Home Security Blog

Alarm.com was given the opportunity at the 2020 CMS President's Forum to present some of their upcoming features that will soon be made available. The discussion was led by Alarm.com Product Manager Jennie Lee. We are sure that Alarm.com users will love these features that are coming soon!

These upcoming features are designed to prevent Alarm.com users from needing to contact the central monitoring station and instead manage their own security systems more effectively. This is helpful to Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS) in improving response times, and it also provides a more engaging end user experience. Needless to say, we are very excited about what Alarm.com is bringing to the table!

First, Alarm.com is offering an in-app panic feature that makes it possible to trigger a panic alarm right from the Alarm.com Mobile App. This is great if you ever need to discreetly call for help in the event of an emergency. End users can also use the Alarm.com Mobile App to cancel an alarm or verify that an alarm is legitimate. These features must be enabled by your alarm monitoring company. Alarm Grid customers can contact us at support@alarmgrid.com to get started. But please remember that if you are ever experiencing a confirmed burglary or fire while you at the monitored premises to instead call 911 immediately.

Another upcoming feature that Jennie Lee mentioned is the ability for end users to view their central station event logs directly from the Alarm.com Mobile App. End users will be able to see prior alarm events, as well as any emergency dispatches that may have been ordered. By implementing this feature, Alarm.com is hoping to make things more convenient for end users and prevent them from having to contact the central station directly for simple tasks. This feature should also prove to be very useful for system testing purposes.

Jennie Lee also discussed the upcoming in-app test mode feature that will soon be made available for the Alarm.com Mobile App. End users will be able to access the Alarm.com Mobile App to put their systems on test mode when needed. When the system is in test mode using this service, alarm notifications will still be forwarded to the central station. However, any central station operators will know not to dispatch, and no false alarms will occur. An end user can set the time for their system to remain in test mode, and the system will automatically exit test mode once the set time has expired.

Alarm.com is also going to be putting out some useful tools for alarm technicians that should help to improve the customer experience. Technicians will be able to perform zone syncs on Alarm.com customer accounts. This is needed whenever changes are made to system zones and whenever sensors are added, edited, or removed. Another feature that will be made available to technicians is the ability to quickly and conveniently put a system into test mode on behalf of the end user. Technicians will also soon be able to initiate a Walk Test on an end user's behalf for testing specific sensors and zones. The technicians at Alarm Grid will surely appreciate these great new features!

Lastly, Criticom Monitoring Services President Tony Wilson mentioned that CMS will soon have the ability to see images directly from the DSC PG9934P and DSC PG9944 PowerG Image Sensors. These image sensors are widely used with security systems that support PowerG, including the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. Currently, images produced by these devices are visible from Alarm.com, but they aren't made available to Criticom. But that will soon change, as Alarm.com will be able to automatically forward the produced images to the central monitoring station. The PowerG Image Sensors are only able to capture images during alarm events, so as to maintain privacy for the end user. When the system goes into alarm, the image sensor will produce an image every half-second for five (5) seconds straight, for a total of ten (10) images. The first of these images will be sent immediately to Alarm.com and CMS, while the other nine (9) will be made available to the central station operator as a stop-motion video shortly thereafter.

Overall, our team is very impressed with what Alarm.com will soon be putting out. We think that these upcoming features will really help improve the lives of end users, and they will also make the jobs of our support technicians much easier. If you are interested in starting service with Alarm Grid for access to Alarm.com, you can check out our monitoring page for more information. Also remember that you can email us at support@alarmgrid.com to get started. We maintain support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

On Day 2 of the 2020 Criticom Monitoring Services President's Forum, CMS President Tony Wilson began by leading a talk about the importance of preventing unwanted phone calls to CMS. Unwanted spam phone calls delay response times and prevent efficient operation for a monitoring station.

