Connect+ Firmware Release Notes

Connect+ Panel V1.1.31.0 Firmware Release Notes 

05/03/2023

Features: 

  • Support for Medical Alarm Type in Zone Profile.
  • Improved handling for charging cards in panel slot configuration.
  • Improved handling of shutdown for low battery when the system is armed or in alarm.
  • Improved handling for DeviceLink communication to Touchpad Pros when in AC Fail.
  • Required firmware to support RE611P Motion Detector.
  • Required firmware to support RE603P Panic Pendant.

Connect+ Panel V1.1.29.0 Firmware Release Notes 

03/02/2022

Features: 

  • Allows connection for Connect+ Installer App to connect with the default password for the first 30 minutes of power up. After 30 minutes the panel can be power cycled or use an updated, custom, password. 
  • Added support for Ecolink Z-Wave siren. The siren will automatically follow alarm and status siren cadences that sound from the interior siren.

Connect+ Panel V1.1.28.0 Firmware Release Notes

11/18/2021

New Features: 

  • Support for Touchpad OTA updates. Allows Touchpads to connect to the local WiFi network when downloading larger firmware updates. 
  • Improved handling of the panel switching back to Ethernet if Ethernet has failed multiple times and cellular is available. Panel will also remain on cellular longer until Ethernet is stable. 

Bug Fixes: 

  • Resolved issues that would cause cellular cards to reset before the expected amount of retries. 
  • Various other bug fixes and improvements.

Connect+ Panel V1.1.25.0 Firmware Public Release Notes

6/9/2021

The following changes are included in this release relative to the current production version 1.1.22.0. This version will be released for production and global OTA (all check-ins). 

New Features: 

  • Support for the new LED Keypad. 
  • Connect+ will begin sending Contact ID code 441 (Armed Stay) for Stay and Night Arming Levels. 
  • Improved handling of CS LED on Connect+ panel. CS LED will turn off when the platform fails to deliver any event or when the panel is offline. Status remains OK for 30 minutes before going into Trouble. 
  • Siren cadence buffering – If a non-repeating siren cadence (ie non-alarm) is playing when a new cadence attempts to start, the new cadence is buffered and played when current cadence ends with a 1 second pause between. 
  • When the UL option is enabled, DeviceLink card (Touchpad card) will shutdown after 1 hour of AC failure. If an Alarm, Entry Delay, or Exit Delay occurs the panel will power up the card. 
  • Added offset of 800 for interface number. Ethernet 800, Slot 1 801, Slot 2 802, Slot 3 803. Previously Connect+ sent a number (zone 0-3).

 
Z-Wave/Scenes: 

  • Resolved issue that could cause door lock state to be out of sync with mobile app.  
  • Added two new Z-Wave error checks that display on mobile apps and Touchpad. Checking for door lock antitheft. Checking for online devices that are not reporting status. 
  • Added Z-Wave door lock and unlock trigger options (by keypad, manual or remote). 
  • Removed Z-Wave light control during alarms feature. 
  • Improved handling of thermostat polling. 
  • Improved Z-Wave Optimization procedure.
  • Other various bug fixes and improvements. 


Bug Fixes: 

  • Improved panel behavior for zone restoral of zone configured for “no siren”. Previously only sent restoral using siren timeout which caused no restoral to be sent.
  • Resolved issue that would check for incorrect user for bypass authority.  
  • Resolved issue with Touchpad check in after update that could cause successful updates to start again.
  • Resolved issue for DeviceLink troubles to display when Touchpad is connected over LAN. 
  • Resolved issue that could cause incorrect LED status of Wireless Siren. 
  • Resolved issue that could delay Alarm cadence to play from sirens when another cadence was playing. Resolve ensures Alarms always play immediately. 
  • Resolved issue during Exit Delay Restart that would cause mobile applications to be out of sync with Exit Delay time when a zone was restarted twice or more.
  • Improved handling of DeviceLink card Supervision Failure after restarts, connected to LAN and when panel is in AC Failure. 
  • Resolved issues that could prevent two-way voice sessions to start or time out early. 
  • Improved handling of Daylight Savings. 
  • Various other bug fixes and improvements. 

 

 

PREVIOUS RELEASE NOTES:

Connect+ Panel V1.1.22.0 Firmware Release Notes

Public release 12/02/2020 for all two-way voice enabled Connect+ panels and new installations. Non-two-way voice panels previously installed will remain on 1.1.21.0.

  • Resolves issue that would prevent two-way voice session from starting.

 

Connect+ Panel V1.1.21.0 Firmware Release Notes

Public release 7/21/2020

New Features

  • This release adds support for new Low Profile Glassbreak sensor.

