Alula Wins 2021 ESX Innovation Award For Giving Smart Home Security Installers New, Optimized Tools That Drive Profitable Business Growth

Electronic Security Association Recognizes IoT and Security Pioneer Alula for Third Consecutive Year

Alula, the leader in smart security and automation systems for professional installers, was recognized by the Electronic Security Association (ESA) at the 2021 Electronic Security Expo (ESX), winning the ESX Innovation Award in the Installation & Service Tools category. Alula’s latest win for their Platform Service Enhancements marks the third consecutive year Alula has received an Innovation Award at ESX.

Alula enjoys a rich history of award winning innovation for their products and services. In 2020, Alula won an Innovation Award, and was recognized as Best in Show runner up for the Slimline Touchpad in the Smart Home – Electronics/Control Systems category. In 2019, Alula’s BAT-Connect universal 5G-ready communicator took home the Innovation Award in the Intrusion Systems Category.

“This award reinforces Alula’s commitment to constantly innovate on behalf of professional dealer-partners. We’re honored to be recognized by the leaders of the security industry for providing alarm dealers with tools that will save them time and money and help strengthen their own brand in the eyes of their customers,” said Warren Hill, Vice President, Marketing and Partner Development at Alula. “Alula is focused on delivering value to professional security dealers and integrators with a comprehensive suite of services that improve overall customer engagement, satisfaction and retention.”

The three key elements to Alula’s latest service enhancement include:

Auto-configuration of Alula InteractiveTM: The Alula mobile app will automatically optimize the user interface based on the services that the customer has purchased, so the end-user only sees icons they can use. The app will automatically remove any unnecessary service options to streamline and simplify the customer experience.

Remote communication path enablement: The AlulaConnectTM platform has been enhanced to enable remote management of the communication path. From the beginning, Alula has allowed for triple-path connectivity utilizing Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and/or Cellular connections. This platform enhancement now allows professional dealers to remotely manage and toggle these paths, on and off, without rolling a truck.

Custom branding on app and touchpad: Alula Partners may now incorporate their logo, branding, and color scheme on both the mobile app and on the Slimline Touchpad. This customization is ideal for any professional installer looking to enhance brand recognition with their customers.

“Professional dealers are the lifeblood of this industry and consumers increasingly want them to serve as trusted partners to install, service and secure their smart home. These new service capabilities will empower our partners to do just that,” said Brian McLaughlin, CEO at Alula. “Alula’s continued focus is on delivering services and solutions that will help alarm professionals win in an increasingly competitive environment.”

AlulaConnect.com Updates

This page is a log for AlulaConnect.com new features, updates, and improvements.

-AlulaConnect updates will include various enhancements, Alula technical support features, site maintenance, and bug fixes in addition to the highlights listed below.

Updates as of February 23rd 2023

  • Added support for Virtual Keypad with Vista 128 in the end-user portal.

Updates as of February 9th 2023

  • Added ability for central station logins to manage Account Transfers.
  • Added support for Medical Alarm and Flammable Gas in Alarm Types for Connect+ panels.

Updates as of January 24th 2023

  • Support ability to update a Local Only User to a Sub User
  • Added the option to select a Zone Profile when enrolling a zone. This allows installers to select a non-default profile when enrolling a zone. This improves scenarios such as a DWS installed as a perimeter zone or configuring hardwired zones.

Updates as of December 21st 2022

  • Support ability to update Sub User to an Account User. This User Type gives the same authorities as an Account Owner.
  • On the Overview page the Keyfob Status was updated to Keyfob Low Battery.

Updates as of December 6th 2022

  • Added direct download of CSV exports (previously CSVs were emailed).
  • Allows Dealers to enroll Technician Users into Alula Services Status Updates emails.

Updates as of November 15th 2022

  • Support for remote configuration of Touchpad setting (requires Touchpad firmware version 0.3.13.0 or later).
  • Added ability to active cellular on BAT-Fire remotely.

Updates as of November 7th 2022

  • Refined consumer password reset workflow brining both reset options into one window (see additional notes on October 3rd release).

Updates as of October 3rd 2022

  • Updates to consumer password reset workflows. Enhanced security now required. Account Owners, Account Users, Technicians, and Dealers are prompted to re-enter their login password when resetting.

