Time for a smart approach

OPINION

A smarter approach to security

With holidays finally back on the agenda, many homeowners will be leaving their property unoccupied for the first time in months. Sumier Foster-Shah of ERA, shares an insight into how smart security systems and app-based surveillance can provide protection and peace of mind

As the nation’s vaccine rollout continues apace, families are making the most of the summer season by booking much-needed holidays, with many popular destinations across the UK reporting near-capacity occupancy levels. For many homeowners, this will be the first time in nearly 18 months that they have left their property for an extended period of time. And for those who have taken advantage of the government’s Stamp Duty Holiday and moved house during lockdown, this may also be the first time they are leaving their new property unattended.

This return to more normal pre-Covid lifestyles and routines may prompt many homeowners to re-evaluate their property’s security. The nation has a newfound appreciation for our homes and their contents, and many householders will have made home improvements or invested in high-value items, all of which they will be keen to protect, when they once again go on their travels. For owners of new homes who have inherited security systems from the previous owners, they may have limited understanding of how they work or whether they meet their specific security and lifestyle needs.

For customers in these situations, smart appbased security systems offer many benefits that will deliver protection not only for the summer season, but for many years to come.

The majority of homeowners will be familiar with alarms and PIR motion sensors, interior and exterior cameras, floodlight cameras and video doorbells. What is newer – and will be particularly welcome at this time – is the ability to manage, access and view footage from these devices in real-time via an app. Smart security ecosystems allow these individual devices to work together to protect every element of a property, from the perimeter and interior to the garden, shed and outbuildings. By integrating these devices into one system via an encrypted network, smartware can facilitate more effective and comprehensive real time surveillance of a property at any time, from anywhere in the world.

Here, smartware is supporting homeowners in taking a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to security. A smart alarm system transmits alerts and notifications from every device to users via an app, as and when motion is detected. There are huge advantages to individuals being able to remotely view video footage from each internal, external, floodlight or doorbell camera as it happens. This provides the opportunity for an intervention before an intruder gains access to a property. Many smart devices feature two-way talk capability, which can be used to alert, communicate with and deter potential intruders.

App-based monitoring also allows homeowners to identify security weakpoints, even once they have left their property. For example, by integrating wireless window and door sensors into a smart alarm system, homeowners can receive app notifications that a window has been left open accidentally, for example. A user can check on the status of all There are huge advantages to individuals being able to remotely view video footage from each internal, external, floodlight or doorbell camera as it happens

OPINION

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Self-monitoring via smartphones is a first step towards surveillance for many homeowners

security devices within their system via the app, allowing them to return home or call on neighbours, family or friends to re-secure any areas of their property that could otherwise leave their home vulnerable to intruders.

This self-monitoring via smartphones is a first step towards surveillance for many homeowners who may not have subscribed to the services of a 24/7 alarm response centre before. For those customers who do wish to have the back-up of professional monitoring, this too can be integrated into smart security systems. This means homeowners can not only survey their property from their smartphone whilst they are away, but they also have the peace of mind that a dedicated response centre is on hand to provide support, if required.

The ability to personalise smartware to each user’s property, lifestyle and budget is set to have even more appeal, as the Covid restrictions ease. Working patterns, pet ownership, school hours and travel plans have all changed drastically, and many homeowners will be looking for flexible security systems that suit their lifetyles now – but also in the future. Smart ecosystems give users the ability to add more devices and support in the future as life returns to normal, whether that’s professional monitoring, video doorbells or indoor cameras.

To help consumers feel confident in smartware, it’s worth recommending systems that carry the relatively new BSI Kitemark for IoT Devices. Launched in 2018, it has been developed to help consumers confidently identify IoT devices that they can trust to be safe, secure and functional.

For individuals who live in rural areas with temperamental internet connections, the digital aspect of smartware may present an initial concern. However, by recommending and installing ecosystems that switch to a built-in 4G roaming back-up SIM in the event of a broadband outage, installers can provide customers with the confidence that the system will always remain online. In the event of an outage, if the alarm triggers, the hub will allow continued recording of HD video to the cloud.

As homeowners across the UK prepare to pack their suitcases once again, smartware can provide a buildable, accessible and scalable route to refreshing their home security that’s easy for security professionals to recommend, fit and support.

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SMART HOMES

Security in post-pandemic homes

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of the home, and how integral it is now to meeting both professional and personal requirements of comfort, safety, security and productivity

Given the nation’s experiences during lockdown months, It’s no surprise that Jamie Allam, CEO Amthal Fire & Security, says that homeowners are looking at ways to secure their home, even as restrictions are being lifted. He suggests security specialists have a chance to embrace the new interest in smart security and encourage homeowners to think about it in a much more holistic way.

