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Latest SecureNet news & announcements

Johnson Controls to launch LUX KONOzw Smart Hub thermostat with Z-Wave technology

Johnson Controls will soon announce the availability of the LUX KONOzw Smart Hub thermostat through its DSC channel. This is the first KONO thermostat featuring Z-Wave technology. KONOzw allows users to seamlessly connect DSC security systems, including PowerSeries Neo, iotega and PowerSeries Pro, when combined with SecureNet or Alarm.com interactive services to the smart thermostat through the Z-Wave smart hub. Universal compatibility KONOzw offers all the traditional modes of a smart thermostat, including heat & cool and works with forced air, gas, oil and electrical furnaces, giving end users the flexibility they need when choosing a thermostat. It also features universal compatibility with heat pump systems with or without Aux/Emergency heat and hydronic zone valves. KONOzw also provides flexible installation with battery (4 AA batteries included) or C-wire powering options. Its patent-pending interchangeable décor-snap covers enable users to personalise the device – adding individual flair to the thermostat. “The integration of KONOzw with Johnson Controls’ security systems illustrates the power of the smart home and our broad footprint for bringing innovative solutions to the market,” said Rob Munin, general manager of thermostats at Johnson Controls. Leveraging smart systems capabilities “The Z-Wave technology opens doors for organisations who want to integrate more functionality into a smart hub to further leverage the capabilities of their smart systems. We believe the KONOzw is an attractive solution for commercial and residential markets.” The use of Z-Wave technology allows the thermostat to connect to other parts of a smart home through Alarm.com or SecureNet, while using minimal resources, in turn increasing battery life and reducing overall operating costs. With complete customisability available, users can reap all the benefits of a sleek, easy-to-use smart thermostat, while personalising it to their home decor.

Z-Wave Alliance to host Z-Wave Pavilion and demonstrate latest Z-Wave solutions for smart home security at ISC West 2019

The Z-Wave Alliance, a global membership organisation dedicated to advancing the popular Z-Wave wireless smart home protocol, will host the Z-Wave Pavilion at ISC West 2019 in Las Vegas, with Alliance members introducing and demonstrating their latest Z-Wave solutions. The Z-Wave Alliance offers security dealers and integrators the opportunity to interact with the latest Z-Wave technology in one central location as well as network with manufacturers that are leading the global smart home and IoT security industry. This new Z-Wave module is built on a new ARM-based core and the Silicon Labs Gecko platform Silicon Labs, a provider of silicon, software and solutions for a smarter, more connected world, will also demonstrate the innovative Z-Wave 700 platform, boasting advanced capabilities in every aspect of smart home technology to drive greater interoperability, simple plug and play installs, and the highest levels of security. This new Z-Wave module is built on a new ARM-based core and the Silicon Labs Gecko platform that brings a host of new development tools to make time to market faster. Z-Wave Pavilion members include: Danalock will demonstrate how their Danabridge V3 enables remote operation of their newest smart lock, the Danalock V3 and showcase the Danapad V3 wireless access pad and Universal Module V3. Everspring will display their new range of Z-Wave sensors with the Z-Wave S2 Security framework. Leedarson will present their new IoT solutions designed to enhance smart home security, monitoring, lighting and energy, and enable voice activated commands on products that work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. Parakeet will showcase their enterprise solutions for MDU owners and managers to enable centralised remote access control of primary property functions like HVAC monitoring, door locks, garage doors, thermostats and more. SecureNet is presenting their SecureNet platform that simplifies and expands the capabilities of central monitoring stations and alarm dealers to add lifestyle services to their existing alarm transportation offerings. ShenZhen NEO is one of the earliest professional manufacturers of IP Cameras in China, providing indoor wireless IP cameras, wireless outdoor IP cameras, mini PTZ IP cameras, dome IP cameras and outdoor PTZ IP cameras and more. Vision is showcasing their Z-Wave compatible U-Bell alarm, Wall Remote, and Wireless Siren and Strobe that receives activation commands from an alarm system. Showcasing growing ecosystem of products ISC West remains an important venue to engage with this audience and spread awareness of the benefits of Z-Wave" “In our fifth year at ISC West, the Z-Wave Pavilion continues to be a representation of our leadership in the smart home security market and we look forward to showcasing our growing ecosystem of products for security dealers and integrators,” said Mitchell Klein, executive director of the Z-Wave Alliance. “Integrators are an integral part of this industry’s growth – they talk to consumers on a daily basis and understand the concerns they have around issues like network security and barriers to greater adoption of smart home. "ISC West remains an important venue to engage with this audience and spread awareness of the benefits of Z-Wave and its commitment to security across the market.”

