loved ones safe and allow you to take some stress out of your day. Even for children, you can feel good knowing they are safe in bed. With these systems in place, you never have to be kept up at night thinking about the things you can't control.

ANSWERING EVERY DOOR IS OLD SCHOOL

Ever been disturbed while sitting down watching TV in the afternoon or had a knock in the middle of the night? One is an inconvenience, the other mildly terrifying; in both situations, a front door camera like DoorBird is the best way to alleviate any concerns of who is at the door. DoorBird is a door intercom and camera system. You can view and answer using the DoorBird app, or have it integrated with your Savant System so you can check your front door from a tablet and never worry about getting up for any unwanted solicitors again. 

SAVE MONEY ON INSURANCE

Many homeowner's insurance companies offer discounts for homes that have security systems installed. Whether to protect from risks of fires or document any loss of property, a home security camera keeps your house safe in more ways than one. The discounts that companies offer customers vary depending on the system's features but even without a discount, these types of systems still protect your investment. 

THE LITTLE THINGS

Not everything is a dire situation, and sometimes you just want to monitor your homes in small ways. Making sure you didn't leave the lights on and being able to turn them off with home automation. Anxiety can rear up in many ways, and being able to see your property on live footage can help.