Updates as of September 16th 2022

  • Added ability to promote a Technician to a Dealer permission level.
  • Improved Device assignment and Customer Creation workflows.
  • Added support for future RE611P release.

Updates as of September 7th 2022

  • Added additional searches central stations with bound dealers.
  • Disable cellular radio when choosing sole path Ethernet for BAT-Fire.
  • Added “Override Panel Account Number” for BAT-Fire.
  • Renamed “Sensors” tab to “Peripherals” tab.
  • Added option to “Show” the Installer code and password.

Updates as of August 9th 2022

  • Added ability to export Sensor/Zone list

Updates as of July 19th 2022

  • Moved Global Volume Settings to the Panel Settings page.
  • Added Alula Messenger to reporting metrics.

Updates as of  June 22nd 2022

  • Added Account Creation Wizard that walks through the entire process of account creation in a single window.
  • Added ability to Search by Feature Plans.

Updates as of June 14th 2022

  • Improved sensor enrollment workflow for single Zone Input Index devices.
  • Showing BAT-Fire pricing in the Communication Tab.
  • Improved handling of online/offline status of Cameras.
  • Resolved issue that allowed BAT-Fire Inputs to be mapped to the same zone number.

Updates as of May 10th 2022

  • Added Camera Account Number field. This number is searchable and will appear in your billing file.
  • Added Overview Tab for Cameras.

Updates as of May 2nd 2022

  • Improved handling of  phone number entry particularly when copy/pasted.
  • Added Overview tab for Cameras.

Updates as of April 4th 2022

  • Added enable/disable enroll mode on Touchpads page.
  • Support of Lat/Lon set in the Overview tab. Currently set in mobile applications to run Scenes.
  • Added feature to remove Account entirely after unassigning a Device. Additional confirmation is required before deleting customer record.
  • Support for new Tilt sensor device type.

Updates as of March 21st 2022

  • Added support for BAT-Connect Installer Code. This is used by the Touchpad only.
  • Removed Automated Phone Call option from Notification menu.

Updates as of February 26th 2022

  • Added counter and tracker for 3G cellular devices.
  • Added Advanced Search for Users.
  • Added filters for searching devices in Programs.

Updates as of February 15th 2022

  • Support for stitching clips into a single video on the end user portal.
  • Support for Connect+ sensors to be programmed Normally Open or Normally Closed.

Updates as of February 2nd 2022

  • Added Company Name field for customer records.
  • Added deactivation of cellular radio into the device registration workflow
  • AlulaConnect will not deactivate cellular when devices are unregistered.
  • Improved BAT-Fire workflow and helper text.

Updates as of January 18th 2022

  • Improved handling of lower supervision times for BAT-Fire.
  • Show Touchpad signal strength.
  • Removed enrollment for Alula Sunset Program. See current Service Credit Program for details.

Updates as of January 6th 2022

  • Added Alarm state condition to branding preview.
  • Added graph for troubles over time.

Updates as of December 9th 2021

  • Rework of BAT-Fire supervision selection.
  • Improve handling of branding package with Alula API.

Updates as of November 30th 2021

  • Removed Enroll option when Connect+ panel is armed.
  • Added reports for additional Trouble reports.
  • Added support for the new Touchpad Pro device type.
  • Added online/offline status for Cameras.
  • Increased bulk import limit to 2000.

Updates as of November 9th 2021

  • Added Info bar to Devices and Camera pages. Shows activation date and ability to copy MAC or serial number.
  • Added Branding previews.
  • Improved Relay Status of BAT-Fire signals.

Updates as of October 29th 2021

  • Added support for changing BAT-Fire NNC
  • Removed options for legacy products to receive updates.

Updates as of October 19th 2021

  • Improved firmware update progress bar.
  • BAT-Fire enhancements.
  • Resolved issue for Clare product not showing receiver info.

Updates as of October 12th 2021

  • Improved formatting and verbiage on BAT-Fire specific menus.
  • Resolved issue that was preventing saving BAT-Fire routing with no AES encryption.

Updates as of October 1st 2021

  • Accept company logo for Touchpad branding.
  • Added options for color picker and hex code look up for color branding.

Updates as of September 21st 2021

  • Release of new tabs for programming and configuring BAT-Fire.

