Smart home

When Linus Yale Sr. invented the pin tumbler cylinder lock, it was the start of an iconic security brand that would eventually be known all over the world. What began in a lock shop in Newport, New York, would eventually evolve into the global presence of the brand “Yale” that we know today. The Yale brand was purchased in August 2000 by the Swedish lock manufacturer ASSA ABLOY Group, which expanded Yale’s global presence in the ensuing years and recently has led the way into smart locks and building automation. This year, ASSA ABLOY is marking the 175th anniversary of the Yale brand. Global home security brand “People all over the world trust the brand to protect what they love most in their homes,” says Kate Clark, Managing Director of Yale EMEA at ASSA ABLOY. Although Yale has a successful commercial sector business in the United States, in the rest of the world Yale is a residential brand. The Yale brand is well known in 130 countries from Australia to the Czech Republic to Colombia, and is popular in Africa, too. In the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) market alone, Yale has around 20,000 products; that’s without counting products sold in the Asia-Pacific and Americas regions. Yale is familiar as a generic term for “lock” in some areas and is one of the largest home security brands in the world. Expansion into digital locks Good old-fashioned cylinder locks still look nice and cost the right amount of money, so they are in demand “I think we stand for safety, quality and reliability, and that hasn’t changed,” says Clark. “It’s as important now as ever. We have tried to pioneer new technology in the industry, new innovations. The rate of acceleration has increased, and there are so many technologies we have to understand and work with.” Growing beyond its heritage in mechanical locking systems, Yale is now expanding into digital locks that can protect homes with a high level of security synonymous with the Yale brand. The current selection of locks includes partnerships with tech brands such as Nest Labs (Google) and Alexa (Amazon). There is a rapid acceleration of growth in the electro-mechanical lock market. But even as the focus expands to smart locks and partnerships with tech companies, Yale continues to dedicate time and resources to the design of their core mechanical products. Good old-fashioned cylinder locks still look nice and cost the right amount of money, so they are in demand. Yale padlocks and bike locks also keep the name top-of-mind. There’s an ongoing education process as home locks expand beyond the use of mechanical devices and even personal identification (PIN) codes. Beyond mechanical locks and PIN codes “It’s important for people to know that we have been around a long time, and we want to celebrate that,” says Clark. “It’s a fantastic story around the brand and what we have achieved. Internally we have a lot of people doing a lot of great things with the brand. We inspire people working with the brand and show them that this is the pedigree, and it should be cherished. We are also raising awareness among younger people, so they know that we are still relevant.” We have an obligation to show people that the new technologies are just as secure as mechanical locks" There’s an ongoing education process as home locks expand beyond the use of mechanical devices and even personal identification (PIN) codes. “We have to take people on a journey,” says Clark. “We have an obligation to show them that the new technologies are just as secure as mechanical locks. If we eliminate PIN codes, we have to do it in a secure and safe way. Then suddenly access to your home can be made available by a company you trust.” Smart home security “We have a responsibility to do our best job with the new technology – it’s wonderful, but it needs to be used correctly,” says Clark. “I personally feel a responsibility to do that in the right way.” For example, in working with Amazon and Alexa to remotely authorise the delivery of a parcel to a home, concerns of security must be weighed carefully along with issues of convenience. “It’s important that we get the balance right,” says Clark. “We need to know the right person is giving the right voice command to lock a lock. We have to be true to our core as ‘security first.’” Will Yale be here another 175 years? Clark says she doesn’t expect to be around to find out but will do her best to preserve and promote the brand until she hands it off to a new caretaker.

