Take This Gentleman's Advice

You all may wish to take this gentleman's advice.  Call me today on (847) 380-6481 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation, on an ADT security program fit for The White House at your house.

Independence Day 2014

Did I mention our Independence Day Sale... save big $$$ now through July 11, 2014.  Call me on 847-380-6481.

Independence Day 2013

Did I mention we're having an Independence Day Sale?  Special savings on ADT Pulse through July 8, 2013.

Friday Must-See TV

ADT is being featured on two major networks tomorrow evening. Tune in to CBS as we watch CMO Tony Wells, go undercover on the hit show Undercover Boss! The episode, premiering at 8 p.m. ET/PT; 7 p.m. CT, will feature Tony in front-line employee roles - as a sales representative, installation technician and emergency dispatch operator. Before Undercover Boss airs tomorrow night, be sure to watch the debut of the HGTV SmartHome featuring ADT Pulse at 7 p.m. ET/PT; 6 p.m. CT. Check your local listings to confirm air times in your area.

Caught In The Act - ADT Pulse Records Burglary In-Progress

An ADT Pulse Camera recently caught a burglar in the act, notified the police and paged the home-owner. You can see the whole thing here... http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19602182/2012/09/21/dunedin-home-burglary-caught-on-surveillance Don't forget to call me to get your own ADT Pulse system installed... (847) 390-6481

We're Number Two!

According to the FBI, burglaries accounted for roughly $4.8 billion in lost property in the U.S. last year, with almost 2.2 million burglaries reported.

Being full of civic pride (?) I'm proud to report that Chicago, the third most populous city in the U.S., ranked Number 2 on the list with 26,420 burglaries (Houston was number one, but everything's bigger in Texas). We've always had a world-famous criminal element (since the days of Al Capone), the murder rate on any given weekend in Chicago is staqgering, and yet most people feel pretty safe. Still, the city suffered an incredible 118,239 property offenses last year, of which 26,420 were burglaries.

Can I help? I think you know the answer... (847) 380-6481

ADT Real Stories #621

Celina Realuyo, former Director of Counter-Terrorism Finance Programs for the US Dept of Homeland Security, discusses ADT and her own home security program.

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Independence Day 2012

Wishing you a Happy (and safe) Independence Day

Sorry, Mom. I'd Rather Switch Than Fight

I recently visited a client who'd moved into a home with an existing alarm system in it and he wanted to change to ADT. Needless to say, I was happy to oblige him. At the end of my visit I removed the old alarm company's lawn sign and replaced it with an ADT Custom Home Services sign. As I pulled the old sign out of the ground he offered to take it from me. "I'll get rid of it for you," I said.

"Do you have some kind of trophy room at your office where you keep the signs," he asked?

"Not exactly," I replied, "I hang them in my garage. That's my trophy room."

I've also been asked... many, many times in recent days... "what do you think about Comcast?" Now, honestly, I'm generally loathe to discuss the competition. I think it's bad form to engage in trash-talk about our competitors. Besides, my mother always told me that if I don't have anything nice to say about someone, just don't say anything at all.

My mom was a pretty smart lady, but as long as you're asking... I don't really think of Comcast as ADT's competition. C'mon, it's a cable TV company, not a serious security outfit.

ADT is a specialty company. Security is all we do, and I'm not trying to sell you television programming, am I? ADT has been in business since 1874, in electronic security since 1906. One hundred and six years in security as opposed to their 106 days.

Also, look at the signs hanging on my wall. Those are serious security companies and they don't measure-up to ADT. How in the world am I supposed to take the cable company seriously?

Sorry, Mom!

War Veteran Shares Benefits of ADT Pulse

ADT Pulse continues to enhance the lifestyle of customers across North America. Clay Rankin, a wounded veteran from the war in Iraq uses our innovative system to live a better life. His use of the system is part of a pilot project to determine how Pulse can positively impact the lives of disabled veterans.

Rankin, who was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor for his heroic efforts at Camp Udairi in northern Kuwait, is disabled and is using the system to determine whether it would help other war veterans with security and medical solutions.

ADT’s Shane Sumrow said this project could “show a different way to use this system.”

Rankin said that ADT Pulse helps him function around his home by allowing him to control his surroundings when no one is around. “It’s hard to always have to have someone with you everywhere you go,” Rankin said. “I have not felt this comfortable in a long time–or this safe. Much of it is finding the right tools to help you do it.”