Anyone with a personal phone most likely deals with unwanted incoming spam phone calls, also referred to as "robo calls". This is unfortunately something that Criticom has to manage as well. Unwanted spam calls to a central station represent a true life-safety issue. These incoming calls prevent central station operators from addressing serious alarms and life-threatening emergencies as quickly as possible. Fortunately, CMS has taken steps to address this issue.

According to CMS President Tony Wilson, Criticom has had success using an app called RoboKiller to prevent incoming spam calls. This app prevents roughly 90% of unwanted spam calls from coming through. This has helped Criticom improve its response times and address alarm events more efficiently. It was also stressed that alarm dealers like Alarm Grid should do their part to prevent spam calls and improve efficiency. This is something that Alarm Grid has been working on for quite some time.

Criticom President Tony Wilson also stressed the importance of getting end users set up with the MyAlarms.com portal. If you aren't familiar with MyAlarms.com, it is a free service offered from Criticom. Any Alarm Grid customer with central station monitoring service can use the platform to conveniently add and update contacts and put their system on test mode when needed. This is all done without needing to contact CMS via a phone call. This keeps the phone lines free, and it improves response times for their operators who need to quickly address incoming alarms.

Another feature that was discussed was the ability for CMS to send text messages directly to end users through short code 60281. End users can get text messages directly from CMS regarding any alarms or system trouble conditions. This prevents CMS agents from having to make direct phone calls, thereby improving response times. Alarm Grid briefly discussed this feature in a post from last year. Although we haven't implemented this feature quite yet, it is something that we are working on adding very soon. Last year, Criticom Monitoring Services sent out nearly 150,000 SMS text messages across their entire customer base.

Overall, it's great to see Criticom Monitoring Services doing their part to improve response times and help keep end users safe. If you are interested in getting started with central station monitoring service, check out our monitoring page to learn how you can do so through Alarm Grid. You are also welcome to email us at support@alarmgrid.com if you have any questions. We operate support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We're here at the second day of the 2020 Criticom Monitoring Services President's Forum. Morning presentation sessions are expected to kick-off at 9am ET. We will hear more from CMS President Tony Wilson, and Alarm.com is expected to present as well. We are anticipating a busy day!

Stay tuned to our blog as we provide you with updates on what we learn from the 2020 CMS President's Forum. There should be some in-depth presentations from industry insiders and experts that we know you will want to hear about. Alarm Grid will be your guide for the rest of the event!

The 2020 Criticom Monitoring Services President's Forum really kicked off with a special presentation from CMS President Tony Wilson. We were pleased to receive information on the current state of Criticom, and we also learned about how the company is improving its monitoring centers.

It is important to remember that Criticom Monitoring Services provides monitoring services for a wide variety of alarm monitoring companies, not just Alarm Grid. Criticom works with a huge selection of alarm dealers to help keep homes and businesses monitored and protected. The past year was huge for Criticom, and it's great to see them growing and thriving as a company.

In the past year, Criticom Monitoring Services added 21,367 new customers across all their partnered alarm dealers, and they converted three (3) existing central station companies into Criticom accounts. Of all Criticom partnered dealers in 2019, 31.8% grew in terms of total customers, while about another 30% stayed roughly the same in size. We are proud to say that Alarm Grid successfully grew its total customer base in 2019. In total, Criticom added 134,394 new customers in 2019. As of 2019, the average Criticom customer has been monitored for 6.56 years.

This past year, Criticom central station operators responded to 5,513,144 alarms. Of these, 2,367,050 were considered to be "high priority". The average response time for these high priority alarms was 29 seconds. Criticom also received 1,481,096 inbound calls. The average response time for inbound calls for Criticom was just 16 seconds. These fast response times are important, as they help ensure that you receive the prompt help that you need when an alarm occurs on your security system. We expect Criticom to continue to improve these response times moving forward.