Updates as of September 15th 2021

  • Added filtering for Devices by Features. Pull reports based on Devices with Alarm Transmission, Alarm Notifications, Interactive Services, Home Automation, FailSafe, two-way voice, and Alarm Verification services.

Updates as of September 8th 2021

  • Display “Chatty” near sensors that no longer show state changes. BAT-Connect will declare a sensor “Chatty” when its exceeded 10 state changes in less than 10 minutes. Contact support for a complete understanding of the algorithm.

Updates as of August 31st 2021

  • Handling termination fees for unregistering a device in a Sunset or Builder Program.
  • Support for a Move-Out behavior. Move Out command will remove PINs from panel and reset and Z-Wave lock.
  • Created an Email link from the Customer Profile.
  • Improved handling of AlulaConnect Signals page.

Updates as of August 8th 2021

  • Improved use of browsers back button by removing each tab from being logged to browser history.
  • Added ability to configure a Bosch Conettix receiver which will be used exclusively for the BAT-Fire products.
  • Resolved issue that was causing Last Name to be required for a PIN-Only User.

Updates as of July 22nd 2021

  • Mange creation and display of Account Users which allows same authority as the Account Owner
  • Combined the Account Devices and Sub-User Devices tabs.
  • Various other navigation improvements based on changes to User creation and Device management

Updates as of July 14th 2021

  • Support for new Long Life DWS.

Updates as of June 28th 2021

  •  Added ability to add a PIN Only User to Connect+ and BAT-Connect systems.
  • Added Developer Tools inside AlulaConnect logins.
  • Resolved issue preventing Dealers from being bound to a Central Station.

Updates as of June 2nd 2021

  • Export CSVs – Dealer logins can get an CSV file emailed from Alula of both Customer and Device lists. 

Updates as of May 12th 2021

  • Allow IP-Only configuration of BAT-Connect or Connect+ w/Cellular Card. Cellular can be enabled again anytime, without a truck roll. Fee applies to re-activations. 

Updates as of May 5th 2021

  • Created Profile page for Cameras that include account details. 
  • Added 601 Test signal from platform to CS. This would allow to test CS configurations without a device online. 

Updates as of April 27th 2021

  • Resolved issues that would cause Central Stations to see 500 error when checking IP Receivers connections page. 
  • Removed “Lighting Controls During Alarms” feature from AlulaConnect. The feature was not allowed for Certification by Z-Wave Alliance. 
  • Remove the “More Actions” button from Local Only Users. 
  • Resolved issue on consumer portal that could show incorrect temperatures of Temp Sensor. 

Updates as of April 20th 2021

  • Allow Partners to enroll into Alula’s Sunset Program right through AlulaConnect login.
  • Created workflow for CSTs reps to create Partners subdomain for AlulaConnect. Partners can now ask CST reps for domains of www.CompanyName.AlulaConnect.com.  

Updates as of April 13th 2021

  • Added feature to allow Local Only Users. These users will only require a First Name, and a PIN to save. 
  • Removed Disable Auto Updates feature from Connect+ & BAT-Connect devices. 
  • Resolved issue that could cause Arming Bar on consumer portal to not update properly. 

Updates as of March 22nd 2021

  • Resolved issue with video clips on consumer web portal. 
  • Resolved issue that prevents Technical users from using the Replace Device feature. 

Updates as of March 16th 2021

  • VKP support for Concord panels.
  • Resolved issue where Panel Settings for Cover Tamper and Wall Tamper were not displayed. 
  • Added additional User Column to show User Type. 

Updates as of 02/08/21

  • Updates to Dashboard screen with additional reporting or business intelligence features.
  • Added option to select IP only for BAT-Connect and Connect+ panels. Can be selected per device in the Preferences tab.

Updates as of 01/05/21

  • Add feature to reveal User PIN.
  • Resolved issue that would prevent users from adding Open/Close and Bypass notifications from portal.
  • Improved handling of multiple Announcements.
  • Resolved issues related to Phone Number validation.

Updates as of 12/2/2020

  • Video Clips added to consumer login. View clips from a timeline or per camera. Download directly to computer storage.

Updates as of 10/21/2020

  • Announcement Board added. Announcement Board will be used to update messaging on firmware releases, AlulaConnect updates, maintenance and service impacts.

