Burglar Alarm Systems Posts

We have a quick and easy blog post for you today, this time covering local zones on Honeywell Home and Resideo ProSeries Alarm Panels - the PROA7PLUS, PROA7PLUSC, PROA7, and PROA7C. Local zones cannot trigger intrusion alarms to alert the central monitoring station for emergency dispatch.

Almost anyone who gets a security system will want to get it monitored so that they can receive automatic emergency dispatch if an intrusion occurs while they are away. However, you might also have some zones of your home or office where you want a "local", on-site alert to activity, and you also want to have Total Connect 2.0 alerts set up for the zone, but you don't want the central station to be notified to an alarm that occurs from the zone. Today, we're sharing a tip for achieving that type of functionality for a zone on a ProSeries Panel.

One thing to note is that if you are familiar with the Response Types for the Honeywell Lyric, then many of the same "rules" apply. This makes perfect sense, as the Honeywell Lyric is the predecessor system to the still relatively new ProSeries Control Panels. But having said that, many of the Response Types found on the Lyric were never brought over to the ProSeries Panels. Maybe they will be introduced in a later ProSeries Firmware Update, but we have no way of knowing if that will happen. Regardless, it can be a bit more challenging to set up "local" zones on the ProSeries Systems due to their more limited selection of Response Types. Nonetheless, we have a cool tip that we would like to discuss.

If you have a zone that you want to produce a local Chime and/or Voice Annunciation at your ProSeries Panel, as well as any of your PROWLTOUCH or PROWLTOUCHC Touchscreen Keypads, but you also don't want the zone to be able to cause any alarms or alert the central station, then you can set the Device Type to "Other" and the Response Type to "Garage Monitor". But before you set the Device Type to "Other", go and set the Chime setting first. The reason why you want to set the Chime first is because that setting becomes locked and unable to be changed after you set the Device Type to "Other". Whatever Chime setting you have set will be locked in and applied. By setting the Chime first, you can have a custom Chime setting, rather than the default option of Disabled when you set a "Garage Monitor" Response Type. With "Garage Monitor" set, your panel and keypads will announce the faulted zone and make whatever Chime sound is set for local alerts. You can also set up notifications from Total Connect 2.0 for this zone. Meanwhile, you can rest easy in knowing that this Garage Monitor Zone will never be able to cause an alarm on your system or result in the central station being notified. This is truly a local zone with the ultimate customization!

This ties-in with some other general tips. When you set the Device Type as "Other", all of the Response Types become available, though there are some PROSIX Sensors that may not allow for this type of programming. Also, the Device Type of "Other" is not spoken aloud when set. In other words, if you have Zone Descriptor 1 set as "Bedroom", the panel won't speak "Bedroom Other" if you have "Other" as the Device Type. It will just say "Bedroom", and nothing more. This is good to know, as if you're ever having trouble getting the desired Response Type to be made available, then setting "Other" as the Device Type can be the trick to getting the option you want. Just be careful when working with certain types of PROSIX Sensors, as they can be a bit more restrictive.

Do you have any topics you would like to see us cover on the ProSeries Panels, or on any other of our favorite security systems? Leave a comment down below, and let us know. We might just discuss it in a future blog. As for now, we hope that this simple trick helps you get the most out of your Honeywell and Resideo ProSeries Systems. Local zones are really useful in certain situations, and knowing little tips and tricks like this one that we covered today can really open up the door for more ways on using your security system. Anyway, that's all for today. Please stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more security news and helpful tips on using your system. We're always happy to help, and you can expect more great content from us coming soon!

We have a quick and easy blog post for you today, this time covering local zones on Honeywell Home and Resideo ProSeries Alarm Panels - the PROA7PLUS, PROA7PLUSC, PROA7, and PROA7C. Local zones cannot trigger intrusion alarms to alert the central monitoring station for emergency dispatch.

Almost anyone who gets a security system will want to get it monitored so that they can receive automatic emergency dispatch if an intrusion occurs while they are away. However, you might also have some zones of your home or office where you want a "local", on-site alert to activity, and you also want to have Total Connect 2.0 alerts set up for the zone, but you don't want the central station to be notified to an alarm that occurs from the zone. Today, we're sharing a tip for achieving that type of functionality for a zone on a ProSeries Panel.

