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Home automation systems are on the rise due to the sheer convenience that they add to any home with multiple appliances. Since these systems use Wi-Fi technology, they can bring your appliances to “life” and help you control them over the internet.
Whether it is a dishwasher in the kitchen, a washing machine in the laundry room, or the garage door, everything can be controlled wirelessly – and with the help of sensor technology, these systems can become even smarter and detect your presence too!
Automation systems can not only help you save time with their automation features, but they can also help users save money. However, the real use of automation systems lies in the integration of security systems, namely, burglar alarm systems!
Security automation is quickly becoming the norm with many homeowners opting for automated systems to increase security and have more control over security hardware over the internet.
Imagine getting notifications from your security systems while on the go or receiving weekly security summaries in your email! Security automation is made possible using several components, all of which increase the security of your property and help you make it safe from threats such as intrusions and burglaries.
Home security automation is truly the future and if you are looking into integrating your burglar alarm into a home automation network, then this guide is just for you.
Read on to find out more about home automation systems, what they are, how they work, and how to integrate burglar alarms with home automation systems.
LEGACY VS SMART SYSTEMS
In the past, security systems were considered as discrete hardware that could only be accessed by one person and required quite a lot of technical know-how to operate. However, as technology progressed, these systems became more accessible, affordable, and smart.
There are two types of security hardware:
- Analogue or Legacy Security Hardware
- Smart Security Hardware
Legacy security hardware has been in use since the late 1900s. These systems were designed to cater to the surveillance needs of homeowners and were the gold standard for deterring crime. However, these systems were often bulky, required quite a lot of additional hardware, and were usually operated in discrete or closed networks.
While these systems worked well on their own, they had a few drawbacks that made them less effective. For example, analogue security hardware required constant monitoring where a person would monitor the system manually. This meant that the detection rate of threats would highly depend on not the hardware, but the person monitoring the system.
To solve this problem, engineers came up with a brilliant hardware companion: sensor-based security systems.
Take the humble burglar alarm system as an example. These systems would work independently and would trigger if they detected a threat using on-board sensors. So, if the sensor was activated or “armed” and if someone were to enter a restricted area, the alarms would go off.
This solved the problem of not needing constant surveillance for homeowners who could get a good night’s sleep knowing that the burglar alarm system would keep them protected.
But what if you weren’t present on the premises?
Well, in that case, these systems would still work, and in some cases, the sound of the alarm would be enough to scare away threats, however, they could be circumvented as well. Burglars could disable the power, or tamper with the system in a way that could disable it, thereby rendering your home insecure.
So, how do you solve this complicated problem? Well, the solution for this was to go with integrated systems! Instead of relying on just one system, why not implement a network of security hardware that could “talk” to each other over the internet?
This is where smart security comes in!
Smart systems are made up of several components that include sensors, alarms, and cameras, all of which work together to deter and detect any threats. By combining multiple hardware, you get way more security and you don’t have to rely on the effectiveness of just one system.
With smart security systems, you can control and manage the system using a smartphone app and arm or disarm the system, view live footage from the security cameras, and receive alerts in the form of notifications on your phone whenever any suspicious activity is detected.
Smart security systems are also enhanced using advanced software. For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often used for security hardware to help recognise threats. Features like facial recognition, gait recognition, movement monitoring, and sound monitoring are all software-based features that can help deter crime very effectively!
Overall, a smart security system is a reliable and effective solution for keeping your property safe. These systems offer ease of use and flexibility which can allow you greater transparency and control over your security.
THE MARRIAGE OF HOME AUTOMATION AND SECURITY
Home automation systems came about at a time when Web 2.0 was introduced.
Web 2.0 promised a more connected future with the help of newer generation hardware like advanced cell towers for 4G connectivity and better router systems for speedier Wi-Fi. Similarly, Web 3.0 also promised even greater connectivity using 5G and other network advancements!
These systems also unlocked new possibilities by making the internet accessible to everyone, everywhere. This meant that you could be connected while on the go and communicate freely without worrying about losing a stable internet connection!
Many software and hardware companies saw this as an opportunity to push new products into the market that would form a collective home automation system.
For example, we slowly started to see the rise of smart appliances like smart dishwashers, smart lights, smart doors/locks, and much more.
These smart systems could be controlled using a central software application on your phone and, depending on the appliance, you could access all the features of the appliance as you would if you were near it.
Take HVAC systems as an example. Instead of manually controlling the thermostat, you could simply set the temperature (or schedule it) according to your needs from anywhere in the world. You could do the same with lights and set a schedule for when they can turn on and off – potentially saving users on electricity costs.
In the same way, smart security hardware such as burglar alarms can also be integrated into these automation systems!
