Blog: Thankful for technology

As we enter the holiday season we cannot help but turn our minds towards home and family.  In 2020 travel to your quaint hometown for the holidays might be different.  Perhaps you plan to live stream your dinner with multiple families.  Maybe you’ll share favorite recipes or send treats through the mail.  If you do plan to leave home, be sure to remember the following things:

  1. Lock your doors
  2. Close your garage
  3. Arm your IQ Panel in “Away” mode
  4. Turn off all your appliances
  5. Set up your lights to automatically turn on throughout the day and evening to give your home that “lived in” feel
  6. Ensure your indoor, outdoor, and video doorbell cameras are working
  7. Make sure your flood sensors, smoke detectors, and Caron Monoxide detectors are working.  (You may want to test your system!)
  8. Ensure your mobile app can connect remotely so you can view and control anything you “forgot”

Isn’t it wonderful to know you can manage any and all of these items remotely?  We are truly grateful for the amazing technology that makes it all possible.  Stay safe this holiday season, and don’t worry about your home while you are gone, we’ll take care of it for you!

Blog: 2020 Is The Year Of The Upgrade

2020 has been the year of the upgrade.  Many of us sent home during the early months of the pandemic spent our first month fixing things.   Home repairs ranged from gutter cleaning to window washing, picking up clutter and setting up home offices.  During this process we realized that our internet needed an upgrade, the router powering our home wireless network hadn’t been replaced for many years, our laptops were outdated and it seemed like everywhere we looked there was technology that needed to be improved.  For those facing the impending 3G sunset we looked at our old security panels and thought “I’ve got to be eligible for an upgrade, right?  Its about time for a touchscreen…. and maybe we should add a smart door lock...  and one of those video doorbells… it would be nice to have a camera on the driveway… and we never put smoke detectors in the kid’s rooms…. And..  and.. The list keeps going.  As you look at your home and consider all the things it COULD do, talk to your security and smarthome provider to find out what’s possible.  Maybe, just maybe, your new upgraded security and home automation system could be the thing that finally makes 2020 great...

Blog: Protecting your apartment from Fire

You never expect a fire to occur in your home or apartment, but when you do the first thought is, “Is everyone safe?”

The shrill siren of the smoke alarm can be absolutely terrifying, especially if it happens unexpectedly. Sure it’s annoying when you burn the toast or singe the turkey, but you anticipate that triggering as smoke fills the room.  It's completely different when it occurs in the middle of the night.  After the initial wave of terror and shock, several questions might smack you in the brain:

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Blog: So, you got a new Apple Watch?

The new Apple Watch Series 6 is amazing, and if you’re like me, you are checking your Blood o2 levels, heart rate, and performing Electro Cardiograms hourly.  But what can you do with the Alarm.com app?

The Alarm.com app for App Watch is elegant and easy to use.  The first screen has easy to touch menu system that shows off all the different aspects of your smart home that you currently have installed. For me scenes is at the top of the list, giving me access to the scenes I’ve created on my phone including home, away, sleep, opening and closing my garage, and my personal favorite: Movie Time.  With a single touch an entire series of actions cascades across my home: doors lock, lights turn off, and the security system arms.

Probably the coolest function of the Alarm.com app on Apple Watch app is the ability to view cameras on your wrist.  Get a live stream anywhere.  See the puppy, check on the kids, peep the driveway, or check for deer in the back yard.  Its easy, fast, and fun.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on the cat…

Blog: Prevent Leaks from Becoming Lakes

The flood detector (link to product page) is a smart way to protect your apartment, home, or business from leaks.
Water leaks can occur a number of ways, in a number of locations. Here’s just a few:
1- Water heater breaks
2- Freezing temperatures cause the water in your pipes to expand, which causes a pipe or fitting to break
3- A roof leaks during a rain or snow storm
4- a refrigerator with water filter or ice maker malfunctions
5- Pipes under a sink break
6- An adjoining neighbor has a leak that comes through your walls or ceiling

