Smartwater

[mrtechsystems]

Hi Guys

 

Need some help

 

Do any of you use Smartwater just wondering been asked to impletent it in the school for insurance purposes

 

 

Cheers in advance

[djm968]

I know of one School using it and they are happy. (Well the insurance company seems to be anyway)

[SteveT]

Yep, we use it here and I would recommend it highly. Only problem really is that it cannot be removed once applied which can create an issue with warrantees. There again, it wouldn't be much use if it could be removed!!!

 

Quick and easy to apply. Our local police love it, as do the insurance company.

 

I would advise that you buy plenty of extra stickers and warning posters. It's surprising how quickly you use them up!

[plexer]

We use it and for ease of application it's fantastic.

 

I'd reiterate getting extra stickers etc..

 

Only issue we had was police officer I believe it was had to ask why things weren't security marked they had smartwater stickers on them.

 

I use long wooded cotton bud applicators for putting it on rather than the brush dip it in do a couple of items and throw it out.

 

Ben

[djm968]

Not to be confused with the latest government initiative to supply drinking water “sponsored by Volic” under a PFI initiative that boosts the intelligence of students

[mrtechsystems]

Thanks ppl for quick repsonse

 

The the power unquie to the School

 

Yeah just a quick brush with a cotton bud

 

Thought it would cause problems with warranties but I am sure that it ok here

 

Cheers and thanks for the info

[localzuk]

What are the costs associated with this?

[plexer]

It's £100 a year or thereabouts you have to renew annually to keep your details on their database.

 

If an item goes wrong under warranty and it's security marked in any way they will then repair the item rather than replace it.

 

I had 2 projectors that were marked and they couldn't just ship me replacements.

 

Ben

[SteveT]

Smartwater

[derer1]

Iiiinteresting! Price wise this looks *Very* interesting, has anyone had any successful return of stolen items with this?

(Or any other user feedback really)

[localzuk]

It's £100 a year or thereabouts you have to renew annually to keep your details on their database.

 

If an item goes wrong under warranty and it's security marked in any way they will then repair the item rather than replace it.

 

I had 2 projectors that were marked and they couldn't just ship me replacements.

 

Ben

 

Huh? That is just strange. All IT equipment in our school is security marked with the usual county equipment number stickers and ultraviolet pens and we've never had a problem with warranties. I have never seen a stipulation in any of our warranty documents requiring us not to security mark it - that would be absurd. I can't think of a single company that doesn't use the same marking methods as we do here... I doubt a company would stand for that.

[plexer]

The items had to be repaired rather than swopped out that's all.

 

Obviously they can give you a refurbished one and then refurbish your one for somewhere else if it's marked.

 

Ben

[localzuk]

Well, no. If the item has to be replaced because it is broken beyond repair, what then? They would have to replace it regardless of stickers/security markings would they not?

[joolsyjoolsy]

I'm based at Coventry City Council and they implemented Smartwater a couple of years ago. Since then the number of insurance caims through theft recieved from the schools is down by about 80%. I think it is the best thing I have seen for ages. It is recommended to be used in conjunction with cctv etc - and I fully advise sticking the stickers on every bit of equipment, windows in the building situated near roads, posters on the front door- make it as visible deterrent as possible. It really has made a massive difference here!

[Sylv3r]

We use Smartwater here and have done for about 6 - 7 years. It was originally purchased through the county but was slightly alarmed to read an annual subscription cost of £100 is needed - which as far as I am aware we do not pay, unless the LEA do through an SLA.

 

Up to now we have never needed to make a claim, for any equipment with Smartwater on it.

[john]

All North Yorks schools should be using it and should have been for a while now, the bit of advice I was given about it was put them in areas that you don't grab often on PCs such as under the bottoms of them rather than on the edges etc as they can wear off easily.

[plexer]

Obviously yes if it can't be fixed then it would be replaced but I think this is common sense is it not?

 

Ben

[davyboi]

its also a good idea to put it in "hard to reach places" eg in vents ect then so theres no way of scratching it off

[SteveT]

Apparently 8O UV markings etc can be cleaned off with common household chemicals. With Smartwater even a few remaining molecules will identify the real owner of the item and the liquid soaks into tiny crevices.

[plexer]

Even some of the etch ones like selectamark can supposedly be removed with some household chemicals and elbow grease.

 

Ben

[Mr_T]

Thanks ppl for quick repsonse

 

The the power unquie to the School

 

Yeah just a quick brush with a cotton bud

 

Thought it would cause problems with warranties but I am sure that it ok here

 

Cheers and thanks for the info

 

 

Yes its good stuff and relitivly in expensive. At my last school we actually got a stolen projector back because of it.

 

I think it costs around 70 pounds