Updates as of 10/14/2020

  • Added Dealer Code configuration to support NAPCO panels with BAT-Connect.

Updates as of 06/15/2020

  • Improved Replace Device feature for CDMA to BAT-Connect devices.
  • Improved CRM integrations.

Video Services Degradation

05:00 a.m. CDT – Video notifications, clip collection, and live look-in services were significantly degraded and intermittently unavailable

11:00 a.m. CDT – Services restored for live look-in – Clip services and notifications are catching up and processing previous events and expect to fully recover over the next couple of hours

External SSL Certificate Expiration

  • Event Detail:  Intermediate SSL certification expiration prevented some services to lose connectivity to Alula APIs
  • Events Status: Resolved

App Release Notes: 1.5.3 for Apple and 4.2.194 for Android

App Release Notes: 1.5.3 for Apple and 4.2.194 for Android

  • New arming icon layout – revised to show only the actionable arming state
  • Added Biometric user access to app, supporting TouchID and FaceID
  • Phone rotation to landscape live view, orientation flipping of live view video feeds fully supported
  • Numerous improvements for video camera navigation, live capture, monitoring and messaging
  • Resolved network/camera provisioning errors, updated video library to expedite Camera WiFi configuration and registration, allow SSID auto-population with location permissions
  • Added Global Chime support for BAT Connect, expanded and improved Virtual Keypad support for Interlogix NetworX panels communicating through a BAT-Connect
  • Streamlined PIN code validation, added warning identifiers for users missing PIN codes
  • Improved Z-Wave thermostat fan control setting, revised demo mode for interacting with the demo thermostat
  • Adjusted an arming level action/trigger to the correct description, resolved a permission issue alert for user arming level authorization, and user permission assignments
  • Arming bar update in certain conditions to show disarm button during an exit delay period
  • Updated arming modifiers and arming bar icon color when the system is in alarm
  • Resolved an entry delay issue to show the disarm button on certain panels, allows user to disarm a panel before an alarm state
  • Defined a consistent scene name length to sync with hardware
  • Updated a heat sensor notification text in the zone configuration view
  • Resolved data and networking related stalls with panel users and cameras
  • Refined display for entry/exit delay, door window sensor handling, zone naming and event log content for the Connect-XT Communicator and Simon XT panels
  • Moved glass-break sensors into the Door/Window category
  • Updated Connect+ permissions view to better inform users of a PIN code requirement and save requirements
  • Improved invalid User Number NAK handling, changes to only observe and handle NAKs that originate from current client commands
  • Added event notification renewal at each launch
  • Updated settings text to be more universal vs. referencing a specific panel
  • Added motion arming icon where applicable
  • System troubles and trouble display improvements
  • Modified camera order – alphanumeric
  • Localization updates, other miscellaneous enhancements

BAT-Connect Firmware Release Notes

BAT-Connect Main Processor V0.2.3.0 Firmware Release Notes 

Released 03/25/2022

New Features: 

  • Added handling of 606 (two-way voice) singal with continuous stream of events. This improvement ensures that central stations receive the 606 signal with an alarm event in the same receiver and line number. 
  • Added status for chatty sensors zone status. This ensures the platform has the current zone status when the chatty zone status ends. 
  • Added support for Ecolink Z-Wave siren. The siren will automatically follow alarm and status siren cadences that sound from the interior siren.

Bug Fixes: 

  • Resolved issue that was causing force arm to fail when arming Stay on Concord 4 panel 
  • Resolved issue with DSC panels that causes no sounds to play after arming Stay.

BAT-Connect Main Processor V0.1.30.0 Firmware Release Notes

11/17/2021

New Feature: 

  • Support for Touchpad OTA updates. Allows Touchpads to connect to the local WiFi network when downloading larger firmware updates.

Bug Fixes:

  • Improved handling of reconnects to Alula platform. This was caused by missing keepalive packets when BAT-Connect determined sensors were “chatty”, meaning the zone status is changing very rapidly. 
  • Resolved issue that caused Daylight Savings Time to not switch over this fall.

BAT-Connect Main Processor V0.1.29.0 Firmware Release Notes

10/19/2021

New Features:

  • When Touchpad is enrolled BAT-Connect will check for updates automatically.
  • Improved zone suppression for “chatty” sensors.
  • Suppressed “Ready to Arm” status changes in the case where zone changes are rapidly changing (chatty).
  • Improved handling of reconnects after a Factory Default.
  • Added check for BAT-Connect to ask for local time (5 times per day) when time zone is not set. Previously only occurred on resets.