One thing to note is that if you are familiar with the Response Types for the Honeywell Lyric, then many of the same "rules" apply. This makes perfect sense, as the Honeywell Lyric is the predecessor system to the still relatively new ProSeries Control Panels. But having said that, many of the Response Types found on the Lyric were never brought over to the ProSeries Panels. Maybe they will be introduced in a later ProSeries Firmware Update, but we have no way of knowing if that will happen. Regardless, it can be a bit more challenging to set up "local" zones on the ProSeries Systems due to their more limited selection of Response Types. Nonetheless, we have a cool tip that we would like to discuss.

If you have a zone that you want to produce a local Chime and/or Voice Annunciation at your ProSeries Panel, as well as any of your PROWLTOUCH or PROWLTOUCHC Touchscreen Keypads, but you also don't want the zone to be able to cause any alarms or alert the central station, then you can set the Device Type to "Other" and the Response Type to "Garage Monitor". But before you set the Device Type to "Other", go and set the Chime setting first. The reason why you want to set the Chime first is because that setting becomes locked and unable to be changed after you set the Device Type to "Other". Whatever Chime setting you have set will be locked in and applied. By setting the Chime first, you can have a custom Chime setting, rather than the default option of Disabled when you set a "Garage Monitor" Response Type. With "Garage Monitor" set, your panel and keypads will announce the faulted zone and make whatever Chime sound is set for local alerts. You can also set up notifications from Total Connect 2.0 for this zone. Meanwhile, you can rest easy in knowing that this Garage Monitor Zone will never be able to cause an alarm on your system or result in the central station being notified. This is truly a local zone with the ultimate customization!

This ties-in with some other general tips. When you set the Device Type as "Other", all of the Response Types become available, though there are some PROSIX Sensors that may not allow for this type of programming. Also, the Device Type of "Other" is not spoken aloud when set. In other words, if you have Zone Descriptor 1 set as "Bedroom", the panel won't speak "Bedroom Other" if you have "Other" as the Device Type. It will just say "Bedroom", and nothing more. This is good to know, as if you're ever having trouble getting the desired Response Type to be made available, then setting "Other" as the Device Type can be the trick to getting the option you want. Just be careful when working with certain types of PROSIX Sensors, as they can be a bit more restrictive.

Do you have any topics you would like to see us cover on the ProSeries Panels, or on any other of our favorite security systems? Leave a comment down below, and let us know. We might just discuss it in a future blog. As for now, we hope that this simple trick helps you get the most out of your Honeywell and Resideo ProSeries Systems. Local zones are really useful in certain situations, and knowing little tips and tricks like this one that we covered today can really open up the door for more ways on using your security system. Anyway, that's all for today. Please stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more security news and helpful tips on using your system. We're always happy to help, and you can expect more great content from us coming soon!

We have recently noticed a major shift in the security industry due to the COVID-19 health pandemic and the resulting "new normal". Many companies that were traditionally opposed to the DIY model are now following our lead and implementing their own DIY practices to meet consumer needs.

There are many names for this rising practice. Some companies will call it "Do-It-Together" or "Do-It-With-Me" as an alternative to "Do-It-Yourself". But it's all the same principle. And it isn't anything new, even if other companies want you to believe that they are being innovative. Alarm Grid has been proudly offering DIY monitoring solutions since 2012. And only a very small handful of other companies have been providing similar solutions for the past several years. It wasn't until this "new normal" that DIY security even became the standard model.

Whether a security company calls their model DIY, DIT, or DIWM, it's all the same thing. They all refer to a company guiding an end user through the setup or installation process remotely through a phone call, text chat, or video call. The main principle behind this concept is that a modern security system is not difficult to install, and end users shouldn't have to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for an installation that they can easily complete on their own. The end user is empowered in being in full control of their security system, and the alarm company saves money by not having to send out a professional installer. Everybody wins.

For a long time, traditional security companies and equipment manufacturers stubbornly stood their ground and refused to adopt this new model. They continued hiding Installer Codes and making their systems difficult and frustrating for end users to work with. This allowed them to keep rolling trucks and charging their customers service fees. We have seen some improvements in this regard. For example, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus is arguably the most DIY-friendly alarm panel we have ever seen. But for the most part, this industry has been slow to take action. It's somewhat shocking that it took something like a serious global health pandemic to implement these changes.

But Alarm Grid has been doing this before it became the norm. We have never sent out an in-house technician to anyone's home or business. Why? Because we never needed to. These systems can be self-installed, and our trained and knowledgeable technicians provide all the support you need, both online and over the phone. Being ahead of the curve has allowed Alarm Grid to establish a successful and thriving business in the highly competitive security industry. And we intend on keeping it that way, even during these trying times.