 

Connect+ Panel V1.1.20.0 Firmware Release Notes

Public release 7/08/2020

The following changes are included in this release relative to the current production version, 1.1.18.0.

This version will be released for production and global OTA.

New Features

  • Changes required for compliance with new Residential Fire Standard, UL985-6.  All of these items are only active when the UL Compliant / Default Behavior Setting is set to OFF (UL Compliant). See full list of compliance features here.
  • Support for OTA Touchpad updates when Touchpad is connected to local WiFi network.
  • Improved handling of an unregistered panel. Panel will check in automatically every 5 minutes for the first 4 hours after power up.
  • Added support for Zone Restorals
  • Added support for Force Arm with PIN command.
  • When Touchpad is enrolled panel will automatically check for updates for the Touchpad.
  • Set RF Jam Detect detection set to 20 seconds. Previously 90 seconds.
  • Improved handling of Comm Fail event during ac failure when UL Compliant Setting is enabled.

Bug Fixes

  • Force 1st digit of event codes (event qualifier) to be always 1 or 3, even if custom report code.
  • Resolved issue that allows key fobs to arm to lower arming level while protesting.
  • Resolved issue that could cause entry delay warning cadence to only play for 8 seconds instead of 10. Entry delay warning cadence will now begin between the last 10-14 seconds of the remaining entry delay.
  • Improved handling of negative temperatures reported from the RE618 Flood and Temp Sensor.
  • Improved handling of short cadences through wireless sirens. This could have causes only partial cadence to play through siren.
  • Improved handling of rf sequence number when device transitions from out of sync to in sync.

Scenes

  • Added “Conditions” functionality to scenes engine. Triggers can now check for optional conditions before firing.
  • Added function to remove invalid scene triggers and actions. Would occur if a Z-Wave device or zone is removed.
  • Improved and added new scenes Triggers and Conditions. Additional Time options including before/after and sunrise/sunset.

Z-wave

  • Z-Wave Network Health. Improves handling for network optimization (occurs every 9 hours) reducing network traffic and interference for devices reporting sufficient signal strength.
  • Resolved issues for LUX brand thermostat.
  • Resolved issues for Schlage non-motorized door locks that support Security S2.
  • Resolved issues rounding thermostat temperatures.
  • Resolved issues related to z-wave exclusion of failed device.
  • Various stability and performance enhancements.

 

 

Connect+ Panel V1.1.18.0 Firmware Release Notes

The following changes are included in the release relative to the current version 1.1.18.0.

Public release 3/11/2020

Alarm Panel:

  • A panel that has not been registered on AlulaConnect.com will check in every 4 minutes for four hours or until registered.
  • Improved handling of OTA updates to Touchpads that are connected to the local network. This will speed up the time for updates by using the local network.
  • Implemented check-ins for Touchpads that update on the local network so the firmware version is displayed in AlulaConnect.com.

 

Connect+ Firmware Release Notes v1.1.15.0 

Public release 03/17/2019

– This release includes support for Z-Wave Certification compliance.

– Resolves issue that would cause RE616 Wireless Siren to display incorrect status.

Connect+ Panel Firmware Release Notes v1.1.14.0

Public release 01/02/2019

Major features for this release include modifications to keep silent panic “silent” on the premise.  This is important for our SMB customer safety in a panic situation. Significant effort was included to support GSM communications modules for alarm reporting and two-way voice functions.  Additionally, the panel is now reporting status on a 5-second interval during the panel entry and alarm delay periods.

-Added support for Outdoor DWS.

-Detect and reset DeviceLink module if no message from any enrolled Touchpad is received within 15 minutes.  The previous detection mechanism required 4 hours.

-Improved battery management by shutting down DeviceLink module if AC power is lost for more than 3 hours.

-Improved handling of OTA updates when the panel is armed.

-Changed the event report event code for repeater AC fail from 1370 (generic zone trouble) to 1342.

-Enable keystroke tamper function (defaults off). If 40 keystrokes are received without a valid PIN, keystroke tamper is asserted and all keypads enter a 5-minute lockout.  If armed, a panel tamper alarm is started.

-Added suppression of Touchpad display for zones with alarm type of SILENT_PANIC (always show CLOSED).

-Panel status is reported to the server every 5 seconds during entry and alarm report delays.

-Allow more than 3-panel updates per day when initiated by a Check for Updates command.  This will ensure that all updates are delivered in the same check-in interval when requested by a user.

-Added silent protest panel option.

-Add zone configuration option for Normally Open or Normally Closed.

-Add support for 2 way voice using VOIP over GSM.

