iBridge® Messenger SMS & MMS Multimedia Notification Service Launched
NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc. introduces iBridge® Messenger, a complementary add-on and extension of its iBridge® Connected Home line for dealers transitioning into the lucrative smart home market and available for all new and retrofit Gemini Security System accounts. iBridge® Messenger is an SMS or MMS message notification service, for subscribers who want to stay connected and in control of their premises’ alarm, video, temperature, lighting & locking, receiving custom SMS simple text messages or daily reminders, or enhanced MMS live video alert messages.
Unlike competitive services, iBridge® Messenger is broadband-based, not cellular/GSM, and is therefore able to provide event-triggered alerts plus VGA-quality video of the premises, pre- and post- the event or alarm using MMS, or multimedia message service, instead of just SMS, ie., traditional short message service. Users can select which events they want to trigger notifications and who should receive them – by zone, time, user, alarm, event, grouped events, and more, using the full information provided on the system bus, but in easily understood terms and messages.
Examples of some triggered events and messages include: Lock Door – front door remains unlocked, but system is armed; Johnny just left home thru back door (system was armed); someone just unexpectedly opened the pool gate, gun or liquor cabinet; or Dad did not open the medicine cabinet and it’s 1 hour past time for meds, etc. In an alarm, the subscriber will get a message of alarm in progress and get real pre/post video clips of the alarm event, viewable with a click, right on his/her phone, without logging in elsewhere.
iBridge® Messenger can be affordably added to any iBridge® Account online by just selecting it on www.Napcocomnet.com Visit www.napcosecurity.com or take a weekly iBridge® training webinar live at www.napcosecurity.com/seminars.
BHMA Publishes Two ANSI/BHMA Standards, Five Updates
The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) had a busy 2014, drafting two new standards and revising five more, all of which have been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
“Hardware standards evolve with product innovations and emerging technologies. BHMA tracks trends in order to quickly respond to or predict an industry need,” said BHMA’s Executive Director, Ralph Vasami.
New ANSI/BHMA standards for builders hardware include:
ANSI/BHMA A156.37-2014 Multipoint Locks, which addresses mechanical locking systems with bolts, latches or other fastening devices at two or more locations of the door’s frame.
ANSI/BHMA A156.38-2014 Low-Energy Power Operated Sliding and Folding Doors, which applies to door systems for pedestrian and some small vehicular use. Doors requiring higher speeds, forces, shorter time delays, and activating sensing devices are addressed in ANSI/BHMA A156.10.
Existing standards that were updated and approved in 2014 include:
- ANSI/BHMA A156.3-2014 Exit Devices
- ANSI/BHMA A156.5-2014 Cylinders and Input Devices for Locks
- ANSI/BHMA A156.11-2014 Cabinet Locks
- ANSI/BHMA A156.30-2014 High Security Cylinders
- ANSI/BHMA A156.115-2014 Hardware Penetration in Steel Doors and Steel Frames
BHMA’s first two residential standards have been drafted and approval is anticipated for the first half of 2015. The first will set performance requirements for residential locksets and latches used in single family homes and multifamily dwellings, including durability, security, and finish tests. Similarly, the second standard will outline the requirements for residential deadbolts and dead latches.
This year also marks the 90th anniversary of the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association. Committee members are currently making plans to acknowledge the momentous milestone.
Full scopes for ANSI/BHMA standards can be found on the BHMA website at http://buildershardware.com/bhma-standards.
Adams Rite Wins USGlass 2014 Readers Choice Award
USGlass magazine, the magazine of record for architectural glass industry leaders, announced that Adams Rite, an ASSA ABLOY Group company, has won a 2014 Readers Choice Award.
The winning products were selected through a survey of USGlass readers, who voted for their favorites in a variety of categories. The RITE Touch RT1050D was selected in the hardware category.
The RITE Touch RT1050D is a digital door lock that provides keyless access control for all-glass openings. Perfect for indoor applications, the easy to install surface mounted RITE Touch requires no modification to the glass. The RITE Touch offers sophisticated styling, convenience and flexible access control with a card reader or personal PIN code option for single or double glass doors. For security and safety, it also features a dual action thumb turn, fire detection sensor, break-in damage alarm, and is electronic shock resistant.
“We’re thrilled that the RITE Touch has been so well received! It’s truly an elegant solution with its sleek magic mirror interface and state-of-the-art touchscreen technology,” said Michael Webb, Vice President of New Product Development and Marketing, Adams Rite.