While most other security companies were left scrambling for solution that has been right under their noses for quite some time, Alarm Grid was already adapted for the global pandemic. The only change we made was mandating that the vast majority of employees work from home. And even that is only temporary, as we plan on returning to the Alarm Grid headquarters once we feel that it is safe. But other than that, it has been business as usual for Alarm Grid. We have continued to keep our customers informed, and we have continued providing simple and effective security solutions.

Other companies that are just now implementing DIY practices during this historic event are not being innovative. They are fighting for survival. We have been doing this for nearly eight years. And each year, more and more people jump ship to Alarm Grid. Customers love us for our top-notch support, our contract-free structure and our no nonsense attitude, where our only goal is to provide you with excellent monitoring service at a price that you can afford. We have been right about this industry this entire time, and other companies are only just now realizing it as a means of survival.

Remember that customers stick with Alarm Grid because they love our support and our efficient business model. Any customer that is not satisfied for whatever reason is free to take their system with them to a new company. All of the security systems we support are non-proprietary, and they can be readily used with virtually any alarm company. But we rarely have customers leave us, as we are always there to help them overcome any problems that they may encounter.

If you are interested in learning more about Alarm Grid, the original DIY security company, we invite you to send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We would love to help you explore your options so that you can make an informed buying decision for your home or business. Also, make sure to check out our monitoring page so that you can learn all about our monitoring plans. If you'd prefer to call us, we can be reached at (888) 818-7728. Our team is available and ready to talk from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

We have recently noticed a major shift in the security industry due to the COVID-19 health pandemic and the resulting "new normal". Many companies that were traditionally opposed to the DIY model are now following our lead and implementing their own DIY practices to meet consumer needs.

There are many names for this rising practice. Some companies will call it "Do-It-Together" or "Do-It-With-Me" as an alternative to "Do-It-Yourself". But it's all the same principle. And it isn't anything new, even if other companies want you to believe that they are being innovative. Alarm Grid has been proudly offering DIY monitoring solutions since 2012. And only a very small handful of other companies have been providing similar solutions for the past several years. It wasn't until this "new normal" that DIY security even became the standard model.

Whether a security company calls their model DIY, DIT, or DIWM, it's all the same thing. They all refer to a company guiding an end user through the setup or installation process remotely through a phone call, text chat, or video call. The main principle behind this concept is that a modern security system is not difficult to install, and end users shouldn't have to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for an installation that they can easily complete on their own. The end user is empowered in being in full control of their security system, and the alarm company saves money by not having to send out a professional installer. Everybody wins.

For a long time, traditional security companies and equipment manufacturers stubbornly stood their ground and refused to adopt this new model. They continued hiding Installer Codes and making their systems difficult and frustrating for end users to work with. This allowed them to keep rolling trucks and charging their customers service fees. We have seen some improvements in this regard. For example, the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus is arguably the most DIY-friendly alarm panel we have ever seen. But for the most part, this industry has been slow to take action. It's somewhat shocking that it took something like a serious global health pandemic to implement these changes.

But Alarm Grid has been doing this before it became the norm. We have never sent out an in-house technician to anyone's home or business. Why? Because we never needed to. These systems can be self-installed, and our trained and knowledgeable technicians provide all the support you need, both online and over the phone. Being ahead of the curve has allowed Alarm Grid to establish a successful and thriving business in the highly competitive security industry. And we intend on keeping it that way, even during these trying times.

While most other security companies were left scrambling for solution that has been right under their noses for quite some time, Alarm Grid was already adapted for the global pandemic. The only change we made was mandating that the vast majority of employees work from home. And even that is only temporary, as we plan on returning to the Alarm Grid headquarters once we feel that it is safe. But other than that, it has been business as usual for Alarm Grid. We have continued to keep our customers informed, and we have continued providing simple and effective security solutions.

Other companies that are just now implementing DIY practices during this historic event are not being innovative. They are fighting for survival. We have been doing this for nearly eight years. And each year, more and more people jump ship to Alarm Grid. Customers love us for our top-notch support, our contract-free structure and our no nonsense attitude, where our only goal is to provide you with excellent monitoring service at a price that you can afford. We have been right about this industry this entire time, and other companies are only just now realizing it as a means of survival.

Remember that customers stick with Alarm Grid because they love our support and our efficient business model. Any customer that is not satisfied for whatever reason is free to take their system with them to a new company. All of the security systems we support are non-proprietary, and they can be readily used with virtually any alarm company. But we rarely have customers leave us, as we are always there to help them overcome any problems that they may encounter.

