Alarm.com launches new standalone IP video monitoring offering

MCCLEAN, Va.—Alarm.com, a provider of wireless and web-enabled security system technology for residential and light commercial use, this week will launch its newest standalone advanced IP video monitoring offering. The Web-based, wireless video product, dubbed Alarm.com Video, was soft launched in the first quarter of 2008 as an integrated part of a larger security solution and has since been running in a pre-launch program comprising 250 test users. Mary Knebel, Alarm.com vice president of marketing, said that Alarm.com Video can be sold as a standalone monitored video solution, or as part of an integrated security system. It enables users to access a single view showing their daily security system events, such as door openings or system disarmings, and the recorded video clips that correspond to those events. “The standalone will have very similar features, with the exception of not being integrated into a security system,” Knebel said. Features include the ability to send alarm signals via the Alarm.com network operations center to a central monitoring station. Alarm.com Video can send information and video to the end user in real time, as well as accept system commands from the end user’s portable device, phone, or laptop. Tom Rogers, vice president of operations at Vector Security, one of the early adopters of Alarm.com’s services, said Alarm.com Video, sold by Vector under the name My Vector Security, agreed. “We thought it was very stable and a useful tool … if the customers just want to look in to see what’s going on at their home. And also sending them video clips upon alarm activation,” Rogers said. “In conjunction with our professional monitoring, the notification of specifically the event in the home, just gives the consumer a little bit of time to think through what might be happening at the home before the central station operator calls with the dispatch or no dispatch.” Knebel said that it’s all about giving dealers more options to provide end users. For example, the January launch of the standalone option can be used for more than traditional security applications, like keeping an eye on children, pets, driveways, swimming pools and other sensitive areas while the end user is at work or traveling. “This does not have to be integrated into a security system. It’s more of an awareness thing,” Knebel said. “You’re away for the holidays: Is someone putting water in your tree and feeding your cat? You’re a working mother and your 13-year-old is a latchkey kid: Is she bringing home her boyfriend? … Some people will never want video in their homes. Me, I like seeing my kids.”