Julia Ross Posts

Our US monitoring station partner, Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS) announced its partnership with Intrado to take advantage of their Text-To-911 (NG911) feature. This allows CMS to send alarm notifications to the authorities via text, rather than requiring a voice call from an operator.

Intrado is a telecommunications company that specializes in public safety communication. They work with PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) to improve the delivery of calls for service. A PSAP is where 911 calls are usually routed. It can be a separate entity, or located within a particular jurisdiction's telecommunications center. Many years ago when I was a dispatcher, 911 calls in the Louisville area were received by the PSAP office and then routed to the various police, fire, or EMS dispatch centers. If the PSAP was overrun, their calls rolled over to our call center.

Traditionally, when an alarm signal is received by the monitoring station, the signal goes to a special receiver. From there, an automation software package turns that signal into plain text that the operator then uses to process the signal. This may include calling the end-user to verify if authorities are needed before dispatch, or dispatching immediately.

Up until now, when the central station operator needed to dispatch, they manually called the authorities and relayed the appropriate information. This process only takes a few minutes, usually, but when you're waiting for the authorities in an emergency situation, minutes can feel like hours.

With this new integration, information on alarms that require dispatch is sent to participating PSAPs via text. And this is not a dump-and-run situation like the old voice dialers of yore. The text conversation is two-way. The PSAP can request additional information, and the central station operator can continue to provide information until the PSAP closes the chat. This allows the information on this particular incident to get into the hands of those who are in the best position to help much more quickly and accurately than ever before.

Even with all the improvements in alarm technology in recent decades, there are still times, such as during heavy storms, when a lot of alarms go off at roughly the same time. This can overwhelm both the monitoring station and the authorities who respond to alarms. I can foresee this technology making a huge impact on the efficiency with which alarm signals are handled moving forward, and I hope that every PSAP will adopt this new technology.

CMS began implementing this partnership with Intrado in December of 2022 with three (3) agencies in Florida. As of August 2023, they have over 130 agencies on board, and as more PSAPs sign up with Intrado, they will be folded into the integration with CMS. The current list of participating agencies can be found here.

This is just another way that the alarm industry is working to improve its service to both the alarm user and the community at large. What do you think about this new partnership? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts. We look forward to hearing from you!

Exciting news! Alarm.com has unveiled a new customer app with a fresh look. Faster response times and fewer clicks mean instant access to the data you need. Video and Activity are now conveniently available right from the Dashboard, ensuring quick access to your most vital information.

In addition to the changes and time savings you can see, response times have been improved at the server level as well. Now, instead of clicking the hamburger menu (≡) and then selecting an option, the most commonly used selections, like Video, Activity, and Home, are pinned right at the bottom of the screen.

When you first log in to the app after the update, you'll see a What's New screen that summarizes all the updates.

The Dashboard can be customized so that when you log in, you see exactly what you want, and nothing that you don't. In the example below, Images and Highlights have been removed from the Dashboard. Click and drag the enabled cards to rearrange the order in which they are displayed. To edit the dashboard, click the Home icon, and scroll to the bottom of the screen, then tap Edit Dashboard.

Tapping the Video icon brings you to the video screen where you can see a live view of any camera in your account. You can also see Saved clips, and if you have any cameras enrolled in Onboard Recording you can click the 24/7 option to review selected feeds.

Clicking the gear icon allows you to edit various video settings.

The Activity screen shows you a list of events in chronological order with the newest events at the top. Each day has a Highlights section that provides a brief animated recap of the day's events. Video events provide a thumbnail for quick access to review those items. Use the extensive filter options to find specific items quickly.

Clicking the More option provides you with the options you used to see when clicking the hamburger menu in the upper left.

This upgrade appears to be a significant step forward for Alarm.com. By streamlining the user experience and placing the most pertinent information front and center within the app, overall usability and efficiency are enhanced. As users, we can all appreciate any change that simplifies navigation and reduces the number of clicks needed to access desired features! I am personally excited about this update and how it will make managing our alarms and security systems even more convenient. What are your thoughts on the latest Alarm.com UX update? Feel free to share your opinions and experiences in the comments below. We look forward to hearing from you!

Total Connect 2.0 now offers a server-to-server integration with Genie® and Overhead Door™ garage door openers. This allows you to control your alarm system, automation devices, and garage doors from a single app. No more fumbling between apps to control both your alarm system and garage door.

