Alarm.com is a home and business security provider that specializes in user convenience and control. It is well known that users can arm and disarm their alarm from a computer. Alarm.com really stands out with their mobile app, which puts this convenience with you everywhere you go.
Alarm.com iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android and Windows Phone App
May 12, 2016
Why is Controlling a Home Alarm through an App a Good Choice?
The alarm.com app is a great tool for homeowners on the go to use to keep tabs on their house alarm systems from their smartphones and/or their tablets.
Alarm Notification
One of the most important features of cell phone and iPad access to a home alarm system is that home owners can immediately receive an e-mail and text message whenever their home alarm is sounded. This warning gives users a heads up if they wish to return home to meet the authorities, or it can serve to warn home owners to call authorities (a double precaution for many home alarm monitoring systems since 24/7 central security system monitoring will have already done this as well). In the event of an alarm, it also gives the homeowner the heads up to stay away from the home until the authorities have cleared the scene.
Activating or Deactivating the Alarm
Many of us lead such busy lives that we frequently forget the little things that matter including paperwork for that upcoming deal, turning off the lights, lunch from the fridge and turning on the house alarm. What is the point of having a home intrusion alarm if you forget to set it each time you leave the home? With cell phone access to the alarm system, this no longer has to be a concern because through the Alarm.com app, homeowners can press a button and turn on their house alarm no matter where they are. They can even use the app to turn off the lights they left on.
Deactivating an alarm can be just as important as activating the alarm. Whether a neighbor is dropping by to feed a dog, children are coming home from school or a house cleaner needs to come in to clean the home, deactivating the alarm is made easy with the Alarm.com app. Using the app in this way means that homeowners never have to give away their home alarm code and they don't have to worry about setting up one time access codes either!
Setting up Access Codes
For homeowners that have regular visitors such as a maid service, access codes can be set up directly through the Alarm.com app. These access codes allow for unique identifiers of people entering the home and signal to homeowners when these codes have been used.
Monitor Comings and Goings
For homeowners who do have codes set up for access to the home by other people, entrance and exit from the home can be monitored via the Alarm.com app as well. This feature is particularly useful for working parents who have children that stay home alone after school while the parent is still at the office.
Live Video Access
The Alarm.com application allows for homeowners to view live video taken from within the home. Depending on how the cameras are set up, this service lets homeowners monitor who is accessing the home as well as what they are doing when they are inside the home.
Control Lighting
Controlling the lighting throughout the home remotely may not seem like a significant feature, but it is one that many homeowners wonder how they live without once they have it. Lighting control is useful in a number of situations: when days start getting shorter and homeowners find themselves returning home in the dark, when guests arrive to the home before the homeowner does and find themselves waiting in the dark and when going on vacation and needing to give the impression that someone is inside the house to deter burglars.
Thermostat Control
Thermostat control is a feature that allows for homeowners to turn the home thermostat up or down even when they are not at home. This feature can be useful when an unexpected freeze sets in and pipes within the house risk freezing. Thermostat control is also a good way to control energy use and heating and cooling bills within the home since homeowners can reduce heating or air conditioning when no one is home and turn them up prior to returning home.
Crash and Smash Technology
This technology prevents a burglar from destroying or damaging your alarm system before it can send an alarm to the monitoring station. It is a patented protected technology by Alarm.com. Anytime a system is enabled and motion is detected the system is carefully watched. However, if the alarm is disarmed with a code all is back to normal. But, if the system is not disarmed and there is no other signal received it will be treated as if an intrusion has happened and the proper procedures will follow.
Geo-Services
Geo-Services are available through Alarm.com only. They allow your home to adjust based on your location and it's all done automatically. All you do is create a geo-fence around your home and when you or your entire family has left (whichever you like) settings will be adjusted how you wish automatically.
Alarm.com Cost, Compatibility, Availability, and Providers
The Alarm.com app is free to download. These free apps are available in conjunction with various interactive security systems. The app can be used with the iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android, Windows phones and other tablet systems too.
Alarm.com App Downloads
Use the link below to view/ download the Alarm.com apps for iPhone and iPad.
Other smartphones and tablets will have the app available in their respective app stores. To download the alarm.com app for your Droid, for example, visit the Android Market and search for "Alarm.com." Once you have found the Alarm.com application tap on the button that says "free" and then "install" to download and install the app.
List of Alarm.com App Providers
The alarm.com app is available from the most of the security dealers that offer a wireless alarm system. These include but are not limited to:
For a full listing of authorized alarm.com security dealers, visit the alarm.com authorized dealer page.
The Ease of Using the Alarm.com App
Using the Alarm.com app is easy and very useful. Depending upon what type of device you use to access the app, the visual presentation of icons and features will be different; however, services will remain the same. The iPad and iPhone version of the application are among the easiest to navigate.
The top section of the Alarm.com app will show that you are logged in to the application and show a button offering you the option to "log out." Underneath this section of the screen you will observe a status update that tells you whether or not your system is currently armed. Underneath this notification you will also view three buttons which offer various options for setting or disarming the home alarm.
Underneath the three easy access buttons, the Alarm.com application also features a section of tabs at the bottom of the screen. The first tab on this section is the status tab which tells you the current status of your home alarm system. Next to this is a history tab which allows you to view recent alarms, notifications and sensor activities. This tab also allows you to filter results to view specific occurrences. Next to the history tab is the video tab which allows you to view live and saved video clips. Last, you will see the settings tab which lets users control any home automation feature of their alarm system and activate or pause push notifications of the home alarm to their remote devices.
The Biggest Reason to Use the Alarm.com iPad App
While there are a great number of benefits to using the Alarm.com app, one of the most significant factor is the simple portability and display resolution. Certainly, home alarm users can access their account information directly through their alarm provider's website on their laptop or personal computer. The problem with this is that these things simply are not as portable as cell phones and tablets like the iPad. The iPad and smart phones have a similar portability but for the weight of both devices the iPad is a better choice for many people because it offers a much better display resolution.
What People Are Saying about the Alarm.com App
One of the biggest praises that Alarm.com app users give is that it gives them the ability to arm and disarm their alarm at the push of a button. Many users claim that now that they have experienced the ability to monitor their home alarm through their smart phone or iPad they can't imagine being without it. Not only do users rave about how easy the app is to use but they also rave about its ease to install which is a significant factor for the technologically impaired. Overall, those who have experienced the Alarm.com mobile app have very few, if any criticisms over the system and far more praises.
