HAI, Honeywell, Elk Vary Approaches to Web

These days, it's not unusual to find control systems that allow remote monitoring and control from any Web browser. But the process can get tricky when dealing with low-cost subsystems, like security, that don't have the on-board processing power to serve up Web pages for remote access.

Today's security manufacturers have gotten creative, offering a wide range of solutions for remote access via the Internet, without sacrificing the affordability of their security panels.

Connected PCs & Adapters

For a few years, HAI's Web-Link (now Web-Link II) software has provided consumers with a way to access their HAI automation system via Internet from a remote location. Trouble is, like other security panels, HAI's Omni controllers lacked the processing power to host a Web server and other tools required to dish up a robust interface via the Web.

So the Web-Link software must run on an always-on computer connected to an HAI panel. It's a compromise, but at least the software can harness the full power and memory of a PC, even allowing users to tap into video streams remotely.

While few security manufacturers provide their own PC software like HAI's, several third-party providers like Homeseer enable similar functionality for a variety of security and other subsystems.

On the other hand, Elk and Honeywell (and startup Sequel Technologies) have opted for external Ethernet adapters with built-in Web servers. While the serial-to-IP adapters eliminate the need for an always-on PC, they aren't cheap (over $200) when you consider the cost of a moderate security system. Plus, compared to a full-blown computer, they have limited processing power and memory, meaning you may not have quite the graphics capabilities of PC-based servers.

Still, the adapters don't crash like PCs do and they don't attract viruses.

Hosted Services

In the cases of HAI, Honeywell and Elk, the Web service is hosted in software at the customers' own premises, requiring no third-party Internet provider and therefore no Web hosting fees.

However, both the PC and adapter options come with their own set of problems, primarily the fact that dealers must wrestle with firewalls and other networking challenges. Ports must be opened and a static IP address (or dynamic DNS service) is required -- just another complication for the typical security provider.

Furthermore, if there is a power outage at the home, remote users are out of luck unless their modem, router, and connected PC or Internet module are on backup power.

For all of these reasons, GE Security has opted for a hosted service through Alarm.com. Compatible security panels send status reports to the Alarm.com server wirelessly via GSM, the network that serves mobile phones. When users access the security panel over the Internet, they are actually communicating with Alarm.com, which serves up the interface and transmits user instructions back to the premises.

Because Alarm.com servers offer virtually infinite processing power, the provider can serve up rich user interfaces, despite receiving only tiny bits of data from the security panel over the cellular network.

With the GE Security approach, dealers need not mess with the customers' IP networks. Furthermore, service is not disrupted during a power outage since the communications network is tied to the security system and its backup battery.

The convenience, however, comes at a price: $24.95 (retail) excluding central-station monitoring.

GE offers another, more traditional, hosted service called PremisesConnect, which taps into an Internet-connected security panel. The panels connect via an Ethernet adapter, but the bulk of the processing is done "in the cloud" rather than at the adapter itself, as with Elk and Honeywell. With this approach, GE potentially can use a lower-cost, less-intelligent Ethernet adapter, while offering virtually unlimited features since the heavy lifting occurs at the Web hosting facility.

The monthly fee is about half the cost of the wireless Alarm.com offering.

GE announced PremisesConnect a couple of years ago, but has yet to roll out the service in the United States. "The product was released in the China market earlier this year and is currently undergoing a U.S. interface for a release scheduled for later this year," says Kirk MacDowell, residential marketing leader for GE Security.