Monitoring

[JAlexander]

It there any update on the alarm monitoring?

[GrandWizard]

While it is technically possible to offer professional monitoring through the Envisalerts service, we've been unable to secure a large enough monitoring partner who would accept DIY customers. I realize this isn't what people want to hear but it is a reality of the security industry.

So for IP100D customers right now we're recommending installing a TL-150 from DSC as both modules can exist on the same system. Then you can select the monitoring company of your choice as most companies now offer IP monitoring.

[strangely]

Is it not possible to update the 170D to emulate a lot of what the TL-150 also does to communicate with the monitoring services?

[Bill D]

I'll second the motion for you to update the IP170D (excuse me, I mean the "2DS") to include a reporting protocol for central station monitoring.

Emulating the TL-150 protocol would allow any monitoring company that works with a TL-150 to work with a 2DS but that may not be possible if the protocol is DSC-proprietary for DSC's own central station gear.

However, like everything else, the move to open standards seems to be happening in the alarm industry. A quick search revealed an industry-standard (SIA) protocol called DC-09. Picking a widely-supported open protocol seems like the way to go and it would greatly enhance the value of the 2DS.

[GrandWizard]

If you guys can show us a monitoring company that supports DC-09 then we'll invest the effort to support it. But so far, we haven't had any luck.

[Bill D]

If you guys can show us a monitoring company that supports DC-09 then we'll invest the effort to support it. But so far, we haven't had any luck.

I emailed Alarm Relay http://www.alarmrelay.com/ and asked. They responded that they didn't know what DC-09 was but said that they supported the "Contact ID" format for IP reporting. I'm not sure what that means, but I saw on Wikipedia that the DC-09 protocol encompasses "Contact ID".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burglar_alarm

Bill

[GrandWizard]

Contact ID is a signaling format on over telephone lines. Very "old school' but is probably the most widely supported. Unfortunately we need an IP format like the SIA DC-09. As far as I know, the DSC networking protocol is still proprietary.

As I said. We're open to suggestions.

[Bill D]

GrandWizard,

Alarm Relay replied again and it seems they may be able to somehow accommodate SIA DC-09. I'll send you a PM with the person's name and email address that replied to me.

Maybe you can work something out with them (with DC-09 or another protocol) so your users won't need to install a TL-150 alongside their 2DS (currently, $8.95/month is Alarm Relay's fee to monitor a TL-150).

[geneg]

Add me to the list of people who would love to see this happen. This is such a great product but it would be even better if it could be monitored.

[Bill D]

Hey GrandWiz,

Any progress on this? I've been hoping I'd see a nice surprise post from you about monitoring, so I've not bought a TL-150 and I'm just coasting along with my POTS line, which I'd rather cancel (its only use is monitoring).

Bill