Asset depreciation can be a complicated area to grasp. But for small businesses—it’s essential.
With Melbourne back in full swing, small businesses — including retailers, pharmacies, restaurants, bars and cafes — are seeing an increasing number of customers returning to their physical location and a rise in pathway foot traffic in and outside of trading hours. Especially for those located on a retail strip and in the CBD.
While many things have changed since COVID-19, what hasn’t changed is how a business is susceptible to break-ins, theft and vandalism.
For business owners who had previously considered investing or upgrading their CCTV and security solution, now’s the best time to do so; approaching the end of the financial year (EOFY) and with the Government Instant Asset Write-off.
One important part to understand about CCTV and on-premise security equipment depreciation is that it can lead to tax deductions. Any business owner who uses on-premise security as part of their commercial operation is entitled to claim back the cost as a deduction at tax time. This is a critical tenet if managing cash flow is a priority for your business.
You can potentially take advantage of the Instant Asset Write-off to upgrade your business’ security by immediately writing off depreciable assets that cost less than $150,000. Depreciable assets include security hardware and equipment as well as security installations for camera systems, alarm systems, and electronic access control systems.
If you are a small business, you will need to apply the simplified depreciation rules in order to claim the instant asset write-off (please refer to the following ATO (Australian Taxation Office) page for more details)
To write off the asset within this financial year, the security IT hardware and installation needs to occur before 30 June 2022.
Signal Security is Melbourne’s leading provider of high-quality, on-premise security for businesses. With Signal Security on your side, you can have a highly effective and affordable tool against break-ins, theft and vandalism.
No matter how big or small, our commercial security advisers will listen to your requirements then custom-build a solution to meet your security needs. We can recommend the most cost-effective ways to upgrade any existing security equipment you may have whilst utilising as much of your existing infrastructure as possible, in turn, allowing you to receive the absolute best return from your investment.
Between April and June 2022, we’re offering free comprehensive evaluations. Fill out the form below to request a callback.
It is already nearing the end of financial year and it is an odd time for all of us given the current global circumstances…
While you are probably busy with business reporting and the headache that COVID-19 is causing, it is also a great time to get your home or business security in order.
Why you ask?
Small businesses here in Australia are entitled to a 100% tax deduction on purchases under $30,000, meaning that you have a great deal of flexibility in investing in new asset purchases, HOWEVER with recent government economy stimulation efforts, the tax deduction can be applied to purchases over $150,000.
The government has also expanded the access to this tax deduction to businesses with an annual turnover of up to $500 million (up from $50 million).
What can be claimed?
Businesses with an annual turnover of up to $500 million can claim expenses made on any item that assists in running the business. Assets that are classified under this include, but not limited to tools, software, printers, computers, furniture, etc. Best of all, you can have unlimited purchases under this scheme.
With the threshold raised to $150,000, the new depreciation rules open up a wider range of possibilities for asset investments, including high value items such as cars, high value IT hardware, and of course security installations, including security camera systems, alarm systems, and electronic access control systems.
Timing
This proposal applies from 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2020, for new or second‑hand assets first used or installed ready for use in this timeframe.
Here’s an example:
Business benefits from increased asset threshold:
Owen owns a company, Signal Food Manufacturing Pty Ltd, through which he operates a food production business in the northern suburbs of Victoria. Signal Food Manufacturing Pty Ltd has an aggregated annual turnover of $25 million for the 2019‑20 income year. On 1 May 2020, Owen purchases a new security system including CCTV, an Alarm System and Access Control for $140,000, exclusive of GST, for protection of his business.
Under existing tax arrangements, Signal Food Manufacturing Pty Ltd is not able to immediately deduct assets costing more than $30,000 and instead would depreciate the security system using an effective life of 12 years. Choosing to use the diminishing value method, Signal Food Manufacturing Pty Ltd would claim a tax deduction of $3,899 for the 2019‑20 income year.
