News

9/7/2003

ELAN VIA! Now Controls GE Interlogix Systems

GE Interlogix Now an ELAN VIP; Latest VIA!TOOLS Software Features Interlogix Drivers

Homeowners can control GE Interlogix security systems through the VIA! Touch Panel, ELAN Home Systems announced today. VIA!TOOLS, the setup software for the VIA!, now also features two-way serial drivers for Interlogix's Advent and Concord systems. Interlogix also is an ELAN VIA! Integration Partner (VIP), ensuring top-notch integration, training and support for the products.

"We are excited to have GE Interlogix as an ELAN VIP," said Rick Gratz, who oversees ELAN's Technical and Customer Services. "The new drivers provide our dealers with seamless, fast integration of these security products into their ELAN installations. We regularly solicit our dealers' feedback to determine the most commonly used systems, and many have asked us to bring GE Interlogix to the VIA! Touch Panel. GE is a leading manufacturer for security, and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship."

VIA!, the touch screen for ELAN's distributed audio and video systems, can control Interlogix systems as well as numerous other third-party products, including lighting, security, HV/AC, motorized projection screens and lifts, draperies, blinds and awnings, and pool and spa accessories. The ELAN VIA! SC-4 System Controller, an RS232 network hub, can connect four of these systems to as many as 30 VIA! Touch Panels.

The GE Interlogix Advent Home Navigator is integrated security and home control with a difference. Advent monitors up to 250 hardwire or wireless inputs (zones) and eight partitions throughout the home for security, fire and environmental emergencies. The Concord model is a fully featured security system for burglary and fire detection. The system features 96 hardwire or wireless inputs (zones), two partitions, voice and thermostat control. Both Advent and Concord platforms utilize powerful RS232 automation modules unmatched in the alarm industry. The Advent Home Navigator has won two prestigious home automation awards: the 2001 HANA Mark of Excellence Award for Best Network Sub-System and the 2002 CE Pro Security High Impact Product of the Year Award.

"No more 'keypad collage' of control panels on your wall," Gratz said. "The VIA! controls all your home's systems. Plus, the VIA!'s screens match, button for button, all the buttons on keypads from systems like Interlogix. There's no need for clients to learn how to work two pads, and integration is simplified for our dealer base."

In addition, using VIA!'s programmable buttons, ELAN and GE Interlogix have created completely new, one-button macros to even further simplify homeowner operation of the system. Features such as one-button arm and disarm, off, home and away, and nighttime no delay, which are not available on the regular keypad, are now available with this new ELAN and GE Interlogix solution, offering consumers a whole new level of fast, easy interaction with their security system.

Besides saving wall space and time, VIA! saves money. ELAN's prewritten serial drivers have the proper RS232 commands associated with each button, so that when a template is imported from VIA!Tools to the VIA! panels, the programming is done. These prewritten drivers eliminate hours, and in some cases days, of programming and learning curve time on each job.

As a VIP, Interlogix shares training and product with ELAN's engineers and technical support staff, and vice versa. This ensures that VIP systems work seamlessly with the VIA!-and that dealers receive top-notch technical support, since staff have VIP systems at their fingertips.

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