The new Genie® and Overhead Door™ server-to-server integrations join Chamberlain and LiftMaster as well as several others. Between these server-to-server options and the Z-Wave options for garage door control, you can now operate nearly any garage door from the TC2 app. This makes it much more convenient when attempting to control multiple systems at once, such as when you are arming your system to leave, or disarming your system to return home, and you also need to control the garage door.

This integration doesn't allow for the automation of the garage door, sadly. It provides manual control only, but it is still a worthwhile integration because it simplifies the process of leaving and returning, which most of us do each day, multiple times per day. To set up the integration you simply need a compatible Genie® or Overhead Door™ product, a WIFI connection for that product, and a Total Connect 2.0 account with the Smart Home plan. For Alarm Grid customers, that is a Silver Plan (Self or Full) or higher.

Step-by-Step FAQ for Overhead Door® Integration
Step-by-Step FAQ for Genie Aladdin Connect® Integration

Setting up the integration is easy. Once you log into your Total Connect 2.0 account, click on Devices. Click the three (3) vertical dots in the upper right corner then tap Add/Remove Devices:

From there, choose Genie or Overhead Door™ from the list of available integrations. You will have two (2) options. You can either "Link to Existing Account" or "Add New Account". If you've already been using the garage door opener manufacturer's app, choose the former, if not, choose the latter.

If you choose "Link to Existing Account," you'll be prompted to enter your login credentials for the existing Genie (Aladdin Connect®) or Overhead Door™ (OHD Anywhere®) app, and then click "Login." Once the credentials are verified, you'll see a list of garage doors to select which ones you want to enable.

On the other hand, if you choose "Add New Account," you'll be redirected to the app store to download either Aladdin Connect® or OHD Anywhere®. Follow the provided instructions to set up your garage doors for remote access. Once completed, return to TC2 and follow the steps to complete enrollment. Once again, you'll need to enter the credentials you created for the garage door manufacturer's app and click "Login." Select the garage doors you want to enroll, and you're all set!

We're thrilled to see Resideo adding new third-party integrations to its Total Connect 2.0 offering. While Alarm.com has been more proactive in supporting this type of integration in the past, Resideo is starting to close the gap. We can't wait to see what they offer next!

When the ADC-VDB770 was first released, one of its newest features was a battery with a warmer. This allows the doorbell to work in colder climates without issues. However, users in hot climates have experienced some issues. So, the doorbell will now ship with a battery-less insert instead.

Installations that use a digital chime require a battery, and will not be able to use the battery-free insert. For those customers ordering a new ADC-VDB770 in July 2023 or later, who will be using the doorbell with a digital chime, you must also purchase the ADC-VDBA-770BAT. This is the battery replacement kit for existing ADC-VDB770 units whose battery has reached its end of life, and for new users who will use a digital chime.

If you will be using a mechanical chime, or the wireless chime available from Alarm.com, then you can install the ADC-VDB770 with the included battery-free insert. It charges quickly, which makes for a quick and easy installation. Users in colder climates may also need to purchase the ADC-VDBA-770BAT to prevent issues associated with extremely cold weather.

The purpose of the battery in the ADC-VDB770 is to power the video doorbell for the short period of time that the button is pressed. During a button press, the power circuit of the video doorbell is shorted, which is what causes the doorbell to chime. If not for the battery (or battery-free insert) the doorbell would lose all power during the button press. For a traditional doorbell, this is not a problem. But for a video doorbell, it is.

The battery-free insert, which will now be shipped with the ADC-VDB770 rather than the battery and warmer, is a capacitor that stores a charge. It provides enough power to keep the video doorbell powered while the button is pressed. However, digital chimes require that the button be pressed for a longer period of time, which is why for those chime types the battery is required.

Customers who had overheating issues with the ADC-VDB770 as it was originally sold, with a battery and heater, usually had the doorbell mounted in a location where it got lots of direct sunlight. The battery-free insert is currently not available for individual sale, but this may change in the future. If it does, we'll let you know. For now, if you have an original Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 and the battery is at its end-of-life you will need to replace it with the ADC-VDBA-770BAT.

The Alarm.com App can now be used directly from a car's touchscreen display via Android Auto™. Most cars made in 2018 or later can support the Android Auto™ feature. For some cars, a wired USB connection may be required, while others can take advantage of the feature wirelessly via Bluetooth.

Both Android Auto™ and Apple Carplay™ are meant to help you use your phone more safely while driving. By moving certain controls from the phone to the vehicle's touchscreen, you can take care of necessary phone interactions without having to actually look at the phone. In many cases, voice commands can be used, rather than having to look at and touch the screen. This promotes safety by reducing distracted driving.