-Add option to allow 2-way voice during fire alarms.

-Z-Wave improvements, updates, and bug fixes for certification.

-Various bug fixes.

 

Connect+ Panel Firmware Release Notes v1.1.7.0 

Public release 07/16/2018

-Added support for two-way voice over LTE. 

-Support for new features in mobile application and Touchpad versions.

-Updated procedure when a two-way session has started and a life safety device is triggered. two-way session is no longer aborted but appropriate temporal sounder is active. 

-Added support for Duress code to be used to arm a panel with Quick Arm disabled. This feature will also send a duress signal at the time of arming. 

-Improved cell card check in to handle updates to cell card more regularly. No matter the configuration the cell card will check in every 24 hours. 

-Resolved issue that would cause Silent Arming to stay active when using Night Arming. 

-Resolved issue that would cause z-wave module in slot 3 to go into supervision and clear shortly after. 

-Resolved issue that could cause Touchpad to change WiFi channel while updating. 

-Resolved issue that would cause an overflow of 602 events sent to a CS server. 

-Improved handling of queued events. 

-Updated response for zone protesting status.

-Various improvements for Z-Wave and scenes. 

 

Connect+ Panel Firmware Release Notes v1.1.5.0 

-This release has no functional changes to the field 

-Resolved issues that would caused comm issues with testers when generating CRC. 

 

Connect+ Panel Firmware Release Notes v1.1.4.0 

-Support for two-way voice alarm verification. Requires Ethernet communication. 

-Support for 40 Indoor PIR. 

-Support for WiFi Device Link Repeater. 

-Feature changed so if alarm type Silent Panic is selected the report code will change to 1122. This will ensure two-way voice muting options are properly set. 

-Feature to disable all siren cadences from playing during a VOIP session. This excludes Temporal 3 and Temporal 4 sounds due to their life safety association. 

-Feature added to allow two-way voice session to last up to 30 minutes. 

-Added features to Z-Wave support for additional options support by end-user app release. 

-Z-Wave improvements for better handling of retries and out of range devices. 

-Various other bug fixes and improvements for Z-Wave. 

-Resolved issue that could cause the panel to reset during firmware update if a check for updates command was sent. 

-Resolved issue that would cause Touchpad tamper trouble and restore to be delayed. 

 

Connect+ Panel Firmware Release Notes v1.0.4.0 

-Full support of scenes, actions and triggers.

-CS LED will follow Interactive Connectivity LED on panel for Connect+ and Clare registered panels.

-Auto Comm test timer is saved in panel memory through resets. Previously would reset test timer.

-Added feature that tests cell card connectivity every 24 hours if used as back up on Connect+ and Clare panels. SecureNet registered panels continue to use CS server.

-602 is sent immediately if the time interval is changed or feature enabled.

-Resolved issue that would cause an AC Failure restoral to show incorrect time stamp.

-Resolved issue that would cause Swinger Disable restore to report twice.

-Resolved issue that would cause Swinger Disable events to ignore Event Report Delay time.

-Resolved issue that would cause key fob to show trouble condition between first & second button press when enrolled by ID.

How do I delete a device from a customer’s account?

How do I delete a device from a customer’s account?

In AlulaConnect, navigate to the “Customers” tab and select the desired customer.

Click on the “Account Devices” tap on the top of the screen. I list of all devices registered to this account will appear.

To delete a specific device, click on the red “unassign from user” button on the far right end of the desired device’s row.

This device is now deleted from the customer’s account.

How do I change/update Central Station Information?

How do I change/update Central Station Information?

Log into AlulaConnect, and locate the desired customer. Click on the customer’s name.

Select the “Preferences” tab at the top of the screen.

Edit the Account Number and/or Caller ID number for the Central Station on this page. Ensure that the  “Override Panel Acct. Number” box near the top of the page remains checked.

Click “Save” icon at bottom of the page. Information is changed successfully.

How do I use the Device Migration feature in AlulaConnect?

How do I use the Device Migration feature in AlulaConnect?

** This feature is only applicable to new BAT-Connect devices on accounts with an existing BAT-CDMA device. **

Register the BAT-Connect Device on AlulaConnect, but do NOT assign the device to a customer profile; it should remain “unassigned” on your device list. (Do not delete the BAT-CDMA device from the customer account- the BAT-CDMA should be on the customer’s account simultaneously while the BAT-Connect is “unassigned.”)

Locate the BAT-CDMA device in your device list. Click on the device, and navigate to the “Profile” tab on the top.

Scroll to the bottom of the page, and locate the “Device Migration” box. Populate the “Source Device” field with the MAC address of the BAT-CDMA device on the customer’s account.