Panel Specific Support:

Napco:

  • Auto-detect of motion detectors.
  • Added support to clear alarms on Napco 816 & 1632 31G revisions.

Concord:

  • Improved handling of Panel Programming Complete status to ensure the entire zone list is included.
  • Resolved issue that would require a Concord panel to be disarmed to bypass zones.
  • Resolved issue that was increasing the user number by 1 when bypassing

Vista:

  • Added support for Vista 48A with zones over 48. Previously zones 49-64 would be read as new zones each time the BAT-Connect connected to the panel or when one of those zones changes states.

Z-Wave/Scenes:

  • Increased polling time for thermostats. This will avoid locking up thermostats.
  • Improved Z-Wave Optimization routing.
  • Improved handling of S2 encrypted devices when enrollment failed.
  • Resolved issue that could cause BAT-Connect to reset when locks were being send the wrong command to unlock.

Bug Fixes:

  • Resolved issue that would show no errors when adding a new User when the panel is full. Error will be “Invalid user number”.
  • Resolved handling of naming a Touchpad where certain scenario of reconnects would default this name.
  • Resolved issue that would shut down ethernet interface too quickly after receiving valid WiFi credentials.
  • Zone status was being suppressed even if other zone status bit changed in addition to momentary open status. Now we suppress zone status only if the suppressed status are the only ones that changed.

BAT-Connect Main Processor V0.1.28.0 Firmware Release Notes

Release for force check in only 04/12/2021

New Features:

  • Concord support – Full Interactive on Concord 4. Virtual keypad is supported on the Concord 2, 3, & Express panels .
  • Adding zone offset of 800 for Modular Interface Failures. Previously displayed a zone number. Ethernet = 800, WiFi Infrastructure = 801, WiFi Soft AP = 802, Cellular = 803, Z-Wave = 804.
  • Updated handling of CS comm fail – Previously monitored path from BAT-Connect to Alula Platform. Update will monitor the path all the way to the central station.
  • Improved handling of panel status after resets reducing the time AlulaConnect will show “offline”.
  • Improved handling of Touchpad reconnects after a BAT-Connect resets.
  • DSC – support for Zone Type 27 & 28 to fire/smoke.

Z-Wave/Scenes:

  • Added Z-Wave door lock and unlock trigger options to distinguish between lock/unlock by keypad, manual, or remote.
  • Add Scene Trigger to specify during or after Exit Delay.
  • Added check for door lock anti-theft feature. If present, Touchpad or mobile app will prompt user to enroll the device back into the previous system for proper removal.
  • Added check for online devices that are not reporting status. “No response Failure” appears in Touchpad or mobile app and suggests to power cycle device.
  • Resolved issue for DST on Sunrise and Sunset Scenes.
  • Resolved issue that could cause door lock status to be out of sync. 

Bug Fixes:

  • Resolved issues for DSC showing improper zone type. Zone Type 05 will show as PIR.

 

BAT-Connect V0.1.22.0 Firmware Release Notes
Release for over the air update: 12/11/2020

  • Improved handling of Network Processor updates.

BAT-Connect V0.1.20.0 Firmware Release Notes
Release for over the air update: 10/14/2020

New Features:

  • Full interactive support for Napco GEM 800/801 panels.
  • Expanded support for DSC user management from Virtual Keypad. Up to 96 users.
  • Add Fire Trouble condition in panel status, used by Napco 800 and NX panels.
  • Additional support for Long Range Radio supervision which is required for uDownloader support of Vista 128 panels.
  • Added support for NAPCO panels duress code.
  • Vista – support for silent arming for Stay and Night levels from Touchpad.
  • DSC, Napco, Caddx – suppress Exit Delay beeps on Touchpad when silent arming is initiated from a native keypad.
  • Added additional Z-Wave scenes for door locks (keypad entry, manual, remote RF).

