Security / alarm / low-voltage / locksmith software, built around E&O and recurring monitoring

Arkathos gives a security a workspace tailored to how the work actually runs — This workspace is built around dispatching techs to installs and emergency lockouts while billing recurring alarm-monitoring revenue. Arkathos tailors a security workspace around 4 agents: Sentinel, Quartermaster, Treasury, Herald.

Compliance a security can't afford to miss

Watchtower tracks every license, bond, insurance policy, and continuing-education requirement for a security, with renewal cadences and staged reminders so nothing lapses.

• A security must maintain a Alarm / Electronic Security Installer License (individual), through the State licensing agency (e.g., TX DPS Private Security Bureau; CA BSIS; NY Dept. of State Division of Licensing Services; NJ Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm & Locksmith Advisory Committee), which renews every two years.
• The Alarm / Electronic Security Installer License (individual) carries a continuing-education requirement of 8 hours every two years (7h Alarm / technical (general), 1h National Electrical Code (NEC) - low voltage).
• A security must maintain a Alarm Company / Burglar Alarm Business License (company), through the State licensing agency (TX DPS Private Security Bureau; CA BSIS Alarm Company Operator; NJ Div. of Consumer Affairs), which renews every two years.
• A security must maintain a Locksmith License, through the State licensing agency (TX DPS Private Security Bureau; CA BSIS; NJ Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm & Locksmith Advisory Committee) — many states do not license locksmiths, which renews every two years.
• The Locksmith License carries a continuing-education requirement of 16 hours every two years (16h Locksmith / physical security (general)).
• A security must maintain a Low-Voltage / Limited-Energy Electrical License, through the State electrical/contractor board or municipal building department (regulated locally in many states), which renews every two years.
• A security must maintain a NICET Fire Alarm Systems Certification, through the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), which renews every 3 years.
• The NICET Fire Alarm Systems Certification carries a continuing-education requirement of 90 hours every 36 months (90h Continuing Professional Development (CPD points, not clock hours)).
• A security must maintain a License / Contractor Surety Bond, through the Surety/insurer per state licensing prerequisite (e.g., TX $10,000 alarm/locksmith bond; CA BSIS bond), which renews every year.
• A security must maintain a General Liability Insurance, through the Commercial insurance carrier, which renews every year.
• A security must maintain a Professional Liability / Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance, through the Commercial insurance carrier, which renews every year.
• A security must maintain a Cyber Liability Insurance, through the Commercial insurance carrier, which renews every year.
• A security must maintain a Workers' Compensation Insurance, through the State-regulated workers' compensation carrier / state fund, which renews every year.
• A security must maintain a Municipal Alarm Business Permit / False-Alarm Registration, through the City/county (local police or false-alarm reduction unit), which renews every year.

Everything Arkathos runs for a security

These are the agents set up first for a security — and because it's one platform, every plan includes all 16 Arkathos agents. Also included whenever you need them: Guardhouse, Scribe, Courier, War Room, Armory, Marshall, Mint Warden, Vault Keeper, Watchtower, Bulletin Board, Client Portal.

• Sentinel — Contact & lead management, Deal / estimate pipeline, Task & follow-up tracking, SMS & email outreach, Pipeline reporting.
• Quartermaster — Online booking & appointments, Calendar & availability, Events & waitlists, Automated reminders, Job dispatch & scheduling.
• Treasury — Invoicing & payment collection, Expense tracking, Accounting & bookkeeping, Business tax prep & filing, Recurring billing & subscriptions, Financial dashboards & reports.
• Herald — SEO & get-found content, Social media scheduling, Email & newsletter campaigns, Brand voice & content studio, Review & reputation growth, AI-overview & directory visibility.

Your tailored security workspace

These are net-new, security-specific capabilities — not a generic CRM bolted onto your industry.