There’s growing noise around smart homes and smarter security. You’ve probably heard it. But there is a place where access control and more have been smart for decades: the workplace. Home automation and IoT are still playing catch-up with the commercial sector. A new insights report from ASSA ABLOY and IFSEC Global — “The Smart Door Locks Report 2018” — measures just how fast consumer smart technology is running. According to a survey conducted for the report, 61% of households now claim to own at least one smart home device or system. Energy monitors, home CCTV cameras, intruder alarms and smart door locks are the most popular, according to the report. All these functions, of course, have been available to businesses for years.61% of households now claim to own at least one smart home device or system Educating the smart home consumer Paradoxically, report data also questions how much consumers really know about their smarter home. A surprising 42% of those surveyed, for example, were unaware they could control a smart door lock from their phone. In fact, many leading smart door lock models offer this feature, delivered by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and an app. Despite a wealth of features offered by the latest smart door locks — remote and location-based locking/unlocking; voice activation; timed access; emailed entry alerts; and integration with smart camera and lighting systems — most people still have limited knowledge of their capabilities.  Smart technology is increasingly becoming the new norm in terms of home security  Only 14% of survey respondents described themselves as “very familiar” with what a smart lock can do. Even though most of them probably use smart access control solutions at their workplace. Secure homes through smart technology Monitoring and security are not the only drivers for smart home adoption. We humans also love convenience, and modern living presents us with problems that smart home technology can solve. Ironically, given the report’s findings, it takes a smartphone to really unlock the convenient possibilities of smarter living. The device that’s “always to hand” is central to the newest generation of smart door locks.A smart door lock is a convenient way for a landlord or agency to offer round-the-clock check-in and check-out If homeowners wish to remotely manage property access for friends and family, many smart door locks oblige. You let in guests remotely, send them a virtual digital key, or provide a temporary or single-use PIN to unlock the door. It is just as easy to revoke a digital key, if you don’t want its owner to come around anymore. This is a significant improvement over sharing physical keys — or hiding one under the doormat. We cannot be totally sure where a metal key ends up and have no way to track or cancel it once it’s “out in the wild”. Commercial access control offers such functionality as standard, of course.  In addition, smart door locks offer more than just stand-alone operation and clever functions. In a domestic setting, magic happens when locks work in harmony with a home automation system, connected by protocols like Z-Wave, ZigBee or Wi-Fi. "Smart" security on the move  The smartphone is becoming a remote control for managing a connected life beyond just home (and even workplace) security. According to Accenture, the parcel delivery services market will grow by $343 billion by 2020. Just like home security, convenience is a major driver of change. Homeowners can send guests a virtual digital key to their phones, or provide a temporary or single-use PIN to unlock the door A recent PostNord pilot in Sweden aimed to remove the inconvenience of waiting home for a postal delivery. Selected customers of some major Scandinavian e-retailers could choose to have parcels delivered inside their front door, if it was equipped with a Yale smart door lock.  Home delivery is among potential smart services covered in “The Smart Door Locks Report 2018 ”. When asked whether the ability to receive parcels securely in a porch or lobby would make them more likely to invest in a smart door lock, 79% said it would.It is easy to revoke a digital key, if you don’t want its owner to come around anymore Holiday rentals and smart home tech ASSA ABLOY research published in 2017 forecasts continued growth in the European holiday rentals sector (at 5.8% CAGR). Smart door locks are also making an impact here, at both ends of the market: for service providers — agents and homeowners — and for travellers. A smart door lock is a convenient way for a landlord or agency to offer round-the-clock check-in and check-out, without creating extra work or staff costs. Both Intersoft, in Croatia, and Hoomvip in Spain have built holiday rentals management systems around an app and the ENTR® smart door lock. Agents issue, revoke, track and manage virtual keys for all their guests, saving everyone time and hassle. Travellers use their phones and an app to unlock their apartment. For these visitors the smartphone is already an essential travel accessory. It is a boarding pass, a credit card, a travel guide, and a postcard home... why not a door key, too? And if this key is backed by a trusted home security brand — and a company with vast experience in the mature market for commercial “smart” security — better still.

