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Bark Alarms Revolutionizes Security Solutions for Lower-Income Households

[Stellenbosch, 05 June 2023] – In 2014, a visionary grade 9 school project captivated the minds of two young entrepreneurs as they embarked on developing a security system tailored for lower-income households. Inspired by smartphone technology and driven by the principles of Ubuntu, their ground-breaking concept earned them the prestigious Western Cape Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Award (PERA) for the best school business idea in 2015.

Over the next two years, a team tirelessly pursued avenues to bring the kids innovative idea to life. However, due to the lack of financial backing, they had to temporarily shelve their concept until adequate protection against exploitation could be secured. During this period, positive discussions with financial and insurance institutions heightened anticipation for their entry into this promising new market.

In a significant development, a patent was filed in 2019 for the ground-breaking verification sound technology in South Africa. This patent marked a crucial milestone, opening doors for more transparent and inclusive discussions with key stakeholders.

In 2022, Bark Alarms made a pivotal decision to invest in the development of an alarm system specifically designed to address the unique needs of the lower-income market. However, as the journey progressed, a remarkable realization unfolded – their verification sound technology could also provide an effective solution to a pervasive issue in the existing security alarm industry: false alarms. The conventional screaming sirens often failed to elicit timely responses. With Bark Alarms’ advanced technology, communities can now assume a more active role, remaining vigilant and responding promptly to verification sound triggers.

Bark Alarms, established in February 2022, introduced a comprehensive three-phase approach to their product development strategy:

•        Phase 1, known as the Bark Black Box, targets the existing alarm industry. With its verification sound technology, this product introduces valuable security features to the rapidly growing South African alarm industry.

•        Phase 2 introduces the Bark Sound Bomb, designed specifically for the lower-income market. It provides 24/7 active alarm protection for homes through sensors, including ViewProtect’s Armed Bars, panic buttons, and a smoke detector. Recognizing the need for continuous alarm protection on external doors, they developed the innovative Bark Armed Strike Plate. By safeguarding approximately 90% of break-ins, which predominantly occur through doors (+-60%) and windows (+-30%), the Bark Sound Bomb offers unprecedented security. This breakthrough allows for integration with all security alarm systems.

•        Phase 3, named Bark Alarm, mirrors Phase 2 but offers control via a smartphone app. While this app presents numerous opportunities, they have decided to focus solely on the first two phases due to the initial costs associated with developing these technologies.

The Market

The launch of Bark Alarms aligns with a critical need in the market. According to StatsSA, in 2019, South Africa recorded a staggering 6.6 million registered residential properties, with over half (55%) valued under R600,000 – approximately 3.6 million units. While houses valued over R600,000 generally benefit from security alarm systems and monitoring services provided by major security companies, lower-income households often struggle to afford recurring monthly costs. Consequently, this market remains largely untapped, presenting immense potential for affordable security solutions.

Understanding the limitations faced by lower-income households, Bark Alarms aims to bridge the security gap. As property prices decrease, the urgency for reliable security solutions increases, particularly in potentially unsafe developments. The primary obstacle is the high cost associated with traditional alarm systems, as well as monthly expenses for monitoring and reaction services. Bark Alarms addresses these challenges by offering cost-effective, community-oriented alarm systems that empower residents to proactively address security concerns.

The solution

Bark Alarms’ verification sound technology, as incorporated in the Bark Black Box, Bark Sound Bomb and Bark Alarm systems, enables communities to rally together during distress situations. The verification sound alerts the immediate surroundings, mobilizing community members to provide assistance to those in need and gather valuable information to identify potential criminals. By fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility, Bark Alarms promotes the African philosophy of Ubuntu, creating safer environments where children can grow up with peace of mind.

With their visionary approach, Bark Alarms is poised to redefine security solutions for lower-income households, ensuring affordability, inclusivity, and a proactive response to security challenges. The company’s commitment to innovation and community-driven solutions sets them apart as a leader in the security alarm industry.