Under the new $150,000 instant asset write‑off, Signal Food Manufacturing Pty Ltd would instead claim an immediate deduction of $140,000 for the purchase of the security system in the 2019‑20 income year, $136,101 more than under existing arrangements. At the company tax rate of 27.5 per cent, Owen will pay $37,427.78 less tax in 2019‑20.
This will improve Signal Food Manufacturing Pty Ltd’s cash flow and help his business withstand and recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Conclusion
This new policy should be a boon for businesses Australia-wide and will make it easier to invest in assets which make doing business more efficient and safer for all involved. Electronic security of all kinds is a necessity for so many businesses, especially during the tough times the country is experiencing now, and we’re happy that we can offer high-security solutions which now sit under the increased threshold.
Note: Obviously we’re electronic security specialists, not professional tax advisers. Please ensure you seek professional advice to determine whether you are able to claim a deduction for such purchases and more about this policy as it relates to your circumstances. For more information, please see the Australia Taxation Office’s information on the new policy announcement here
The term “peace of mind” is referred to a lot these days especially within the security industry. Time and time again companies promise that their product and/or service will provide it, but very rarely are they able to demonstrate exactly how they will deliver on their promise.
In order to solve this age old challenge, we must first ensure we gain a deeper understanding of what causes ones angst as well as have the tenured experience to know which solution or more often than not, which combination of solutions are required to adequately mitigate the risk.
With 20 years of experience protecting thousands of Australian homes and businesses, Signal Security has been building on its experience and continuously evolving its thinking with the aim of formalising a methodology that all team members can be trained in to help its customers achieve “true” peace of mind.
At the core of this methodology is what Signal Security CEO and Co-founder Justin Nesvanulica refers to as the “Hierarchy of Electronic Security” – the logical order to which systems and services should be considered to deliver maximum impact and return on investment.
Most people are under the impression that the number one priority for the security industry is to prevent loss and/or damage to property. In fact, the industry’s core priority is much more meaningful, it’s to prevent harm to the most valuable asset we will ever possess… OURSELVES!
Therefore it is important to understand that achieving peace of mind is not simply about installing a CCTV camera outside of your premise but about understanding why certain systems are installed, what their core purpose is and how layering numerous systems and services will go a long way to stopping those fleeting thoughts of whether or not your security has been compromised.
With so much on the line, where do we start? There is nothing more effective in preventing harm and loss than a professionally installed intrusion detection system (burglar alarm) with fixed or portable panic buttons. Depending on the size, shape and layout of a property, coupled with its level of risk, an intrusion detection system can come in all shapes and sizes with various types of detection devices i.e. motion detectors, door/window switches and glass breakage detectors.
Nonetheless, the key to preventing harm and loss is trying to detect an unauthorised entry as close to the perimeter as possible and ensuring there are an adequate amount of warning lights and sirens once activated, the attention drawn to the property will make even the most brazen criminals limit their time within the property, therefore minimising the opportunity for loss and in most cases preventing it completely.
Having sirens sound as early as possible becomes even more important if there are people residing in the property at the time of an invasion as it provides valuable seconds for an attempt to retreat to the most secure areas of the property. Fixed or portable panic buttons are an extremely effective way to activate sirens moments before or during an attempted invasion as occupants can trigger sirens as soon as they feel threatened. The piercing sound of internal sirens are designed to cause havoc on the human middle ear which in itself will naturally drive intruders out reducing the likelihood of altercations occurring between them and the occupants inside.
Intrusion detection systems are cost effective, provide exceptional value for money and should be considered first and foremost before all other security products. An intrusion detection system is the only solution that will actually minimise the impact of an unauthorised intrusion and should form the foundation of any comprehensive security solution.
In its raw form, an intrusion detection system is a powerful tool that drives intruders away with its loud sirens and flashing lights but relies heavily on neighbours and passers-by to act swiftly in the case of an emergency. Unfortunately, in today’s day and age sounding alarm sirens will more often than not be ignored.
