Newsletter January 2012

Welcome to our January Newsletter.... Back to the grind.                         ...printable version click here

We are expecting a tough year as the market turns down and every one tightens up on their spending. 

This is an ideal opportunity to look at new ways to expand your business and ensure your existing customers stay with you.  MCM intends to help, every month we will be bringing you details of new products and services specially selected to excite your customers.  We start off the year with details of our new tracking venture …......see further below for details.

There are issues still appearing as dialers report erratically or don't report at all when connected to VOIP systems.  The symptoms are similar to ADSL interference...dialler dials you hear handshake and transmission but no kiss off or there is a delayed kiss off.  But the line is so clear!

Sometimes it is not obvious that the customer is on a VOIP line as the connection can be done at the exchange into a VOIP system from providers such as Optus/iiNet/AAPT etc.  If you are experiencing this issue, check if the customer is using anyone other than Telstra, then there is a chance of VOIP.  Don't waste your time trying to get the dialler to work.  It may work today but will not tomorrow.  Many have spent hours analysing this issue and not found a solution. 

IP based alarm transmission systems are designed to run over these variable latency IP. So look around and evaluate your options.  There are Dual path systems that use IP and GPRS as a backup, GPRS only and GPRS with dialler backup.  If you have a problem with the dialler, then any dialler backup solution is already out the door.  Having "GPRS only" solution is relying on one technology.  An IP path with GPRS backup is more cost effective, more reliable and resilient in this cloud of technologies.  Why do installers use Dual Tech detectors.. more reliable would you say... that's the same with Dual Tech alarm transmission systems.

Compare the technologies, then go a little deeper and see which has the easier installation, the best price per month, has powerful diagnostics and can let you still do your Up load Down load?

The answer now becomes more obvious... You have selected Emizon.. I knew you would !

"We are Sorry" .....when we released our new iRIS8 panel we did not expect our new panel to be so competitive that all stock would be sold out in 8 days. 

All good again. We now have new stock and can supply immediately.

Many of the systems where sold with MCMs new iGSM module that allows the panel to work as "dialler with gsm backup" or "gsm only" reporting.  The iGSM also enables the customer to remotely arm / disarm panel or request panel status.  There is also a programmable output that can be operated via SMS.

Are you aware?

With the closure of the Telstra SMS dial up gateway, many panels (thousands are in the field) that report to a customers mobile via sms will no longer function.

MCM will shortly release an SMS reporting version using our iRIS8 panel with iGSM module that will send SMSs to the customers phone directly from the panel.  Messages such as:

- system is armed or disarmed.

- mains fail or low battery

- alarm is triggered

This together with the fact that the iGSM already enables the customer to remotely arm / disarm or request panel status and to operate a programmable output via SMS will make this a hot item.

MCM have partnered with FindnSecure to develop an advanced web based tracking solution that can interface all alarms from tracking devices to a monitoring centre's automation system.  Systems such as ADSW, SIMs, Mastermind, MAS, DMS, Patriot, CAMs etc.  Monitor plant and vehicles anywhere in the world.

Features such as:

- Web based logon for customers (via Mac, Macbook air, PC, mobile etc) to see vehicles live.

- Alarms displayed to Monitoring Stations through alarm automation as Contact ID events.

- tracking at 10 seconds intervals

- track when the vehicle changes direction by more than 15 degrees.

- powerful fleet management and reporting analysis

 

Other Options include:

- Driver ID - using RFID reader and tags.

- 2 way voice - using in-vehicle microphone and speaker.

- Dual antennas - vehicle mount or glass mount - saving time on installation.

 

 

Antennas.....

18 moths ago, MCM released a new range of specialised GSM high gain antennas that suit GSM and GPRS devices.  MCM has now released the next generation of high performance antennas. These antennas use high performance, low loss, mini coax and have an mmcx connector fitted (making it easy to fit in conduit). 

These new antennas come in 7dB and 13dB.

Our 7dB antenna comes with either a 2.5 metre or 5 meter lead with mmcx connector

and the 13 dB antenna has a 5 metre lead with mmcx connector. 

These new antennas together with our mmcx to sma adapter will suit virtually all alarm transmission products including; Emizon, Inner Range "Multipath", "Permaconn", "Telstra Secure", "Direct Wireless" and gsm backup systems.

We also have a 5 metre extension cable with an mmcx male to mmcx female connectors...nice when you mounted the system in a poor reception area and want to move the antenna just that bit further away.

We believe these are the most cost effective antennas in the market - probably around half what you currently pay.

If a GSM antenna is mounted closer than 83mm to a Brick, Concrete or Metal surface... then you have detuned the antenna and it will not perform as well as expected. 

You need to be more than 1/4 wavelength away from the wall (i.e.900Mhz=83mm).  So you can see now why our new antennas have a larger stainless steel bracket that keeps the antenna 100mm away from the wall. Our antennas are also half the height of existing high gain antennas due to the new advanced antenna design. 

See below for more info on our new antennas...

Click on the picture to download PDF for more information

The Emizon TCD can now work with the Telstra, Optus and Vodafone networks.  We have TCDs monitored overseas in PNG via satellite and in Fiji.

Recent issues on mobile systems effecting only one path has shown Emizon's dual path reporting to be the most stable, resilient and practical method for the transmission of alarms.

Many of our customers use Upload Download via the TCD using IP from their laptops.  This is not available as an option on other systems.

Emizon have released version 1.5.3 software for the TCD which allows remote firmware upgrades while the TCD is still "On Line"....can your system do that?.  Together with the enhanced advanced diagnostics eg allowing detection of all mobile carrier signal levels from cells in range of the TCD.  The installer now also has immediate indication of Firewall issues.

The next TCD firmware release (expected early February) will allow mapping of the 16 wired inputs on the TCD to Contact ID (with point ID mapped up in the 900 point range).  This will mean you can use the TCD stand alone eg for 24 hour holdup button or tamper.  Also your panel can report alarms and the TCD can report extra 24hr monitored inputs.