TIANDY Technologies and SecureNet announce partnership to bolster Middle East operations

TIANDY Technologies, global supplier of versatile surveillance solutions catering to customers from enterprise to entry level, has announced the execution of a distribution agreement with SecureNet, one of the premier value-added IT Surveillance, cybersecurity and video conferencing distributors (VAD) in the United Arab Emirates. SecureNet will promote TIANDY's complete portfolio of surveillance solutions to its network of channel partners throughout the Middle East region. TIANDY-SecureNet collaborate on surveillance TIANDY innovative offerings directly address the surveillance market challenges surrounding Artificial Intelligence and Deeper Learning" "We are very excited about our new partnership with TIANDY Technologies and adding their portfolio of surveillance solutions to our line card, "said Avinash Wadhwa, VP Strategic Alliances & Business Development of SecureNet. “TIANDY innovative offerings directly address the surveillance market challenges surrounding Artificial Intelligence and Deeper Learning which are at the forefront with our customers. With the addition of the TIANDY family of surveillance products and our joint collaboration with eco-system partners, we can provide some of the most innovative solutions to the market today. TIANDY is an outstanding addition to our portfolio and it will help to provide our channel partners with leading-edge surveillance solutions making them more competitive." We are pleased to be announcing this partnership with SecureNet. SecureNet's experience and expertise in IT Security and IT Surveillance market in the Middle East makes them the perfect choice upon which to build a solid foundation for success, said John van den Elzen, General Manager EMEA for TIANDY Technologies. Van den Elzen continued, "Deploying our turn-key surveillance solutions with SecureNet's high professional services dramatically expands our ability to address the demands of commercial accounts. We look forward to a sustained and mutually beneficial relationship."

Insights & Opinions from thought leaders at SecureNet

Future of interactive residential security market in the US – bleak or bright?

Have interactive services lost their edge? Are users discouraged and disenthralled? That’s a myth that needs busting, because security companies continue to have success offering these solutions to customers. Alarm companies who began their business with traditional intrusion detection continue to deliver interactive services as part of a total, connected home solution. Companies like Complete Security Systems, Marlboro, N.J.; Marshall Alarm Systems, Yorktown Heights, N.Y.; and The Security Girl, Dayton, Ohio, are among several companies embracing and offering new technologies and services – and having good luck with it. Security is the lynchpin that leads to interactive services. That’s because keypads and controls start with intrusion detection but now can easily add a variety of connected technologies for the user. Some of the most popular services include the ability to remotely arm and disarm doors via smartphone applications; video surveillance; and locks, lighting and thermostat controls, according to John Pirrie, director of marketing for SecureNet Technologies, Lake Mary, Florida. Security has its day “Companies providing professionally monitored systems are experiencing good growth,” says Dave Mayne, vice president of marketing for Resolution Products, Hudson, Wis. “If you look at the top security providers in the U.S., they lead with interactive services because it drives recurring monthly revenue (RMR).” Resolution Products produces hardware that acts as an interactive gateway to interface with most existing security controls and partners with SecureNet Technologies, which provides a software platform to manage the services. “The best way to approach selling interactive services is to start with security, because that’s what makes sense to the customer,” Mayne says. "If you look at the top security providersin the U.S., they lead with interactiveservices because it drives recurringmonthly revenue (RMR).The best way toapproach selling interactive services is tostart with security, because that’s whatmakes sense to the customer" Alan Patterson, director of Product Marketing for Icontrol Networks, Redwood City, California, cites the company’s 2015 State of the Smart Home Report, commenting that, of the benefits consumers find most attractive, security (90%) is still number one in driving mass market adoption for the smart home, followed by cost savings (70%), elder care (49%) and energy efficiency (47%). More competition, better quality As the smart home industry continues to evolve, Patterson says, more and more manufacturers will enter the market, resulting in increased competition, innovation and cost reductions. From a consumer perspective, this highly competitive market will result in better, lower-cost products.  “When it comes to the smart home and the Internet of Things (IoT), it’s not the promise of a Jetson’-like home with robots bringing you dinner; it’s really about delivering enhanced security for the homeowner and peace of mind,” he says. ‘Simple and secured’ home automation Patterson believes the rise of interactive services has helped raise the penetration rate of traditional security. “Consumers are starting to tie security and home automation together. In fact, according to the smart home report, security is the main reason consumers purchase and use home automation. Nearly seven out of ten (69%) respondents said they would be hesitant to purchase a smart home system that didn’t include security, and 35% said they absolutely wouldn’t consider it. A respondent said it best in an open-ended response: ‘Security is what makes a smart home a smart home.’” Patterson concluded that the company’s research indicates 54% of U.S. homeowners plan to buy at least one smart home product in the next year. “We also found that consumers don’t want fancy products, but rather simple devices that significantly improve their quality of life. We believe high-value devices are here to stay – whereas those without substantial user benefit may not be around long.”

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