by Jessica Barnes | Nov 6, 2023 | Uncategorized
According to Park Associates, the home security camera market is expected to grow by nearly five million households in the next five years. Video verification and video health monitoring can be an excellent source of recurring monthly revenue (RMR). For dealers looking to expand their service offerings, a monitoring center with the Universal Connector from Bold can be a solution.
A Universal Connector is a virtual monitoring center receiver that processes communications from devices in the field to create an alarm in the same way receiving a signal from a burglar or fire panel does. WH International Response Center (WHIRC) uses its universal connector to provide monitoring to a variety of security products. Some examples include HVAC systems, GPS devices, video health monitoring, and alarm verification. Texts, email, open database connectivity (ODBC), protocols including FTP, TCP, and UDP, and simple files can now be processed as an alarm.
WHIRC also uses the Universal Connector to monitor outdoor automated external defibrillator (AED) smart cabinets created by Advocates for Health. In October 2023, WHIRC was able to dispatch first responders to a local park after a good Samaritan opened the monitored cabinet to retrieve an AED to help someone having a heart attack, saving his life.
Jessica Theisen from Advocates for Heath noted, “the Universal Connector receiver allows WHIRC to work with Advocates for Health’s monitoring software to receive critical alerts from a monitored cabinet that stores an AED. When these alerts are received, WHIRC can send out important texts, emails, and most importantly, dispatch emergency services so that help can be sent to the location of the emergency.”
Two of the most common use cases for the Universal Connector are video health monitoring and remote alarm verification.
Video health monitoring can trigger alarms when a part of the system isn’t working. Some examples of alarms that can be created include when a hard drive is full, a camera is not working, hard drive failure, poor video quality, and poor network connection. The process to set up video health monitoring with your monitoring center includes reviewing how the recording devices communicate, establishing a template for alarm generation, and identifying the type of response required.
Remote alarm verification allows your monitoring center to view security camera footage to see what activated the alarm and confirm the emergency. This information is sent to emergency services for a quicker, more accurate response. Camera systems send an email with events and can include video clips. From there, the dispatch staff can determine what caused the event and how to proceed. Custom programming is required to properly parse out information to identify which account is sending the notification. Once the account is identified, dispatch staff will follow the action steps developed in the planning phase.
A Universal Connector can monitor nearly any type of camera system with minimal integration, regardless of brand. It enables security system dealers to generate RMR while providing a very valuable service to your customers.
by Jessica Barnes | Aug 22, 2023 | WHIRC News
On behalf of all of us WHIRC, we would like to thank all our customers, dealers, manufacturers, and peers that attended our 13th annual Partner Symposium, which was held at Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, MN on July 20, 2023.
If you were unable to join us this year, here is what you missed.
We focused on the theme Reliability You Can Count On. One of the many highlights of the day-long event was the four-person dealer panel, which gave guests the opportunity to discuss several topics including how technology sunsets impact our business, labor and staffing, and technology integrations. Industry peers shared best practices and discussed changes in the industry.
Guest speakers from OneTel, Alula, Bongo Technologies, and Telguard presented their latest products and shared insights on navigating the POTS sunset. Vendors answered questions and provided additional information on a variety of topics including products, platforms, technology, and regulatory standards.
For the first time, WHIRC was able to deliver continuing education credits to its attendees. Scott Gobbi from Telguard presented a Certified Class on Alarm Communication Technology.
Some dealer comments heard throughout the day included: “Great event;” “Thank you so much for all the information;” and “We will be evaluating how to implement this new technology.”
Some other positive feedback we heard came from Chris Walsh from Stone Security: “We pass any increased costs onto our customers through our monitoring pricing because we monitor with the best.”
WHIRC is proud to host a space for dealers, manufacturers, and industry partners to come together and exchange ideas, connect, and learn about the latest technology. If you missed the opportunity this year, we hope to see you in the summer of 2024!
by Jessica Barnes | Jun 27, 2023 | WHIRC News
Plain old telephone service (POTS) is no longer the most reliable communication path and in many cases, no longer functions at all. Now is a great time to begin transitioning POTS communication to cellular, like elevator phone lines.
WH International Response Center (WHIRC) has partnered with Bongo Technologies, a manufacturer of cellular communicators. All Bongo devices communicate on FirstNet, a prioritized network, that will keep the users safe and connected. Bongo’s P2C (phone to cell) communicator is an easy way to move your equipment off unreliable copper POTS lines and onto FirstNet. Connect the existing line directly into Bongo without needing to reprogram your panel. Some of the Bongo features include:
- Priority cellular service to communicate with emergency responders.
- Already embedded, certified, and approved on the FirstNet Network.
- Emergency cellular voice plan.
- Authorized FirstNet TMA certified central call center monitoring.
- Easy to install.
All of Bongo P2C communicators are monitored 24/7 by WHIRC who will quickly respond and properly route the calls. Learn more at https://bongotechnologies.com/ or call Ashley Raisanen from WHIRC at 763-477-3122.
by Jessica Barnes | Mar 10, 2023 | WHIRC News
WHIRC is excited to announce an update to the online bill pay portal! Starting on March 30, the online payment portal will have a new look and feel. The new payment portal will also offer a Quick Pay option, allowing you to make an electric bill payment without having to take the time to log into your account.
There is nothing you need to do as a result of this change. Your login information is not changing, your payment methods will be saved, and the payment site URL will not change.
View some before and after comparisons below:
If you have any questions, please give our team a call at (800) 858-7811. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have!
Check out the new payment portal for yourself at billing.whe.org. Thank you for being a customer!
by Jessica Barnes | Feb 20, 2023 | WHIRC News
As we kick off 2023, the 3G sunset is in the rearview mirror and we can put our full attention and resources towards growth. Video is the fastest growing sector of the security market and can bring high value to your customers. Did you know that now you can add recurring revenue to your video services?
With our video health monitoring, video verification, and structured remote guard tour offerings, WHIRC can help you achieve your revenue goals. We have direct integration with multiple video platforms like OpenEye, and soon we will be offering Digital Watchdog. For video systems that without direct integration, we have the Universal Connector which translates email communications from the video system into alarm signals that we can act on.
WHIRC is committed to providing reliable and custom monitoring solutions for you and your customers. As reliability from traditional phone lines continues to decrease, installing a new communicator, either cellular or Internet Protocol, ensures alarm signal continuity. Replacing traditional phones lines will decrease the time that it takes to report a signal and minimizes signal interruption. Let us know if we can assist with transitioning your customers.
WHIRC is excited to expand our offerings in 2023! Keep your eyes peeled for the 2023 WHIRC Dealer Symposium coming this summer. We hope to see you there!
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