Industry News and Discussions Posts

Total Connect 2.0 users may have recently noticed some Push Notifications showing that certain events originated from "[External] ApiGee". This is the result of an integration that Resideo is configuring. These alerts usually originate from a third-party integration.

Resideo, also known as Honeywell Home, is constantly working to improve the user's Total Connect 2.0 experience. They're working in the background to implement suggested improvements provided by both customers and alarm dealers. ApiGee appears to be one of those integrations. We don't have any details about what expanded features this may include, but the work they are doing in the backend has caused a few odd Push Notifications to be generated.

In most cases, we've seen these push notifications associated with using Alexa in conjunction with the Total Connect 2.0 skill. You probably noticed if you are using Alexa to access and control your system that when you enabled the TC2 Skill you had to provide your Total Connect 2.0 Login and Password. This creates what's called a server-to-server integration. Once the skill is enabled and proper login credentials have been entered, you'll see an option to enable the skill for the alarm panel and automation devices and then the skill is ready to go. If you have multiple locations being used with a single TC2 login you'll only be able to select one location to access using this particular Alexa account.

When you ask Alexa, for example, "Alexa, ask Total Connect 2 what the status of my alarm system is." The server at Amazon uses the credentials you provided at the time you set up the skill to actually log into Total Connect 2.0 and query the system status. This, of course, happens very quickly. Currently, this log-in appears to sometimes be viewed as a user logging in and is therefore triggering a push notification. This will only happen if you have Administration type notifications enabled. Administration notifications include Login, Logout, Login Instlr-Read Only, and so on. However, rather than Alexa's access being logged as the person whose credentials were used for the integration, it is instead being logged as [External] ApiGee.

At the time of this writing, March 3, 2021 at around 6:00 pm, it appears the issue with push notifications may have been resolved. We attempted to cause one of these notifications so that we could obtain a screenshot, but we were unable to do so. It appears that in the Activity screen if you select the icon to Show Admin Logs at the top, you will still be able to see these events being logged. The Admin Logs is the screenshot shown at the top of this post. It's probable that these events are meant to show up here, but were never meant to produce a push notification. Hopefully, this relatively minor issue has been resolved, and whatever this new feature may be, it will be available soon.

Alarm.com announced that they are planning to release a firmware update for the Alarm.com SkyBell Slim Line II Door Bell Cameras. This includes the ADC-VDB105X (Satin Nickel) and the ADC-VDB106X (Bronze). These devices will be updated through an automated overnight FW upgrade process.

You may recall us announcing the release of the Alarm.com Slim Line II Doorbell Cameras just a few weeks ago. It's no surprise that Alarm.com is now working to improve the doorbell camera with a convenient firmware update. While the new update, Version 4083, doesn't include anything too earthshattering, it is still strongly recommended for all users. You won't need to take any special action to have the update applied. Just have your ADC-VDB105X or ADC-VDB106X online and set up with your Alarm.com account. Your doorbell camera will be updated sometime in the coming weeks as part of the overnight updating process. Please note that some of these devices will be automatically updated to an intermediate firmware, Version 4081, before ultimately being updated to the advertised Version 4083.

As we mentioned before, Version 4083 doesn't include anything too noteworthy. The biggest benefit is the new version will do a more effective job of enhancing brightness in shots with dark foregrounds and bright backgrounds. This can be very important if you have noticed that your Alarm.com SkyBell Doorbell Camera was struggling to produce clear shots during certain times of the day. There is no charge for this automatic OTA update, and no action is needed on your part. Just be patient, and remember that it may take a few weeks for the update to reach your particular SkyBell Doorbell device.

This update is for the Slim Line II Alarm.com SkyBell devices only. If you have the older ADC-VDB105 or ADC-VDB106 (no X in the SKU), then this update is not for you. Additionally, if your ADC-VDB105X or ADC-VDB106X is not online when the update is originally pushed down, then you can always have your monitoring company apply it later on by pushing it down manually. You can check the installed firmware for your device by logging into the Alarm.com website (not the mobile app), and choosing Video > Video Device Settings > select the device using the dropdown > Video Device Info. Customers can request the update themselves by choosing Update Firmware next to the displayed Firmware Version on the Video Device Info page.