Then, there are the other advantages of ADT Pulse. “For me, it provides my wife the peace of mind to know that she can go to a store, if she hasn’t heard from me in a while, she can go online and look at what the cameras show to make sure I’m OK,” said Rankin, who has cameras mounted inside the house that can be easily accessed via their smart phone.

Clay Rankin uses ADT Pulse to function better in his home. He’s accompanied by Harley, his service dog.

To learn more about the benefits of ADT Pulse and how it can help you live a better life, call me on (847) 380-6481 today.

The Show Must Go On - Part III

Once again, the ADT Custom Home Services group will take to the road, exhibiting our latest technology. This weekend we're at the Arlington Park Racecourse, 2200 Euclid Avenue in Arlington Heights. Visit our booth and find out why ADT Custom Home Services - Chicago North was recently named the Number One integrator in the US by Custom Electronics Pro magazine in their CE Pro Top One Hundred... we're quite proud of that distinction.

I'll be on-hand at the show on Saturday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, so come on over and say hello, and let me show you why ADT Custom is your best choice for security and home automation systems. See you there!

The Show Must Go On - Part II

This weekend, the ADT Custom Home Services group will be demonstrating our latest technology at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 East Main Street in St. Charles. Visit our booth and find out why ADT Custom Home Services - Chicago North was recently named the Number One integrator in the US by CE Pro magazine in their CE Pro Top One Hundred... we're quite proud of that distinction.

I'll be on-hand at the show on Sunday from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM, so come on over and say hello, and let me show you why ADT Custom is your best choice for security and home automation systems. See you there!

The Show Must Go On

Last year, 2011, the ADT Custom team took part in a number of community events: Buffalo Grove Days; Deerfield Community Service Day and the Long Grove Apple Festival, just to name a few. This year, 2012, we're going to participate in Spring, Summer and Autumn events outdoors, but we're also going to be keeping busy throughout the Winter with some indoor events as well.

Last weekend we took part in a home improvement show in Grayslake, at the New Lake County Fairgrounds. This weekend we'll be appearing at the Prairie Stone Sports Center in Hoffman Estates. I'll be there on Saturday from 10:00 AM through 2:00 PM. C'mon over and say hello, let me show you what we're doing with state-of-the-art security, fire protection and home automation.

Going Social In 2012

I think customer service is very important. I want everyone I work with to be pleased with systems I've set-up for them and I want to hear from them with any questions or referrals. I typically tell my clients that they can call me at any time and I mean it. My mother wanted me to be a doctor (obviously, I passed) but I want my phone to ring as if I'm a pediatrician! If my phone's not ringing, I'm not happy.

This month I'm going to try something a little different to boost the volume of calls. I'm currently in discussions with groupon.com, the web-based marketing company, to offer deep discounts on a mass scale.

First up is a great deal on our ADT Safewatch Quickconnect. About half of all ADT clients are protected by this product. This is a budget-priced system, $99 and includes CPU, 2 wireless door contacts, 1 wireless motion sensor, 1 keyfob remote control and installation (monitoring is $42.99 per month). The groupon.com deal: $49 & $37.99 per month!

Can't wait to see it on groupon.com? Call me and tell me you want the groupon offer and it's yours. The catch? It's this week only.

In The Dark?

Daylight Saving Time expires... and Standard Time resumes... at 2:00 AM on Sunday morning.

It'll be getting dark earlier again and ADT Pulse can help by automatically switching your lights on at preset times or when a particular door opens, so you're never walking into a dark house. Pulse can also switch on your lights when the fire alarm registers a smoky condition so you can see your way to safety in a dark smoky house.

Call me for details on (847) 380-6481

From Around The World And Into Your Home

Are you planning on jetting-off for an extended vacation in exotic Ubetya this winter? You might consider upgrading your current alarm system to ADT's Pulse Interactive Solution. A client of mine, traveling abroad, just e-mailed an unsolicited testimonial for his upgrade to an ADT Pulse Premier system (with a thank you for my help in arranging a tweak to the system since his departure).....

Hi Joe,

Upgrading to ADT Pulse has proved to be both useful and reassuring. The system has functioned problem-free ever since the sensor was tweaked, and for your help with that I want to thank you once again.

It's reassuring to be able to "check-in" on the house without calling neighbors and waiting for replies. Also, minor adjustments --like turning off the AC and switching to the furnace-- takes practically no time, but are tasks that otherwise would require that someone enter the house and do it.

You can count me as somebody who thinks this remote system is especially useful. We'll be back home in January and can catch-up then.

Best wishes,
Bob E.