For more inquiries, please contact Bark Alarms: 

Bark Alarms Bark Alarms is a ground-breaking security alarm company dedicated to developing innovative solutions for lower-income households. Established in 2022, Bark Alarms aims to revolutionize the security industry by introducing cost-effective, community-oriented alarm systems that empower residents to take an active role in their own safety. Through cutting-edge verification sound technology, Bark Alarms seeks to create safer environments and foster the spirit of Ubuntu within communities across South Africa. For more information, visit www.barkalarms.co.za

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Combating Criminals with ViewProtect Armed Bars and Bark Armed Strike Plate.

Introduction

South Africa has been grappling with the issue of load shedding, a deliberate power outage implemented by the national electricity supplier, Eskom, due to electricity supply constraints. While load shedding has widespread effects on various aspects of daily life, one concerning consequence is its impact on crime rates in the country. In this article, we will explore the relationship between load shedding and crime in South Africa. Additionally, we will introduce ViewProtect Armed Bars and Bark armed strike plates as innovative security solutions that can help combat criminals. To support our discussion, we will refer to the websites https://viewprotect.co.za/ and www.barkalarms.co.za.

The Impact of Load Shedding on Crime in South Africa

Load shedding creates a conducive environment for criminal activities in several ways. Firstly, power outages disrupt security systems, such as alarms, surveillance cameras, and electric fences, rendering them ineffective. This vulnerability provides criminals with opportunities to carry out their activities undetected. According to a study conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in 2020, there was a significant increase in reported crimes during load shedding periods, particularly residential burglaries and thefts.

Secondly, load shedding causes streetlights and public lighting to go out, resulting in poorly lit areas. This lack of illumination increases the vulnerability of individuals and properties, making them attractive targets for criminals. The South African crime statistics for 2021 reported a surge in street robberies and muggings during load shedding, with many incidents occurring in poorly lit areas.

Combating Criminals with ViewProtect Armed Bars

To address the security challenges posed by load shedding, ViewProtect offers an innovative solution: Armed Bars. ViewProtect Armed Bars are designed to provide robust physical protection for windows and doors, enhancing the security of residential and commercial properties. These transparent, polycarbonate bars are virtually unbreakable, ensuring maximum security without compromising visibility or aesthetics.

The Armed Bars from ViewProtect have been specifically engineered to withstand sustained attacks, including attempts to cut, bend, or force them open. They are resistant to common burglary tools, such as crowbars and hammers. Moreover, ViewProtect Armed Bars are connected with an alarm system that activates when an attempt to breach them is detected. This advanced technology acts as an additional deterrent to potential criminals and notifies property owners or security services of attempted intrusions.

Bark Armed Strike Plate: Strengthening Entry Points

Another crucial aspect of protecting properties from criminals is securing entry points, such as doors. Bark, a leading security solutions provider in South Africa, offers an effective solution in the form of the Bark Armed Strike Plate. The Armed Strike Plates are designed for different door and gate lock applications. The focus of the development of these patented designs has the unique ability to provide 24/7 active alarm protection at all external doors. This strike plate reinforces door frames and strengthens the area where the locking mechanism engages. It effectively prevents forced entry attempts, making it significantly more difficult for criminals to breach the door.

The Bark Armed Strike Plate is constructed using high-quality steel and is designed to distribute the force of impact evenly, minimizing the risk of the door frame splintering or breaking. This added layer of protection acts as a deterrent and increases the time required for criminals to gain access, giving occupants more time to respond or alert authorities.

Conclusion

Load shedding poses significant challenges to the security landscape of South Africa, leading to a rise in criminal activities. However, with the implementation of innovative security solutions such as ViewProtect Armed Bars and Bark Armed Strike Plates, property owners can effectively fortify their premises and deter criminals. These technologies provide robust physical protection and utilize advanced alarm systems, enhancing the overall security of residential and commercial properties.

