Can I Make Alarm.com Work w/ Honeywell Alarm Systems?

Yes, you can make Alarm.com work with Honeywell Alarm Systems. However, this is only possible for certain Honeywell Panels. Specifically, this will work with Honeywell VISTA Series Security Systems that can support an Alarm.com Cellular Communicator System Enhancement Module (SEM).

Honeywell Alarm Systems do not normally connect with Alarm.com. Instead, they use a similar platform called Total Connect 2.0. This interactive service offers similar functions and capabilities as Alarm.com. However, there are some reasons why a user might prefer Alarm.com over Total Connect 2.0. For example, Google Home will work with Alarm.com, but not with Total Connect 2.0.

The only possible way for a Honeywell Security System to connect with Alarm.com is with a System Enhancement Module. The SEM serves as an Alarm.com-compatible cellular communicator for a Honeywell VISTA. At this time, there are only SEM communicators available for VISTA Series Systems. The Honeywell Lyric and the Honeywell LYNX Touch Systems do not have compatible SEM communicators. As a result, they have no way of connecting with the Alarm.com Servers.

One of the biggest advantages to using an SEM communicator is that it provides a VISTA System with an extremely reliable communication path. Cellular communication is remarkably reliable and consistency, and it is unaffected by power outages. Please keep in mind though that an alarm monitoring plan with cellular service is required to use an SEM communicator. For Alarm Grid customers, this is a Gold or Platinum level plan.

Each SEM communicator also doubles as an effective Z-Wave smart home controller for a VISTA System. This will allow users to control smart devices like lights, door locks and thermostats remotely and have them respond automatically to predetermined events. Please note though that all manual Z-Wave control will need to be done from Alarm.com. There is no way to control Z-Wave devices directly from a VISTA System.