Criticom also made major improvements to their three (3) monitoring facilities in Cypress, CA, Longwood, FL, and Manasquan, NJ. The company added a Potter Fire Alarm System to their Cypress, CA facility in an effort to promote safety. The Longwood, FL facility was remodeled, as the company spent more than $150,000 in improving its overall aesthetics. And the Manasquan, NJ location was outfitted with a new access control system to keep its employees protected and secured. Additionally, Criticom put $540,000 into improving their Compass software, which is used by dealers like Alarm Grid to create and maintain customer accounts. In total, Criticom spent more than $1.2 Million in improving and maintaining their monitoring centers and software.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2020, it is expected that Criticom will continue to invest into their growing infrastructure. The Longwood, FL facility will be outfitted with AT&T Fiber Internet Service, which is expected to cost the company $1 Million. The company also plans to invest $600,000 into a new and improved PBX phone system. Lastly, another $600,000 will be invested into improving and maintaining their Compass software. It's clear that Criticom is making the investments it needs to serve its growing customer base that expects the very best alarm monitoring service available. At Alarm Grid, we are absolutely delighted to see Criticom continuing to do what's right for its partnered dealers and the end users who depend on them.

We expect some more insightful presentations and discussions from Criticom as their 2020 President's Forum Conference continues. Stay tuned to our blog for more. And if you aren't yet signed up with Alarm Grid for monitoring service, make sure to check out our monitoring page, and contact us at support@alarmgrid.com for more information. We operate support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Our monitoring partner Criticom Monitoring Services is putting on their 2020 President's Forum. Alarm Grid has a small team out to attend the conference and get important insider knowledge from some of the leading experts who help keep your homes and businesses safe and protected.

If you aren't familiar with Criticom Monitoring Services, they are the exclusive central monitoring station partner of Alarm Grid for accounts in the US. If you are in the US and you have central station monitoring service with Alarm Grid, when your system goes into alarm, then it is Criticom who responds to the incoming alarm signal and alerts the local authorities for emergency dispatch, if necessary.

Criticom operates three (3) 24/7 monitoring centers across the country in California, Florida, and New Jersey. Each monitoring center has many highly trained experts present who are constantly ready to respond to any alarms that may occur on your system. In the event that one monitoring center goes offline for any reason, the other two will be there to pick up the slack and ensure that all incoming alarms are properly dealt with and addressed as soon as possible. This excellent redundancy in making sure that monitored homes and businesses always stay protected is a big reason why Alarm Grid has selected Criticom as one of its central station partners.

Right now, the CMS President's Forum Conference is just getting started. Criticom experts are currently having meet and greets with other security industry representatives. We expect the in-depth presentations and discussions to begin sometime later this afternoon. Stay tuned to our blog for updates from what is sure to be an informative and engaging conference

If you have a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, a DSC PowerSeries NEO, or a DSC Iotega, then you have likely worked with PowerG Sensors. These sensors are highly regarded for their impeccable security and great range. But if you really want to go overkill, you can also add a PowerG Repeater.

The DSC PG9920, more commonly known as the PowerG Repeater, effectively doubles the communication range for PowerG Sensors. The way that this works is that the PowerG Repeater will take the signal sent out from a PowerG Sensor and send it out a second time. The repeated signal will then make its way to the panel for regular operation.

Wireless repeaters have been used in the security industry mostly since wireless sensors became the new norm for alarm systems. Up until recently, wireless sensors for security systems typically had pretty lackluster range. It wasn't uncommon to see a wireless sensor with a communication range of under 200 feet. For those older wireless sensors, wireless repeaters are frequently used, as that is often the only way that they will work reliably in larger homes and businesses.

But PowerG Sensors are a completely different animal. When used with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, these sensors offer a wireless range of up to 2,000 feet in open air. And if you use a PowerG Sensor on a DSC PowerSeries NEO with an added transceiver, then you can expect a wireless range of 2 km in open air. You read that correctly - 2 kilometers!

Granted, these are open air communication ranges. You will need to consider obstacles like thick walls and large metal obstacles that can reduce wireless range. However, we have had many customers use PowerG Sensors in places like warehouses, strip malls, industrial complexes, and other large locations without experiencing any communication issues. And this is all without the use of a repeater!

