MCM Facts
We are an Australian Owned Company.
Our products are manufactured here in Australia.
We are suppliers of quality security systems for the domestic and commercial markets.
We have approved distributors in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
We offer free professional, in-house technical assistance.
We have friendly, helpful and informed sales staff.
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Newsletter September 2004 |
......for a printer friendly version click here
Welcome to MCM's Newsletter. The last few months have proved tough for the security industry. After completing the Securitel expansion Telstra has now taken an active roll in promoting and increasing awareness to this reliable, proven, secure and competitive network.
MCMs new web site is up and running, click on the "MCM web site" link to have a look. We are interested in your feedback as to what additional content and resources you wish added to our site.
In this edition of our newsletter you can read about....
Look at this link GPRS-Moving Forward with caution and you will see why GSM product manufacturers are very cautious about using GPRS as a means of communications for alarm systems.
There are two products on the market currently. I would be interested in feedback from any companies who have trialled these products.
Another interesting link from the ACIF is below...
http://www.acif.org.au/__data/page/3216/C519_2004.pdf
The Industry Forum sets out acceptable standards and performance for Telco's.
Page 21 of this document indicates that the acceptable Network Performance requirements for End to End Connection Setup Failure Rate for fixed line to fixed line should be less ≤3% and with mobile to fixed line ≤8%, whereas mobile to mobile is ≤10%. This obviously shows the difference between fixed line calls and mobile calls.
When is your Backup unit .... NOT a Backup
Be aware of potential problems when using GSM/CDMA/radio backup devices
Although customers pay extra for a backup device to increase the availability of the communications path, by adding a Mobile radio modem eg GSM backup unit, this may not always increase your chances of backup reporting in the event of a fault.
Most backup units will switch to "backup mode eg radio" when a "Line Fault" is detected. This Line Fault detection is commonly done by circuitry which monitors the DC voltage on the exchange line. If the DC voltage falls below eg 5 volts for longer than a period eg 30 seconds, the line is considered "Faulty". The backup device then will switch to GSM/CDMA/radio and all further calls from the panel are routed this way until the DC voltage on the exchange line returns to normal. But consider the following scenarios......
1. Message bank 101 enabled on the line and a message is received. (the dial tone changes)
The panel may not be able to detect dial tone and may not dial or may delay dialling
out and may also not switch to backup.
or
2. ADSL installed on the diallers exchange line and if that line is not adequately filtered.
This may cause a possible "no transmission" at Central station and no backup via GSM.
or
3. A line fault with high resistance (eg a bad connection or water in the pit) can cause
a noisy line. The panel may not see handshake but after a number of attempts will
not dial via the backup....because the line is still OK...the DC still on line.
or
4. If a line fault occurs where the line may be crossed and it may still have DC voltage on
the line, but the dialler may not be able to dial out....
Items 1 and 2 can be easily remedied ...see MCMs previous Newsletters.
These are some examples of where the backup device may not detect the "Line Fault".
The alarm panel will not get through to the central station via dialler BUT wont switch to GSM/CDMA/radio as a backup and report to the central station either.
MCM has received reports from multiple central station operators advising that with the introduction of more diagnostic tools i.e. Caller ID being analysed with the account number coming from the receiver, transmission errors are now logged and analysed. It was revealed that extremely high number of these transmissions were from GSM/CDMA/radio devices.
MCM has also received feedback from other manufacturers and suppliers of these devices.
There are many possible reasons for errors on GSM/CDMA/radio devices.
The GSM/CDMA Network...
- Errors during changes to Telco infra structure (Software Upgrades)
Installation problems
- Alarm panel and GSM/CDMA unit connected to the same plug pack. This extra load may
exceed the rating of the Plug Pack. Many GSM device manufacturers often supply a
separate plug pack to eliminate this problem, but some installers don't use them.
- The location of the GSM device in a poor signal area.
- The installer does not fully test the GSM device for correct operation.
- The SIM card is not unlocked.
- The installer does not wire the fault outputs of the line fail and GSM fail outputs correctly.
- The installer does not advise the Central station of reporting template.
(Template or reporting levels can vary depending on product)
Central station issues
- Over loading of dialler receivers.
- Faulty receiver cards.
- Failing to action fault alarms.
Thanks to Shaun Cronin from Sec Eng Systems for his input....
Interest in Telstra's expanded Securitel network
......running "HOT"
After the completion of the expansion to the Securitel network, Telstra has also reviewed its pricing.
The connection fee for new customers connected between 1st of July 2004 and 30th June 2005 has been waived i.e. Nil. Rental discounts on STUs connected to new scanners in regional areas also apply.
The new expansion covers areas such as Tasmania, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Darwin and many other regional areas around Australia. New Securitel coverage maps have been sent to us by Telstra and together with the list of new areas covered can be viewed on our website. Click here to download these maps from our website. Also on our website is an updated list showing phone numbers that can be enabled for Securitel. On MCMs Securitel page click on Securitel Exchange Numbering and select the state or area code file to download.
Telstra has been impressed with the increase in interest to connect Central Stations to the Securitel Network. MCM has also had many enquiries for our Securitel Communications Receiver (SCS) indicating the level of interest and competition has rekindled the need for connection to this reliable, proven and now super competitive Securitel Network.
MCM is the major supplier of ADSL filters to the security industry. Since most filters being sold with modems don't suit the 4 wire connection required by alarm panels, MCM developed a range of special filters to suit both Dialler and Securitel systems. MCM offers extensive support to all resellers and their customers. A high level of support is required to cope with the lack of industry awareness and lack of accurate information for installers. MCM has added a new ADSL Installers guide to help in ADSL filter installation.
For further information on ADSL interference and MCM's solutions to the problem, go to our website, contact us at MCM on 02 4721 8067, or any of our distributors in your state.
Sales of our MCMs ICON8-KP8 which was released some time ago has been so successful; we are almost out of stock. Limited quantities are still available so hurry while stock lasts. This offer can not be repeated.
The security alarm panel kit containing the well proven ICON8 together with the KP8 keypad. This is outstanding value at just $115.00 + GST. (This price may vary from state to state).
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ICON8-KP8 Includes: |
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For more information on this fabulous special, please contact us here at MCM or one of our authorised distributors.
Note: Telstra and Securitel are Trademarks of Telstra Corporation Ltd.
MCM Electronics Pty Ltd,
3 / 10 Abel Street, (PO Box 6007)
Penrith NSW 2750
Tel: 02 4721 8067 Fax: 02 4721 8572
If you have any questions regarding MCM's range of products or services,
please call one of our sales consultants on 02 4721 8067 during office hours
(Mon-Fri 8am - 4.30pm AEST)
or email sales@mcmelectronics.com.au or tech@mcmelectronics.com.au
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