Honeywell's VISTA panel now compatible with Key Digital system

MELVILLE, N.Y.—Honeywell's VISTA series of security alarm panels are now compatible with an Apple iOS-based automation system from Key Digital, a leading developer and manufacturer of HDTV technologies, Honeywell announced June 10. The combination of VISTA with Key Digital's Compass Control System gives dealers and integrators more options to create connected homes and businesses for their customers, the company said.

Key Digital's Compass Control System allows home and business owners to use Apple devices such as the iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, and iPod touch to control a range of functions from climate control and lighting to video, audio and more. Working with VISTA, Key Digital's Compass Control will now allow customers to perform tasks such as arming and disarming security systems from these devices.

Michael Lakhter, Key Digital VP of sales, said in a prepared statement, “Security technology is becoming a bigger part of the building automation equation, which is why it makes sense to work with a security leader like Honeywell.”

The interoperability allows video, control and energy management on Key Digital's Compass Control platform—the first fully integrated major control system built from the ground up to use Apple's iOS devices as its backbone—to react based on different security states. For example, the combined solution can lower the temperature when home or business owners arm the security system when leaving for the day. A software driver developed by Key Digital provides audio, video, climate, lighting, home control, keypad emulation, security and energy management and basic system status for most residential and commercial Honeywell VISTA panels.

�“Bringing security functionality to popular consumer products such as iOS devices has long been a strength of Honeywell technology such as VISTA, and this collaboration with Key Digital further opens the door for more installers to take advantage of it,” said Alan Stoddard, senior marketing director, Honeywell Security Products Americas.