If you are interested in learning more about Alarm Grid, the original DIY security company, we invite you to send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We would love to help you explore your options so that you can make an informed buying decision for your home or business. Also, make sure to check out our monitoring page so that you can learn all about our monitoring plans. If you'd prefer to call us, we can be reached at (888) 818-7728. Our team is available and ready to talk from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

If you want to add multiple users to Total Connect 2.0 all at once, then you're in luck! The TC2 platform allows users to upload an Excel document with multiple new users. There is even a pre-prepared template on Total Connect 2.0 under the Users tab that you can use to get started.

The first thing you should know about the batch enrollment feature is that it is only accessible through the Total Connect 2.0 website. Batch enrollment is not possible through the Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App. Make sure you are using the website when you go to get started.

Within the Users tab on the left side of the screen, you can choose the option for "Add New User". From there, you will choose the blue "Add Multiple Users" button.

Next, you can download a template for building the users list, and you can re-submit the template after filling it out. Once you do that, all of the new users will be added to your Total Connect 2.0 account. For more information on batch enrolling multiple users to TC2, please see this guide.

If you have any questions about the TC2 batch enrollment feature, or if you want to get started with alarm monitoring service, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you want to add multiple users to Total Connect 2.0 all at once, then you're in luck! The TC2 platform allows users to upload an Excel document with multiple new users. There is even a pre-prepared template on Total Connect 2.0 under the Users tab that you can use to get started.

The first thing you should know about the batch enrollment feature is that it is only accessible through the Total Connect 2.0 website. Batch enrollment is not possible through the Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App. Make sure you are using the website when you go to get started.

Within the Users tab on the left side of the screen, you can choose the option for "Add New User". From there, you will choose the blue "Add Multiple Users" button.

Next, you can download a template for building the users list, and you can re-submit the template after filling it out. Once you do that, all of the new users will be added to your Total Connect 2.0 account. For more information on batch enrolling multiple users to TC2, please see this guide.

If you have any questions about the TC2 batch enrollment feature, or if you want to get started with alarm monitoring service, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

When choosing a security system for your home or business, you need to decide whether you want it to use IP communication, cellular communication or dual-path communication. While these aren't the only methods available, they are by far the most dependable and the most widely used.

A communication pathway is what allows a security system to communicate out to a signal processing platform. This platform redirects any incoming alert from the system to a central monitoring station and/or the end user directly via push notification, text, and/or email, depending on the user's monitoring plan. You need a communication path that is reliable and consistent so that your system always remains monitored.

The "entry level" communication path so to speak is IP communication. This involves using the local internet protocol (IP) network in your home or business. If you have internet service already, then you will be good to go. The alarm control panel for your system will either connect to your local WIFI network or use a wired ethernet connection for internet access. The advantage to IP communication is that it is the least expensive.

But as you know, occasional internet outages are still something that most people have to deal with. Not to mention, a power outage will also take your router and modem offline if you do not have a backup power supply available. That is why many people upgrade to cellular communication. With a strong cellular connection, it is highly unlikely that your system would ever go offline for any reason.

If you already have internet in your home or business, and you still want the reliability of cellular, then you can easily achieve a dual-path setup that uses both IP and cellular. This is the most popular type of alarm monitoring, and it is what we ultimately recommend in most cases. You also won't need to pay any more than what you would pay for cellular monitoring service, as most monitoring companies include IP service with a cellular monitoring plan.

If you are interested in learning more about IP, cellular, or dual-path monitoring, or if you want to learn more about the alarm monitoring services offered by Alarm Grid, we invite you to email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8-m ET M-F. You are also welcome to check out our monitoring page to learn more about the monitoring plans we offer. We look forward to hearing from you!

When choosing a security system for your home or business, you need to decide whether you want it to use IP communication, cellular communication or dual-path communication. While these aren't the only methods available, they are by far the most dependable and the most widely used.

A communication pathway is what allows a security system to communicate out to a signal processing platform. This platform redirects any incoming alert from the system to a central monitoring station and/or the end user directly via push notification, text, and/or email, depending on the user's monitoring plan. You need a communication path that is reliable and consistent so that your system always remains monitored.

The "entry level" communication path so to speak is IP communication. This involves using the local internet protocol (IP) network in your home or business. If you have internet service already, then you will be good to go. The alarm control panel for your system will either connect to your local WIFI network or use a wired ethernet connection for internet access. The advantage to IP communication is that it is the least expensive.

But as you know, occasional internet outages are still something that most people have to deal with. Not to mention, a power outage will also take your router and modem offline if you do not have a backup power supply available. That is why many people upgrade to cellular communication. With a strong cellular connection, it is highly unlikely that your system would ever go offline for any reason.

