The Missing Link

Is Wi-Fi affordable for the connected home?

The importance of telecommunication companies on the security and home automation scene is becoming increasingly apparent as more end users become educated about the latest technology. Whether through the increasingly popular TV advertisements produced by these telcos, word of mouth or their own research, many consumers are turning to dealers with whom they already have established relationships for information.

How those dealers answer the questions, though, will determine if customers’ loyalty prevails or if they turn to cable or Internet TV providers for their home security. The emergence of Wi-Fi in alarm communications is one tool helping dealers keep those relationships fruitful. While the buzz among some dealers is the concern of competitors encroaching on their territory, Wi-Fi is one of the solutions that is allowing them to view the situation as an opportunity rather than a threat.

“Wi-Fi connectivity is something that’s been talked about for a long time,” said Matt Morgan, security installation manager for Koorsen Fire and Security. “And it actually helps that there are telecomm companies out there advertising it. Now customers are coming to us for it.”

On its own, Wi-Fi gives security dealers the opportunity to set themselves apart by lowering their installation costs and simplifying the overall installation beyond anything else that’s out there. But when combined with other key advancements that have been made in the industry over the last few years, the benefits can go far beyond installation simplification. Combining Wi-Fi with self-contained systems, for instance, gives even easier access to the types of advanced capabilities that many consumers have desired, such as affordable home automation.

Furthermore, using self-contained systems that are compatible with remote- interaction services allows dealers to offer control and management of systems from personal, Internet-enabled devices like smartphones. These are all capabilities that today’s consumers have come to expect, and Wi-Fi may be the final link needed to cement their adoption.

Convenience for Both Installer and Homeowner

“Wi-Fi is something that is definitely taking off,” said Brian Phillips, service manager at FE Moran. “A lot of customers today already have wireless networks within their homes, so we are able to retrofit an alarm system right in.”

Using Wi-Fi, installers can eliminate wire runs needed to connect traditional IP communicators, a major step that greatly simplifies the process of connecting to the Internet—and alleviates the cost of hard-wired Cat 5 installation.

“It’s one less wire that we have to run,” Phillips said. “The fewer wires there are, the less time it takes for installation.”

Aside from eliminating the need for wiring, installers accustomed to traditional alarm communications channels also are noticing an advantage in connectivity.

Dealers who recently started installing Honeywell’s Wi-Fi-enabled LYNX Touch 5100, an example of a recently introduced self-contained unit that incorporates Wi-Fi, have found that the difference between time frames is significant—some report it takes literally 1 to 2 seconds to communicate.

A simpler, faster installation also benefits the homeowner. First, it obviously means less risk of structural damage that can be caused by wiring and less time an installer has to spend in the home itself. But it also means it’s easier to provide additional gadgets that operate on Wi-Fi, which can enhance the overall end-user experience.

For example, products like the LYNX Touch 5100 with Wi-Fi work with Android tablets to give end users the ability to control their security systems no matter where they are in their home. This is where the confluence of recent advancements in self-contained units can add great value to the overall system— value such as home automation and remote monitoring services. In addition to providing security, their being able to control more home functions remotely—raising and lowering a thermostat, engaging lighting—holds obvious appeal to the modern homeowner. The younger generation particularly seems drawn to the technology it has grown accustomed to—especially when it’s paired with a more reasonable price point. Early testers see the benefit of these self-contained systems’ ability to not only cut installation time—even in half—but also reduce overall training time for the end user. With touchscreen capabilities, these new solutions easily walk users though system operation.

The Business Effect

By taking advantage of the Honeywell System’s intuitive programming and touchscreen interface, Morgan was able to get an entire system up and running in an hour.

“The installation is more user-friendly and intuitive. The steps are right there on the screen, and the system walks you right through it,” Morgan said.

A faster installation, though, means more than just convenience for the dealer and end user. Phillips also noted that with the time saved in the installation process, his company could increase the number of installs from an average of one per day to four per day.

“This is top-of-the-line technology, especially with the Wi-Fi capability,” Phillips said. “In addition to the Wi-Fi capability, the design of these systems allows installers to install faster—and makes it easier for end users to understand in operation. I stepped right through the installation process, and the end users pick up on it right away, too. With this simplicity, there’s no guessing.”