Click “Save” to initiate the migration. The BAT-Connect device will automatically transfer to the customer’s account upon completion of the migration.

It is now safe to delete the BAT-CDMA device from the customer’s account.

How to enable live video on Alula Slimline Touchpad

How to enable live video on Alula Slimline Touchpad

1) Select the Hamburger button on the top left

2) Select Cameras

3) Click Connect

4) Enter Pin

5) Select your secured Wi-Fi Network

6) Enter the password to Wi-Fi Network

7) Select the Back Arrow

8) Authenticate by entering your Alula App user name and login

9) Your cameras will populate

10) Now you can select the camera you wish to view directly from the Slimline Touchpad

Alula Expands Team To Reinforce Importance of the Dealer Channel

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Alula, a leader in smart home security and automation systems for professional installers, announced the addition of Warren Hill as Director of Partner Development. In this role, Hill will continue to drive the company’s engagement within the professional dealer channel and deepen Alula’s partnerships within the smart home security industry.

Hill joins Alula from UTC Fire & Security, a division of United Technologies, where he spent nearly a decade in various leadership roles. Most recently as Vice President of Partner Solutions, Hill designed, built, launched and grew the company’s customer loyalty program and led the development of a customer web portal.

“I look forward to continuing my work supporting professional security partners in my new role with Alula,” Hill said. “Our industry is evolving and I believe Alula is well positioned to help professionals keep pace with enhancements in technology and tools that will help grow their business.”

Prior to Hill’s time at UTC Fire & Security, he was the Director of Small Business Sales at American Express where he led a number of sales and services teams and initiated the start up of multiple new processes. As a Global Product Manager at General Electric, Hill managed the lifecycle of multiple software and technical products.

“We’re excited to have Warren join the team,” said Brad LaRock, VP of Marketing at Alula. “The Connect Family of Products is seeing strong adoption in the professional installer community and that interest helped us grow our core base of partners by over 30% last year. Warren will help us advance the complete offering we’ve built for Alula Pros, including our new Pro Program.”

The Alula Pro Program was launched earlier this year and supports partners with the marketing, training and sales assets needed to succeed and grow their business with Alula. This comprehensive new program creates community and empowers independent, local security companies to compete with large tech companies that have encroached on the security space with well-funded marketing operations.

“At Alula, we recognize professional dealers are an integral piece of the industry’s growth and innovation,” added Todd Hokunson, SVP of Sales at Alula. “We are thrilled to have Warren join the team. He will connect new and existing partners to Alula’s Pro Program, giving them access to a robust set of tools and services to help them serve their customers and promote their business.”

ABOUT ALULA
Alula is the only vertically integrated security and home automation platform purpose-built for today’s independent security and installation professionals. From sensors to hub to network, Alula offers a complete, end-to-end solution and one accountable partner. Today, thousands of partners across North America have nearly 300,000 active locations secured and connected with Alula. Designed for professionals, the Alula platform provides a complete security, automation and video solution for renters, homeowners and commercial installations. Alula is a business-driven platform designed to reduce truck rolls, increase RMR, simplify inventory and put today’s professional providers in control of their business, their customers and their revenue. The Alula platform is available nationwide through distributors that cater to the alarm and integrator industry. For more information about Alula, visit https://alula.com/.

Alula empowers partners with Pro Partner Program

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Alula, a provider of smart security and automation systems for professional installers and the award-winning inventors of the Connect+ platform, announced the launch of a professional partner program that provides incentives, marketing support, product training and access to an online resource center.

The Alula Pro Partner Program supports partners with all the marketing, training and sales assets needed to succeed and grow their business. This comprehensive new program empowers independent, local security companies to compete with large tech companies that have encroached on the security space with well-funded marketing operations.

“Over the past year, we’ve had the opportunity to engage and learn with our smart home security dealer community and industry experts,” said Alula VP of Marketing Brad LaRock. “We learned that they were eager for digital marketing support and training opportunities to help them keep pace with rapid technological change. This program provides instant access to the marketing and training resources our partners need to help them focus on their growth and expansion.”

The Pro Partner Program gives dealers access to a robust set of tools and services to help them serve their customers and promote their business. There is no charge or minimum purchase requirements to gain access to the program.

“It’s not enough to simply offer the best all-in-one platform and interactive services package; we also want to help our partners with marketing and sales support,” LaRock said. “That’s why we developed the program and made it available to all our partners to help them grow. We know a lot of other companies require fees or minimum installation numbers, but for us, it was more important to empower our pros to help them succeed, regardless of their market position.”

