What is a Smart Alarm System?
A Smart Alarm System shares realtime security information from CCTV cameras, movement detectors, smart locks, door contacts, video entry and other essential monitoring devices with a secure app on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.
The main difference between a Smart Alarm System and a traditional alarm system is this degree of ‘remote’ control. The traditional reassurance of a physical security system augmented by the added convenience and control of new wireless technology. ‘Connected living at it’s most effective.
Choose to monitor your Smart Alarm System yourself, or subscribe to professional 24/7 surveillance provider ready and waiting to alert the emergency services should an alarm trigger.
And it’s not just break ins that Smart Alarm Systems can alert you to.
CO2, gas, smoke, temperature, movement, entry, exit and flood detectors can email you photos, or stream live video when the system is activated.
A perfectly vivid picture of exactly what is (and isn’t) occurring at home with two way voice functionality enabling you to communicate as necessary.
How do Smart Alarm Systems work?
Your control panel connects your Smart Alarm System using your wireless router to a secure Cloud server managed by your SAS manufacturer.
Likewise, the alarm app you have installed on your remote device/s, or on your surveillance provider’s monitoring system, also connects to the manufacturer’s cloud server.
In the event of an alarm being triggered a chain of events is activated that sees the control panel sending the alert to the Cloud server and the server then alerting you on your remote device and/or your surveillance team.
The whole process takes only seconds – a smart, sophisticated and ultimately effective way to handle threats to your home and your possessions.
What is the quality of Smart Alarm Systems?
European Standards mean that there are four security grades of system. The standard definitions of each grade are:
Grade 1 low risk
Grade 2 low to medium risk
Grade 3 medium to high risk
Grade 4 high risk
The minimum grade we recommend is Grade 2 meaning that ‘Intruders are expected to have a limited knowledge of intruder alarm systems and the use of a general range of tools.’
Any Smart Alarm System should also be BS EN 50131 compliant.
As SAS are internet reliant should the mains fail, your wireless router fail (or be switched off) or your IP drop backup batteries would kick in to enable the system to continue working on audible alarm.
If continued monitoring is required, a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) module can connect via the mobile phone network or a secondary signalling path can take over to make sure you and your monitoring team are up to speed on alarm activation.
Is a Smart Alarm System right for me?
Maybe you already lead a ‘connected life’ and have other aspects of your home automated. If you enjoy the benefits of Smart Lighting, Smart Blinds, Multi room sound and Smart Home Cinema then you’ll already be fully aware of the convenience, the control and the quality of life benefits that automation offers – a Smart Alarm System would slot in perfectly.
New to automation? Then you’ve all those lifestyle benefits to look forward to.
Talk to a Smart Alarm System specialist about how you can keep an eagle eye on the exactly what’s going on in your home – from wherever in the world you are.
Find out more today.