Top 5 Features of Modern Intruder Alarm Systems

Top 5 Features of Modern Intruder Alarm Systems

1. Remote Monitoring

   

   • What It Is: Remote monitoring allows real-time oversight of a property via a third-party service or directly through a user’s smartphone. Systems like Orisec, Texecom and Pyronix can link to 24/7 monitoring centres such as EMCS and Fenix that verify activations and dispatch emergency services when needed.
   • Benefits:
     • Homeowners: Peace of mind, as alerts for intrusions, fires, or environmental hazards (e.g., water leaks) are sent instantly to an alarm receiving centre (ARC). 
     • Businesses: Remote monitoring can lower insurance premiums by up to 15% due to enhanced security measures. Continuous surveillance without the need for on-site staff reduces costs and police or trained guard response means your employees aren’t put in danger attending alarm activations.
   • Why Mercury? One word, support. With remote access we offer superior client support remotely diagnosing and potentially resolving issues without the need for engineer attendance. We work with a number of Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) to offer our clients the best solution for their needs.

2. External Detection

   
   

   • What It Is: External detection uses outdoor sensors to identify threats before intruders enter the property. With valuable cars on many drives we often want to protect our property beyond the four walls of our house. With external detectors we can be notified reliably when someone comes onto our property.
   • Benefits:
     • Homeowners: Early warnings prevent break-ins, as alarms or lights can activate before an intruder reaches the door. Beyond just security, it can be convenient to know when people have come to our property, perhaps for deliveries or collections.
     • Businesses: Protects assets like equipment or inventory stored outside and reduce vandalism, theft and anti-social behaviour.
   • Why Mercury? We have years of experience with a whole range of external detection systems and we’re not tied into any one brand. We regularly carry out tests to find the best products for our customers and only fit the most reliable, proven technology. From vehicle protectors to wireless external dualtech sensors, perimeter protection wire to radar, video analytics and more, we have the knowledge and experience to deliver.

3. Smoke Alarms

   

   • What Are They: Many intruder alarm systems now integrate smoke, heat and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, often with smart features like remote alerts and interconnection. For example, Orisec detectors interlink so all devices in the property sound and also communicate to mobile phone apps and alarm receiving centres (ARCs). They also have a 10-year battery life.
   • Benefits:
     • Homeowners: Immediate smartphone alerts for smoke, heat or CO, even when away, can prevent catastrophic damage. Interconnected alarms ensure all units sound if one detects a hazard, improving safety in larger properties.
     • Businesses: While we do see this type of alarm in commercial settings, they shouldn’t be relied upon and instead a BS5839-1 fire alarm system should be installed in almost all commercial settings.
   • Why Mercury: We’re able to install anything from small domestic wireless smoke detection right through to BS5839-1 compliant commercial fire alarm systems so we have the knowledge and experience to guide our customers to the right solution.

4. App Connectivity

   

   • What It Is: Everyone expects a smartphone app these days and intruder alarms offer these with a range of features. Smartphone apps allow users to control and monitor their alarm systems remotely. Apps from providers like Orisec, Pyronix, Texecom and Eaton offer features like arming/disarming, isolating / omitting zones, logging output triggering and more
   • Benefits:
     • Homeowners: Control from anywhere, enabling quick responses to alerts or the ability to check live zone status or camera feeds. Garage doors and gates can easily be integrated allowing opening and closing of these devices from anywhere in the world.
       Businesses: Multi-location management through a single interface, ideal for retail chains or multi-site businesses as well as the ability to remotely open and close doors, gates and more.
   • Why Mercury?: We consider what’s best for our customer and don’t rigidly stick to any one brand. We work with all of the leading suppliers and offer the best solution regardless of supply chain preferences. A satisfied customer is our primary goal.
     

5. Time and Motion Tracking

   

   • What is it?: Ok stick with us on this one. Everything about us is tracked these days. Your supermarket loyalty card isn’t just to give nice offers, it’s to track your spend. Well, modern alarms are great at tracking movement around your house, but it’s less creepy than having cameras throughout as images aren’t recorded. Just think, sensors in rooms timestamp when someone has been in there. Door sensors timestamp door openings (well, of course) and you guessed it with shock sensors. What you’re able to do with modern systems is see which device triggered and when. And this can be really useful in a number of scenarios.
   • Benefits:
     • Homeowners: 
       • What time did the cleaner arrive? Where in the house did they go? What time did they leave? This can be really valuable, though it may cause arguments with which we can’t help.
       • You might want to know when your children got back from school, and if they really told the truth when they said they didn’t go in dads man cave and break the TV.
       • Is my elderly relative OK? With comprehensive coverage you can see their movements and configure inactivity timers to alert a family member’s mobile phone if there’s no movement in a given time period.
     • Businesses: Checking what time your property was opened up in the morning or closed at night. With unique codes or proximity tags, you’ll also know who has opened or closed up your premises. Unfortunately we can’t help with who didn’t lock up properly, but we’ll work on that.

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Conclusion

Alarm systems have evolved into so much more in recent years. New devices are continuously being developed and reliability is higher than ever. Alarm systems have introduced so many convenience features that bring additional value to the user. So why not make more use of the system you have today. If you’ve got an older alarm system, why not consider an upgrade to something capable of modern features? Remember upgrades can reuse existing cabling keeping costs down.

Domestic Alarm Systems

Commercial Alarm Systems