Alarm.com can now take advantage of this safety-enhancing feature and work with Android Auto™. At this time, the Alarm.com App does not interface directly with Apple Carplay™ We currently have no word on when, or even if, it ever will. Whether your vehicle requires a USB connection or can interface via Bluetooth will vary per vehicle year and model.

It's simple to get started with this integration. All you need is a commercial or residential Alarm.com account, a compatible Android phone, and either a vehicle or an after-market stereo system that supports Android Auto™. Just login to the Alarm.com app, and connect the Android phone using Android Auto™. If this is your first time connecting to Android Auto™ you may need to check the phone's display for a permission message.

From there, you will be able to run the Home and Away scenes from the car's touchscreen. You can also see the status of your garage doors, open or close them, and receive important system notifications. These notifications may include pending alarms, alarms, arming reminders, and geo-fence-related events.

There are three (3) types of notifications you may receive when using Alarm.com with Android Auto™. They are Alarm.com notifications, Head Unit notifications, and Notification Center notifications:

Alarm.com Notifications:

This type of notification will include pending alarms, alarms, arming reminders, and location-based notifications such as garage door left open, sensor left open, and panel left disarmed among others.

Head Unit Notifications:

Head Unit notifications will appear on the touchscreen, even if the user is not logged into the Alarm.com Android Auto™ interface. This notification will likely appear as a banner at the top of the display. It will show the notification, along with an action and a dismissal icon.

For example, the notification may show that the garage door has been left open with an icon allowing you to close it, or an X to dismiss the notification. Head Unit Notifications will only provide the primary action as an option for dealing with the notifications. If you view the same notification in the Notification Center, there could be a primary and a secondary action option.

Notification Center Notifications:

Notification Center notifications provide slightly more information. In this screen, you may see up to two (2) different action options with text to explain what each available action is. For example, if the notification is that the system was left disarmed, you may have the option to arm it either Away or Stay. Whereas, on the same Head Unit notification, you will only be given the option to arm Stay (the primary action).

To get to the Notification Center, click the notification icon on the lower right side of the car's touchscreen. Use the arrows, or flick to scroll through the available notifications. Some notifications will not have any type of action associated with them. Others may have one (1) or two (2) different options to choose from.

The table below shows the different types of notifications and the primary action associated with that notification if there is one. Only the arming reminder notification offers a secondary action:

Alarm.com constantly strives to find new ways to improve its product. This latest integration aims to keep you safe both at home and on the road. We're standing by to see what new feature they come up with next. I'm sure we won't have to wait long!

Update: As of 10:39 AM, our phones are back to normal.

Due to an issue with our phone provider, Talkdesk, we are currently unable to make outbound calls or receive inbound ones. We are able to receive emails and our chat support is still available.

If you have a minor support issue, please wait thirty minutes or so and try to call us again. Hopefully, this will be a short outage. If you have a more pressing issue, you can email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

To chat with support, simply go to www.alarmgrid.com and you should see a popup window at the lower left that offers you the option to begin a chat. Please be patient, our chat support agents are likely to be busier than usual.

We will update this blog when our phones are back to normal! This outage only affects our support center. Our central station partners at CMS and Rapid Response are up and running normally. Alarm signals and processing are being treated normally.

The 4th of July, aka, Independence Day is the ultimate summer event. It is a celebration of our country's independence from Britain. On this day, most of us will engage in cookouts, swimming, eating, drinking, and fireworks, or some combination of those things. Just remember to do it safely!

Our hardworking support staff will be off, and our offices will be closed for the holiday. Of course, our central station partners Cricitom (CMS) and Rapid Response will be on the job, monitoring Alarm Grid customer systems. When it comes to alarm response, nothing will change.

If you need to contact the central monitoring station, to cancel a false alarm or verify a signal, customers in the US can contact Criticom (CMS) by dialing (888) 818-7728 and choosing Option [9]. This will get you in touch with an operator who can assist you with canceling a false alarm, putting your system on test, or checking an alarm signal. You can also set up a MyAlarms.com account, so that you can do those things yourself online without having to call.

Canadian customers can contact Rapid Response at (800) 932-3822. Remember when you call either monitoring station, you will be asked for your name, address, and your false alarm password or phrase. Providing incorrect information when asked, will result in the dispatch of authorities.

If you have a support question or if you need to make adjustments to your account, the monitoring station cannot assist you. In that case, send an email to support@alarmgrid.com with details of your request and we will begin to address these support issues as soon as we return to the office on Wednesday, July 5. At that time, we will return to our normal business hours of 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern, Monday - Friday.