Smart security systems are designed to protect your residential or commercial property from burglaries, intrusions, and other security and safety threats. Smart security hardware relies on wireless technology and allows remote monitoring using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
These smart-systems can work with other devices in your home and even send you live notifications when they detect a threat.
HOW DO SMART SECURITY SYSTEMS WORK WITH AUTOMATION APPLICATIONS?
Smart security systems can communicate with each other and work together to create an advanced level of protection for your property. For example, burglar alarms can be integrated with CCTV systems so that they can not only detect the threat and sound an alarm, but also record specific footage and send you live notifications to your phone.
Their ‘smart’ functionality enables them to be controlled independently, simultaneously, on an automated basis, and remotely through a smart device. In fact, these systems have become so popular over the years that big software companies like Google and Amazon have also enabled integration for these systems on their home automation apps.
Amazon, in particular, also owns Ring LLC, a smart security hardware company that sells home automation systems along with security hardware like alarms, locks, cameras, and more.
The benefit of these systems is that they can conveniently be integrated with the main home automation app on your phone – and thanks to the ubiquity of these hardware, many companies also allow third-party integration to these apps.
This means that even if you buy a separate smart security hardware, you could integrate it with an automation app very easily.
Google, for example, has been at the forefront of allowing software developers to easily integrate their service into their main Google Home app. This integration allows you to easily pair your device with the app, and depending on their functionality, you could control them using just one app too.
Every smart security hardware is a bit different, but they follow a similar integration method.
Here are a few steps for integrating smart security hardware such as smart burglar alarms with home automation systems:
Step 1) Once the burglar alarm has been installed and is configured to your phone, go to the settings page on the mobile application for the alarm system.
Step 2) Find a setting labelled as “integration”, “automation” or “works with”.
Step 3) Follow the on-screen instructions for integrating into the automation system you have at home. For example, you could either integrate with Alexa (Amazon) or Google Home.
Step 4) Once integrated, go to the primary automation application on your phone to confirm that the device is configured correctly.
You could also integrate smart burglar alarms directly from the home automation apps. Here is how:
Step 1) Open Alexa, Google Home, or any other home automation app that you use on your phone.
Step 2) Go to the devices tab on the application.
Step 3) Select the manufacturer of the burglar alarm system or use Bluetooth/Wi-Fi pairing to connect directly to the application.
Please note that in some cases, pairing can be challenging, especially for burglar alarm systems that require special network-related technical knowledge.
This is why we recommend that you opt for a professional installation company like Calder Security to not just handle the manual work of installing these smart devices, but also to quickly integrate them into your system without any downtime.
BENEFITS OF INTEGRATING YOUR BURGLAR ALARM WITH HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
By integrating smart security hardware like burglar alarms with home automation systems, you can unlock next-level security that could also take advantage of other smart hardware.
For example, if the alarm system detects a threat, not only can it send a notification about the threat to all the stakeholders, but it can also trigger the CCTV system to zoom in and record and trigger the smart lights for the area, thereby doubling the chances of deterring the threat!
Similarly, there are several other benefits of integrating smart systems too. Here are the top benefits for residential and commercial properties:
- Remote monitoring – The ability to monitor and control the system remotely using a smartphone or tablet allows you to check on your property from anywhere in the world and receive alerts on the go. You can also change the sensitivity settings of the devices according to your needs.
- Increased security – Smart systems use advanced features such as motion detection and facial recognition to alert you to potential threats and enhance security. These systems work seamlessly and can provide real-time security without processing delay.
- Convenience – smart security systems provide a level of convenience that is unmatched when compared to legacy security hardware. With smart systems, you can sleep with ease knowing that you don’t need to manually monitor the security of the premises!
- Energy efficiency – smart systems also introduce a lot of energy-saving features. Smart lights and smart thermostats can help you keep a check on your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills. This means that instead of keeping the lights on 24/7, they can only turn on when a threat is detected by the burglar alarm system.
- Flexibility – smart security systems are highly customisable, and you can tinker with the settings to match your security needs. However, we recommend that you leave the configuration to professionals like Calder Security who can help you optimise your security hardware.
- Professional monitoring – if you want even greater security, then you can also opt for professional monitoring! Calder Security provides 24/7 monitoring for smart systems which means that you can effectively double the security by implementing both AI-enhanced features and traditional monitoring services.
- Peace of mind – statistically, people who use smart security systems have greater peace of mind because smart systems can alert users during high-priority events like threats or break-ins. With more security, transparency, control, and flexibility, they can give you optimal security without you having to stress about anything.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.
We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards.
We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.
We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.
We understand the importance of having to regularly maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.
We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.
We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts right away for more information on integrating your burglar alarm with home automation systems.