With that in mind, the odds of you needing a repeater for your PowerG Security System are pretty slim, unless you're really pushing the limits of wireless communication. Most users are not expecting their systems to work beyond the confines of a home or a small business. But if you do put a PG9920 Repeater to use, then you can expect some truly astounding wireless range. For an IQ Panel 2 Plus, PowerG Sensors can communicate from up to 4,000 feet away in open air once a repeater gets involved. And on a DSC PowerSeries NEO, this range is up to 4 KILOMETERS in open air!

The most common situations where PowerG Repeaters are used are in locations like manufacturing facilities and other major industrial complexes where large metal objects, heavy machinery, and thick walls disrupt the communication range so severely that using a PowerG Repeater is the only way for the sensor signals to make their way back to the panel. But understand that these are very uncommon situations. Most likely, you probably do not need a PowerG Repeater.

If you are setting up a system with PowerG Sensors, then we will typically recommend that you try to do so without using a repeater. You probably don't need one. If you then find that your sensors are experiencing communication issues, then you could try supplementing them with a PowerG Repeater. It is advised that you place it strategically to give the sensors the most benefit. Remember, any PowerG signals detected by the repeater will be sent out a second time so that they can ultimately reach the panel.

Please note that you cannot use multiple PowerG Repeaters to repeat a signal from a PowerG Sensor multiple times. A PowerG Sensor can only have its signal repeated once. Theoretically, you could have two (2) different PowerG Repeaters going out in different directions from the panel to repeat sensor signals coming from both pathways, but that's probably not going to be something you need to do. But if you really have a massive complex with a PowerG Alarm System in the center, it is theoretically possible.

You can get the DSC PG9920 PowerG Repeater from Alarm Grid. But like we said, you probably don't need it. If you have any other questions about the PowerG Repeater or any of the other products on our website, please contact us at support@alarmgrid.com. We operate support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Welcome to the first post of February 2020 from Alarm Grid! Our video team wrapped up January quite nicely by releasing four (4) new videos right at the end of the month. We have three (3) new videos from Joe, plus one (1) from Jorge. We hope that you find them helpful. Let's check them out!

Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Can be Self-Monitored

Jorge explains how the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus can be self-monitored using Alarm.com. Self-monitoring means that the system is not connected with a central monitoring station, and the user sets up text and/or email notifications regarding system events. It will then be up to the end user to contact the authorities if any help is needed. Alarm Grid offers self monitoring plans, which can be seen on our alarm monitoring page. These self plans are great for users who don't necessarily benefit from central station monitoring, but who still want to be alerted to system events.

Calibrating an Alarm.com Camera for Video Analytics

Joe demonstrates the process for setting up an Alarm.com Camera for Alarm.com Video Analytics. This process is required for the Alarm.com ADC-V622-WELL and the Alarm.com ADC-V723. The calibration process helps ensure that ADC Video Analytics works as effectively as possible and that alerts will be sent as desired. You can likely complete the calibration process in just a few minutes, though it can be helpful to have an assistant work with you too, as having a second pair of hands can really come in handy!

Installing a Honeywell 7847i On A VISTA P-Series Panel

Joe completes the process of installing a Honeywell 7847i IP Communicator on a Honeywell VISTA P-Series Panel. This module allows the system to communicate with the AlarmNet Servers for monitoring service. The user will also be able to control their system through Total Connect 2.0 if the service is included in their alarm monitoring plan. The communicator uses a hardwired ethernet connection for IP service. It is also possible to use this module for wireless internet connectivity by adding an ethernet to WIFI bridge.

Installing a Honeywell 7847i On A VISTA Turbo Panel

Joe adds a Honeywell 7847i IP Communicator to a VISTA TURBO Panel. Examples of VISTA TURBO Panels include the Honeywell VISTA-128BPT and the Honeywell VISTA-250BPT. The Honeywell 7847i connects with a VISTA TURBO Panel using a 4-wire connection. Keep in mind that this communicator is for IP only. An internet outage will take the system offline, as this module does not offer any cellular backup. You may want to get a backup battery for your IP router to keep it online during power outages.

