What Is the SmartStart Feature on the IQ Panel 5 System?

SmartStart on the IQ Panel 5 is a Z-Wave enrollment method that lets you pre-register a device by scanning its QR code or entering its DSK before it is powered on. Once added to the Provisioning List, the panel automatically includes the device when it powers up and comes within range.

What Is SmartStart

The IQ Panel 5 (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) supports SmartStart, a Z-Wave enrollment feature that lets you register devices before they are installed or powered on. With standard Z-Wave inclusion, you add a device while it is powered and within range of the panel. With SmartStart, you pre-register the device using its unique DSK (Device Specific Key) code — either by scanning the QR code on the device's box with the IQ Panel 5 camera or by entering the DSK manually. The device is added to a Provisioning List. When the device is later powered on and comes within range, the panel completes the inclusion automatically without any additional steps.

SmartStart is particularly useful for new installations where you want to pre-program all devices before going on site, or for adding devices that are difficult to physically access after installation. The DSK code is printed on the device label or the box it came in. Note that SmartStart is not authorized for EN Grade 2 security installations. For standard home automation and residential security system use, SmartStart works normally.

How to Use SmartStart

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen and touch Settings. The Settings page opens.

IQ Panel 5 Settings Tray opened by swiping down from the top of the screen

2. Touch Advanced Settings and enter the Installer Code (1111 by default). The Advanced Settings menu opens.

IQ Panel 5 Advanced Settings highlighted on the Settings page

3. Touch Installation, then Devices, then Z-Wave Devices. The Z-Wave Devices menu opens.

IQ Panel 5 Z-Wave Devices page

4. Touch SmartStart, then touch Include. The SmartStart screen opens with two options: scan a QR code or enter a DSK code manually.

IQ Panel 5 SmartStart scan QR code screen

5. Scan the QR code on the device or box, or enter the DSK code manually and touch Add DSK. The DSK is a multi-digit code printed on the device label or packaging. On the IQ Panel 5 you can hold the box in front of the panel camera to scan it automatically.

6. Configure the device name and settings, then touch Add. The device is added to the Provisioning List. It will show a status of Not in Network until the device is powered on.

IQ Panel 5 SmartStart device name and configuration fields

The Provisioning List

Devices added via SmartStart appear in the Provisioning List, accessible from the Z-Wave Devices menu. Each device shows one of three network statuses. Not in Network means the device has been registered but has not been powered on yet. Started means the device has powered on and the inclusion process is running in the background. Included means the device has successfully joined the Z-Wave network and is fully active on the panel. Once a device reaches the Included state it can no longer be removed using the trash icon in the Provisioning List — use Clear Device from the Z-Wave Devices menu to remove it.

IQ Panel 5 SmartStart Provisioning List showing device network status

SmartStart on the IQ Panel 5 makes Z-Wave device enrollment faster and more flexible by letting you register devices before they are on site or powered on on the IQ Panel 5. For help with SmartStart or other Z-Wave configurations or other configurations on your IQ Panel 5, contact the Alarm Grid support team. We are here Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Email us at support@alarmgrid.com, call us at 888-818-7728, or visit our website and chat with a live support agent.