Direct Protection Security
Author: Kalicia Bateman
DPS Alarm is an ADT authorized dealer based out of Southern California. With over 20 years of experience, DPS Alarm has grown its services and is one of the top dealership performers. DPS Alarm was voted one of the top 10 ADT dealers in the country and continues to provide custom security and automation to its clients.
Clients that decide to use DPS Alarm can expect the same advanced technology and professional installation provided through ADT. As dealers, DPS Alarm has access to all the benefits of the ADT service offerings with a more personal approach as a local enterprise.
DPS Alarm offers standard security and automation packages to both home and business owners, but its technical team also has the ability to create custom solutions for individual properties with unique security needs. Free quotes for these services are available to be scheduled.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Smart Home Solutions
- Money-Back Guarantee
- Business Solutions
- Professional Monitoring
Smart Home Solutions
With DPS Alarm, homeowners looking for a complete home automation and security system will find the ideal solution. DPS Alarm customers can always customize their home security and automation system, but there are also simple packaged solutions readily available for installation. Smart home solutions through DPS Alarm include the following:
Remote: $49.99/Month
The remote package is a more traditional package that provides convenient remote arming and disarming.
- Anti-burglary service
- Sensor activity monitoring
- Amazon Alexa voice services
- Two-way voice
- User codes
- Remote arm/disarm
Control: $57.99/Month
This package offers everything available in the traditional remote package but with additional automation services.
- Anti-burglary service
- Sensor activity monitoring
- Amazon Alexa voice services
- Two-way voice
- User codes
- Remote arm/disarm
- Full Automation and Apps:
- Garage door control
- Front door lock
- Unexpected activity alerts
- Llighting
- Thermostat
Video Lite: $59.99/Month
The video lite package includes everything the traditional remote and control packages offer with video monitoring capabilities.
- Anti-burglary service
- Sensor activity monitoring
- Amazon Alexa voice services
- Two-way voice
- User codes
- Remote arm/disarm
- Video services include:
- Video services - up to 8 cameras (including doorbell) and 6,000 uploaded/stored clips per month
- Triggered video recording
- Video expansion packs - adds 4 cameras per pack and 5,000 uploaded/stored clips per month. Up to 8 expansion packs can be added
- Video doorbell
Video and Home Automation: $64.99/Month
By far the most comprehensive security and home automation package offered by DPS Alarm.
- Anti-burglary service
- Sensor activity monitoring
- Amazon Alexa voice services
- Two-way voice
- User codes
- Remote arm/disarm
- Full Automation and Apps:
- Garage door control
- Front door locks
- Unexpected activity alerts
- Lighting
- Thermostat
- Video services include:
- Video services - up to 8 cameras (including doorbell) and 6,000 uploaded/stored clips per month
- Triggered video recording
- Video expansion packs - adds 4 cameras per pack and 5,000 uploaded/stored clips per month. Up to 8 expansion packs can be added
- Video doorbell
Money-Back Guarantee
Most locally owned and operated home security providers do not offer a money back guarantee. As smaller operations, this type of guarantee would be too expensive or risky for the company to offer. As an authorized ADT Alarm dealer, DPS Alarm is able to provide a money back guarantee. The company is so confident in their service and equipment that it backs their service with a 6-month guarantee. Customers that are on the fence about which home security provider to choose can rest easy with DPS Alarm knowing they have a six month trial period to make a final decision.
Business Solutions
Similar to the residential security and automation services, DPS Alarm can customize business security solutions as well. That being said, DPS Alarm also offers straightforward business solutions that protect commercial properties. There are not many home security companies that offer clear-cut business solutions like this. DPS Alarm business solutions include:
Premise Secure+: $49.99/Month
The package includes the following:
- Burglar alarm
- Cellular connection to the monitoring station
- Optional 2-way voice maintenance/extended warranty
- Amazon Alexa voice services
Premise Remote: $51.99/Month
The package includes the following:
- Burglar alarm with maintenance/extended warranty
- Access to ADT Control app
- Notifications and alerts
- Remote arm/disarm
- Includes all features from Premise Secure
Enterprise View: $57.99/Month
The package includes the following:
- Includes all services of Premise
- Remote must include at least one camera or ADT approved doorbell camera
- May add up to 8 video devices and 6,000 video clips
Total Productivity: $64.99/Monthly
The package includes the following:
- Includes all services of Premise Secure, Premise Remote, and Enterprise View
- At least one Camera, ADT approved doorbell or one controlled device (thermostat, interior locks, etc.) must be added
- May add up to 8 video devices (cameras/doorbell) and 6,000 video clips
Professional Monitoring
Another one of the benefits of going with an ADT authorized dealer is the access to 24/7 professional monitoring and DPS Alarm provides that to its clients. While most home security providers offer professional monitoring, not all companies have access to the latest monitoring technology like DPS Alarm does.
The Bad
- Upfront Costs
- Contract Specifics
- Service Area
Upfront Costs
While DPS Alarm provides an initial free consultation to prospective clients, once a homeowner decides to go with DPS Alarm there are some upfront costs that can be expected. Since all DPS Alarm systems are professionally installed, a $99 customer installation charge and initial purchase of alarm monitoring services will need to be paid in full. Upfront costs are not rare in the home security industry, but there are companies that do not charge installation or upfront fees.
Contract Specifics
Since DPS Alarm operates under the ADT brand, DPS Alarm customers are required to sign a contract. There are contract stipulations that are specific to California residents and DPS Alarm clients must agree to those terms. For starters, all contracts are 24 months minimum. If the client needs to terminate the contract early for whatever reason, they will be responsible for 75% of the remaining monthly costs on the contract. This early termination fee is one of the steepest in the home security industry, so clients that decide to utilize DPS Alarm need to be confident that they will utilize the service for the duration of the contract term.
Service Area
As an authorized dealer of a large security provider, DPS Alarm is restricted to its authorized service area. While many home security companies are locally owned and operated, there are still plenty of competitors in the industry that can service on a regional or national level. That being said, DPS Alarm does not have the ability to scale geographically and is limited to the state of California. The company currently services and operates out of the following California cities and areas:
- Central Valley
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Stanislaus County
- Contra Costa County
- South Bay
- Sacramento
The Bottom Line
DPS Alarm provides all the benefits of a big name, national security provider with the local focus and personal customer service. The company provides both smart home packages and business solutions, covering almost every property’s security needs. With the ADT professional monitoring, clients can rest assured that their homes and loved ones are in safe hands.
There are drawbacks to the DPS Alarm service though. There are upfront costs for the professional installation service, there are contract stipulations that can create hefty cancellation penalties, and the service area is limited to select areas of California.
All in all, DPS Alarm provides high-quality security service to its clients and is one that prospective home security customers should consider. DPS Alarm has a proven track record, high-quality security and automation equipment, and the expertise necessary to provide high level security solutions.