Alarm Grid is now offering Honeywell LYNX Touch LTE upgrade kits that each include a brand-new LTE communicator and a Honeywell LYNXTOUCH-MSD Updater Tool for updating the system to the latest firmware version. It has never been easier to upgrade a Honeywell LYNX Touch System to use LTE!

The two (2) new Alarm Grid LTE upgrade kits for the LYNX Touch Panels are the Honeywell LTEUPGKT-L57A (AT&T LTE) and the Honeywell LTEUPGKT-L57V (Verizon LTE). These kits are recommended for anyone with an L5200, L5210, or L7000 that needs a firmware update to support a new LTE communicator. The AT&T LTE version requires firmware update 9.00.201 or higher, while the Verizon LTE version needs update 9.00.209 or higher. If your system is already on a high enough firmware version, then you should just simply buy the standalone communicator module. Also keep in mind that these kits cannot be used with the older L5100 and L5000 LYNX Touch Panels. Those two panels cannot be used with any LTE communicator in any circumstance.

If you aren't sure what firmware version your LYNX Touch Panel is running, you can check by choosing the following options from the main screen: Security > More > Tools > enter your Master Code > Test. You will then access the system's Test Menu, where the firmware version will be displayed at the top of the screen. As you can see in the photo, this L7000 is on a high enough firmware version to support both the AT&T LTE Communicator and the Verizon LTE Communicator.

Any alarm system using cellular communication should be set up with an LTE communicator. And if you have a system that is using a 3G or CDMA communicator, then it is imperative that you upgrade to LTE as soon as possible. Although Alarm Grid will continue to support non-LTE communicators for as long as possible, these communicators will stop working once their associated cellular networks are shut down. This is expected to occur sometime in 2022. The clock is ticking, and you will need to upgrade to LTE if you want to continue using the same system.

Additionally, an LTE communicator will provide better reliability and overall performance than a non-LTE communicator. This is because LTE cellular networks offer faster speeds and improved dependability when compared with older 3G and CDMA networks. By using an LTE communicator, you will receive a quicker emergency response if an alarm occurs on your system. You may also notice that your system responds more quickly to remote commands sent from Total Connect 2.0. This simple change is a great way to improve your alarm system and help it work more effectively.

Some users have expressed concern with LTE communicators, stating that they too will eventually need to be replaced in favor of eventual 5G cellular communicators. We want to address those concerns and say that this will most likely not be an issue until decades in the future. Cellular service providers have repeatedly stated that they plan to maintain and support the infrastructure for their LTE networks for a very, very long time. Even as 5G networks are inevitably introduced and 5G communicators for security systems become a thing, your LTE communicator will still work fine. This is truly a long-term solution that you can count on.

With the impending shut down of 3G and CDMA networks, Resideo stopped allowing activations for those communicators in June of last year. Any new cellular activation must be done with an LTE communicator. You also have the option of activating a LYNX Touch System on IP only by using a Honeywell L5100-WIFI Communicator. This can be a good option if you want to save money in monitoring expenses, as most alarm companies charge less for IP only service. But you should be aware that an internet outage will take your panel offline if you don't have cellular backup. A new L5100-WIFI module will require Firmware Version 8.00.183 on a Honeywell LYNX Touch Panel.

You might also be wondering whether you should get the Honeywell LTEUPGKT-L57A for AT&T LTE service or the Honeywell LTEUPGKT-L57V for Verizon LTE service. The answer is that it depends on the network coverage in your area. You should go with whichever network provides more reliable service in your area, regardless of what provider you use for a personal phone. You should check coverage maps and decide based on the available information. And if you live in a rural area without adequate coverage from either network, then we will be happy to discuss cellular antenna and cellular amplifier options that can boost your system's cellular signals to reliable levels.