We hope you enjoy the holiday. We recommend that you wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water if you'll be spending time outdoors in the heat, even if you're swimming. Be careful if you'll be handling fireworks and let's all meet back here on Wednesday to share stories about our holiday!

Alarm Grid is now proud to offer the Alarm.com ADC-VDB750 Wired Video Doorbell. This doorbell supports video analytics and two-way audio. It also offers an improved operating temperature range over older doorbells. No power module is required with mechanical chimes, for a simple installation.

The ADC-VDB750 will be replacing the silver SkyBell ADC-VDB105X Slimline II, which has been discontinued. As of this writing, the above-referenced Skybell is still available in Bronze and Satin Nickel from Alarm Grid. The operating temperature range of -58°F - 122°F (-50°C - +50°C) means that users in more extreme climates can now have access to the safety and peace of mind a video doorbell provides.

Also improved is the ADC-VDB750's field of view. With a 165° horizontal and 145° vertical field of view, users will be able to see more of the area surrounding the door. You can now capture all of the activity in the area surrounding the entry to your home. Package thieves, beware!

Is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? Sure, sometimes, but not when it comes to the field of view on this video doorbell. With Alarm.com's unparalleled video analytics, the ADC-VDB750 offers People Detection. With this powerful analytics engine you can be sure that when you receive a notification that someone's at the door, it will actually be a person. Not the neighbor's basketball, or your friendly neighborhood squirrel.

The ADC-VDB750 can use either AC or DC power. It can accept 16VAC to 24VAC at 10VA minimum and 40VA maximum (16VAC, 10VA is recommended), or 15VDC to 24VDC at 6W minimum to 20W maximum. If an AC power supply is being used for the existing doorbell, be sure it has the proper specifications to support the ADC-VDB750. A DC power supply can also be used, we offer the Alarm.com ADC-VDBA-PSU-DC which provides 16VDC at 20W. If you aren't replacing an existing doorbell, this might be the easiest way to go. Any DC power supply used will need to provide at least 15VDC at 8W. Be sure to remove power from the doorbell by turning off the breaker, in the case of an AC transformer, or unplugging the DC power supply, before beginning a doorbell swap.

If the existing doorbell uses a mechanical chime, you can replace that doorbell with the ADC-VDB750 and you won't have to use any type of power module. If you're replacing an older Alarm.com video doorbell that used a power module with the mechanical chime, you can remove it. If you will be replacing an older doorbell that uses a digital chime, you will need to install the ADC-VDBA-PM-750 power module.

This power module differs from the power module for the ADC-VDB770 because it only has two (2) wires instead of four (4). The two (2) wires for this power module will connect in parallel to the same terminals the doorbell wires are already connected to on the chime. For example, digital chimes commonly have screws with markings of FRONT, TRANS, and REAR. If your installation has wires connected to FRONT and TRANS, the wires for the power module will connect to these same two terminals, right on top of the existing wires. This connection does not observe polarity.

If you are replacing a Slimline I or Slimline II (Skybell) doorbell, you can use a backplate adapter for ease of installation. Power down and remove the old doorbell, but leave its mounting plate in place. Make sure that all wires are well connected to the screws on the plate and that the bottom set screw is backed out far enough that its threads don't stick up above the plastic. Attach the Alarm.com ADC-VDBA-750-BPA (sold separately) to the back of the new ADC-VDB750, then attach this entire unit to the existing Slimline doorbell mounting plate. Tighten the set screw and return power to the unit.

There is a wedge mount kit available for the ADC-VDB750. This kit contains a 5° downward angled wedge and a 15° left or right-angled wedge. Using these wedge mounts allows you to dial in and improve your doorbell's downward and/or left/right viewing angle for the perfect line of sight. The wedge mount kit, Alarm.com ADC-VDBA-750-WMK, is sold separately. Please note, if you are replacing a Slimline I or Slimline II Skybell Doorbell, and you wish to use the wedge mount kit, you will need to remove the Slimline doorbell backplate and use the one that comes with the ADC-VDB750 instead.

Finally, if you will be replacing an older and larger video doorbell with the new ADC-VDB750, and there's an area you need to cover such as a larger wiring hole, or an area where older, non-matching paint may show, you can use the Alarm.com ADC-VDBA-WPU. This is basically a trim plate that you can install behind the new doorbell's mounting bracket. This trim plate is larger than the mounting bracket and will cover any unsightly old paint or other marks from previous installations.