The only way to guarantee a response is to connect your intrusion detection system to a professional security monitoring centre. With highly trained security monitoring professionals available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that every alarm signal received is dealt with in the shortest amount of time possible and that help can be sent in times that you need it most.
Most people are unaware that all mainstream intrusion detection systems are designed to be professionally monitored and have inbuilt features to request help via the monitoring centre, where the services of the Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade can all be summoned at the touch of a button. In addition to being notified in the unfortunate event of a break in, you will also have a quick and convenient way of requesting assistance in the event you are faced with a life-threatening emergency.
Adding a professional monitoring service to your system is an easy way to transform your “noise maker” into a potential life saver and contrary to what you may think a lifesaving service such as this could cost, it’s actually really affordable with your investment being less than half a cup of coffee a day.
If a professionally installed intrusion detection system will aid in the prevention of harm and loss, and the addition of a professional monitoring service to the system will initiate an emergency response. Then what next? We need to find a way to assist with the real time verification of events as well as being able to retrospectively go back in time and review any events of interest which leads us to integrating surveillance cameras (CCTV system) into the fold.
Should an unfortunate event occur at your property the monitoring centre will call you to inform you of the breach. Being informed that a movement detector has been activated is one thing, however being able to cross reference it with live video footage is another. Having the ability to quickly and easily review as much information as possible on your smart device or laptop computer pertaining to the incident is crucial to obtaining the quickest Police response possible. A CCTV system will allow you to see what happened, show you how it happened, provide a full timeline of events from start to finish and give you every opportunity of identifying those responsible. Without this information it will be almost impossible to track down and prosecute the perpetrators and recover any of your losses.
A professionally installed CCTV system is the perfect companion to your intrusion detection system and professional monitoring service and should not be considered before the previous solutions are in place. Without them intruders will have nothing to drive them away from the premise and will allow them an ample amount of time to spend searching your property for items of value. Nothing is more frustrating that being a victim of a burglary only to watch recorded footage of how they did it and got away with it. Worse yet, arriving onsite only to find that your CCTV recorder with all your recorded footage was also taken.
Adding a professionally installed CCTV system is an important addition to overall security and should be treated as such. Being a passive solution, CCTV will never stop or minimise an incident from occurring it will merely show you how it happened.
Remember, peace-of-mind can come from the implementation of a range of security products and services, however, as a security provider with over 20 years’ experience, we believe that the way to achieve true peace of mind is by following the above steps.
If true peace of mind is your goal, there is no better way to go about your electronic security than making sure that you’re minimising loss and harm, initiating an immediate response and finally, verifying incidents and gathering evidence.
Want to achieve “true” peace of mind?
Our friendly, knowledgeable team of security specialists are on hand to assist with any security challenges you may be experiencing. To organise a free, no obligation on site security risk assessment please contact our team on 1300 73 83 93.
You’re probably thinking, “What does someone at a security company know about water safety?”
Well… in addition to being a Marketing Co-Ordinator at Signal Security, I’m also a swimming coach and qualified teacher of swimming and water safety. Being in and around the water has been a huge part of my life and water-safety is something I am incredibly passionate about.
Heading down to the beach or river is the perfect way to cool off during a hot Summer day. Whether you’re bringing the kids down to the beach or going for a picnic along the river with friends, there is almost no better way to spend the Aussie Summer.
While you should enjoy it as much as possible, there’s always an element of safety that you need to consider.
When you think of drownings, your mind probably wonders off to an episode of Bondi Rescue, however…
As shown above, of the 276 drownings that have taken place in the past year, 29% of drownings have occurred in rivers, creeks & streams (the most of any other location). Beach drownings came in at 26% – Royal Lifesaving Australia 2019
Surprising right?
