When the Bills Don’t Get Paid

If you are a manufacturer or distributor (or any business for that matter), you want to get paid by your customers. Missed invoices or incorrect invoices are bad for your business. If you face a problem like this, you know that it must be fixed. But, how?

We have a solution here at H&S Protection. We sit down and meet with you to set up a camera system targeting your staging area so that video footage captures your shipping process in exact detail. It’s the type of system we recently installed for a customer in Waukesha who found outgoing shipments weren’t matching up with what was received when their customers got the delivery.

They were coming up short. That’s not good, and our customer knew they needed to solve the problem quickly. We responded with a three-camera installation targeting the receiving dock. We watched the loading and unloading process to determine optimal locations.

Our cameras provided enough clarity to pick up the bill of lading on the invoice documents. With approximately $30,000-$50,000 tied up in inventory, this was a BIG issue for our client. The system holds 180-days of recorded video, and it captured what was leaving the facility on their trucks. This helped reveal that  the problem was actually with the carrier.

H&S helped with the video review. With our input and insights, the customer changed their shipping practices. While the issue wasn’t necessarily our customer’s, they needed proof on what was “going out the door” to determine where the discrepancy was.

For less than $4,000, H&S staff were able to come up with a targeted strategic design. “A really cool system” as one of our design consultants termed it.

Now, they don’t need to have $50,000 tied up in inventory. We provided a clarity level on the video that picks up text on the paper, including quantities and parts numbers. We adjusted the cameras as necessary to provide greater specificity. Any shipping or loading dock would benefit from a similar system by saving money tied up in inventory, which is money lost.

As a security company, we recognize the importance of your bottom line. If you think we can help you with a targeted system, give us a callin southeast Wisconsin at 262.574.7777; or in central Wisconsin at 715.344.0727.

Protecting Churches

Protecting Churches

When we recently finished a camera installation at a church in Wauwatosa, WI, we didn’t figure on the system coming into play so quickly. But, it did. And, that’s a good reason to consider a camera system if you head a religious congregation.

None of us want to think that a burglar or criminal will do harm to a church, synagogue or mosque. But Sadly, incidents do happen. Your building may be considered a “soft” target.

While we don’t know the intentions of those who broke into the Wauwatosa church, we do know they threw a brick through the window because our cameras captured that on an early Friday morning after we finished the install on Monday. It’s the fastest we can remember where an installation led to helping with an apprehension.

The video showed two men looking at the door, going back up the street, then returning, before taking off running after trying to open the crash bar. We received multiple views of the car as they drove up AND away. We’re glad we were there with video technology to capture the incident. It’s the type of help we’re proud to provide our customers, and to law enforcement so they can better do their jobs.

If you would like to hear from us about any of our security systems in the Milwaukee metro area, give us call at 262.574.7777. If you have a home or business in central Wisconsin and would like to meet with us, please call 715.344.0727.

Laundromat Cameras

Laundromat Cameras

There are many businesses where automated security make sense. And, there are many reasons to install a system, whether that’s to help deter potential criminal behavior or to provide video of actions that could damage your business.

When it comes to laundromats, there is an equipment investment that needs to be protected. There is also an issue of simplifying operations for the owner/manager.

In Racine, WI, towards the end of last year, we installed a fully automated system in a local laundromat, which includes our www.alarm.com app. The laundromat now has complete control of the security system through their smart phone.

That means through the phone the doors unlock, lights go on, cameras can be monitored. The owner/manager has complete control.

Before the system was installed, the manager had to drive to the facility every morning to open up, …unlock the doors and turn on the lights; and every evening to close.  Now through alarm.com, the process is simplified by only needing a quick tap on the smart phone.  That’s convenience. That’s simplifying life for a small business owner.

Drive time is saved. The laundromat can be opened and closed remotely. That’s H&S Protection thinking outside the box for you. Give us a call in SE Wisconsin at 262.574.7777 or Central Wisconsin at 715.344.0727, and see how we can help you simplify your business needs.

Injecting Youth and New Positions into H&S Protection

Injecting Youth and New Positions into H&S Protection

When Covid hit in 2020, it surprised us a bit that H&S Protection had  its best sales years ever. That trend continued in 2021 with another record year.  We’re proud of our team bringing in the business and making sure each customer gets the specific attention and handling they deserve.

Part of our development this past year included moving staff into new positions as we’ve grown our business. We also brought in new  team members to keep our employee pipeline in good shape for the years ahead. We believe it’s important to invigorate along both those lines (giving employees new opportunities and bringing in new team members).