A transformative personal protection and emergency response solution developed jointly by CriticalArc and RAA, one of South Australia’s largest mutual organisations and most trusted brands, has been shortlisted in the ‘OSPA’ Outstanding Security Performance Awards run by ASIAL, the Australian Security Industry Association. RAA SafeZone Lone Worker App The RAA SafeZone Lone Worker App is an innovative partnership that delivers multiple benefits for people working in Australian small-to-medium businesses (SMEs) and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs). For the first time, outreach workers in healthcare and lone workers operating in remote environments have access to high level personal monitoring and response protection previously available only to organisations with significant resources and infrastructure. The RAA SafeZone Lone Worker App allows Australia’s smaller employers to ensure response to worker emergency incidents without MPAS technology The smart phone application brings together CriticalArc’s internationally proven, cloud-based security and safety systems – that incorporates the SafeZone comprehensive solution - with RAA Secure Services’ world-class Monitoring Emergency Response Centre, which provides A1-rated triage and response around the clock. Mobile Personal Alert System (MPAS) Thanks to this partnership, the RAA SafeZone Lone Worker App now allows Australia’s smaller employers to ensure response to worker emergency incidents without the need for cost prohibitive MPAS (Mobile Personal Alert System) technology. The offering enables organisations to demonstrate comprehensive duty of care, particularly where outreach workers may be vulnerable visiting private homes, or in sectors such as agriculture, mining, oil and gas where lone worker safety is a vital concern. Lone worker safety RAA SafeZone customers are also finding that improved worker care is helping them attract and retain the best talent, says Robert Christie, CriticalArc’s Technical Operations Manager, Asia Pacific. “Safety at work is certainly a big concern for employees and their families,” says Mr. Christie. “Now RAA Safezone is helping employers do more than just comply with Worker Health & Safety rules, it’s letting them demonstrate that they really care by providing the best available monitoring and protection for all their employees, in all situations.” Offsite monitoring and emergency response As an example of the RAA Safezone Lone Worker App in action, some of Australia's most dedicated homelessness support workers - those at Adelaide's Hutt Street Centre - are now monitored and cared for by the solution, with offsite monitoring and emergency response facilities enabled by the easy-to-use SafeZone app on their smart phones. The application now enables staff to raise an alert, or to set a pre-emptive ‘check in’ timer and get immediate help and support if they feel unsafeThe application now enables staff to raise an alert, or to set a pre-emptive ‘check in’ timer and get immediate help and support if they feel unsafe. This is proving particularly popular with the Hutt Street Centre’s Case Navigators while working in the community in the parklands of Adelaide or the homes of clients. Workers safety Shane Corker, Business Development Manager, Secure Services for RAA, welcomed the OSPA award honour as a recognition of the positive effect the RAA Safezone Lone Worker App would make to Australian workers and their families. “We are delighted to be part of this innovative partnership with CriticalArc and to be offering a fantastic service that’s already making such a big difference to people’s lives.”

The total UK electronic security market, comprising of products - electronic access controls, intruder alarms and closed-circuit television (CCTV) - and associated services, was estimated at approximately £2.35 bn in 2017. This was an increase of around 5% during the year and followed two years of strong growth in 2015 and 2016. Growth was driven by technological advancements boosting replacement demand and improving new build and RMI expenditure across key market sectors. Expansion of CCTV product distribution  CCTV accounts for the majority of the market in value terms, with a 52% share CCTV accounts for the majority of the market in value terms, with a 52% share. This sector has seen the greatest levels of innovation and new product development, and the recent shift in focus by major Chinese manufacturers from cost to technological development has eased the level of price competition over the last year or two. Technology has also become more affordable, leading to a continued shift away from analogue to digital products. In the access control sector, product development and wider availability of products have been a key driver of growth as has the performance of the UK construction sector, particularly in commercial offices and housebuilding. In addition, access control products have not been subject to price deflation experienced in other sectors, thereby enabling relatively consistent value growth. Intruder alarm market The intruder alarm market experiences long replacement cycles and a high level of competition in relation to other security options, particularly in the non-residential sector. However, in the residential sector, growth has remained positive in line with increased