A phrase taken from one of my favourite events of the year (Tough Mudder Australia):
“Swimming is a skill. NOT a fear. You cannot simply overcome it.”
If you can’t swim and know that there is deep water or uncontrollable elements i.e. waves, be sensible and don’t go in. Simple as that.
As simple as it sounds, it’s crazy how many people don’t do it!
Here’s a story for you. In 2018 at Gunnamatta (one of Victoria’s most notorious surf beaches), I was surfing and saw two teenagers swimming well outside the flags on their bodyboards. Despite having a floatation device, the current was still too strong, and they couldn’t get back in. My brother, myself, and a friend ended up helping them to safety on the rocks next to us. Who knows what would’ve happened if we didn’t spot them?
The flags are there for a reason. They’re not only considered the safest place to swim, but they’re also a designated area that lifeguards can focus and keep an eye on, so make sure you swim between the bright red and yellow flags.
Make sure you’re actively (always have an eye on them) supervising your children around water and if they are incapable of staying afloat themselves, stay within arm’s reach. How many times have you looked away for only moment and you’ve turned around only to see your child run off?
Did you know: The majority of drownings for infants and young people aged under 5 occurs in pools – which is supposedly the safest place to swim!
Whether you’re supervising children or keeping an eye out for friends, remember that drowning often occurs when panic sets in – even if they’re in areas where they can stand, so make sure you’re aware of your surroundings and the whereabouts of the people you’re with!
These tips are here not to scare you, but to provide you with basic advice around water. There’s nothing more Australian than beating the scorching Summer heat by cooling of at your nearest watering hole, however the safety of your yourself and others around water is imperative and something you shouldn’t treat too lightly.
I hope you enjoy your Summer as much as I do, and get down to your nearest watering hole today!
– Timothy Yong
A common query I have often been asked, is whether pet friendly movement sensors actually work. What is it that sparks this debate? When I first began working at Signal Security I had the same problem that most people currently do. That being, leaving my pets outdoors during all weather conditions whilst I was away, so I could activate my alarm system. Upon my learnings I had to share my experience to ensure our four-legged friends get their way. After all, our pets have feelings too, right?
How would you feel being kicked out of your own home when the owner wasn’t there? It’s just a horrible realisation people do so as to not trigger off their alarm system. Well what if I told you we have an easy solution. Don’t let your system get in the way of your pet’s natural lifestyle. Since personally making the change to upgrade my movement sensors to pet friendly ones, my mind is at ease that my pets are safe in the comfort of my home.
I cannot fathom how many times I have helped a client in ensuring they get pet friendly movement detectors with their alarm system. Ultimately, who doesn’t want to have their best friend with them indoors?
I have compiled 4 tips together that you may not know…
1. Protection of home
I have had too many enquiries as to whether pet friendly movement sensors work the same as standard movement detectors. To put this query to bed, due to the increased performance of them, movement sensors have immunity from false alarms. The ability to identify the difference between animal and human is mind-blowing. How? They take into account pets between 10KG – 45KG.
It’s the most accommodating feature to have as part of your home alarm system. The protection of your home will be at its maximum. Why sacrifice the safety and wellbeing of your family or your prized possessions, just because you want to leave your dog inside the house when you leave? Let us take care of that solution as pet friendly movement detectors allow you to knock off two birds with a one stone (so to speak).
2. Insurance
Why risk voiding your insurance by not arming your alarm system? A common response I have come across is: “I can’t activate my alarm system. My dogs stay indoors and trigger false alarms”. I find this to be my calling, whereby I am able to relate to customers, as I was once in the same position.
By not arming your alarm system not only does this compromise your own peace of mind however, it voids your insurance claim. Now that would be the last thing you want to hear if something were to happen. If you want a quick and easy solution, you have it. Pet friendly movement sensors.