If you already have internet in your home or business, and you still want the reliability of cellular, then you can easily achieve a dual-path setup that uses both IP and cellular. This is the most popular type of alarm monitoring, and it is what we ultimately recommend in most cases. You also won't need to pay any more than what you would pay for cellular monitoring service, as most monitoring companies include IP service with a cellular monitoring plan.

If you are interested in learning more about IP, cellular, or dual-path monitoring, or if you want to learn more about the alarm monitoring services offered by Alarm Grid, we invite you to email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8-m ET M-F. You are also welcome to check out our monitoring page to learn more about the monitoring plans we offer. We look forward to hearing from you!

Update 01/13/22: This feature has now been expanded upon, but only for the ProSeries panels. You can read all about it here!

The Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App for Android now allows users to arm, disarm, and check current system status using Google spoken voice commands. This handy new feature can be very useful for quickly and conveniently controlling your Honeywell Security System from almost anywhere.

In order to use Google voice commands with TC2, you must have the feature set up for your phone. To enable, go to Settings > Apps > Total Connect 2.0 > Enable Microphone. Once configured, you should see a blue microphone button in the bottom-right corner of the TC2 App. You can click on this button to have your phone begin listening for voice commands. At this time, only arming/disarming and status commands are available. We are hopeful that more commands will be arriving in the future.

Also keep in mind that you will need to give Total Connect 2.0 permission to use the microphone for your phone. Make sure to adjust the appropriate app permissions if you have not already done this. Remember that you can only make TC2 voice commands while you have the app opened. Google will not be able to understand any commands intended for TC2 unless they are performed through the app.

Please note that some commands may require a valid code entry. The following voice commands are available within the TC2 Android App:

• Arm Stay: Puts the system in Arm Stay mode.
• Arm Away: Puts the system in Arm Away mode.
• Disarm: Disarms the system.
• Home: Returns you to TC2 App home screen.
• Sensors: Displays list of programmed sensors.
• Keypad: Displays on-screen virtual keypad.
• Events: Displays Events list.
• Settings: Opens the TC2 Settings Menu.
• Profile: Opens your TC2 Profile.
• Location Settings: Opens the TC2 Locations Menu.
• Manage Locations: Opens the Manage Locations tab within the Locations Menu.
• Change Password: Opens the Change Password tab within your TC2 Profile.
• Help: Opens the Help Menu.
• Sign Out: Logs you out of TC2 and closes the app.

If you have any questions about this feature, or if you are interested in starting monitoring service for use with Total Connect 2.0, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get the most out of Total Connect 2.0.

Update 01/13/22: This feature has now been expanded upon, but only for the ProSeries panels. You can read all about it here!

The Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App for Android now allows users to arm, disarm, and check current system status using Google spoken voice commands. This handy new feature can be very useful for quickly and conveniently controlling your Honeywell Security System from almost anywhere.

In order to use Google voice commands with TC2, you must have the feature set up for your phone. To enable, go to Settings > Apps > Total Connect 2.0 > Enable Microphone. Once configured, you should see a blue microphone button in the bottom-right corner of the TC2 App. You can click on this button to have your phone begin listening for voice commands. At this time, only arming/disarming and status commands are available. We are hopeful that more commands will be arriving in the future.

Also keep in mind that you will need to give Total Connect 2.0 permission to use the microphone for your phone. Make sure to adjust the appropriate app permissions if you have not already done this. Remember that you can only make TC2 voice commands while you have the app opened. Google will not be able to understand any commands intended for TC2 unless they are performed through the app.

Please note that some commands may require a valid code entry. The following voice commands are available within the TC2 Android App:

• Arm Stay: Puts the system in Arm Stay mode.
• Arm Away: Puts the system in Arm Away mode.
• Disarm: Disarms the system.
• Home: Returns you to TC2 App home screen.
• Sensors: Displays list of programmed sensors.
• Keypad: Displays on-screen virtual keypad.
• Events: Displays Events list.
• Settings: Opens the TC2 Settings Menu.
• Profile: Opens your TC2 Profile.
• Location Settings: Opens the TC2 Locations Menu.
• Manage Locations: Opens the Manage Locations tab within the Locations Menu.
• Change Password: Opens the Change Password tab within your TC2 Profile.
• Help: Opens the Help Menu.
• Sign Out: Logs you out of TC2 and closes the app.

If you have any questions about this feature, or if you are interested in starting monitoring service for use with Total Connect 2.0, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get the most out of Total Connect 2.0.