housebuilding and product development focused on ease of installation. Value growth is likely to come from increasing adoption of new technologies in both the new and replacement sectors Integration has continued as a key theme, both between products within the electronic security sector, and also beyond with wider business enterprise systems within Smart Buildings and home products within Smart Homes. The development of smart home products and integration with other security products and home management systems should offer significant opportunities for value growth going forward. Smart Home technology integration “Increasing competition remains a key feature of the market, with many established competitors struggling to maintain market share, due to intense competition from Chinese companies at all levels of the market” said Hayley Thornley, Head of Research at AMA Research. “This in turn has led to significant merger and acquisition activity in the market since 2015, with companies aiming to achieve scale and provide end-to-end solutions.” The prospects for the electronic security sector overall are reasonably good. Value growth is likely to come from increasing adoption of new technologies in both the new and replacement sectors. While construction output growth is expected to ease over the next 2-3 years, output remains relatively high by historical standards and this should continue to provide opportunities for manufacturers and installers of electronic security equipment. Electronic security installations Housebuilding has grown considerably between 2015 and 2017, with output increasing by 33% Government capital spending levels are also set to increase, particularly in infrastructure and also in local government and health. These are all potential opportunities for electronic security, particularly with the recognition that some of the public sector installed base has become outdated and fallen behind in technology terms due to spending cuts and austerity. Housebuilding has also grown considerably between 2015 and 2017, with output increasing by 33%, and there remains considerable scope to expand the level of electronic security installations in homes. Intruder alarm installations are estimated at around a third of homes, and the improved range and availability of CCTV products/ and smart locks etc., should support their wider installation in the residential market. Analytics and cloud-based solutions While industry sources report that price pressures have eased somewhat in the last couple of years, the focus on service packages and securing longer term revenue is expected to continue. Specifiers will also continue to focus on the whole life cost of the electronic security system, including replacements, add-ons and management costs, which will influence their choice of products and operating systems. These factors should drive the wider uptake of IP, wireless technology, analytics and cloud-based services.

iLOQ has signed an agreement with leading residental developer Bonava Finland Oy. Under the agreement, the majority of new buildings developed by Bonava will be equipped with iLOQ’s unique digital locking and access control solutions. The agreement is initially valid until the end of 2020. iLOQ will supply unique self-powered locking and access management solutions to buildings developed by Bonava“We are happy about the upcoming collaboration. The new agreement with Bonava shows that digital access control has made its way into new construction. Digital access management will replace mechanical locking in the future, and this is a change where iLOQ is at the very forefront. The agreement is also a strong indication of us reaching a point in our growth where we are more strongly present in the production of new buildings,” says Heikki Hiltunen, President & CEO of iLOQ. iLOQ will supply unique self-powered locking and access management solutions to buildings developed by Bonava. The agreement aims to increase collaboration between iLOQ and Bonava and makes iLOQ’s self-powered locking and access management solutions available to an increasing number of tenants. Digital locking system for tenants’ security With iLOQ’s locking system, the tenant can move around the neighbourhood using a single key with access rights that can be modified"“This is a fine step for Bonava and provides a good starting point for future living solutions. Bonava wants tenants to be able to move around in their neighbourhood easily and safely, which is possible with a digital locking system. With iLOQ’s locking system, the tenant can, for example, move around the neighbourhood using a single key with access rights that can be modified. New lock series are not necessary if the key is lost and using the key also leaves a mark that makes it easy to track possible misuses,” says Kaisu Nousiainen, Head of Design and R&D at Bonava. “Digital locking and access management are strongly linked with the living of the future, and we are a pioneer in the digitalisation of the locking industry. People are interested in smart home technology. Digital development makes the everyday lives of tenants and other users significantly easier. Due to the collaboration, an increasing number of tenants are able to enjoy the security digital access management brings,” states Toni Päivinen, Head of Sales Finland at iLOQ.