Building the next generation of our H&S team is a process. We see a lot of promise in our “up-and-comers.”   We see a lot of competitive spirit, camaraderie and excitement company-wide.  Our sales reps check in with each other regularly to see how they’re matching up.  Bragging rights mean a lot to them.

We’re thankful for our employees and our customers. As we move into 2022, we will continue to focus on developing our employees and building our customer base by offering and servicing the technology and solutions they seek.

Mike Horgan and Steve Garritson

H&S Protection Works Full-Time for Adam Douglas

H&S Protection Works Full-Time for Adam Douglas

H&S Protection works full-time just right for Adam Douglas. After working for H&S as a subcontractor, it became clear where he wanted to be on a full-time basis, and as Captain Picard on Star Trek “The Next Generation” was fond of saying, “Make it so, Number One.” So, we did

His subcontract work for H&S went on for a couple of years before he joined our team in  Pewaukee full-time. Adam is a Technician, installing cameras, burglary systems and access control technology.

In his spare time he enjoys watching various sports and races. He also golfs frequently during the summer months in Wisconsin. His extended family includes his mother and grandmother who together raised him.

Adam recommends H&S Protection to others “because we are a hard-working company that ensures our customers are taken care of and happy that our products function properly. And, we address any service issues as quickly as possible if something isn’t working out the way the customer expected.”

Please reach out to Adam at [email protected], or 262.574.7777.

New Operations Manager Ben Garritson

New Operations Manager Ben Garritson

This past August, Ben Garritson stepped into a new role for H&S, shifting over from his position as a Service Technician to take over as Operations Manager. The new role will come with challenges for Ben as he replaces Mike Solomon, who had served in that capacity for nearly ten years before moving into a new role of his own at H&S.

Change comes with challenges. Change also is an opportunity to branch out. We’re pleased to offer Ben his share of new responsibilities and opportunities, and glad that he has accepted.

After eight years as a Service Technician, Ben’s experience prepared him for the Operations Manager’s role. Knowing our technical staff and with strong customer knowledge, Ben will use his knowledge base to schedule and oversee installations and service calls. “I’ll do the best I can to ensure everything runs smoothly,” he noted.

Ben enjoys working with customers in his new capacity to make sure their concerns are addressed fully and in a timely manner. He sees balancing the technician schedule to best serve customers as the greatest challenge. “I want to put everyone on our team in a spot where they can succeed,” he said.

Ben runs a Monday morning meeting, where H&S brings together the entire team to address the weekly schedule as part of H&S’s commitment to keeping an even workflow on the security projects in the pipeline. “We’re currently running our meetings virtually, and when I need to, I lean on Mike Solomon for his experience. He’s been there, done that, and knows all the ins and outs of the position to help me through my transition,” Ben said. (Stay tuned for a future blog on Mike Solomon’s new role with H&S.)

Please reach out to Ben with any issues at 262.574.7777; or email at [email protected].

Fire Protection and Military Service Help Mike Sturbaum at H&S

Mike Sturbaum Sr.’s experience in fire protection and the U.S. military served as a perfect backdrop for his introduction to the security industry with H&S Protection. After serving in the U.S. Army for eight years, active and in the reserves, he took a position with FedEx Ground as a driver for 17 years.

From there, Mike worked in fire protection with JF Ahern, Fire Alarms, PE Systems, Sprinkler Systems and Special Hazards, before finding his way to H&S Protection. Initially, an Indeed ad led him to H&S, and he then followed up with Mike Solomon in our Pewaukee, WI office with an official interview, and has now been with H&S for a year and three months.

His previous fire protection and military background help him in his position as a Service Technician. “Our technicians and installers always find a way to get the job done or problem solved, and keep the customer happy,” he observed.

He’s found that on a daily basis he recommends H&S to others as he talks to family and friends. “The one aspect I always bring up is that we are a needle in the haystack type of company. While we may not be huge or well known, we impress people with our knowledge and customer service,” Mike said.

Mike’s family consists of his wife Christy, Michael, Jr., who is 18 and recently graduated from Muskego High School, and Caleb, who is 17. Michael, Jr. will be going into the trades (Sprinklers Union) as will Caleb, who has one year left of high school.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys motorcycle riding and playing darts. He plays in various leagues and tournaments on weekends. He’s also considers himself a baseball nerd, and loves going to sporting events.

To reach Mike directly in our Pewaukee office, contact him at [email protected], or 262.424.1271.