3. Reducing pet theft
As painfully unethical pet theft may be, it is happening more than ever in today’s society. Why let your pets fend for themselves whilst the house is unattended? Let them feel the comfort and safety we all feel inside our own home. Allowing your pet indoors whilst away reduces your chances of pet theft and also allows you to possess a clear conscious and enjoy your time away from home.
4. Reducing false alarms
How annoying is it when a spider or insect triggers a false alarm? Feeling helpless or frustrated is the worst feeling. So why not let us ensure that doesn’t happen again? Pet friendly movement detectors are so advanced in their design and function that they scan and cater for insects of all sorts to ensure false alarms aren’t triggered, hence saving you from being in a state of panic. This is the season for creepy crawlers to be out and about and make themselves welcome in your home. Don’t sacrifice your safety by not arming your alarm system when you leave your home. Just request an upgrade – it’s that simple!
I hope the fun facts I have shared from my experiences at Signal Security have also given you a few pointers you may have not known. The benefits of pet friendly movement sensors are astonishing, and to think little information about them is available. Let us take care of ensuring your pets are safe and happy in their home.
Why wouldn’t you want the best solution on the market?
There are approximately 3000 security alarm and fire installation businesses across Australia. Almost half of these have only one employee; 97% have less than twenty employees.
Choosing the right security installer to service your premise isn’t an easy task, so these hints should hopefully assist in narrowing down the field.
Ensure you engage with a security company that is licensed by your state’s police authority and is an active member of the Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL).
The Victoria Police and ASIAL provide protection for consumers by ensuring that security installers and specialists who are licensed by their respective organisations meet stringent police checks and technical competencies. Some states, e.g. Victoria, have a public register where you are able to search for the name of the security installer or specialist that you speaking with to verify their licence. Always ask to see the consultant/installer’s security licence before letting them into your premise. Note: An electrician is not a security technician, so be careful of those who claim to be able to assist you.
Be wary of companies that cannot provide a written quotation and are reluctant to provide equipment brand names and model numbers.
Transparency is the key to ensuring that you know that you’re receiving what you’re expecting. If things go wrong, you need to be assured that you are able to obtain documentation to prove specifically what has been agreed upon. It’s very easy for companies to put in ‘ifs’, ‘maybes’, or extra ‘conditions’ after you’ve agreed to go ahead.
Ensure you use quality brands that are well supported in Australia. And try to avoid no-name brands with lack long term warranties and quality assurance.
Look to use a company that has a higher skilled network of technicians, rather than those that use subcontractors who are chosen only on their price and availability.
When making a significant investment, you should be looking at a company which is able to provide you with a high quality of installation. A company that uses a strong network of technicians is better able to maintain the quality of the installation process, guarantee competence in whatever brand is being installed, creating system documentation, and providing training on how to use the system, as well as the small but important things such as cleanliness and friendliness.
Poor quality contractors being paid per installation tend to try and get the job done as quickly as possible using minimal, lower quality sundries (e.g. cabling, brackets, etc.), cutting corners and compromising the overall quality of installation. Where there is no strong relationship, contractors being paid for longer installations by the hour will unnecessarily extend the length of time required. This wastes not only your valuable time, but money as well, as the risks of the job running overtime are factored in and passed on in your original quote.
Warranties are only as good as the company offering them.
Spend time to research any company you invite into your premise. Check the address of the company/business that you’re researching. Is it an office or is it someone’s home?
Remember almost 97% of security businesses in Australia employ less than twenty employees; half of these businesses have only one employee. Be cautious of one-man operators that may be here today, gone tomorrow. A company that is established and managing ongoing business relationships with large companies is a very good indicator of being able to support you for the lifetime of your investment.
These days, it’s relatively easy for very small businesses to set up a pretty website or post fake reviews to make themselves look larger than they actually are, so be cautious. If you can’t find websites, phone listings, independent reviews, or case studies you’re probably better off looking elsewhere.