Sonitrol, the provider of verified electronic security, announces the successful implementation of a Sonitrol TotalGuard system for 4EverReady Home Care, located in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. TotalGuard, innovated by 3xLOGIC, has alarm verification capabilities that detected an incident outside the premises, which led to a successful resolution of a potential false alarm situation. 4EverReady Home Care is a privately-owned home care agency based in Dayton, Ohio. The organisation is committed to providing clients with the highest quality care possible, while allowing them to maintain both freedom and independence in the comfort of their homes. Incident triggered alarm 4EverReady has two locations, in Cincinnati and Dayton. Late on a recent evening, surveillance video from inside the Cincinnati location showed a person standing outside the office when suddenly a car drove by the intersection. The person in the video made a hasty retreat from the building and crossed the street. What had happened? “We recognised the man in the video, he’s often in the neighbourhood and because our offices are all glass looking out to the street, we can observe him and others walking up and down the nearby sidewalks,” recounted Lisa Roberts-Rosser, Executive Consultant for 4EverReady. “Because this incident triggered an alarm from our system, Sonitrol of SW Ohio brought the video to my attention, I was the first person called. I knew the man in the video, and I’d never seen him move that fast.”Sonitrol operator was able to quickly determine that the offices were not in danger of a break-in, therefore, this was not an active alarm Area under protection The Sonitrol operator was able to play the video with the related audio to figure out that the passing car had actually fired (turned out later) a paintball gun at the man in front of 4EverReady’s offices, causing him to flee. More importantly, the Sonitrol operator was able to quickly determine that the offices were not in danger of a break-in. This incident occurred outside the area under protection; therefore, this was not an active alarm so no further action was necessary. “We installed the Sonitrol TotalGuard system back in April and our system’s two cameras give us all the visibility we need. Our office is essentially one big room and the cameras give views in the office and through the windows into the immediate neighbourhood,” Roberts-Rosser explained. Motion detection technologies In addition to video surveillance with video and audio alarm verification, the TotalGuard system includes glass break detection and motion detection technologies. 4EverReady has also installed a Sonitrol Cloud Access, which provides key fob entry through the office main entrance. Roberts-Rosser and any other staff with privileges can remotely arm and disarm the TotalGuard system with a smartphone through the available Sonitrol mobile app. “TotalGuard provides us complete alarm verification capability, and the mobile app definitely works well for us,” she explained. “If there is a time that someone has forgotten to arm the system upon exiting at the end of the day, I can arm the system from home or wherever I am.” Legitimate alarm situation 4EverReady has a consultant that uses the office space for meetings after hours, to prevent any interruption of the normal daily work flow. Roberts-Rosser can program the TotalGuard system from anywhere, at anytime, to grant the consultant access when it is needed. The sensitivity of our system is impressive, when it was first installed it was alarming because of loud music outside, cars backfiring, and other loud noises In addition to TotalGuard picking up an incident outside the area of protection, Roberts-Rosser said there has been a process to calibrate the system to be as effective as possible. “The sensitivity of our system is impressive, when it was first installed it was alarming because of loud music outside, cars backfiring, and other loud noises. Once a neighbourhood child pulled on the door while horseplaying around and that definitely caused an alarm. Working with Sonitrol, we’re able to verify all of these incidents to make sure we are only contacting the police when it’s a legitimate alarm situation.” Highly-effective system As is becoming abundantly clear in recent years, police forces are not unlimited resources. Sonitrol TotalGuard has proven to be a highly-effective system in cutting costly, even dangerous, false alarms. “TotalGuard is a technology package no other company is offering security customers, it is a genuine game changer, and this incident proves the technology goes above and beyond in protecting customer’s property, even if the action is well outside the area under surveillance,” said Alison Shiver, Marketing Manager, Sonitrol of SW Ohio.

ProdataKey (PDK), an innovator of cloud-based networked and wireless access control products and services, and Dwelo LLC, a provider of smart-home solutions purpose-built for apartment owners, managers and residents, has announced a partnership that is seamlessly integrating PDK’s cloud access control technology into the Dwelo smart apartment platform. Dwelo’s web and mobile software, which currently offers apartment dwellers the ability to control smart devices such as light switches, thermostats and door deadbolts for their individual units, has added features to manage access to common areas of their building or community, such as entry gates, clubhouse, gym and laundry facilities.  