personal medical alert systems
You can even be alerted before the break in, the moment the burglar pulls into the driveway!BUILDING A SECURITY SYSTEM Smart systems consist of hardware that doesn’t look a lot different than it did twenty five years ago. There are some specialized sensors and video cameras that weren’t common in the past and window and door contact switches have gotten a lot smaller, but the basics are the same: a control panel or console, magnetic contact switches, motion sensors, a siren. The new systems may also be
connected to central monitoring stations, as do many old style security systems. The big difference, however, is the degree of interactivity. New software platforms, such as alarm. com and iControl allow you to send commands, program home systems, view surveillance video, and receive
alerts on a smart phone or computer—whether you’re at home or away. When shopping for a system, review software platforms first. Alarm. com and iControl are the two biggest. The former has partnered with more than 2,500 dealers and the latter with ADT and Comcast. Among other things, you’ll have to decide between a “cellular primary” or “broadband primary” system.
It's not as easy to set up and use as Scout Alarm and abode, but it works well enough for self monitoring your home as well as for professional monitoring. For basic home security options, you can get the Iris Security Pack and the Iris Smart Hub. This isn't a combined kit like other systems we tested, but Lowe's sometimes includes the Smart Hub as a bonus item at no cost. Even at full price, the Security Pack and Smart Hub are less expensive than the competition. Iris has three no contract service plans: basic, premium and professional monitoring. The basic plan is free, gives you control over your system and sends alerts to your smartphone when the alarm goes off. The premium plan $9. 99/month expands the basic plan controls and adds video storage. The professional monitoring plan $14. 95/month adds cellular backup and links your home to a certified monitoring station that can send emergency responders to your home. This professional monitoring plan is the cheapest among the systems we tested, tied with SimpliSafe.