The Ring Doorbell has been instrumental in introducing the average home owner to surveillance technology, it is affordable, easy to install, and easy to use, but while it has it's strengths, it also has its weaknesses, today, we would like to help you make an informed decision on whether or not Ring is suitable for use as a security system as well as what applications Ring will thrive in.

As a both an end user, security professional, and security installer, this author has utilized all aspects of security and surveillance technology from Sensormatic's Intellex, to Pelco matrix PTZ cameras, and modern commercial grade surveillance technology which includes Axis, Genetek Security Desk, and Open Eye platforms as well as a multitude of systems designed for residential applications.

With this in mind, I would like to begin the discussion again notating that at JEM Security Solutions we proudly sell and install Ring Doorbells and Cameras, because Ring, without a doubt has it's strengths. Strengths such as High Quality, wide angle cameras which are battery operated, the fact that it can be placed anywhere, and a reliable cloud program and features such as neighborhood sharing which is a feature that will allow you to be in the know as to what suspicious events are transpiring in your neighborhood through collaborative video sharing.

This article is in no way, shape, or form an attempt to dissuade you from purchasing a Ring Camera but rather to provide you with information of what our experience as a both users and installers the pros and cons of purchasing a system that will allow you to understand and make an informed decision prior to making a decision as to which Security System will best suit your needs.

Beginning with the Pros of a Ring system, the Ring Doorbell is the first item in Ring's Repertoire that we would like to discuss, in terms of the average end user, the Ring Doorbell cannot be beat, it gives the user a video doorbell, allowing them to not only see who rings the bell, but features a camera that detects motion upon approaching the door as well as the ability to have a two way, Voice-over-IP (VoIP) conversation, whether it is with your friend who rings your doorbell, or the UPS driver who is delivering your package from Amazon, the Ring doorbell has revolutionized the way we interact with visitors when we are not home.

Infact, there are very few situations in which this author would dissuade someone against a Ring Doorbell. With this in mind, there are other alternatives to the Ring Doorbells also carried by JEM Security Solutions that provide comparable features to Ring. The biggest strength of the Ring Doorbell is the fact that it can be both hardwired to a power supply or run strictly on a rechargeable battery allowing it to be used in almost any residential application. This brings us to a question...

Is a Ring System right for you?
As stated, there are few applications in which a Ring Doorbell will not work, but with the other surveillance products that Ring has to offer, is it really the ideal solution for your home surveillance system? The first factor you should consider is that in most solutions, if it is one camera, such as a Ring Doorbell, Spotlight or "Stick-Up" Camera, the Ring will function for basic surveillance needs in average circumstances, however, Ring's reliance on batteries, as well as Wifi, creates vulnerabilities in the eventuality of a power outage.

Ring's Storage relies on Wifi connectivity, and if this goes down, as a result of your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or as a result of a power outage, or unplugged network cable, your surveillance system will immediately lose functionality, if this happens at a pivotal moment, there will be no record of the event on video nullifying the goal of a surveillance system.

Another factor to take into consideration is that your ISP allots your modem and network a certain amount of bandwidth with that being said, the more cameras you stream over your network, the more data you are pushing through your network, the more lag you are going to experience in your internet usage. If this is coupled with multiple smart phones, smart TVs, streaming or "Smart" devices, you may render some of the devices on your network inoperable for a short time. Your bandwidth will only allow you to send and receive so much data.

There are of course, ways around this, ISPs are more than happy to sell you more bandwidth, which will vary from provider to provider allowing you to connect more Ring Devices, but if you have more than two or three, chances are you are going to experience issues on your wireless (wifi) network while using using a Ring System, specifically during those times where the motion on all cameras are activated at once. Leaving you at that point, with the option of dealing with the lag on your network or upgrading your bandwidth through your ISP, which will increase your overall spending, coupled with the monthly fees that Ring charges per device for cloud storage, this could get expensive, very quickly, offsetting the low cost and cheap installation.

Another drawback to utilizing Ring as a surveillance system as previously mentioned is the reliance on Wifi that Ring has. The Ring operates by sending video to their Cloud Server, not through built in storage. Without WiFi this operation can not be complete rending the Ring unable to fulfill its primary purpose. One of the drawbacks, in this author's opinion of this cloud service, is you don't physically own the storage, therefore, you do not own the video of the device that you are using. Therefore if Ring decided to end it's support of your product, it will be rendered inoperable and in the event of a data breach, your video may be susceptible to hackers. (With this point being made, there is no indication that your data is not safe with Ring, but privacy concerns to the author, are always a factor on all cloud based systems.)

Ultimately, the pros and cons are on the consumer to weigh out and to decide which will best suit their needs. The Ring is without a doubt a wonderful solution for people who are renting so that they don't have to make any large scale modification to the apartment or house they are renting. However with modern technology it may also be worth considering a battery operated solution that provides its own recorder device, allowing you to own your own cloud because ultimately you know better than anyone what is going to impact your security.

When it comes to those who own a home, or have committed to a long term lease, it is often best to install a hard wired Security System that includes both a surveillance system as well as an alarm system that is monitored 24/7. Adding a device, such as the Ring Doorbell to supplement and add additional features to your perimeter allowing you to communicate with visitors when you are not home. There are also hard wired solutions that offer the same features, compatible with other surveillance systems that JEM Security Solutions has to offer.

A hard-wired Camera System will allow you the peace of mind to know that anything short of a complete, long term power outage will not stop your system from running. Settings on a hard wired system can limit bandwidth consumption and allow you to own and control your own data. This is not to say that Ring is not the perfect solution for small scale applications, for renters, or for adding additional features to your traditional security systems.

In conclusion, the decision as to which system to purchase is in your hands, you ultimately know what's best to protect your home. Now that you have weighed the pros and cons of a Ring System please feel free to call JEM Security Solutions to consult with a security expert to help you make that decision on which solution is optimal for you and schedule your installation today!