These spaces can now be secured by PDK’s cloud access control solution, pdk.io, providing apartment property managers and owners with valuable operational efficiencies. The administrative software interface, not visible to residents, enables management to easily establish and enforce authorised hours of use for common facilities. An audit trail reports all traffic into the property, including any one-time credentials issued by residents, which can be used to assist in investigations in cases of theft or vandalism. When residents move out, their access to unit, common, and perimeter access is immediately deactivated, eliminating the risks that accompany traditional keys that would otherwise remain in circulation. The system is subscription based, with property managers able to recoup the cost in both efficiencies and enhanced revenue  Scalable and affordable security solutions Beyond operational efficiencies, residents can unlock perimeter and common doors or gates using the same mobile app they use to control their apartments. In addition, they have the ability to use their phones or computers to generate temporary, one-time credentials that allow visitors, delivery and service people to gain access as needed. These features add to the conveniences afforded to residents living in Dwelo-enabled smart apartments.  Both Dwelo and PDK have built successful businesses by leveraging the power of cloud technology to create scalable, affordable solutions that offer unprecedented ease of installation for contractors and simple usability for customers. With their combined areas of expertise in home automation and security, together they see an opportunity to serve a large and generally neglected market sector – apartment renters who desire the same smart home technological conveniences as today’s home owners and seek out communities that offer those smart home solutions. The Dwelo/PDK solution is available for both new construction and retrofits. After an initial per-unit installation charge, the system is subscription based, with property managers able to recoup the cost in both efficiencies and enhanced revenue.  Enhanced apartment living “Dwelo is thrilled to be partnering with such an innovative company as PDK. PDK is a technology leader in the electronic access control space, and Dwelo and its customers are already benefitting from their forward-thinking approach to access." Our partnership will bring tangible benefits to all stakeholders involved within the multi-family residential market sector" "The consolidation of smart home control and perimeter and common area access control, in one platform, is a powerful marriage for multifamily property owners. We look forward, with PDK, to crafting more solutions that address the specific needs of these customers,” says Mike Rovito, CEO of Dwelo, LLC. “PDKs solution has been embraced by customers in the commercial sector for its simple ease of use and platform flexibility. Our wireless and PoE options allow for cost-effective takeover of legacy equipment, while supporting new construction projects with all the benefits derived from leveraging the network." "Our mantra, simplicity without compromise, dovetails perfectly with Dwelo’s corporate mission to enhance apartment living through easily accessible IoT technology. Our partnership will bring tangible benefits to all stakeholders involved within the multi-family residential market sector,” says Evan Tree, CEO of ProdataKey.

Exceeding traditional intercom, Android intercom solution generates unprecedented user experience by not only offering friendlier UI, easier understanding and superior operation, but also serving as a smarter platform for integrating various applications. The Akuvox all-Android intercom solution has built a comfortable and smart living environment beyond intercom for home owners in its recent residential project. The project involved 1,200 luxury apartments in Europe. Integration and mobility were two keywords of the project requirement. The solution was expected to incorporate intercom, home automation and phone system, and the whole package of functions should be easily accessible through residents’ mobile phones. Solutions and benefits Akuvox’s all-Android intercom solution included indoor monitor-IT82, video door phone-R29 and video guard phone-R48G, supported by its cloud and mobile app. The various terminals delivered best-in-class SIP communication, with Their expertly-tuned Android OS along with APIs offered immense openness to 3rd-party developers for customisation, and the configuration, upgrading and maintenance of the solution were efficiently accomplished on the cloud, thanks to which, users could also use mobile apps to obtain all features anywhere and anytime. As a result, the solution benefited both the system integrator and the residents greatly. Intuitive user experience Easy integration with other systems, such as home automation Top-notch audio and video quality Unlimited mobility Streamlined management and enhanced productivity Unique application scenarios Searching name on video door phone. Visitors could search names from the contact entries loaded into R29. Adding brilliance to the search experience, the large touch screen could display more names and its customised background picture was welcoming and pleasing. Home Automation. Through its eight connectors, IT82 was exploited as a control panel for smart home devices, such as in-home security sensors, smart lighting and smart metering. Also, consolidating community-wide IP cameras, the solution allowed residents to monitor the neighbourhood via an app installed on IT82. Integration with phone system. Various services were realised through the video guard phone. The community guard used it to call the resident’s indoor monitor to confirm visitors’ identity, to grant/deny access, or to push messages to indoor monitors. Vice versa, residents can send property service requests from indoor monitors to the guard phone. Keeping track of home while away. Through the mobile app, residents answered calls, unlocked doors, checked the live camera feed from door phones and handled alerts sent by indoor monitors. Keeping track of the property status led to stringent security. Why Akuvox? Akuvox is a front-runner in SIP and Android-based intercom, accumulating 12-year SIP experience and almost 10-years of Android competence, achieving many breakthroughs in their convergence. It is one of the few intercom suppliers that offer massively-deployed Android solutions, which not only deliver stable system, but also possess exceptional capability of deep customisation.