We have some exciting news from Alarm.com. The latest version of the Alarm.com Mobile App for iOS (Version 4.18) will make your enrolled smart locks compatible with Siri Shortcuts. This means that you will be able to control your smart locks with spoken voice commands. How convenient!

If you aren't familiar with Alarm.com Siri Shortcuts, they represent an innovative way to control your system and its integrated accessories using spoken voice commands. Each command is customized so that it performs the exact actions you want. Siri Shortcuts are available for iOS 12 and higher, so make sure your iOS device is on a high enough version before trying to set them up. We very strongly recommend reading this post from a couple years prior to refresh your memory on Siri Shortcuts and how they can be used. Overall, we think the Siri Shortcuts feature serves as a nice alternative to Apple HomeKit, which isn't compatible with Alarm.com or its associated security systems.

From what we can tell, the only way that a Siri Shortcut could control a smart door lock prior to Alarm.com iOS Version 4.18 was to do so indirectly through a smart scene. In other words, the user must create a smart scene that tells a door lock to LOCK or UNLOCK, and then create a customized Siri Shortcut to run that smart scene. Of course, a user would need separate scenes for LOCKING and ULOCKING, and they would need different scenes for each individual lock if they wanted complete control over their entire network of door locks. But with the update in iOS Version 4.18, smart lock control is made much more convenient and more easily accessible.

Thanks to the update, users can now create Siri Shortcuts that deal with locks directly, rather than being part of a smart scene. Each Siri Shortcut can control a single door lock, or a user can control all their locks at the same time with one single command. For a single lock, it's as simple as asking Siri to LOCK or UNLOCK a door based on the name of the lock. For example, you might say,

• "Hey Siri, UNLOCK the FRONT DOOR."
• "Hey Siri, LOCK the BACK DOOR."

Or if you wanted to control multiple doors,

• "Hey Siri, LOCK all the doors."
• "Hey Siri, UNLOCK every door."

Keep in mind that this door lock control for Siri Shortcuts is being made available in Alarm.com iOS Version 4.18. This update isn't available quite yet, but we expect it to be released in the coming days. At the time of this writing, the newest iOS Version we see is 4.17.3. You can check the version you're running by logging into the Alarm.com iOS App, and then choosing the Menu button (three horizontal bars) in the upper-left corner, and then selecting About in the bottom-left, and then About Alarm.com. The App Version will be displayed in white text across the top orange bar.

Remember to check the Apple App Store for the release of Alarm.com iOS App Version 4.18. Then open Settings within the Alarm.com Mobile App to access Siri Shortcuts. That is where you can enable the "Share Activity with Siri" settings and build customized Siri Shortcuts for use with your door locks. Remember that you can only control door locks that are enrolled with your Alarm.com account. Z-Wave door locks work great for this, and we have plenty of options available for purchase on our site if you are looking to get started.

Remember to check out our monitoring page if you are interested in starting monitoring service for access to Alarm.com. And please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you need help getting started with Alarm.com Siri Shortcuts for door locks. We're here to help you get the most out of your door locks and your Alarm.com service.

There is currently a big push within the security industry to update the regulations and standards associated with central station monitoring. Many monitoring centers are pressing for key regulatory changes that will allow central station operators to work from home on a permanent basis.

Anyone familiar with central station monitoring knows that there are many policies and rules that govern central stations and their operation. Any certified and accredited monitoring center must adhere to these guidelines, or else they are subject to fines, penalties, and other repercussions. In the United States, such policies are largely authored by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL), a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that wields significant authority over the security industry.

You may recall back in August of last year, it was learned that UL was working to revise the UL-827 Standard for Central-Station Alarm Services. The changes were being made to facilitate remote workers during any "disruption event" that warrants the use of off-site monitoring. Now, many monitoring centers are pushing for policy changes that will allow operators to work from home not only during a so-called "disruption event", but at all times.