Conclusion: Picking the Right Security Installer
Always make sure you’re using a well established company when approaching the installation of security equipment to your premise. Don’t be afraid to ask the installers that you contact, if there’s anything that you’re unclear about in regard to their accreditation, product models, technicians, and how established their business is.
It may seem like a little extra work, but a bit more research at the start can save you a lot of hassle down the track.
Want to speak with a Signal Security team member? Contact us today.
In the past, high costs and complex installation processes have prevented CCTV from being within reach of the average Australian businesses. Recently, improvements in technology and a greater worldwide demand have made a place for video surveillance systems in the retail market, as they become an affordable and effective tool for business owners to track efficiency and staff.
Management benefits of CCTV:
Continuous record of events:
Insurance:
CCTV security can be a single camera and monitor, or as complex as hundreds of cameras and digital recorders with multiple operators. When choosing your system, high-definition, anti-vandal and weather resistant cameras are all available.
If you’d like to discuss how Signal Security’s CCTV systems can better protect your small business, call our team of experts today on 1300 73 83 93 to arrange a customised solution.
In the past, high costs and complex installation processes have prevented CCTV from being within reach of the average Australian businesses. Recently, improvements in technology and a greater worldwide demand have made a place for video surveillance systems in the retail market, as they become an affordable and effective tool for business owners to track efficiency and staff.
Management benefits of CCTV:
Continuous record of events:
Insurance:
CCTV security can be a single camera and monitor, or as complex as hundreds of cameras and digital recorders with multiple operators. When choosing your system, high-definition, anti-vandal and weather resistant cameras are all available.
If you’d like to discuss how Signal Security’s CCTV systems can better protect your small business, call our team of experts today on 1300 73 83 93 to arrange a customised solution.
Video Surveillance
Melbourne VIC • B2C • Retail
Dymocks Booksellers is large chain of retail bookstores throughout Australia. With a focus on providing an exceptional customer experience, Dymocks prides itself on its large range of books and related gift products.
At their flagship Collins Street store, their previously installed analogue video surveillance system was showing its age. The system was having issues picking up on the finer details throughout the large format store. Identifying information such as facial features and fine details were not being picked up, and staff were noticing an increase in shrinkage in recent months.
To combat these issues, the store managers had decided to replace the existing camera system with high definition cameras. After spending a number of months contacting a range of security installers, they were unable to find a solution. This was because they were unable to provide a solution to Dymocks without a very costly rewiring of the entire security system, due to the type of cable used in analogue camera systems which is different from the cable used in high definition digital IP camera systems. Their fallback solutions were to simply upgrade the older analogue cameras with newer analogue cameras, which would not have provided management with the appropriate level of video quality required.
When contacted by Dymocks, Justin, their licensed retail security specialist from Signal Security performed a site assessment which confirmed that there were going to be significant restrictions in cabling access. As an alternative to a traditional digital surveillance system, Justin was able to design a solution which involved attaching converters to the existing analogue camera cabling. These converters would then allow for high definition cameras to be used on the existing cabling, with no loss in quality when compared to a traditional digital solution.
In addition to the converters, Signal Security were able to provide an enterprise level system that meant that the number of cameras weren’t constrained to the number of recording devices. Instead the option was now available to add cameras through the addition of extra camera licenses to the existing system, without the requirement for extra recording units. Alongside increased capacity, this solution will be more robust in the long-term and will offer additional built-in features including customer counts, heat mapping, missing object detection and obscured camera detection. The final solution incorporated 22 cameras, two of which were Samsung pan-tilt-zoom cameras with 43x zoom, controlled via a joystick.
With the increased number of cameras, the store managers are now able to view the entire store and pan, tilt and zoom on different areas when required. It also allows staff to keep an extra eye on areas of the store using iPads that have access to the surveillance footage, ideal for when staff are away from the front desk.
Upon completion, Dymocks Booksellers now have a fully capable, up-to-date camera system which is able to keep up with the rigour of a day’s retail trading at a fraction of the investment of a full system replacement.