While dealers see the benefits of and opportunities associated with moving toward Wi-Fi alarm communications, there is a challenge that they likewise foresee with the technology: alarm signal strength.

Dealers’ concern with alarm signal is ensuring the strength is there—before the installation occurs. Phillips noted that typically end users want the control panel logically placed right inside of the front or garage door, or even in the master bedroom, which can be particularly tricky to avoid a potentially dead area. Wi-Fi capabilities, which enable controlling these systems from a tablet or smartphone, provide an added benefit for signal strength.

Some dealers may be skeptical of Wi-Fi at first, but after testing with systems like the LYNX Touch 5100, they have been impressed with the speed and communications Wi-Fi affords. Once a proper location to place a control panel is found, the signal is stable. Common concerns of using GSM as the primary route include weather and cell towers—situations where a signal could be strong today but weak tomorrow. However, dealers typically still recommend backing up with GSM to alleviate any concerns with alarm signal strength through Wi-Fi.

Security, reliability, ease-of-use, affordability: these are features that all dealers strive to provide end users with—and yet most struggle to find products and systems that can strike that balance between high-tech and affordable. However, as the market moves toward security systems that go beyond security with home automation and remote monitoring services, self-contained systems can provide integrators with a tool to differentiate their business from competitors, while giving consumers a high-tech yet simple solution for home automation.

With advanced Wi-Fi communications and simple programming, consumers can find the types of capabilities they are demanding—and have grown accustomed to hearing on commercials produced by telecos. The key is the technology can now be delivered by companies that actually know security, inside and out.

This article originally appeared in the October 2012 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Live From ISC West: Day 2 Recap

    If it’s even possible, Day 2 of ISC West in Las Vegas, Nevada, was even busier than the first. Remember to keep tabs on our Live From ISC West page for news and updates from the show floor at the Venetian, because there’s more news coming out than anyone could be expected to keep track of. Our Live From sponsors—NAPCO Security, Alibi Security, Vistacom, RGB Spectrum, and DoorKing—kept the momentum from Day 1 going with packed booths, happy hours, giveaways, product demonstrations, and more. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Visiting Sin City

    I’m a recovering alcoholic, ten years sober this June. I almost wrote “recovered alcoholic,” because it’s a problem I’ve long since put to bed in every practical sense. But anyone who’s dealt with addiction knows that that part of your brain never goes away. You just learn to tell the difference between that insidious voice in your head and your actual internal monologue, and you get better at telling the other guy to shut up. Read Now

  • On My Way Out the Door

    To answer that one question I always get, at every booth visit, I have seen amazing product technology, solutions and above all else, the people that make it all work. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Return to Form

    My first security trade show was in 2021. At the time, I was awed by the sheer magnitude of the event and the spectacle of products on display. But this was the first major trade show coming out of the pandemic, and the only commentary I heard was how low the attendance was. Two representatives from one booth even spent the last morning playing catch in the aisle with their giveaway stress balls. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • PDK IO Access Control Software

    PDK.IO Access Control Software

    ProdataKey now allows for "custom fields" within the interface of its pdk.io software. Custom fields increase PDK's solutions' overall functionality by allowing administrators to include a wide range of pertinent data associated with each user. 3

  • Tyco Kantech EntraPass security management software

    Tyco Kantech EntraPass security management software

    Johnson Controls, the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, and architect of the Open Blue digital connected platforms, has released the newest version of the Tyco Kantech EntraPass security management software. 3

  • Unique Oversized ID Card Printer

    Unique Oversized ID Card Printer

    Idesco Corp. is announcing its card printer – the XCR100 2.0 printer- that allows customers to personalize oversized ID cards on demand. The printer is ideal for assisting healthcare organizations find the right badging solution. As healthcare facilities continue to combat the spread of COVID-19, issuing oversized ID cards has helped identify staff clearly while adding an extra layer of security. The XCR100 2.0 printer is the only dye-sublimation printer on the market that can personalize CR100 cards (3.88" x 2.63"). The cards that are 42% larger than the standard credit card size. The printer can produce up to 180 full cards per hour in color, and up to 1,400 cards per hour in monochrome. An optional flipper is available to print dual-sided badges in one pass. Contactless encoding comes as an option to help healthcare facilities produce secure access badges on demand and the card printer features a 2-year warranty. 3