This Day In History - September 11, 2001

Independence Day 2011

Wishing you a Happy (and safe) Independence Day

The Real Value In Home Security Systems

I spend most of my working time with my homeowner clients talking about and configuring security systems, and I spend the rest of my working time with our technicians and other colleagues talking about security systems. Add-in the policemen and firefighters, count all the horror stories (and take some with a grain of salt) and I learn a lot from all constituencies. Over the years I've come to realize something that I regularly impart to my clients and, of course, anyone else within earshot... I've learned the real value in home security systems. Can you guess what it is?

I'll bet you can, especially if you're looking at the pictures accompanying this article. Yes, it's monitored fire protection. Why? Because just about all fire victims die from smoke inhalation, and the type of fire protection (ionization alarms) the overwhelming majority of people have in their homes is completely ineffective. It simply won't save you from the type of fire that's most likely to kill you... a slow, smoldering, smoky condition... long before there are flames.

Don't just take my word for it, watch this segment from WTHR-TV News in Indianapolis, then call me and I'll get you the right kind of fire alarm: an ADT-monitored photo-electric smoke detector.

The Best Pulse Demo I've Ever Seen

This guy isn't one of us, he's a client!

Benefits of Upgrading to ADT Pulse

Now, existing ADT Safewatch Pro 3000 systems can be upgraded to Pulse. Call me today on (847) 380-6481 for details.

Going Green - The Case For Smart Homes

You don't have to watch cable television to be bombarded with the news that oil futures prices have risen to more than $100 a barrel. It's a painfully evident fact that hits home as you drive down the street and pass a gas station, or when you stop in at one to fill-up your car. Gasoline prices in the Chicago area are on the rise, I paid $3.59 a gallon yesterday at a gas station in Northbrook, and it's even more expensive in the city. I'm told that gasoline could reach $4.00 a gallon by Spring and jump as high as $5.00 a gallon by mid-Summer.

The collateral damage caused by the increase in oil prices is that it drives up the cost of other energy sources too: coal, natural gas, etc. Worse, there's not much that an individual can do to stem the rising tide of retail energy prices... or is there?

Going Green has, for the past couple of years, been a great trend, but what can you really do to help conserve energy? Take control of your home!

How? ADT Pulse can help make yours a smart home by integrating energy management with its remote access capabilities. You can monitor and control energy usage via thermostat modules (heating and cooling), lamp modules, light switch modules and appliance modules. ADT's Pulse technology will enable your home's electronics talk to each other, and to you. It unifies them into an integrated network and can be added to almost any electronic device in your house.

Through the ADT Pulse online portal, you're connected to your home in a whole new way. Via secure access from any web-enabled device (iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, computer, etc), you can view secure live video of your home, set-up custom schedules, automate lights and thermostats for energy efficiency and much more. ADT Pulse is more than just remote security - it's smart home automation, climate and light control, and video. And it's affordable, customizable and easy to use.

Call me on (847) 380-6481 to learn how you can join the smart home revolution today, with ADT Pulse.

Guess Who's Coming To Visit?

I wonder who's coming to visit? That's what I think to myself when the doorbell rings and I'm not expecting anyone. Of course, if it's a friend, I'm happy to have visitors. The ones I'm most concerned about are those who come around when I'm not home and don't necessarily knock before coming in.

I think everyone's concerned about the unexpected guest, including people who are confident that they can take whatever's (whoever's?) coming at them. Even professional football players, arguably some of the biggest, toughest, maybe orneriest guys around. Last week the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) named ADT Custom Home Services as their preferred security partner.

In my dreams I'd want one of those guys protecting me, now I'm looking forward to protecting them. Call me if you'd like to be protected like a pro, by a pro.

From The White House To Your House

One of the things we're proud of at ADT is that the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies in the United States have chosen us as their security partner, well over 90% of them in-fact. Similarly, we're proud to have ADT systems at work at CIA headquarters, at Fort Knox, at every major international airport. ADT has systems at work in the White House and in the homes of every federal judge.

Now, in response to the recent tragedy in Tuscon, the House Sergeant at Arms, in conjunction with the U. S. Capitol Police has requested ADT's Custom Home Services division to offer U. S. House of Representatives member's offices and their residences a security survey assessment under the District Security Program, leading (of course) to ADT protection.

From the White House to your congressman's house to your house... ADT - always there.