Whether you use LTE cellular, IP only, or dual-path connectivity with both IP and cellular, activating an AlarmNet Communicator with your LYNX Touch System will make it compatible with Total Connect 2.0. This is an interactive security and automation platform that you can use to control your system remotely from a web browser or mobile app. The service can be used to arm/disarm, check system status, and perform automation functions from pretty much anywhere in the world.

Remember that any communicator will require monitoring service in order to be activated. If you are shopping around for a monitoring plan, make sure to check out Alarm Grid. Our Gold and Platinum Level Plans (Self or Full) can be used with a LYNX Touch System that is set up for cellular service. Our lower-level Bronze and Silver Plans are good if you decide to use the system for IP only, without cellular backup. More information on all our plans can be found on our monitoring page.

If you have any questions about our new Honeywell LTEUPGKT-L57A and Honeywell LTEUPGKT-L57V Upgrade Kits, or any of the other products on our website, then we encourage you to reach out to us. The best way to contact us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a great email to contact if you are considering starting service with Alarm Grid. Remember that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have very recently seen many customers looking for security systems that support the Apple HomeKit platform. Although the options are still rather limited, you can absolutely find a great HomeKit Security System. Today, we are going to discuss the options that are currently available.

If you aren't familiar with Apple HomeKit, it is the premier smart home and automation platform for iOS users. The market is filled with HomeKit devices that you can include with a HomeKit network. Once you have properly configured your HomeKit network, you can then control your devices remotely using Siri voice commands on your iPhone. You can also create HomeKit Smart Scenes to have your devices activate automatically based on a schedule or with predetermined events.

Integrating your security system with your HomeKit network opens up the door for some extremely useful automation functions. You can have devices on your network automatically respond to actions on your security system, such as arming/disarming or going into alarm. As your security system will likely be an important fixture in your home or business, it is likely that you will want to have your HomeKit devices respond to the events on your alarm system. That is why having a HomeKit Security System is so useful.

At this time, there are only two (2) security systems that support the Apple HomeKit platform. We are very hopeful that more systems will join this elite club in the near future. But for now you have the choice of two systems. Of these two, we highly recommend one over the other. But we will discuss both of these alarm panels so that you can learn all about the HomeKit System options.

Honeywell Lyric Alarm System

The Honeywell Lyric Alarm System is currently our top pick as a HomeKit Security System. This is a very powerful alarm panel that includes support for 128 wireless zones, a built-in 7-inch full-color touchscreen, integrated WIFI, support for encrypted Honeywell SiX Series Sensors, and backwards compatibility with Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors. The panel connects with the Resideo AlarmNet Servers for monitoring service and access to the Total Connect 2.0 platform.

What's great about the Lyric is the fact that the system offers intuitive end user programming. This means that the end user can easily set up their own security system, without needing to hire an installer. You can quickly and conveniently make programming changes to your Lyric System when needed, and you can save a huge amount of money by setting up the system yourself. With a new Lyric Panel, you will have access to the default Installer Code (4112) to make your own system changes whenever you want.

You will also find that it is incredibly easy to set the Lyric up with your Apple HomeKit network. In order to activate HomeKit on the Lyric, you must get the system monitored by an alarm company. Any of the monitoring plans offered from Alarm Grid are perfect for this. You can even use a monitoring plan that is IP only, as opposed to a cellular monitoring plan. Although cellular monitoring is always recommended for optimal reliability, many users use IP only monitoring plans to keep expenses as low as possible.

Bottom Line: The Lyric is the best HomeKit Security System of 2020.

DSC Iotega

At first glance, the DSC Iotega looks like an exceptional HomeKit System. It supports 128 wireless zones, and you can use PowerG Sensors, which are arguably the best in the security industry. The Iotega is also currently the only HomeKit Alarm Panel that can be used with the Alarm.com service, which many experts view as the go-to monitoring and automation platform. In those aspects, the Iotega fills some unique niches that are left unfulfilled by the Lyric.