Most alarm monitoring centers have reportedly been pleased with the transition of their operators from a traditional monitoring center environment, to a non-traditional home office environment. As one might expect, there are many challenges associated with the changes. While central station operators can be easily seen and supervised in a traditional monitoring center, supervising an employee from home is much more challenging, or even downright impossible.

With possible changes on the horizon, here are some ways that we might see the UL-827 standard updated to accommodate central station operators working from home:

• Work space updates to ensure that operators cannot have their screens viewed by unauthorized parties. There must also be updates to minimize the noise distractions that can occur in a home office environment. This will require auditing methodologies to ensure that these standards can be consistently maintained.
• Power requirement updates that may require at-home workers to have backup power supplies to remain operational during electrical outages. This might not be required if the operators are strategically placed in such a way that regional outages should not have a big impact on the performance across the entire monitoring center.
• Data protection and privacy updates to protect customers. This will likely involve methods of encryption and multifactor authentication. It may be necessary to implement some backup protection measures against data breaches and possible vulnerabilities.
• Automation updates to ensure that any customer or end user who becomes disconnected from an operator is automatically rerouted to another operator who can assist with the situation. There must also be auditing and reporting requirements to keep track and record when this happens and the resulting action(s).

It must be stressed that even if UL-827 is updated to facilitate permanent at-home operation, not all monitoring centers will change their current operating procedures. Really, it will come down to the discretion of the monitoring centers on how they want to proceed moving forward. The proposed changes to UL-827 will provide monitoring centers greater flexibility in how they conduct business moving forward. In other words, while some monitoring centers may embrace these changes and allow their workers to operate from home, other monitoring centers will likely proceed with no changes and require their staff to continue operating from the central station.

Alarm Grid has not received any word from Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS) regarding any changes they may make in response to updates of UL-827. CMS serves as the central station for all Alarm Grid monitored customers who receive central station monitoring service in the United States. If you have any questions about CMS, or if you are interested in starting new monitoring service, send us an email at support@alarmgrid.com. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Our support hours for checking emails run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Two new products have been added to the Alarm Grid website. The Resideo PROWLTOUCHC Wireless Touchscreen Keypad and the Honeywell DT8050V Hardwired DUAL TEC® Motion Sensor are now available for purchase. Today, we will take a quick look at these two exciting new products from Resideo.

The Resideo PROWLTOUCHC Keypad is the exact same device as the Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCH Keypad built for the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS and the Resideo PROA7PLUSC. The only difference is that the Resideo PROWLTOUCHC says "Resideo" across its front. This is instead of "Honeywell Home", which is shown across the Honeywell Home PROWLTOUCH. If you couldn't guess, the C at the end of PROWLTOUCHC is used to indicate Commercial. It seems Resideo doesn't want the phrase Honeywell HOME written across the front of a keypad built for commercial use. The company has made similar variants for other products recently. Truly, these keypads are exactly the same, and you can use them in-place of each other without issue. If you are a homeowner needing a touchscreen keypad for your PROA7PLUS, and you prefer your keypad to read "Resideo" instead of "Honeywell Home", then you can certainly use the PROWLTOUCHC instead of the PROWLTOUCH. Even though the PROWLTOUCHC is technically the commercial version, it will still work fine in a home. Likewise, if you are a business owner and you like "Honeywell Home" more than "Resideo", then feel free to use the residential PROWLTOUCH model. It may seem a bit silly, but that's the only difference - whether your keypad says Honeywell Home or Resideo. If you prefer Resideo, well then the PROWLTOUCHC is now here!

The other exciting new product from Resideo is the Honeywell DT8050V DUAL TEC® Motion Sensor. This sensor is a direct replacement for the Honeywell DT8050, which has been discontinued. We're still not entirely sure what differentiates the DT8050V from the DT8050. But if you were considering the DT8050, well you should now look into the DT8050V instead. Just like its predecessor, the new DT8050V is a DUAL TEC® motion sensor that utilizes both passive infrared (PIR) and microwave detection. By putting both these detection methods to use, false alarms can be prevented. The sensor will only alert the system if both PIR detection and microwave detection are triggered. Much like most other wired motion sensors, the DT8050V uses a 4-wire connection with the panel. Two (2) wires are for the zone, and the other two (2) are for power. There is another pair of terminals that can be used for a normally closed tamper output, but the use of a tamper circuit is optional. You can use the sensor at pretty much any standard (non-Polling Loop, non-Addressable) wired zone. It's great for use on a Honeywell VISTA System, a DSC PowerSeries NEO, an Interlogix Wired System, and much more. This Dual Tec motion sensor can serve as an excellent long-term addition to your wired system!