The program includes a welcome kit that helps new partners ramp up product training and knowledge as swiftly as possible by providing information on how to quickly and easily connect with Alula’s sales and marketing teams. The program also provides Pro Day Training — virtual and on-site tutelage so teams can feel confident about installing products in any scenario.

As part of the program, Alula also launched the Partner Resource Center. This exclusive portal for Alula partners offers a one-stop shop for training and marketing assets. This includes digital collateral and other marketing brochures that can be easily customized with the partner’s logo and contact information. The resource center also provides a well-organized, searchable library of install guides, training videos, product specs and image files.

“Alula has done a great job of helping us with ideas and supplying us marketing assets to work with,” said Nicholas Luciano, business development and team lead for residential/small commercial at Floyd Total Security, a mid-size integrator in Minneapolis, Minn. “Alula understands the fact that when they help one dealer, they’re essentially helping all their dealers.”

For more information about how to become an Alula pro, visit Alula.com/pro-signup. 

Category M1 Cellular – Why is it Important?

There’s a lot of buzz about the internet-of-things (IoT) these days, and the largest companies in the world are starting to get into the act.  In all the excitement, it’s easy to conclude that this concept of transferring data from homes to remote locations is a new idea. In reality, the security industry has been practicing this basic functionality for many decades.  Starting in the 1960s with the ability to transfer data acoustically over telephone lines, the Security Industry has been in the “IoT” business. We just didn’t know what it was called!

Security continues to cast a large shadow in the IoT space.  IDC estimates that Smart Security, which is the convergence of security, video, and home automation, will increase its share of “Smart Home Device” shipments from 39.7% in 2019 to 54.1% in 2023.  Similarly, in the commercial space, security applications continue to have a strong and growing presence. In recent years, cellular networks have been the communication channel of choice for security manufacturers and integrators.  This paper discusses recent developments in cellular IoT, and how the Connect™ Family of products from Alula takes advantage of the many benefits offered by these new technologies.

Download the CAT-M1 whitepaper here.

Alula’s Enhanced Website and Tagline Reinforce The Company’s Dealer Focus

ST. PAUL, MINN. (PRWEB) JANUARY 14, 2020

Alula, the leader in smart security and automation systems for professional installers and the award-winning inventors of the Connect+ platform, doubled down on its commitment to professional security installers by making them the centerpiece of the company’s new tagline and website.

Previously known for “Simplifying Security,” Alula has reinvented its tagline for 2020 and will now highlight “Professional Smart Security.” While ease of installation is still an important part of Alula’s value to customers, the new tagline further emphasizes that Alula only sells to professional installers and differentiates it from the slew of DIY offerings that have crowded the marketplace.

“Over the past few short years, we have seen a number of marketing companies enter the security space with DIY offerings that go around the professionals who made this business great,” says Alula CEO Brian McLaughlin. “Alula was built on and has always been committed to maintaining a partnership with the professional dealer and installer community. We still believe that the best security is provided by local professionals.”

As the smart home security industry enters a new decade, Alula’s goal is to clearly represent its unique position in the marketplace, and more importantly, the company’s trusted partnership with installers. As the tagline suggests, Alula puts “Professional” first.

Along with the new tagline, Alula launched a new website at https://Alula.com (previously at alula.net.) Like the new tagline, the refreshed website is an expression of Alula’s professional-first mindset. The website, designed specifically for professional security installers, includes several tools and programs to enhance profitability. Among the new features:

  • An interactive demo showing the breadth of Alula’s solutions
  • Easy access to all key info for product features, SKUs, and technical sheets
  • Rebate programs for professionals to help them capture new business
  • A newly launched program that rewards referrals
  • Resources that include install guides and a robust library of webinars

“Alula is the first all-in-one hardware and interactive services provider that is 100% focused on professional partners,” says McLaughlin. “This refresh of the Alula brand puts our partners front and center and reminds their customers of the value of hiring a trusted local security consultant.”

ABOUT ALULA
Alula is the only vertically integrated security and home automation platform purpose-built for today’s independent security and installation professionals. From sensors to hub to network, Alula offers a complete, end-to-end solution and one accountable partner. Today, thousands of partners across North America have nearly 300,000 active locations secured and connected with Alula. Designed for professionals, the Alula platform provides a complete security, automation and video solution for renters, homeowners and commercial installations. Alula is a business-driven platform designed to reduce truck rolls, increase RMR, simplify inventory and put today’s professional providers in control of their business, their customers and their revenue. The Alula platform is available nationwide through distributors that cater to the alarm and integrator industry. For more information about Alula, visit https://alula.com.