Our Favorite Mobile Phone Apps

How many apps do you have downloaded on your iPhone, iPad, Droid or other Internet enabled smart phones? Which ones are your favorite? With thousands of Apps to choose from it might be a daunting task to start, so that is why we came up with a list of Apps we like here at the office.

Curtis Mayes, Installation Manager at Atronic Alarms, says his most valuable apps on his phone include Snaplink for his alarm system, Nviewer for his cameras, his Email app, and Facebook.  He also uses IP Cam Viewer to check his staff in the office when he is not there. His fun app? Drag Racing.

Rick Zink, Commercial Design Consultant, has over 582 apps on his iPhone, and says that he couldn't live without Dropbox, a cloud-based app that allows him to access documents from multiple computers; Geomeasure, which gives him the ability to measure a building in seconds; iReconcile, a checkbook, accounting app and Redlazor, a barcode app. Then there is of course Google, which is pretty standard on most phones. (His fun app? Too many to list!)

Alysia LaRock, Marketing and Sales Support, said that she likes Facebook, PinInterest and Redbox, and also uses her Email App, Alarmnet and Total Connect for her home's security.

Jason Rothrove, Design Consultant, says that his "must have" app is Email. He also likes Craigslist.

Other popular Apps for Atronic employees include IC Realtime, which allows you to access and control IC cameras from your iPad or iPhone, and the H@me app for the HAI Home Automation System. There is also Weatherbug, Google Sky, Pandora Radio, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Five Reasons to Invest in a Monitored Security and Fire System

PERSONAL SAFETY
If someone breaks into your home, alarms will sound to scare off the intruder as the monitoring station is contacted. After an initial call is placed to the location, the police are dispatched.

PEACE-OF-MIND
If your kids are coming home to an empty house, how nice would it be to know the proper authorities would be contacted if something happens? Additionally, many systems now have the option to view your home over a secure Internet connect with IP cameras so you can check in on your kids at any time.

PET SAFETY
A monitored fire system provides 24-hour protection even when the system is disarmed. The fire department is dispatched immediately if a signal is sent, which helps protect your pets and your home’s assets while you are away. A fire can get out of control in minutes, and immediate notification of the proper authorities may make all the difference between rescue and drastic loss.

“Ninety percent of your life and your survival come down to the small choices you make . . . Did you check the air pressure in your tires? Did you replace the batteries in your smoke detector?”
Author Ben Sherwood’s recounting of Sam Dunn’s experience in The Survivors Club

INSURANCE DISCOUNTS
It is obviously a benefit to the insurance companies if a home is protected from fire and theft. Most providers offer discounts off your homeowner’s insurance for monitored security and fire protection.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIFE SAFETY
Did you know that many systems have the ability to alert you to environmental changes in your home when you are not there? For example, if water is detected in your basement, if the temperature in your house is too low or if carbon monoxide is present.

Client Fights Vandalism with Video Analytics

Gardner Energy, an electric utility company serving the 18,000 plus residents of Gardner, Kansas, runs three energy substations within five miles of each other to power the entire community. After an episode where vandals entered the premises after hours and damaged the control boxes, Darrin McNew, electric operations supervisor, met with Wes Cowsert of Atronic Alarms.

As a six year design consultant for Atronic, Wes knew immediately that IP video analytics would be the perfect solution to their problem.

Atronic Alarms' van at jobsite.

Installation of cameras on existing pole structures.

Actual video footage of the site, with the blue and red boxes identifying between
objects and people.

Video analytics are “smart” cameras that have the technology to distinguish between people, animals and vehicles which helps eliminate false alarms. About a third of the cost of a full-time guard service, video analytics provides 24-hour protection without hiring extra personnel or investing in recording equipment.

Atronic Alarms installed two wireless video analytic IP cameras at each substation which monitors all activity. Police are dispatched after verification that an intruder or vehicle may be trespassing.

Total Connect 2.0

Total Connect 2.0 is Honeywell’s newest solution for home and business owners to have mobile and web access to monitor security, lighting, HVAC and video.

With hardwired or wireless IP cameras and access to the Internet through a smart phone, iPad or computer, Total Connect users can check in with family or employees from anywhere in the world.

The upgraded product utilizes many of the same functions of the older version but has an enhanced graphic interface, which makes it easier to track and manage your environment.

• Know when your children get home from school or if they haven’t arrived home by a specific time.
  
• Know if an elderly relative has left the premises, pressed a panic pendant or summoned emergency help.
  
• Receive an alert when the security system has been armed or disarmed.
  Find out when a liquor cabinet or safe has been opened.
  
• Receive an alert if motion is sensed in a protected area indoors or outdoors.
  
• Be alerted when flood or extreme temperatures have been detected.
  
• Know if valuable objects like flat screen televisions, paintings, heirlooms, computers or office equipment are moved.

Total Connect 2.0 works with most of the Honeywell security control panels.

We Offer More than Just Security Systems

[Warning: Subliminal Messages May be Included]

Atronic Alarms has been blessed with wonderful clients who share their stories with other people in the Kansas City area about their security, fire or home automation systems.

We also provide Access Control, Cameras, U.L. Commercial Fire Systems and Video Monitoring for residential and commercial applications.

Many times people will even take the time to provide feedback through our client satisfaction surveys, like the most recent one we received back on January 8, 2012.

"Sleeping much better since the alarm has been installed as we had a lot of car break-ins and one attempted house break-in in November. I was glad I accidentally tripped the alarm and saw how fast the response was from your monitoring center. Gave me peace of mind."

Much of our business comes from word-of-mouth and referrals by satisfied clients.

We also provide Access Control, Cameras, U.L. Commercial Fire Systems and Video Monitoring for residential and commercial applications.

However, our clients are also honest with some of the improvements they would like to see us make. We sincerely appreciate this and take each suggestion seriously.

We also provide Access Control, Cameras, U.L. Commercial Fire Systems and Video Monitoring for residential and commercial applications.

One client even told us increase our advertising in the area. "We didn't even know you provided Access Control," he said to one of the design consultants recently.

We also provide Access Control, Cameras, U.L. Commercial Fire Systems and Video Monitoring for residential and commercial applications.

There are many reasons why Atronic has been successful for 30 years and a small part of that reason is by investing money in employees and their satisfaction, not necessarily in advertising dollars.

We also provide Access Control, Cameras, U.L. Commercial Fire Systems and Video Monitoring for residential and commercial applications.

So, the next time your friends and peers are asking about alarm companies, let them know that Atronic Alarms is not just about residential security, fire and home automation. Let them know we can also provide Access Control, Cameras, U.L. Fire Systems, Remote Video Monitoring and Monitoring Verification. (In addition, if you are a monitoring client you will receive three months free monitoring if they become a client.)

Or, if that is too much of a mouthful, just have them just call us.

[End of Subliminal Messaging]

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Threat is Real

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, invisible gas that comes from fuels, such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane, that burn incompletely. You can't see it or smell it, and it's symptoms are most often confused with the flu, food poisoning and other illnesses.

Just recently a family in Kansas City barely survived CO poisoning. The threat is real and can be prevented by investing in a CO Detector that is linked to your alarm system. When the deadly gas is detected in your home, your monitoring station will be notified* and you or the proper authorities will be contacted.  Your monthly monitoring from Atronic Alarms will not increase and you will be investing in the safety of your family and your pets with a CO device.

"CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound."
NFPA

Visit the Atronic Alarms website or contact us at 913.362.0000 for more information.

*Panel must be able to communicate and in good working order for all signals to be received at our monitoring station.