NextAlarm announces two major new security features for its VoIPAlarm 2 IP alarm signal transmission platform. VoIPAlarm 2 is centered around the VoIPAlarm ABN adapter, an IP communicator which connects to any Contact ID compatible alarm system. Signals from the alarm system are received by VoIPAlarm over broadband Internet, and retransmitted over PSTN phone lines or IP to the central station of the alarm installer's choice. VoIPAlarm 2 is intended as a low-cost, high-reliability alternative to cellular dialers, proprietary IP communicators, and other solutions to the growing number of end users who do not have the traditional phone service required by most alarm systems.

One new feature, called Redial Supervision, allows central stations and alarm dealers to be notified if the retransmission of an alarm signal fails for any reason, such as a malfunction of the central station's alarm receiver. The alerts take the form of an e-mail or text message, and are sent instantaneously. The other new feature, called Split Reporting, allows signals to be sent to multiple alarm receivers. For example, alarm signals can be sent to a central station, while maintenance and supervisory signals can be sent to a receiver in the alarm installer's office. Although this feature is already built into some specially configured alarm systems when monitored over standard telephone lines, the VoIPAlarm.com implementation works even if the alarm system has not been programmed in this way, or does not normally support the feature at all. It is also the only broadband monitoring solution to support it.

“Essentially, Redial Supervision is a way to work out any kinks between a central station's receiver and our redialers,” said NextAlarm.com CTO Bryan Field-Elliot. “Although alarm signals are received and retransmitted with effectively a 100% success rate, line noise and receiver problems can sometimes cause the signals to be rejected by a central station's receivers, just like they might any alarm signal. With Redial Supervision, the central station and alarm installer are immediately notified of a potential problem, and can solve it before it causes the end user any harm. Our new Split Reporting feature can act as an additional security measure in case of receiver failure, as well as the traditional application of having non-emergency signals sent to a secondary receiver.”

Redial Supervision and Split Reporting will soon be available to all current and future VoIPAlarm dealers at no additional cost.