By investing in proactive security measures like ViewProtect Armed Bars and Bark Armed Strike Plates, individuals and communities in South Africa can better safeguard their homes, businesses, and personal well-being against the adverse effects of load shedding on crime rates.

References:

ViewProtect. (n.d.). Home Security Solutions. Retrieved from www.viewprotect.co.za

Bark Alarms. (n.d.). Armed Strike Plate. Retrieved from www.barkalarms.co.za

South African Police Service. (2020). Crime Statistics 2019/2020. Retrieved from https://www.saps.gov.za/services/crimestats.php

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WHAT DOES WHOLISTIC SECURITY LOOK LIKE?

Wholistic security: The Holy Grail of Security

SECURITY THAT COVERS ALL ENTRIES OF YOUR PROPERTY, CONNECTS TO AN ALARM SYSTEM AND IS PERMANENTLY ARMED.

The combination of ViewProtect and Bark products will offer the Ultimate Security Option for Your Home.

As homeowners, we all strive to create a safe and secure environment for ourselves and our loved ones. With the increasing concerns about burglaries, break-ins, and home invasions, having robust and intelligent security measures in place has become more important than ever. Fortunately, advancements in security technology have led to innovative solutions that provide unparalleled protection for our homes. Among these cutting-edge options, ViewProtect and Bark products have emerged to form the holy grail for security protection, offering top-notch defence for your entire house and ensuring 24/7 armed security.

ViewProtect Armed Bars are revolutionary security bars that not only offer physical protection but also incorporate technology for enhanced security. These bars are made from durable LEXAN™ polycarbonate material that is virtually unbreakable, ensuring that intruders will have difficulty penetrating through them. Unlike traditional metal security bars that can obstruct the view and create a sense of confinement, ViewProtect Armed Bars are transparent and allow natural light to pass through, maintaining the aesthetics of your home while providing reliable security.

What sets ViewProtect Armed Bars apart is the integration into any alarm system which is connected to a 24/7 active zone. This means that any attempt to tamper with or breach the bars triggers an instant alarm, alerting the monitoring centre and dispatching armed response units to your location. This proactive approach deters burglars and intruders from attempting a break-in, providing a powerful layer of defence for your home. The ViewProtect Armed Bars are alarm sensors that are fitted to windows with strong fitment options on offer. The Armed Bars are even fitted to swing, slide and retractable security gates.

In addition to ViewProtect Armed Bars, the Bark Armed Strike Plate is another game-changing security option that complements the overall security of your home. The Bark Armed Strike Plate is a high-security door and gate strike plate that replaces the standard strike plate on your door and gate frames. It is designed to withstand brute force attacks, such as kick-ins and prying, which are common methods used by burglars to gain entry into homes.

The Bark Armed Strike Plate is constructed with heavy-duty stainless steel and features an integrated alarm sensor, which is activated upon any attempt to breach the door by force. This triggers an audible siren and sends an instant alert to the monitoring centre, prompting immediate action by armed response units. The Bark Armed Strike Plate not only reinforces the weakest point of your door, but also adds 24/7 active security alarm protection that in turn provides an additional layer of protection to your home.

The combination of ViewProtect Armed Bars and Bark Armed Strike Plate creates formidable security alarm sensors for your home. The transparent and robust ViewProtect Armed Bars secure your windows, while the Bark Armed Strike Plate fortifies your doors, ensuring that every entry point of your home is safeguarded 24/7! The integrated alarm sensors of both solutions provide real-time alerts, allowing for a swift response to any security breach, and deterring criminals from attempting a break-in in the first place.

Furthermore, you’re 24/7 monitoring centre that is connected to the alarm sensors of ViewProtect Armed Bars and Bark Armed Strike Plate adds an extra layer of peace of mind. Trained security professionals are constantly monitoring your home, ready to respond to any emergency, providing you with round-the-clock armed security.