“USGlass magazine’s Readers Choice Awards are unique in that they are selected by our readers, recognizing their top picks for architectural products,” said USGlass editor Ellen Rogers. “Adams Rite is more than deserving of this award and we are excited to recognize them with this achievement.”
Over 115 years old, Adams Rite Manufacturing Co., an ASSA ABLOY Group company, designs, manufactures and markets door and door hardware products to the commercial, industrial and institutional building construction industry. For more information, visit www.adamsrite.com.
Boon Edam Launches BoonAssist TQ Revolving Door
Boon Edam Inc. announces the launch of BoonAssist TQ, a new manual revolving door that provides an ease of use previously not available in manual revolving doors. BoonAssist TQ offers the unique combination of three features: “push and go” power assistance, speed control, and positioning, also known in the industry as quarterpointing.
Power Assistance – When a user pushes on a door wing, a low energy motor activates and, borrowing the kinetic energy from the user’s initial push, rotates the door to minimize further needed effort.
Speed Control – When a door wing is pushed with excessive force, an integrated braking mechanism engages to ensure rotation speed remains within industry standards for safe passage.
Positioning – After a user exits the door, it continues to rotate until it reaches “home position,” which is with its door wings pointed at each side of the throat opening. Positioning makes it easier for the next user and it also reduces air infiltration as much as possible.
The new door was developed in response to customers asking for a revolving door that offers comfort, intuitive operation and safety, where an automatic revolving door was either too large or exceeded budget. BoonAssist TQ is also designed to serve a wider variety of applications owing to its increased available sizes, up to 10’ diameter and 10’ ceiling height, which provide a roomy compartment and increased user comfort.
BoonAssist TQ is available in two styles to complement all types of building facades and branding requirements:
- BoonAssist TQM – Metal-framed construction with metal canopy, available in a variety of metal finishes, cladding or custom painted colors.
- BoonAssist Crystal – All glass construction with stainless steel fastening components that can be finished in other metals or custom painted colors.
“The potential is unlimited in terms of the types of buildings and vertical markets that can benefit from this door,” said Greg Schreiber, Boon Edam Vice President of Sales. “The power assist feature allows it to be bigger, up to 10 feet in diameter. This means office buildings, smaller hotel chains, specialty retail stores, restaurants and even the larger convenience stores can offer greater passage comfort and use every single square foot of their valuable space because this door keeps the outside drafts out. They are also providing their customers and employees with the easiest, safest manual revolving door available. We’re calling BoonAssist TQ ‘the new standard’ because we believe soon everyone will expect these features — they’re not going to settle for less.”
More Information: www.boonedam.us
Kaba Enables Phone To Be Key At Vegas Hotel
Kaba, a leading provider of access control solutions for the hotel industry, has installed a mobile access system at The Cromwell in Las Vegas. Cloud-based Kaba keys operate in all hotel rooms, allowing guests to open their room doors with their own mobile phone or device as an alternative to a classic RFID card. The use of Bluetooth Low Energy means that Apple iOS smartphones are supported.
"Kaba's mobile access system is based on the cloud service set up by security firm Legic Identsystems, a subsidiary of Kaba. With this ground-breaking Kaba hotel locking system, which opens hotel locks in less than a second, guests can enjoy a completely new and intuitive experience that very much suits The Cromwell's unique 'modern meets vintage' style," says Alastair Cush, Head of Kaba Lodging’s Global Business Development.
Kaba's mobile access solutions integrate seamlessly with the hotel’s online system via secure communication between the front desk and the guest door lock. Kaba can utilize a choice of technologies, including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Near Field Communications (NFC), so hotel operators can securely issue and manage access authorizations in the way that suits their requirements.
The flexibility of Kaba's mobile access solutions with mobile phones ensures a guest experience that meets the latest demands. Guests can check in online with their mobile, and then use it during their stay as their very own mobile room key. Kaba's mobile access authorizations are encrypted in the Kaba system using the Legic ID Connect cloud solution, transferred to the hotel guest, and only decrypted within the hotel lock of the hotel room. This guarantees secure and convenient access to hotel rooms and other secure areas, including elevator floor control.
With 188 rooms and suites, The Cromwell is the only standalone boutique hotel located on the Las Vegas Strip. With its prime location on one of the busiest intersections of the Las Vegas Strip – one that welcomes more than 20 million passersby each year – the luxury lifestyle hotel also features a 40,000 square foot casino, hotel lobby bar, lounge, restaurant by Giada De Laurentiis and beach and nightlife venues by Victor Drai.