As many people continue to spend more time at home, buildings have morphed into becoming the centre of our world, providing a place where we live, work and fulfil our entertainment needs. We have reportedly invested in our homes, up to £4,000 since the start of lockdown, including tech, gym equipment and office kits.

Smart home security

A smart home, integrated with technologies can provide a complete sense of safety and security. Once upon a time, such smart home solutions were seen as a luxury. In today’s smartphone obsessed world, requirements are evolving from hi-speed internet and advanced laptops to an individually connected, networked and visually secure building, offering the best of a professional and personal living space.

Cognizant of the homeowner’s new requirements, architects, planners and specifiers see the need to turn to more smart home solutions in development designs and planning stages. And security specialists need to be on hand during this early specification process to ensure systems can be integrated and seamlessly blend with their surroundings.

Technologies include the Internet of Things (IoT) playing a major role in advancing homes, providing spaces that respond intuitively to requirements and automatically adjust to individual demands. And this is all starting right from the perimeter of a home and entrance systems, through to smart automation of internal devices.

Taking it to the next level, is acknowledging how the world is changing and anticipating convenient solutions, where connectivity and interactivity are driving the way families live, As many people continue to spend more time at home, buildings have morphed into becoming the centre of our world, providing a place where we live, work and fulfil our entertainment needs

SMART HOMES

The lockdown period has excelled desires for smarter homes, where systems can be installed and scaled, and operated for health, comfort, productivity and convenience to suit our new adapted lifestyles

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communicate and manage their homes, essentially through today’s mobile-connected lifestyles.

Truly secure smart homes

New high security technology is undoubtedly putting control in the hands of the homeowners to automate and create the lives they want.

Advances from intruder systems include a presence simulation solution that can work as a deterrent against burglars and notifies the owner remotely about any noise and movement detected indoors, or if a window or a door has been left ajar.

Some security cameras today are not just for keeping criminals away. With external lighting integrated into the design, they are operational with movement sensors built-in as standard.

CCTV is now useful for keeping an eye on pets when homeowners are out of the house, or working with door entry to look out for deliveries and packages to be left safely. Options include high quality video, internal and external, night vision and smart integration with various connected voice-activated devices such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa, together with mobile apps.

Within a home, window blinds can be adjusted according to the weather outside, they go down as the sun sets and the lights switch to aid better navigation. A smart light control system can monitor the lights in individual rooms across the entire house. Heating and cooling systems can follow a similar, integrated design, all with maximum energy saving benefits.

But in the smart security evolution, it is also about simplifying the installation process to enable the opportunity to design and offer smart technology, then integrate and configure it to offer homeowner’s ultimate peace of mind.

Here, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Building Automation are playing a huge role in creating well-engineered and automated buildings and homes that offer comfort, relaxation, security and productivity.

Mobile first security

Working with Amthal’s partner Texecom to bring homeowners protection when it comes to intruder alarms, also introduces the advantage of mobile first security with Texecom’s Connect app.

The Texecom Connect app is updated from both a homeowner and installer perspective. This includes most recent updates to Texecom Connect v2 with professional installer management, allowing authorised users to manage the service and personalised support for homeowners.

Michael Downie, Regional Sales Manager of Texecom says: “The Texecom Connect App provides an environment where homeowners actively want to interact with their home, enjoy the new possibilities that are open to them and receive the peace of mind security that comes with knowledge and control, alongside professional installer support when required.

“But smart homes are always learning and our priority is to ensure our Texecom Connect App, supports our evolving product suite and continues to make homeowner’s lives easier, not more complex. We upgraded to Texecom Connect V2 for professional specialists, such as Amthal, to offer homeowners increased possibilities with mobile first, smart security technology.”

In summary, people are proactively embracing their homes on a whole new level. As a result, the lockdown period has excelled desires for smarter homes, where systems can be installed and scaled, and operated for health, comfort, productivity and convenience to suit our new adapted lifestyles.

In a post-pandemic world, we have an opportunity as an industry to embrace how homeowner needs have changed. And we can provide devices that help them save money, encourage more energy efficient practices and operate at homeowner’s convenience, as well as continuing to secure their property and protect what’s precious.

With these technologies constantly evolving from an installation, user experience and management perspective, the possibilities are endless for smart homes of the future. This is especially those that embrace the mobile first experience to make life safer, more secure and ultimately easier to control.