A further improvement to your security will be the addition of the Bark Black Box unit to your alarm system. This unit can improve reaction time to assist you when in need. Reaction time is essential when your life is threatened and with the Bark Black Box confirmation sound technology you will have the ability to call for immediate assistance from the neighbourhood.

The confirmation sound happens when intruders trigger the alarm and by pushing the panic button, or the intruders trigger a second zone, the alarm siren sound will change. This second, and any other changing siren sounds, will confirm that this is not a false alarm, but a real distress situation.

Investing in ViewProtect Armed Bars, Bark Armed Strike Plate, and the Bark Black Box is like having a dedicated armed security team protecting your home 24/7. These innovative security solutions offer the ultimate protection for your entire house, providing unparalleled peace of mind and ensuring that your loved ones and valuable possessions are safeguarded from potential threats.

In conclusion, securing your home is a top priority in today’s world. The combination of ViewProtect and Bark products offers the prospect to cultivate the holy grail of security. With their advanced technology, robust construction, and integrated alarm systems, these solutions provide an unbeatable defence for your home. Don’t compromise the safety of your loved ones.

Contact ViewProtect on info@viewprotect.co.za & Bark Alarms at info@barkalarms.co.za

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Rapidly Identifying Distress Situations and Providing Immediate Support.

The Bark Black Box is a cutting-edge technology developed to detect real distress situations and summon immediate assistance from your neighbourhood. When your family’s safety is at risk, every second counts, and fast support from your immediate surroundings can make all the difference. With verification sound technology integrated into your alarm system, the Bark Black Box ensures that you receive the help you need as quickly as possible.

When alarm systems were first introduced, they relied on a simple siren or hooter to alert anyone nearby of potential danger. In the 1940s, armed guards were introduced to respond to these warnings, and as technology advanced, radio signals were used to call for assistance from these guards. In the 1970s, the focus shifted towards developing more reliable alarm sensors to improve the effectiveness of security protection, but the addition of more sensors resulted in a higher number of false alarms.

Today, an estimated 98% of security distress signals received from alarm systems are false alarms, which undermines their trustworthiness and increases running costs for reaction companies. This has led to the downgrading of alarm sirens, which have become more of an annoyance than a valuable tool. Most alarm systems on the market today have no way to alert the immediate surrounding of a genuine distress situation when an intruder triggers the alarm. This is where the Bark Black Box comes in.

The Bark Black Box is a compact unit that can be installed between the alarm PCB and the alarm siren, replacing the siren PCB. It incorporates advanced technology that enables the siren to produce up to 8 different sounds, depending on the action taken by the residents or the zone that the intruders have triggered. The changing of the siren sound during a distress situation confirms that it is not a false alarm but a genuine emergency.

Here’s how the Bark Black Box works:

• The siren is automatically triggered when intruders activate any zone of the alarm system.
• The panic button can be pressed to initiate a change in the siren sound, or a second zone can be triggered by the intruders, which triggers a second sound, confirming a distressed situation.
• The change in the siren sound alerts all residents to the danger and puts pressure on the intruders to leave the property and the surrounding area as soon as possible.
• The neighborhood watch can respond by observing and gathering information, such as taking photos of suspicious vehicles and people, which can be of tremendous value to reaction units or police in apprehending the intruders.

The Bark Black Box kit includes a Bark siren, the Bark Black Box, and an amber LED light that should be installed on the outside of the house. This amber LED light will remain lit 24/7, identifying the property as being protected by Bark’s verification sound technology and signaling to criminals that the surrounding community is informed and vigilant. This can deter criminals from targeting the area and encourage them to look for more vulnerable neighborhoods.

In summary, the Bark Black Box is an innovative solution to the problem of false alarms and provides reliable and rapid response to genuine emergencies. By identifying distress situations and alerting the neighbourhood, the Bark Black Box enhances the effectiveness of alarm systems and provides valuable support in times of need.

For more information contact us at info@barkalarms.co.za

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