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You Need a Hero

In today’s web based world the best marketers and sales people understand that showcasing products is a sure way to attract potential customers.  Take a look at any major website and you will most likely see a “hero shot“ of a product or service being used. These visuals help the brand or service or product line stand out.
If you are an apartment complex trying to attract new tenants, imagine a beautiful shot of the IQ Panel installed on the wall of one of your well decorated units at the top of your web page.
If you are a builder, imagine the front page of your sales brochure depicting one of your finest model homes with an IQ panel on a table stand.  Perhaps the caption reads “the latest smarthome technology included in every home we build”
If you are a sales person imagine doing a demo on Facebook live Of the video doorbell ringing and then being answered on the IQ Panel 7 inch touchscreen.
No matter what kind of marketing you are doing, putting technology products front and center will get you more eyeballs.

News: The Benefits of Whole Home Control & How to Profit Off Them

With the 3G sunset quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to give your customer’s home controls interface a makeover. Find out what the latest control panels have to offer and more.

Today’s consumers want the latest and greatest convenience technologies in their homes. Integrators want technology they can install easily and efficiently. Fortunately for both parties, today’s home controls are feature-packed and installation-friendly.

In the past, security control panels and sensors were ugly plastic boxes that required cable to be pulled and holes to be drilled. Today, security solutions manufacturers are taking design cues from companies like Apple and creating sleek, modern-looking wireless control panels that are attractive, but unobtrusive.

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BLOG: Coming Home to a Smart Apartment

Coming home to a smart apartment is easiest with a smart door lock with either pushbutton or touchscreen interface. Never worry about carrying keys again with code based access that allows only those authorized to enter the apartment.  Codes can be granted for up to 242 unique users, and access can even be limited to specific days of the week or times of the day.

Make coming home even easier with Bluetooth Touchless Disarming. Pair your smartphone with the Qolsys #IQPanel, and when you leave, arm the system in “away mode.”  Your apartment and its contents will be safe and protected while you are gone. When you return, the #IQPanel instantly detects your phone as it gets in range (up to 60 feet away) will disarm the security system and unlock the front door. You simply walk inside!  It’s the easiest and most convenient way to return home without typing your codes, and with the encrypted, individually authenticated connection via Bluetooth it’s safe and secure.

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NEWS: Johnson Controls Acquires Remaining Stake in Qolsys


Qolsys continues to show consistent growth of services and dealers, which led to $150 million in revenues during fiscal year 2019, according to the company.

 

CORK, Ireland — Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) has acquired the remaining stake in Qolsys, a leading residential and commercial security and smart-home manufacturer, after owning a majority since 2014.

Financial details were not disclosed.

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PRESS RELEASE: Johnson Controls Acquires Qolsys, inc. To Capitalize On Emerging Technologies And Customers Looking For World-Class Building Solutions

Creating a global force in the converging intrusion and smart building markets

Cork, Ireland– (August 4, 2020) – Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) announced today it has acquired the remaining stake of Qolsys Inc., a leading residential and commercial security and smart-home manufacturer, after owning a majority since 2014. Qolsys enhances Johnson Controls global innovation platform delivering next generation security and smart building solutions. The Qolsys founders and leadership team will remain in Silicon Valley (San Jose, CA) assuming key roles in Johnson Controls global intrusion business.

Johnson Controls continues its mission to deliver smarter, safer, intelligent and more connected buildings by deploying emerging technologies such as embedded IP, artificial intelligence and machine learning through best-in-class solutions and partnerships. Johnson Controls is leading a fundamental transformation of how spaces and places are perceived and enjoyed by balancing and responding to the flow of information, services and people that occupy buildings. By applying data from both inside and outside buildings, Johnson Controls OpenBlue digital platforms empowers customers to manage operations while delivering safety and security in dynamic and agile environments.

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