Alarm monitoring has hardly been at the forefront of VoIP conversations — but that might be because, until recently, there have been few practical solutions for alarm customers switching to all-broadband in their homes or businesses — their systems were designed for POTS lines and were incapable of communicating via cable or DSL lines. Then, along came companies offering all-IP alarms systems that would work for those customers looking to install new systems.

 

But, there still was no viable alternative for people switching to VoIP phone service with existing alarms systems.

 

“Other alarm companies and VoIP companies tell you that, if you only have a broadband line, you have to throw out your existing alarm system and get a broadband-capable alarm system,” explained NextAlarm’s CTO Bryan Field-Elliot.

 

That’s where NextAlarm’s solution was a refreshing change. It works with broadband-enabled alarm systems, with the company’s ABN Adapter — which amounts to little more than an ATA — allowing users to connect existing alarm systems to NextAlarm’s ABN (Alarm Broadband Network). Now, alarm owners looking for the telephony benefits of VoIP also have a solution for their alarms — the only requirement is they need to switch to NextAlarm’s monitoring service, but they can keep their existing equipment.

 

They also will probably pay a lower monthly fee than they are with their existing provider. NextAlarm charges $14.95 per month billed monthly, but only $11.95 per month when billed annually. In fact, NetAlarm offers an even cheaper service for those on tight budgets or who simply don’t require outbound operator service. For $5 per month, NetAlarm offers customers NextAlarm service, without human operator intervention. 

 

Importantly, NextAlarm is compatible with “the vast majority of alarm systems that are out there — both new ones as well as ones that have been installed for years,” according to Field-Elliot.

 

Looking to widen its reach, NextAlarm has extended its services to a new audience with its VoIPAlarm program, which allows resellers to private label the NextAlarm service — both the front-end ATA as well as the back-end monitoring infrastructure — so the end user gains the benefits of NextAlarm’s services without having to switch providers. In fact, if the original alarm company chooses not to disclose the information, the user will never know that NextAlarm is behind the VoIP-enabled service, because the alarm activity notifications will be routed through NextAlarm to the original provider’s central station.

 

In conjunction with NextAlarm’s more traditional VAR program, this new service makes available a new customer segment for NextAlarm. Because the company itself has no service technicians — it focuses largely on a customer group that is willing to self-install the wireless alarm — it now is able to make its services available to customers who would prefer to have a professional installation or who want the comfort of having technicians available for troubleshooting.

 

But like VoIP service, alarm monitoring via a broadband network can make many new features available to users. Of course, like other alarm companies, NextAlarm’s heritage tracks back to traditional emergency monitoring services, but “NextAlarm has consistently grown in the Internet direction since then,” according to Field-Elliot. It first began offering its E (News - Alert)-Notify service, which offered users a choice as to how they would like to be notified when events happened in their security system — call the police, call a cell phone, send an email, etc.

 

And now, the company has taken its services a step further with its new V-Notify service, which is essentially an inbound customer access service combined with an industry first, an outbound IVR system that contacts the user at a specified phone number — typically a mobile phone — when an event occurs, whether it’s an emergency or non-emergency event. Then — and this is particularly useful for the company’s NetAlarm customers — the system provides the option of connecting the user directly to local emergency services.

 

“Our goal at NextAlarm has always been to put the customer in control of their security systems and give them more options to choose from,” said Alex Elliot, NextAlarm’s founder and CEO. “Our new automated IVR system certainly helps give the customer control over their home’s or business’ security system.

 

The inbound feature allows users to dial in from any phone to access their system. They can hear whether their system is armed or disarmed; they can enable or cancel test mode; and they can listen to their recent alarm activity. In addition ABN customers can actually interact with their system to arm, disarm, listen in to a room, and more.

 

“It’s a first in the industry,” said Field-Elliot. “There’s nobody else out there offering a fully automated outbound IVR service like this. Virtually across the board, any outbound calling in the alarm industry is done through an operator and is specifically reserved for emergency situations.”

 

These features are offered as an electronic system that is not only cheaper for the user, but also offers considerably more control over who gets contacted and how, and under what circumstances. In fact, in addition to the traditional emergency notification features, NextAlarm’s IP-based system enables additional functionality, such as presence monitoring. For instance, it can notify you when the alarm is turned off and by whom, so that you can be notified when your daughter gets home from school and is safely inside the home. Or, if you’re elderly grandmother’s house has NextAlarm deployed, it can send you an email each time her front door is opened, so you’ll know if she has not left the house for three days.

 

“This can be used in many different ways. We anticipate people using it in emergency situations, where they really want to be called first, and we image people using it for non-emergency situations, like knowing when the front door is opened.”

 

Ultimately, the services offered by NextAlarm are just another example of the power of IP and the opportunities it presents. The ability to control your alarm system, or to be notified in different ways, or to be know when your children get home, these are all extended examples of unified communications.

 

To find out even more about unified communications and other benefits of IP Communications, don’t miss your chance to hear from and speak with the foremost industry experts — they’ll all be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from January 23-26 for INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO, leading seminars, delivering keynote speeches, and exhibiting their products and services, ready to help you decide on the best solution for your particular needs.