If you have any questions about the new Resideo PROWLTOUCHC or the Honeywell DT8050V, contact us via email at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to help you from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

The security industry is in a peculiar spot as of early 2021. Almost every manufacturer has a major question right now. Today, we thought it would be helpful to take a look at current industry questions and share our thoughts. These are the biggest questions for each security manufacturer.

Resideo: Can the PROA7PLUS regain the trust of DIY users?

The decision by Resideo to initially release the ProSeries 7" All-In-One Panel, also known as the PROA7PLUS, without end user programming is something that we still wholeheartedly disagree with. At the time of this writing in early February, the system still does not support local programming. Many DIY users have already jumped ship and switched to systems that leave them empowered, rather than at the mercy of their monitoring providers.

By all accounts, people love the PROA7PLUS System. It has an extremely attractive design, and it is loaded with great features that help it stand-out in a highly competitive market. But there are more users each and every day who instead choose a different option so that they can perform their own programming. It's funny to think that this same company was once seen as the champion of DIY security systems, as their Honeywell LYNX Touch and Honeywell Lyric Systems definitively proved that an end-user could easily install and program their alarm system on their own and save huge amounts of money.

Resideo says that local end-user programming will eventually be made available for the PROA7PLUS, and we are eagerly awaiting this update. But with an increasing number of users switching to manufacturers who never abandoned the concept in the first place, we have to wonder if it will be too little too late?

Qolsys: Is the IQ Hub a mistake?

When I think about any given company in the security industry, I usually start by considering where they are right now, and also where they are going. For years now, Qolsys has been riding the wave of their IQ Panel 2, and later their IQ Panel 2 Plus. No matter how you slice it, the IQ Panel 2 has been a highly successful security system. So when we first learned about the IQ Hub, which was nearly two and a half years ago, our initial reaction was excitement, followed by us scratching our heads, and then us oddly trying to block it from our memories. You can read more about our predictions regarding the IQ Hub here.

Every clue associated with the IQ Hub suggests that its purpose is to serve as a lower entry point, a "budget" system, if you will, in relation to the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. And while that's not inherently a bad thing, it's just that we're not really sure if the IQ Panel 2 Plus needs a lower entry point. If there ever was a true "one-size-fits-all" security system, then the IQ Panel 2 Plus might very well be that golden child. Additionally, the IQ Panel 2 has become the very "face" of Qolsys, and the company wouldn't have it any other way. Their premier system is well-known for being sleek, easy to operate, and extremely versatile.

Then you bring in the IQ Hub, and well, from aesthetics alone, it looks like an ugly stepchild. Pair that with the fact that we have now gone two and a half years with no major updates regarding the system, and we're starting to wonder if maybe Qolsys is trying to just sweep this one under the rug and hope we all forget about it? Granted, there was a serious pandemic in the past year, but we haven't even gotten a delay notice. We will give it a few more months before we call this system a total lost cause, but this might be a mistake that never sees the light of day. Or maybe it will make a big splash at a certain security tradeshow in the summer? Crazier things have happened.

2GIG: Is the 2GIG Edge a Hail Mary attempt?

It's no secret that Nortek, the parent company of 2GIG, is going all-in on their 2GIG Edge System. The associated website is bold, and the campaign surrounding the system seems to be far more aggressive than anything we have previously seen out of the company. If we're being honest though, 2GIG seems to be acting a bit wild right now. They're trying very hard to draw up hype for the Edge with "giveaways" and by posting particularly bold quotes from the system's beta testing cycle.

