December 24, 2010
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Comments:
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Hi Ken,
As many say, I enjoy reading your emails and generally find excellent information that is very helpful!
In today's post you mention "Remote Arm/Disarm" etc.
Visonic is a leader in this technology and has had this feature for well over 5 years. Our PowerLink IP module was integrated into PowerMax + control (now all other controls) years ago and allows for remote control and remote video monitoring over IP. Analog control has been available for more like 10 to 15 years with companies like Moose and FBII certainly pioneers in that POTS technology.
As I think most industry folks agree, IP is the future! Although many manufacturers are using some GPRS/GSM technology for access and monitoring I believe most will also agree GSM is not a long living technology and IP is currently the best bet for 'future proofing' the business.
Best Regards and Happy New Year!
Mark Ingram
President, Visonic, Inc
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Ken
In response to "remote disarming system - new technology?" alarm systems with IP and cell phone communicators like the Paradox EVO alarm panels do indeed offer text messaging, remote system activation, two-way voice, automatic arming, Shabbat features, remote relay operations, remote arming/disarming, automatic testing, 24-hour wiring and device supervision, hardwire and wireless zones, multiple zone and true partitions, keypads with graphic diagram displays, X10 device control for operating lights and electrical outlets and 32-door access control with End User computer software.
The smartphone video is a function of the DVR. Most DVRs offer smartphone remote video now. The EagleWatch High Security DVR offers alarm response to events via remote text messaging, voice clips (.wav files) sent to multiple phone numbers per event, TCP/IP video clips, email notification of events, relay operation to open gates, unlock gates and doors, sound sirens or turn on lights.
Basically anything you can operate on-site with a switch, you can operate remotely through a remote computer connection over the Internet or phoneline. With the Paradox EVO alarm panel and the EagleWatch DVR it is only limited to your imagination as to what it can control or how it reacts to inputs and events. Programming is extensive, although easy on a laptop connected to the alarm panel, and the operation of even the most "tricked-out" security system planning is simple to operate because it only reacts to what has already been programmed into the system. The text messaging is very fast usually 5 to 8 seconds, where the Central Station can't seem to respond faster than 20 to 30 seconds after an alarm.
Hollywood movie writers have a license to exaggerate, but as described, this is very possible in 2010. I don't think alarm text messaging was in place in 2008 or a Smart phone capable of receiving real-time streaming video as only a small handful of cities can get 4G phone service now. The systems are not expensive, but the labor to wire and activate all the features is time consuming.
We do not offer auto-disarming because of the risk, however auto-arming is a very useful feature. Also, signals from the alarm panel are not sent during entry delay, only after the delay has expired or at the start of an alarm or successful disarm. Don't believe the existence of alarm keypad code decoders (mine locks out even the correct code after 4-unsuccessful attempts and reports the event) as used in some movie spy shows or the "make 'em stay on the line long enough to trace that call" myth. My phone shows the calling number before I answer the phone and with that information Google will tell you the address, owner of the phone number, how much he paid for his house, how much the houses in his neighborhood cost and where is the nearest gas station with the cheapest gas prices and most any other thing you want to know. Don't confuse movies with reality and always get your contracts from Ken.
David Robinson
Security Consultant
Delta Surveillance
Memphis, TN 38119
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Our company, LifeShield Security (originally called InGrid) was started in 2004 with the intention of changing the way consumers obtain and operate their home security systems. We design and manufacture our equipment and have been selling it to consumers since 2007. Our system is always connected to our central servers via broad band connection and uses phone and cell as back-up connections. Because of our design and "always connected service" we have always provided remote system control through internet connected devices such as smart phones and computers. So in answer to your remote arming/disarming question; this is not brand new technology as our customers have been successfully utilizing it for almost 4 years.
Stephen Schueren
VP Security Operations
LifeShield Security
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Remote arming/disarming by end user is fairly new. Remote programming for dealer/installer goes back to "DOS computers" days, but for end user it started only when beepers and cellphones became available. Residential alarm systems - like Honeywell Ademco Lynx have built-in voice to guide the end user over a phone. This feature allows the user to perform any function (arm, disarm, check status, turn on lights and appliances) from any phone or cellphone at no extra cost. The Lynx isn't new, and Ademco made voice modules, pager notification and X10 powerline interface way before that. You can see how far ahead of time Ademco was. Beepers don't even exist anymore and X10 technology dates back to 1970's. Ademco didn't fall asleep. They manufacture CCTV and access control interface for their alarm panels, so the end user can let someone into building, or delete lost access card from a phone.
This remote access to alarm system by end user existed, but was not widely used, maybe even not known to the public - until smartphones and their "apps" started to get advertised by cell service provides. Now everyone who owns smartphone expect the world to come to their tiny screen. This is good for alarm dealers. Give the end user what they want - increase your sales.
I sound like I get paid for advertising Honeywell Ademco products. I do not. I just want to point out that the technology is available and Ademco won't give you hard time buying it - unlike some other manufacturers (I won't name) who make the alarm installer crawl on his knees and beg some regional sales manager to return your call. Guess who pays the "sales manager who doesn't sell" salary? You do - in inflated product cost.
Dusan
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Hi Ken,
Yes we do have that technology here (Canada and the US). Alarm.com offers that as do others. Alarm.com offers cellular communication board that is added to certain panels (GE/UTC’s Simon XT, Concord 4). In addition to the cellular back up, you can also log in and program notifications for alarms, system events…. With alarm.com you can actually have all system activity logged whether the system is armed or not and get notifications about “normal activity” (ie: a door opening when the system is not even armed). It is my belief that most other similar service providers do not offer monitoring and notifications for “normal activity”. If your liquor cabinet, gun case, medicine cabinet is opened you can receive a text, an e-mail, a phone call… all without anything being done by the central station as these notifications are programmed by the system user using their secure website login. We do not offer this service as a standalone. A client must subscribe to alarm monitoring and they can then add the additional services.
Cameras can be added so that live video can be viewed at all times. There is no DVR, NVR on the customer site for recording. Cameras can be programmed to upload clips based on activity in VMDs (video motion detection windows) or based on activity detected by alarm sensors. Front door opens, send me a video clip to my iPhone, Blackberry, e-mail… Parents get to see kids coming home from school, see when cleaners come and go…
A business owner can view all arming and disarming of the system to ensure his staff is showing up on time and not leaving early. They can determine how many times on a given day, week or month the front door opens and closes (how many clients they had). They can be notified immediately if a zone is bypassed when arming (employee may arm system, but bypass back door and warehouse motion and go clean them out that night). I’m not technician so I’m not sure, but I don’t think that bypassing of zones is kept in system logs so the employer would not be able to find out about this bypassing of zones.
I could go on and on about how Alarm.com and similar systems can be used.
Regards,
Kevin Buckland
Manager / Client Satisfaction
True Steel Security & Care Link Advantage
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Ken:
Yes, that technology has been available for 2-3 years now and everyone (with a brain) is selling it because it’s massive RMR.
David L. Myers