Have noticed that in the past year we have more enquiries regarding smartphone and home automation integration with alarm systems (from the younger generation, usually new builds), there seems to be an upward trend with less people wanting a monitored system and more wanting the above.

Had one client who wanted full set/unset control from his phone, despite the obvious fact that if it went off you need to know why generally, not just disarm/rearm it!

Have noticed that in the past year we have more enquiries regarding smartphone and home automation integration with alarm systems (from the younger generation, usually new builds), there seems to be an upward trend with less people wanting a monitored system and more wanting the above.

Id agree to some extent, younger people generally are interested in having some control via their phone or at least text alerts.

We see very little interest in domestic monitoring, that only appeals to high end AB's and they already have it.

The signet is good at this, turning the alarm on and off, opening gates, turning on heat etc.

I have mine connected to my gates but have yet to use it.

Turning the alarm on and off with the phone is handy if you have workers or cleaners in the house and don't want to give out codes

A lot of the things asked for can be done with a speech dialer with inputs and outputs.

it can be done with a speech dialler but true integration is better. 2 way feedback status etc. Id like to have that on my phone

It would be good to know who is already offering this. I'm sure powermax have something.

I know of one that has it on the way, the scanny ion does it in a fashion. There is a slight issue with it though generally. Im not sure if you can enter a password once and then see data or if you would need to do it every time. Id rather only enter once or once a month/quarter etc but if its classed as a level 1 user then its difficult to comply. Id expect most to do it the scanny way, ie only a virtual keypad. Ideally you would want a user /manager / engineer version

I know of one that has it on the way, the scanny ion does it in a fashion. There is a slight issue with it though generally. Im not sure if you can enter a password once and then see data or if you would need to do it every time. Id rather only enter once or once a month/quarter etc but if its classed as a level 1 user then its difficult to comply. Id expect most to do it the scanny way, ie only a virtual keypad. Ideally you would want a user /manager / engineer version

I'm interested in views on this. I've developed VirtualKeypad software for the Honeywell Galaxy G3/Dimension range. Are you saying that you'd rather have an application with Set/Unset buttons for your phone rather than a simulated Keypad ? Or both ?

ideally both. Common functions in the app. ie arm, part set, circuit status, set staus etc. But with a keypad for other functions not included etc.