Steve Garritson Honored with President’s Award from Wisconsin Security Association

H&S Protection Co-Owner Steve Garritson was honored in September with the President’s Award from the Wisconsin Security Association (WISA). Steve’s commitment to the association was recognized in remarks by WISA President Bill Flesch. Brandon Dobratz of Alarm Products Distributors was also recognized as a co-winner of the award for the past year.

For those of you who know Steve, the award won’t come us a surprise. For those of you who don’t know Steve, we’d like to elaborate a bit.

WISA President Flesch went on in his remarks to discuss Steve’s ongoing work for the association over the years. He cited multiple examples of how Steve has worked for the good of the electronic security industry in Wisconsin. In many ways, that says it all about Steve, what he means to our industry, customers and our business.

Steve takes into account the big picture and looks at how he can contribute to the success of the larger enterprise. H&S being an active member in WISA means a lot to Steve personally and to our family business.

No security company in Wisconsin operates on its own. We work with distributors, monitoring firms and those who make the quality products we install and service for our customers. That requires knowing which companies excel and maintaining quality relationships with them. Steve stands out in this area. He has a smile for others, a quick joke, a way to facilitate relationships that makes H&S a great place to work and do business with.

Will President Flesch went on to praise Steve and Brandon further in his remarks, we know Steve has been bringing his winning attitude to the office and field day after day for many years. If you get the opportunity, please stop by our Pewaukee office to say hi.

Lonnie Miescke Honored by WISA for 40 Years of Excellence

When H&S Protection Co-Owner Steve Garritson first met Lonnie Miescke in 1992, he was the new Operations Manager for Central Control. Lonnie then was the third shift central station supervisor. When you run a 24/7 operation, Steve knows your best people need to be on the weekend and evening shifts. When his beeper went off at 3 a.m., he knew it was a situation that needed his attention, and Lonnie was able to resolve most situations with customers and employees in a professional manner.

Steve knew he had a great employee in Lonnie, and because of her 40 years of service in the Wisconsin security industry, WISA (the Wisconsin Security Association) honored Lonnie with  a Lifetime Achievement Award for her 40 years of superior customer service.

 

WISA understands Lonnie takes people and property seriously and has displayed a consistent professional demeanor over the years in her approach to customers. She has built numerous friends and relationships with customers in her interactions over the years. WISA thanked Lonnie for her professionalism and superb customer interaction skills over her 40 years in the security industry.

When Steve asked Lonnie to reflect back over her 40 plus years in the security business on what she liked the most and the least, she said the least was the central station days when storms came up and the alarm activity would overwhelm the automation system and force a reversion to manual operation. Many times, Lonnie would stay to help the next shift until they got caught up.

“She liked the early Sentra Days Friday happy hours. We would send Lonnie to the bar next to the railway tracks with our drink order to bring back. We assumed they would provide a tray to hold the drinks. NO! Instead, Lonnie would recruit a bar patron to help her carry the drinks to our second-floor office. Once at the office, the patron would try to leave but Lonnie insisted he stay because most likely we’d be doing this again soon,” Steve said with a chuckle during the WISA awards ceremony presentation.

Most of all, Lonnie likes the friends and customers she’s had made along the way. Steve has seen first-hand the cards, letters, flowers and presents customers have sent her.

“Lonnie, the security industry and I owe you a debt of gratitude for all you have done  through 40-plus years of excellent customer service. It is my honor to present to you the Wisconsin Security Association “Lifetime Achievement Award,” Steve said.

Limiting Entrance and Exit Points

Limiting entrance and exit points to your business are part of a successful security strategy. It intuitively makes sense – fewer access points make for fewer locations where a breach can occur.

At the same time, by limiting where people come and go, you simplify your security plan. Whether you use an access control system, video cameras, or some form of intrusion detection, by limiting key points where people come into your facility, you make it easier to establish your security protocols at those locations.

That’s where H&S Protection comes in. We hold discussions with clients on how to best protect your access points after you’ve determined where delivery trucks, employees or customers enter or exit. With your input, we craft the best system to protect your facility.

Entrances and exits can be the weakest points in an otherwise successful security strategy. No matter how many cameras, motion sensors or access control technologies you have in place, if you can’t monitor and control who comes in and out of your building, then it is easier for a perpetrator to find a weak link.

After meeting with H&S, our staff will craft an intelligent plan using smart technology choices. You can transform your building’s entrances and exits from the most vulnerable part of your facility to the most secure.

To find out more, call us in Stevens Point at 715.377.0727, or Pewaukee at 262.574.7777.