Hills District Alarms

An exert from Central Monitoring's Web Page

23rd July 2008

"Telcos Announce Digital Network Rollout:-
Both Optus and Telstra have announced that they have commenced rolling out their digital networks that will see the closure of PSTN switched networks using copper infrastructure and replacing it with fibre to the pit or the curb and voice over IP for the telephone communication. This will mean that Security Alarm Diallers using DTMF format may be effected from today. Please be aware that loss of communication or multiple call costs could result and be the only sign that rollout has occurred near your premises.
So check your phone bills. Your alarm could be running up huge bills!!"

New Office For Hills District Alarms

After more then 13 years of giving up three rooms at our home we have moved the business to a new office at South Windsor. It gives my family a little breathing room ! Unfortunately for Jenny she looses the view of our gardens and gets a view of a brick wall. The office has a small showroom where in time we'll have some of the products on display. We will have in stock more spares for your ducted vacuums as well. We will let you know in future news letters when this happens. The address of the office is : shop 7, 507 George Street South Windsor 2756. The phone number remains the same.

Telstra have announced the end of the Securitel network. A number of our customers currently use the high security monitoring format for their monitoring back to Central Monitoring Services. Telstra have decided that they no longer wish to support the “old technology” so they will be shutting it down toward the end of 2009. So as you can see there’s no need to rush into making changes, but is worth keeping in mind in your planning. As mentioned in previous news letters there is a new monitoring format that Central Monitoring have, utilizing your broadband service. When this service first became available an I.P stu (the communicator to base) was approximately $1500.00 installed. The price has dropped to approx. $1200.00 installed incl. G.S.T. I would expect now that Telstra have made their announcement and as the cut off date gets closer there will be more companies making I.P stu’s and there should be further price drops. The I.P stu’s can be fitted to almost any current alarm panel that Dials Back to Base so if you or your insurance advisor feels you need a higher level of security this system may be suitable for you.

Winter is almost on us, (although the first few days of autumn were hotter then many of the summer days). The typical problems our customers have with their alarms during winter are usually caused by Rodents chewing on wires in ceilings and cavities and Cockroaches getting into the main alarm box where its very warm. Cockroaches cause a great deal of damage to alarm circuit boards. So we would suggest if possible to put rodent bates in your ceilings and cockroach bates in the closet where the alarm panel is. This may save you all a lot of problems and cut down on service calls. You should test your alarm regularly to ensure it is working fully. If your system is monitored back to base don’t forget to tell them before you start, and when you have finished testing.

As Expected ADSL+2 is causing more problems for our clients alarms then the original. Those customers that had the ADSL filter fitted are again experiencing loss of communication, multiple phone calls to the Monitoring Centre. The systems that previously seemed immune to ADSL are now having problems since ADSL+2 came on line. We would advise our customers to regularly test their alarms and to check their phone acounts to see if there is multiple phone calls from the security system. If you find you have any concerns call our office for assistance.

Home Music Systems

HDA can now supply Home Piped Music Systems. Utilizing the A-Bus Music System.Positioning speakers throughout the home connected to your existing sound systems. Check in our products section for more information.

Multi-Path Monitoring

Further to last quarters news that Central Monitoring had launched their new IP Multi-Path Monitoring Service, we have put a few of our customers onto this service with great success. The Multi-path system utilizes your broadband system to communicate with Central Monitoring Services. If you or your insurance company are concerned about your current leave of protection, this may be the answer for you.

Smoke Detectors

Just a reminder that it is now compulsory to have smoke detectors in any premises where people sleep. If you already have smoke detectors, make sure you test them regularly.

Testing Your Alarm

I know we mention this a lot, but, you should check your alarm regularly. If it's Back To Base call your base first, then test it and call them when finished to confirm it all worked. If you then have any concerns please contact our office.

Have You Had A Break In?

NSW Police advise that 131 444 is the correct number to call to advise that a break and enter has occurred. If, when returning to your premises you find that you have been broken into, this is the correct number to call to initiate a reference number and the appropriate police services to investigate the crime. Should a criminal act be verified and happening now, the 000, triple zero, is the number to call.