It kind of makes us wonder - why is 2GIG acting with such urgency? Not to mention, they tried to discreetly push back the system's "countdown timer" by a few weeks, as if nobody would notice. Meanwhile, behind closed doors, the company has just axed the only remaining touchscreen keypad option for their current flagship system. And speaking of that current flagship system, the 2GIG GC3e was only released less than two (2) years ago. Now they're already trying to generate hype for a new system?

We still haven't even asked why 2GIG feels the need to be so "artsy" and "revolutionary" with their Edge website. Why not just show us a full image of the panel and list some important features? That would be more helpful than telling us that we have "Reached the Edge", whatever that means. Actually, they're correct. I have reached the edge of my patience.

All of this seems fishy to me. 2GIG is desperate here. And to be fair, the panel looks like it has some great features. There is no reason why the Edge can't be a roaring success. We have always appreciated the exceptional build-quality associated with 2GIG Alarm Panels. And now it looks like 2GIG will finally have an option with all the fancy bells and whistles of their competition. Think a feature-packed system like the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, but with better build quality. If all goes well, then the Edge should serve 2GIG very well for many years to come. But we also get the vibe that this might be a do or die situation for 2GIG.

DSC: Are the days of DSC Residential Security Systems gone?

When we talk about DSC these days, it's usually for the PowerG Sensors that have become the go-to option for IQ Panel 2 Plus users. The only time a DSC Security System is brought up is if it's a commercial user considering a hardwired DSC PowerSeries NEO or DSC PowerSeries PRO. But while DSC is still highly regarded for its commercial security system offerings, its residential offerings are non-existent.

The DSC Iotega is a total flop of a system, and we can't imagine it ever being relevant. That's really no surprise, as the Iotega basically mirrors the Honeywell Lyric Gateway, which had its own product life cut short due to its poor performance. You will still come across DSC Impassa Systems in the field, and many users opt to upgrade them and extend their useful life. But really, nobody is actively seeking out a brand-new DSC Impassa to build around.

Every time we look at DSC, it just seems like they are inching closer to the likes of Napco and Bosch and becoming exclusively known for their commercial and industrial offerings. Again, it makes sense. Now that both Qolsys and DSC are under the Johnson Controls banner, the divide seems clearer than ever. Qolsys is for residential and small business applications, and DSC is for larger commercial and enterprise applications. Maybe a few of you out there have a fond memory of working on a DSC Impassa System. But we can't picture a new DSC System entering the residential market anytime soon.

Got your own alarm system questions? You can send them to us at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. This is also a great email to use if you are wanting to learn more about how you can get started with Alarm Grid monitoring services. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have learned that there is a new firmware update available for Alarm.com Honeywell VISTA SEM Communicators. Firmware Upgrade Version 1.61 is a free over-the-air (OTA) upgrade to ensure that SEM VISTA Panels running 187h or 187i firmware and 1.60 gateway firmware have the newest features.

In order to receive Firmware Upgrade Version 1.61, it must be pushed down manually by your alarm monitoring company. Your Honeywell VISTA Alarm System must be in a disarmed state in order for the update to go through. It is recommended that the system be kept in a disarmed state while the upgrade is completed. The entire process should take roughly 20 to 40 minutes. No action is needed while the update is being performed.

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer with a Honeywell VISTA System using an Alarm.com SEM Communicator, then you should email us to request the update. The best email to contact us at is support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a good email to use if you have a Honeywell VISTA Security System or any other alarm system that you are hoping to get monitored. We're here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have learned that Verizon has confirmed the sunset date for their CDMA Network for December 31, 2022. This is Verizon's equivalent of the 3G Sunset. Anyone with a security system using a Verizon CDMA Communicator is urged to upgrade to LTE ASAP to avoid monitoring service disruptions.

The 3G Sunset has been covered extensively on the Alarm Grid Blog. It refers to the phasing-out of old 3G and equivalent communicators, in favor of newer technology, specifically LTE. The Verizon CDMA Network is the Verizon equivalent of a 3G Network. While AT&T is known to be shutting down their 3G Network after January 31, 2022, the Verizon CDMA Sunset date it a bit later at December 31, 2022. While there was earlier confirmation by Resideo for the CDMA shutdown date, this time the confirmation is directly from Verizon themselves.

