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TRANSFORMING ALARM MANAGEMENT
There are some really exciting times ahead for alarm management. Sensors are going wireless, the Internet of Things (IoT) is taking them directly to the cloud, and mobile is the “new normal” management platform. All of this has a profound, transformative impact on how we detect, distribute and manage alarms.
The alarm industry has been somewhat shielded from the cloud/mobile revolution that has swept the other two areas of physical security – access control and video surveillance. Perhaps that’s because existing technology, while relatively low-tech, fits well with the existing alarm management model, which in turn fits well with the existing business model of security companies that manage alarms as a service.
The old normal goes like this: The alarm is triggered, the signal goes over a dedicated line to the security company’s monitoring and control center. The officer on duty deals with it, usually by calling the customer and, if necessary, dispatching the mobile unit or calling emergency services. This has worked perfectly for a long time, several decades. So what are the forces behind the new approach and the new generation of IoT/cloud/mobile solutions and how strong are they?
REMOTE CONTROL
Let’s start with the most obvious. Remote access and control are a new normal for doing anything and everything. We are used to knowing things immediately, as soon as they happen. We do not expect alarms to be slower than tweets. And we do not want to travel the distance just to arm the controller or turn off the alarm. We want to do everything from here, now.
MOBILE
And that’s exactly why mobility is inevitable. It used to be a joke that we have a mobile app for everything now. It’s not a joke anymore. We actually have a mobile app for everything now. In fact, we now have multiple mobile apps to choose from for everything, even walking the dog. No wonder I want to manage alarms here, now, and from my phone.
CLOUD
Sooner or later everything moves to cloud. Some reasons are notorious and obvious to everyone these days. For example, “no servers”, “no licences” or “zero IT”. But the cloud is also key mobile enabler, so without the cloud there is no “do it from anywhere” or even “do it on mobile”. Cloud and mobile are becoming one thing.
IOT
When it comes to sensors and intrusion detection technology, not much really changes. Some of the business may be taken over by video surveillance (intelligent cameras), but the cheap sensor-based market segment remains pretty much the same. The new thing there is wireless operation. Combined with the ever-decreasing prices of sensors and IoT connectivity, we can expect the number of sensors to grow exponentially, all predictions agree. With the large number of sensors, management becomes a bottleneck. It can no longer be done manually, but requires an advanced, rule-based, automated management system. And there is only one solution for this requirement – cloud/mobile.
DECENTRALISATION
Central Monitoring System – CMS, remember? It’s a pretty impressive affair with all those big screens, busy operators, flashing lights and red phones. Except it looks like we do not need it anymore. Thanks to the pandemic, people have discovered that many things can be done without sitting together. Especially if the technology supports working remotely, and the cloud certainly does that. Your physical location no longer matters, we are entering the age of remote.
DISTRIBUTED MANAGEMENT
This brings us to distributed alarm management. With a collaborative management platform, workflow can be streamlined, optimised and delegated to individuals with different roles, clearances, assignments, duties and responsibilities. Management can be shared between end users and external professionals. This keeps everyone in the loop, in real time, despite different locations and physical distances.
INTEGRATION
When it comes to integration, the cloud is a huge game changer. Cloud applications are expected to offer integration APIs, a much easier and safer integration method than the infamous SDKs. Automation platforms like Zapier are taking this even further by offering zero-code integration solutions.
Integration is becoming a major strategic issue – absolutely necessary for synchronization with identity management platforms, logical access, SSO solutions, etc. Not to mention integration with video surveillance, safety management, workforce management, and even different access control solutions among themselves. The cloud makes all of this cheaper and easier to develop, deploy, maintain and use.