If you have an existing security panel reporting to your base by dialler, you can now add the MSTU, to upgrade to high security Securitel monitoring. (see our web site for details on the advantages of securitel). The MSTU is manufactured by MCM Electronics here in Australia, and allows an existing Dialler control unit to communicate to your base using Telstra\\\'s Securitel Network. If you or your insurance company beleive you need a more reliable form of communicator to base , then contact us about the MSTU. (suitable for later model Dialler alarm panels reporting in Contact ID format)

Multipath-IP Monitoring, High Security Monitoring

Central Monitoring Services have launched Multipath-IP Back to Base Monitoring for High Security Monitoring of your premises. The majority of alarm systems monitored back to base are via Dialer type systems. Dialer systems are suitable for the majority of low security installations, such as a normal home or small business. Multipath-IP monitoring utilizes your existing Broadband Internet service to transmit any data to your monitoring base with regular polling to your system from the base and redundancies built in. The MultipathIP unit is compatible with the majority of existing alarm systems installed so it can be retro-fitted if you or your insurance provider think it necessary..Call our office for further details on (02)45727207

Alarm Verification Via CCTV Back To Central Monitoring

There has been a lot of advances in CCTV systems over the last few years as mentioned in our Winter News Letter. Central Monitoring Services are currently testing the OZVISION system. This will allow their operators to view your premises to verify alarms etc. You can have Surveillance Cameras in your premises that can be monitored back at Central Monitoring Services and even SMS an image out to your mobile phone. More on that as testing progresses.

Testing Your Alarm

The Christmas Break Is Approaching, And A Lot Of People Will Be Off On Annual Leave. Test Your Alarm Now Before It Gets To The Usual Christmas Rush. Remember If Your Alarm Goes Back To Base To Let Them Know Before And After You Test. As well, Let The Base Know If Your Office Hours Are Changing Over The Break, Or If The Call Out Details Should Be Temporarily Altered During The Holidays.

Payment Of Accounts

We Have Changed Our Bank. Some Of Our Customers Are Still Paying Into The Old Account And I\'d Like To CLose It. Please Check Your Invoices Before Making Your Next Direct Deposit To Ensure You Have The Correct Details. THANKS

COMING TO H.D.A SOON:

Home Music Systems

Range Of Home Music Sytems Will Be Available Soon. Backed By Ness Security, So It Will BE Well Supported.

New Range Of Super Quiet Ducted Vacuum Systems

We Will Soon Be Able To Supply The CYCLOVAC Range Of Vacuums, The First Thing You\\\'ll Notice If You Have Had A Ducted Vacuum Before Is They Are Very Quiet To Operate.
Check Back To Our Web Site For Updates

Central Monitoring Services has introduced a new High Security monitoring service that utilises a combination of Internet, GPRS and PSTN to transmit signals to CMS. It is compatible with any existing alarm panel that is capable of transmitting signals back to base in 'contact ID' format, ie mostpanels built from the 1990's onward.(call to check if yours is suitable). You need too add a Multipath STU to your existing or new security system and connect to your IP ADSL connection. More details as soon as we can test one....

Web Site Update

We have had a web site for a number of years but it has grown a little “Ragged” around the edges. We have just updated it with the help of Clint Design, our web page genius. There is more product information, technical assistance and a section that we will be developing as time allows where you can purchase do it your self kits, spares, accessories etc for your alarm, intercom and ducted vacuum. There is also a larger section on surveillance cameras (C.C.T.V). We are finding more and more businesses and home owners are enquiring about cameras for their property. The cost of C.C.T.V equipment has dropped dramatically over the last year, so it is now possible to consider a camera surveillance system for your home. Even if you just want a system to watch your kids play area, or swimming pool there is a camera to suit. Check out our new web site or give us a call.

Smoke Sensors In Your Home.

As of May 1st 2006, it is now mandatory that all residences where a person sleeps requires the installation of an approved smoke detection device. Check out the Planning NSW website, to view the legislation.

Essentially, you have to put in a smoke detection device in any corridor that leads to a bedroom, or a room where someone sleeps, or if there is no specific corridor, a smoke detector should be positioned in an area between where people sleep and the rest of the residence. However read the whole regulation to get a full understanding of the requirements. If you would like a quote on smoke detectors for your home please contact our office.

ADSL Broadband

To all those customers who have seen the news letter before this will be old news. However A.D.S.L Broadband is causing so many problems with both local and Back To Base Monitored security systems that its worth a mention again. As A.D.S.L Broadband is transmitted down the existing copper wire telephone network, it can be interfering with your alarm even if you don’t have the internet on at your home. As your phone line travels along the same path as your neighbours etc, whether that is through a pipe in the ground or through the air along the power poles the signal is imposed on all cables it runs next to. This signal interferes with the data from your code pad to the alarm panel, the alarm panel to your Monitoring base. Please contact our office for further information.