• Recurring monitoring (RMR) billing (Treasury): Auto-bill monthly/quarterly/annual alarm-monitoring contracts — the recurring monthly revenue that actually values this business — with contract term, rate, auto-renew, and PCI-safe card-on-file.
• Monitoring agreement & contract e-sign (Scribe): Generate and e-sign the monitoring service agreement (term, auto-renewal, liability limitation) tied to the account and the RMR billing.
• Emergency lockout intake & dispatch (Dispatch): A fast 'lockout now' intake (location, vehicle/residential/commercial, ETA quote) that books the nearest tech and captures payment, distinct from scheduled installs.
• Technician background-check & license vault (Watchtower): Track per-tech licensing (alarm/security, locksmith where required, low-voltage, NICET for fire alarm), background-check/fingerprint status, and company bonding — unusually heavy personnel compliance for this trade.
• Installed-device / site asset registry (Armory): Record what hardware is installed at each site (panel, cameras, locks, codes) for service history, warranty, and footage/data-privacy handling.

The agents and tabs you get

Sentinel for a security surfaces Contacts, Tasks, Chat. Quartermaster for a security surfaces Dispatch, Calendar, Bookings, Availability, Chat. Treasury for a security surfaces Invoices, Pipeline, Draft estimate, Sales tax, Chat. Herald for a security surfaces Get found, Directories, Compose, ✦Studio, Schedule, Chat, Brand voice.

Frequently asked questions

best software for security alarm installation business

Choices range from alarm-specific tools (Cornerstone, Micro Key, WorkHorse) to field-service apps (Jobber, Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan). Arkathos bundles CRM, scheduling, invoicing, payroll and compliance into one AI platform with flat, no-per-seat pricing.

how much does field service software cost per month for a low voltage contractor

Usually $50-$100+ per user each month, so multi-tech crews pay hundreds to thousands monthly. Arkathos uses flat pricing with no per-seat fees, so cost doesn't climb as you add technicians.

what software handles rmr recurring monthly revenue billing for alarm companies

Alarm billers (Cornerstone, Micro Key, WorkHorse) auto-invoice monitoring contracts and charge cards on schedule. Arkathos's Treasury and billing agents also automate recurring invoicing alongside the rest of your operations in one platform.

do i need alarm company software or is quickbooks enough

QuickBooks alone handles recurring monitoring billing and dispatch poorly, so most firms pair it with industry software or go all-in-one. Arkathos combines accounting, billing, CRM and scheduling so you skip stitching tools together.

how do locksmiths schedule jobs dispatch techs and take payment on site

Locksmith software (Workiz, Housecall Pro, Jobber) maps techs live, dispatches the nearest one, and lets them invoice and take card payment in the field. Arkathos runs the same scheduling, dispatch and payment flow.

what licenses do i need to start a security alarm installation business

Roughly 37 states require an installer license, typically involving fees, an exam, background check and fingerprints; some states demand separate burglar and fire alarm licenses. Requirements vary, so check your state board.

how to get more leads for a security installation business

Local SEO and Google Business Profile, Google/Bing ads, builder and property-manager referrals, directories, and a CRM for follow-up. Arkathos's marketing and CRM agents handle listings, follow-up and lead tracking automatically.

best all in one software to run a locksmith or low voltage business

All-in-one platforms merge scheduling, dispatch, invoicing, CRM and accounting so you stop juggling separate apps. Arkathos adds payroll, tax compliance and marketing too, with flat pricing tailored to trade contractors.

What licenses and insurance does a security need?

Arkathos tracks 11 items for a security, including Alarm / Electronic Security Installer License (individual), Alarm Company / Burglar Alarm Business License (company), Locksmith License, Low-Voltage / Limited-Energy Electrical License. Each renewal and expiration is monitored in Watchtower with staged reminders.

What continuing education is required for a security?

The Alarm / Electronic Security Installer License (individual) carries a continuing-education requirement of 8 hours every two years (7h Alarm / technical (general), 1h National Electrical Code (NEC) - low voltage). The Locksmith License carries a continuing-education requirement of 16 hours every two years (16h Locksmith / physical security (general)). The NICET Fire Alarm Systems Certification carries a continuing-education requirement of 90 hours every 36 months (90h Continuing Professional Development (CPD points, not clock hours)). Watchtower logs hours by category and flags shortfalls before the deadline.

Which Arkathos agents does a security get?

Arkathos tailors a security workspace around 4 agents: Sentinel, Quartermaster, Treasury, Herald.

How is the Arkathos workspace tailored for a security?

Beyond the standard tools, Arkathos builds security-specific features: Recurring monitoring (RMR) billing; Monitoring agreement & contract e-sign.

Related industries