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In July, we reported on the Home Manager product from Intamac Systems – an internet-based monitoring system that alerts the householder to a security breach. Intamac, working with the likes of Gardiner Security, Cooper Security and Visonic, are working on commercial applications.
Thanks to the Home Manager, householders can remotely manage their home environments. Linking a typical panel such as the Scantronic 9750 to the Home Manager means parents can know when children are home, or receive warnings if their washing machine has sprung a leak. You could argue that Intamac provide nothing new. Text messaging contacts, call outs, manned response, monitoring centres are all available. Intamac however believes that their technology can give installers more to sell and commercial customers more reasons to buy. Intamac’s Managing Director Kevin Meagher says: ‘Internet technologies will change the face of the commercial market. Customers can receive better service and protection for their property and enjoy a package of benefits that they could not hope to afford using current systems and technology." Internet technology has two advantages in commercial applications, he argues. Firstly, like the Home Manager in the domestic market, it can be used to deliver more capable and flexible monitoring services. It can also provide a simple way of extending the capability of the panel using compatible sensors to protect against threats such as flooding, power failure, or temperature. It also makes it possible to relay messages anywhere and in most communication forms ‘ SMS text message, e-mail and phone. Secondly, there’s the growth potential. Internet technology can make it possible to control applications or systems from anywhere. The ability to link low-cost web cameras could stimulate major growth.
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So how does this benefit commercial users’ <br>
1) ACPO <br>
Any business owner or facilities manager wants to know his premises are alarmed, safe, and secure. The challenge is to reduce false alarms so that the police have confidence when responding. Technology that places detailed information about all sensors triggered can only help to reduce false alarms. Intamac are already working to extend their systems to analyse rather than just present information from alarm panels. Whilst presenting information to people who know the property and the system will help to identify false alarms, it is possible that future programmes could be developed to do this work for them. Intamac believe the future lies in visual verification. Sara Abbott says: ‘We are developing a new generation of cameras that will provide the ultimate proof that there is a break-in. Web cameras are not new. However, we are working to develop low cost cameras that do not need a computer in the property and can be linked to the alarm panel". The ability to supply a customer with absolute proof of an event will help enable the police to respond more effectively.
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The alternative to Police response’
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Intamac has a Business Manager service that enables commercial properties to connect compatible alarm panels including Scantronic, Menvier and Visonic to their internet monitoring service. Messages can be instantly relayed to guard services. Account holders can tailor the service so that contacts can be updated and instantly amended. No more hassle in faxing changes to control rooms. They can also set up passwords and authorisation levels for staff that enable them to respond to events and use the account, but restrict them from changing or accessing confidential company information.
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Retail Outlets
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Intamac have successfully trialled their commercial business model in shops. With a Scantronic 9750 alarm panel installed, plus technical sensors monitored by Intamac, the store owners are notified if an incident occurs – not just security, but if the deli counter temperature controller fails. Imagine the potential for this technology in a chain of stores. Owners could set the password facilities for each branch and monitor them centrally. Each employee can be issued with a unique pin number for the alarm. Upon deactivating the alarm the system will monitor who has unset it. If there is any unusual event, such as the alarm being unset at 3am by a legitimate pin number, the Business Manager can be programmed to highlight this. It will even be possible to raise warnings to area managers when shops have not opened on time or the alarm has not been set by staff when leaving. New capabilities can be delivered with no capital expenditure on support systems.
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Putting technology to the test:
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Trials are already under way to challenge accepted practice in other areas. Imagine an industrial estate, which contains various businesses: some with full-time security guards; others using less expensive, random patrols; and those unable to afford either, depending on their alarm and police response. Using the internet, Intamac are working to link all the systems on an industrial estate to a dedicated patrol vehicle. Alerts from any property can be relayed straight to the guard giving him the chance to respond rapidly and, with details of not just the property but exactly which sensor has been activated, he can act safely. They can be updated with real time sensor activation information and images. From these images they can assess the risk, and assess whether it’s teenager vandals, or serious criminals. This valuable information can give the guards the edge they need, save time, and ensure the appropriate response. Participating companies save in guarding costs.
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What affect will this have on the industry’
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Kevin Meagher believes that the internet will have a huge impact. Manufacturers such as Cooper Security and Visonic looking closely at ways in which they can grow the capabilities of their products. These manufacturers, with Gardiner Security and Intamac, have already developed packages that will aim to exploit this exciting opportunity. Indeed, Gardiner Security are for the first time distributing a service rather than a product with the launch the Home Manager through their outlets. James Somerville-Smith, Group Marketing Director at Gardiner Security, says: ‘We believe these new ‘smart’ systems are the way forward for the security market.’