So, say hello to the Alarm.com ADC-VDB750. The latest, but surely not the last, entry in Alarm.com's impressive list of video doorbell offerings. It joins the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 wired video doorbell and the Alarm.com ADC-VDB780B and ADC-W115C bundle, which includes the wireless doorbell camera with rechargeable battery, and a wireless chime module. When it comes to video doorbell cameras, Alarm.com has got you covered.

Alarm Grid's Louisville support center will shut down at 12:30 pm today Wednesday, June 7, 2023, so that our team can take advantage of the ESX trade show taking place here. ESX is not as large as ISC West, but it still offers some great opportunities for learning and exploring new products.

ESX is the Electronic Security Expo, and is owned and operated by ESA, the Electronic Security Association. Established in 1948, ESA is the largest trade association in the United States representing the electronic security and life safety industry. ESA also offers training and certification courses for alarm technicians through the ESA National Training School.

There will be many familiar vendors at the ESX show, including Resideo, Alarm.com, CMS, JCI (owners of Qolsys and DSC), and many others. Also in attendance will be many new companies with new products and new ideas. Hopefully, our techs will see something awesome that we can then bring back and offer to our customers.

Although the support center will be closed during this time, our professional monitoring centers will be on the job. All alarm system signals will be processed as usual. Alarm Grid customers in the United States can contact CMS (Criticom Monitoring Services) by calling 888-818-7728 and choosing option 9. Do this if you need to cancel an alarm, put your system on test, or check on an alarm signal. Check out the MyAlarms.com site, set up an account, and you can do all of these things yourself, no phone call required.

Canadian Alarm Grid customers who need to cancel an alarm or verify a signal can call Rapid Response at 800-932-3822. Remember, whether you're contacting CMS or Rapid Response you will be asked to provide your name, address, and false alarm password. If you provide the Duress password, or the wrong password, the monitoring station will dispatch authorities.

If you need to make changes to your monitoring information, send us an email at support@alarmgrid.com and we will reply as soon as possible when we're back in the office on Thursday. The monitoring station cannot make these changes for you. We'll be back in the office on Thursday morning at 9:00 am for our regular business hours.

Alarm.com announces the addition of Tuscon Electric Power, Modesto Irrigation District, and American Municipal Power (AMP) to the Give Back, Get Back Demand Conservation Program. Customers with a qualifying smart thermostat, like the Alarm.com T2000 Thermostat, can earn incentives for participating in the program.

In different areas, these incentive programs are called different things. Demand Conservation, Give Back, Get Back, and others. Basically, they all boil down to one thing. During peak usage times, usually, in the summer months, when demand is at its highest, you give the utility company permission to make minor adjustments to your temperature settings, which allows them to lessen the demand on the power grid during peak usage.

If you sign up for the program, you have the ability to opt out of a single event, and you can opt out of the program completely at any time. However, if you do opt out, you will give up any further incentives that may be available through the program.

Tuscon Electric Power customers can earn a $50 Mastercard e-gift card for each eligible thermostat (up to two (2) total) for enrolling in the Smart Rewards program and earn another $40 Mastercard e-gift card for each year of participation. That's $90 for one thermostat or $180 for two. Between these incentives and the savings provided by a smart thermostat, this is an upgrade that will pay for itself in no time!

Modesto Irrigation District customers will receive a $50 bill credit when they enroll in the MID Power Smart program. Then, receive a $20 bill credit for each year that you remain in the program. If you're adding a new Energy Star® smart thermostat to your home, you can also apply for up to a $50 rebate toward the purchase of the thermostat. The rebate is limited to two (2) qualifying thermostats per household. Visit their website for full details.

American Municipal Power (AMP) operates in several states, including Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Maryland, and Delaware. According to Alarm.com, customers receive $55 when enrolling in the program with AMP. However, according to the AMP website, participants who sign up will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card at the end of each peaking season. So, do your research if you are an AMP customer looking to sign up. You can check out the program at AMP here. When in doubt, give them a call and get the details.

Not a customer of one of the utility companies listed above? Never fear! There are many, many companies that have been participating in some variation of this program for years. Not an Alarm.com customer? That's ok too. Most utility companies have a list of smart thermostats that are compatible with their version of the demand conservation program. Find your utility company's site and search "smart thermostat." You'll likely come up with the information specific to your area. If not, give them a call. There's a reason these companies are willing to pay incentives for participation in this program. It's good for everyone involved.