The Basketball Diaries

As a teen you play some basketball on a neighborhood court, you develop some trick moves. You start playing basketball seriously in high school, you're good at it. By the time you're a senior you've caught the eye of some college scouts, you're very good at it. In college you play so well the national press catches on, you're very, very good at it. By the time you start your senior season, some NBA scouts are interested. Before you even graduate, you're drafted. You've grown to be an exceptional basketball player.

The number of players in the NBA varies each year. Each team can carry a maximum of 15 players, but they can carry as few as 12. At any given time the number of players in the NBA ranges from 360 to 450. The best of the best. The beloved. The despised.

As a starter for the Chicago Bulls you've got some fans. They love how you play, they love how you win. Some others, however, don't like the way you beat their team. Your fans love your style. Some others, think you're too big for your britches. Your fans figure out where you live and they start to come around. Some others figure out where you live, and they start to come around, too.

When I was asked recently to protect a celebrity basketball player's home I knew it required a degree of discretion, and I was flattered to get the call. I designed a security program that protects him from his foes and fans alike, but it's really no different than protecting you and your family.

A state-of-the-art security system, including cameras, can be quite affordable. An entry-level ADT Pulse Premiere system is a special value, right now through March 31st. Pro level protection at a neighborhood court price. Call me to learn how to take advantage of this very special offer.

Check Your Pulse

Pulse Featured On "Today" On NBC

Tune in during the 8 a.m. hour of the Today Show to catch nationally acclaimed parent expert Alison Rhodes showcasing ADT Pulse to a national audience of several million viewers. The segment will focus on “amazing remote technology” that is helping parents keep kids and teens safe. In addition to ADT Pulse, four other new products will be demonstrated. Check back here later today for a clip of the show.

Happy Holidays!!

"Press 9" Is NOT An Option

You've heard it before: For this, press 1; for that, press 2; for something else, press 3... for more options, press 9. You're busy, you don't have time to waste, you hate to navigate automated telephone menus. As an ADT Custom Home Services client you won't have to.

ADT Custom Home Services combines advanced technology and monitoring with the highest level of personal service and fast response times. Whenever you call us, you'll be immediately connected to a Customer Service Agent trained to provide preferred service and answer any questions you may have. We call it Concierge Service. Our exclusive Custom Home Services hotline is available 24/7, whatever you're calling about. A question about your bill, it's answered. Your alarm system needs service, no problem, we feature same-day service when available, next-day service at the latest. Only senior agents and technicians serve your needs, our best people are at your disposal. You're busy, you're on the move. Press 9 is not an option!

It's All About The Chase?

Wayne Carini of F40 Motorsports remarks, at the opening of his popular television show Chasing Classic Cars, "win or lose, it's all about the chase." Of course he's referring to the excitement of finding rare, classic automobiles... wherever he has to go, whatever he has to do... and bringing them back to life and to market, or to a particular client. But it's not really all about the chase, it's really all about service.

I feel the same way and at ADT Custom Home Services we really are all about service. Sometimes that means going to extraordinary lengths to provide my clients with the solutions they need and in the manner in which they prefer. This can be a little idiosyncratic sometimes, but it's never boring. Can it be all about the chase? Absolutely!

One of my favorite recent episodes was all about the chase. My client preferred, for whatever reason, to conduct the initial phase of his research via text message. It's not the usual medium I employ, and certainly not my medium of choice when interacting with a client but... as I've said many times, I've been doing this a long time and I'm not bored yet. And like Wayne, "I'll go anywhere, do anything,"... and though he's talking about chasing down cars for his clients and I'm designing security programs for mine, I'll do whatever it takes to satisfy my clients, even if that means conducting business by text message. It's not really all about the chase, it's really all about service.

The Park Road Solution

When considering security for larger properties, especially those with other buildings on the grounds, high-capacity control panels give us the ability to secure and manage several unique spaces on the same system.

For this particular pair of clients, he's an architect and she designs kitchens, a bit more complex solution than the usual was involved.  This couple have their studio in what was originally the guest house and they were interested in having both the living quarters and the studio on the same security system.  My design was aided by the flexibility of the system platform. We partitioned the control panel, excavated a small trench for the wiring (in conduit, of course) to run between the buildings, added two additional touchpads for their studio and the problem was eloquently solved.  Residential and business spaces on the same property, secured on one account.

Welcome to Chicago Pulse

Chicago Pulse was created by Joseph Pobereskin of ADT Custom Home Services. As the premier Pulse system designer in the Chicago metropolitan area, Mr. Pobereskin offers here his insights into leveraging the power of Pulse, the high-technology security, fire, critical conditions monitoring and home management system from ADT. For the most discerning clientele, when only the best will do.