idter's New Innovation in the Intrusion Detection and Alarm Monitoring Space

The alarm industry has been based upon the detection of unwanted or criminal accessing of protected buildings and properties, and if such actions are detected, the proper authorities are notified via the central station. One drawback to this is the need for human intervention — i.e., the central station operator and the speed of the responding security or police service. As we have all experienced, particularly during these troubled economic times, we are living in a world where an overworked and understaffed service can delay the needed protection for clients’ properties when an intrusion is detected. Many police departments have had their personnel numbers reduced due to retirements and other issues. The bottom line is, bad guys can have substantial time to steal or destroy clients’ property before the police arrive.

The human elements in the alarm response chain of events are an obvious potential “weak link” in standard alarm services. In our daily lives, we may yell and curse at balky technological devices that don’t do what we want, when we want it. But we can agree that when technology is working, it performs tasks faster and more accurately than humans can.

A new company in our industry, iDter, has developed comprehensive intrusion and annunciation devices called “Niō Guardians” that combine the features of high-res video, motion detection, two-way audio, light and red/blue blinking strobe lights into a single device that would typically be installed onto light poles outside of the building and equipment being protected.

What makes the Niō system truly valuable for our industry is that it combines automated responses to specific events, artificial intelligence to provide an appropriate escalated loudspeaker response, along with a manned central station that will take over the functions of the detectors when necessary.

If you look at the diagram, you can see what the Niō can do when installed and connected to the customer’s internet network. If a person walks onto the property after-hours, they are detected and receive a programmable response over the loudspeaker: “We’re closed now, come back tomorrow.” It the intruder(s) continue to move further into the protected space, the Niō devices will escalate the audio response: “You are violating private property and the police have been notified.” If the intrusion continues, the Niō live central station personnel can take over and talk directly to the intruders: “I can see your burglary tools and have notified the police.” At that point, the Niō devices can start to strobe their red/blue lights, hopefully scaring the bad guys away while providing a vivid visual indicator for responding authorities.

The Niō system is feature-rich and includes all the now common cloud-based security features. Building owners/management can access all Niō functions and camera views from any smartphone or internet-connected PC. 256-gigabit SD cards installed in each Niō record all video, while the central station stores the alarm detection events. One unique feature is fast video reviewing, where an authorized user can review eight hours of video from a specific Niō in six minutes. In typical installations, the Niō with large SD cards can record up to two weeks of 24/7 video. Alerts to users’ smart devices can be activated when there’s an intrusion detected.

The Niō devices are supervised so that, in the event of devices losing power or internet connectivity to the cloud service, messages will be generated and sent to the proper building personnel and servicing company. These devices are powered via AC in 120/240/277 volts, and the devices are cleverly designed to be screw-in replacements for outside lighting fixtures using the existing mounting boxes making for quick installation. Network connections would typically be Wi-Fi, but a wired Cat5/6 socket is included. If you are planning to install the Niō devices, you should check with your installation department and local codes to see if a licensed electrician is required to perform the AC connections.

For companies that provide human guard services, the Niō system can be a “force multiplier.” Where each protected property would require one guard, now a single guard can be “watching” multiple properties and be notified on their phones of intrusion attempts.

The cost of the Niō devices are quite reasonable considering their extensive capabilities. There is also a monthly recurring monitoring cost for the Niō connections to their central station. It’s the intention of the IDter company to engage local electronic security and guard companies to pass through the costs of the Niō services.

This is a state-of-the-art intrusion detection and prevention system that is perfectly suited for customers with considerable products or inventory that is stored outside, such as car and RV dealers, jails and prisons, shipping container storage facilities, fenced facilities — really any customer who wants to not only detect a possible intrusion, but actively and automatically deter intruders before any damage or theft has occurred.

The iDter company is actively seeking installation partners. I have watched the videos on their website and this is a truly innovative and highly valuable service for those customers who need this level of security with the ability to stop the bad guys before they start to do their nefarious things.

Go to iDter.com, check out the videos, and think about which of your clients would value a system that performs immediate and intelligent detection and responses to intrusion events.

This article appeared in SDM, January 2, 2022