But the Iotega has some glaring weaknesses. The system's biggest issue is that it offers no local end user programming. You cannot program the system without the help of a monitoring company. Any time you want to make a change to the system settings or add/edit/delete a sensor, you will need to contact your alarm company for help. This includes situations where you are just making a minor settings adjustment. The Iotega is known for being notoriously inconvenient in that aspect, and this limitation rightfully turns many potential customers away.

The aesthetics of the DSC Iotega are also a weakness. The system is just a simple black box with a numeric touchpad that appears when activated. There is no touchscreen, and all commands are made with numeric entries. This can be very non-intuitive for new users, and understanding the system is often very difficult. DSC does offer a touchscreen keypad for the Iotega, but most users prefer getting a system that already has a touchscreen built-in.

There are times where (unfortunately) the Iotega is the best option. PowerG Sensors offer a better wireless range than anything that is available for the Lyric. And if you need to build around the Alarm.com platform due to something like existing Alarm.com Cameras, then you may be tempted to get started with the Iotega. The fact remains that this is currently the only one of the HomeKit Alarm Systems that can be used with PowerG Sensors and Alarm.com.

Bottom Line: Only use the DSC Iotega as a HomeKit System in extremely niche scenarios.

If you have any questions about the Honeywell Lyric, the DSC Iotega, or any of the other products on our site, please reach out to us. We are also happy to discuss our monitoring services if you have any questions or concerns. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. We maintain support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm.com users have a lot to look forward to in the coming days. The security and automation platform is expected to soon release updated versions of its Android and iOS mobile apps. Additionally, updated weather text messaging features are now available for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2.

Whether you use the Alarm.com Android App or the Alarm.com iOS App, you should expect to upgrade to a new version in the coming days. The new Alarm.com Android App version is 4.10.16, while the new Alarm.com iOS App version is 4.11.1. Once available, the Android version can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store, and the iOS version can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store. You likely have a section on your phone where you can update your existing app, or your phone may perform the update automatically if enabled.

There aren't many major changes coming to the Alarm.com Mobile App with this update. However, it is still strongly recommended that you download the latest version, as some stability and performance issues have been addressed. Additionally, the new app versions feature a brand-new dashboard card and screen for shade automation control. This is great news for Alarm.com users who use Z-Wave shade controllers, such as the Somfy ZDMI or Somfy ZRSTi, which are both compatible with certain Somfy curtain motors. In previous app versions, curtain motors were controlled from the same card and screen used for smart lighting.

In other news, Qolsys IQ Panel 2 users can now receive updated weather-related text message alerts from Alarm.com. This update provides improved clarity for existing weather descriptions to ensure that end users can better understand their local weather forecasts. Weather texts are sent in English, though improved translations for Spanish and French are also available from Alarm.com.

The Alarm.com IQ Panel 2 weather text alerts are available for any Qolsys IQ Panel 2 or IQ Panel 2 Plus System running Firmware Version 2.4.0 or higher. The system must be connected with Alarm.com, and the Weather to Panel Service Package Add-On must be applied to your account. If you do not have this feature applied, talk to your alarm monitoring provider about having the feature added to your account. Alarm Grid customers can have this feature applied at no additional charge to their existing monthly monitoring fee.

If you don't have access to Alarm.com, then now is a great time to get started. You will first need a security system with a compatible Alarm.com Cellular Communicator. Right now, our most popular Alarm.com Security System is the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. This system comes dual-path ready right out of the box with a built-in Alarm.com Cellular Communicator and a WIFI card. This is important, as you will not need to add a communicator to the system. You will also need a compatible monitoring plan to access Alarm.com. Alarm Grid customers can choose from any of our Gold or Platinum Level Plans (Self or Full). More information is available on our monitoring page.

If you have any questions about Alarm.com or our monitoring service, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We are happy to answer any questions you might have and assist you with getting set up with a security system to meet your unique needs. Remember that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!