In preparation for this major event, Alarm Grid has been encouraging users to replace their old 3G and CDMA Communicators with newer LTE communicators. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to LTE as soon as they can. While it's understandable to wait until the last minute, especially if money is tight, you should realize that many other users will also try to wait until the final opportunity. Our support staff is limited, and we cannot upgrade everyone all at once. If you put-off the required upgrade as long as possible, then there's a chance you might get left behind at the deadline. Our goal is to prevent that from happening and ensure that all Alarm Grid customers with cellular monitoring service make a seamless and undisrupted transition.

We know that the 3G Sunset might still be a bit confusing, and you might still have some questions. That's okay, because we're here to help you. If you aren't sure about the LTE communicator replacement options available for your system, then you may want to check this post for some further assistance. If you have recently purchased a new LTE communicator for your system, and you need us to activate the unit, then head on over to the Alarm Grid Communicator Replacement Portal so that you can choose a time that works for you. And if you have any other questions, or if you are still confused about the 3G and CDMA Sunset, please email our support team and security system experts at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to answer your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

DSC PowerSeries NEO users should be pleased to learn that a new firmware update is available for their system communicators. Firmware Upgrade Version 191a offers improvements for Over-The-Air (OTA) connectivity and stability improvements. It also corrects some minor issues that were present.

Firmware Upgrade Version 191a is applicable to both DSC PowerSeries NEO and DSC PowerSeries PRO Systems. For DSC PowerSeries NEO users, the firmware update is technically optional, but still recommended. In order to receive the update, you must have it pushed down manually to your alarm panel from the Alarm.com servers. Assuming that you have internet connectivity set up for your PowerSeries NEO Alarm System, you should not incur any fees as part of the updating process.

Alarm Grid monitored customers with PowerSeries NEO Security Systems can request the update by emailing support@alarmgrid.com. We will work on pushing the update down to your panel at our earliest convenience upon receiving your request. This is also a great email to use if you have any further questions about alarm systems, or if you are interested in starting new monitoring service with Alarm Grid. Remember that we are here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

A day after announcing the impending discontinuation of the ADC-SVR122, we bring more news of a product being discontinued without a replacement. This time, it's the 2GIG SP1 Touchscreen Keypad for the 2GIG GC3 and 2GIG GC3e. This leaves the GC3 and GC3e with no touchscreen keypad option.

This time, Nortek, the parent company of 2GIG, declined to give a reason for the discontinuation of the 2GIG SP1. All we know is that it's gone. It was very sudden and unexpected. And since the other touchscreen keypad option for the GC3 and GC3e, the 2GIG SP2 was discontinued late last year, users of the GC3 and GC3e are now left without an ideal secondary touchscreen keypad option.

With the highly anticipated 2GIG Edge set to release soon, it's possible that 2GIG will release a fancy new cutting-edge keypad for that system. Interestingly, a look at the 2GIG Edge Website, shows that its release has been pushed by roughly three (3) weeks. We're now anticipating a release date of mid-to-late March for the 2GIG Edge. No word on how the 2GIG Edge release will affect the existing 2GIG GC3e, but given that Nortek isn't bothering to provide the system with a secondary touchscreen keypad option, our guess is that the days for the 2GIG GC3e are numbered. Again, total speculation, but that's our best guess.

As for existing 2GIG GC3 and GC3e users who want a viable alarm keypad for their systems, the 2GIG PAD1-345 remains on the market. The 2GIG PAD1-345 is a numeric touchpad keypad without a display screen. While primitive, it is a good keypad for basic arming and disarming functionality. If you want to set up a dedicated secondary keypad by a back door, a garage door, a master bedroom, or any other location where you want to control your security system, the 2GIG PAD1-345 is currently the best option for GC3 and GC3e users.

If you have any questions about the discontinuation of the 2GIG SP1, the impending 2GIG Edge release, or if you are interested in starting new Alarm Grid monitoring service, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check your email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!