 

Bug Fixes:

  • Napco 816/1632 – improved handling of zone bypass.
  • DSC – Improved handling of disarming while in Exit Delay.
  • Resolved issue that would cause Cell and Z-Wave to show the same trouble condition when supervised.
  • Resolved issue causing a CS Comm Fail trouble to persist after it was restored.
  • Improved handling of Panel Type.
  • Various bugs with Scene triggers.
  • Resolved issue with door lock user codes.
  • Resolved issue with Optimize Z-Wave Network.

 

uDownloader:

  • Improved handling of sessions ending, session timeout, and sync timing.
  • Added response to match BAT-LTE of unknown commands, and session complete for DSC.
  • Improved handling of multiple messages back to back on Honeywell.
  • Various bug fixes and enhancements.

 

BAT-Connect Main Processor V0.1.15.0 Firmware Release Notes

Bug Fixes:

  • Improves handling of BAT-Connect programming DSC panel when a local keypad has
    gone into programming mode. Resolves issue that could cause keypresses from multiple sources
    which would change programming fields unexpectedly.

 

BAT-Connect Main Processor V0.1.13.0 Firmware Release Notes

Special Note: This version will NOT release to units in the field automatically. Firmware updates will happen on first power up, power cycle, or Check For Firmware Updates command from AlulaConnect.com.

New Features:

  • Added interactive control for Napco GEM P816 and P1632. Event capture via telco.
    • Compatible with Touchpad version v.02.12.0 and later. Virtual Keypad and Ambush code support in future BAT Connect release.
  • Disabled Interface Supervision is default. Devices with supervision enabled will get disabled. Supervision can be manually enabled.
  • Improvements to WiFi handling.
  • Comm test event (358) sent for daily interface troubles/restorals. Previously expansion module (333).
  • Improved handling of Update LED status.
  • Improved handling of remote Factory Default command.
  • Allow 49 sub-users for “unknown” panel types.
  • Increased Touchpad enrollment mode to 5 minutes. Previously 1 minute.

 

Zwave/Scenes:

  • Updates to triggers in Scenes.
  • New Feature: Z-Wave Network Health – continuously checks all Z-Wave devices in the background for signal strength and attempts to correct errors.
  • Resolved issue with delays from LUX brand thermostats.
  • Resolved issues writing user codes to Shlage door locks supporting Security S2.

 

Bug Fixes:

  • Resolved issues that would suppress duplicate signals from Vista panel with no timeout. Time out is 5 minutes.
  • Improved handling of FailSafe during Entry Delay. Maximum entry delay is 5 minutes.
  • Resolved issue with DSC entry delay status while in alarm.
  • Improved handling of panel detection
  • Resolved issues with Touchpad on NX for arming and exit beeps.
  • Resolved issue with disarming during disarm state.
  • Improved handling of NX exit delay time

BAT-Connect V0.1.10.0. Firmware Release Notes

 

New Features:

  • Interlogix NX panel support, full interactive and virtual keypad. Read enabled zone
    types and names from NX panels and populate platform zones. Full support for NX4,
    NX-4V2, NX-6, NX-6V2, NX-8, NX-8V2, NX-8E.
  • Read zone types and zone names from any DSC panel. Populate zones in BAT-Connect
    and sync to the platform. Requires PC-Link to be connected.
  • Support for Virtual Keypad mode on all DSC panels.
  • Support for Vista 128 panel, Virtual Keypad mode only.
  • Zone status suppression for zones with excessive open/close activity. Also, suppress
    panel status changes of “open zones”.
  • Zone chime support. Chime is sounded on touchpads. Chime open & chime closed are
    supported. Entry/exit zones default to having “chime open” enabled.
  • Send panel status to platform every 5 seconds during entry delay to support FailSafe.
  • Event reporting for all partitions that are enabled in the connected panel.
  • Check-in with config server every 4 minutes after power-up, if server hostnames are
    blank (not registered). The fast check-in is randomized at slightly more than 4 minutes
    and will do that for the first 4 hours after power-up or until registered.
  • Improved handling of DSC Master Code when partition Master was being entered.
  • Improved handling of Honeywell panels without AUI field.
  • Improved handling of cellular signal strength when connected to LTE.

Bug Fixes:

  • Resolved issues where Touchpad sirens would not shut down during a two-way session.
  • Resolved issue for scenes, accidentally removing z-wave triggers before z-wave is ready.
  • Resolved issue – cover tamper status is now sent to the platform whenever it changes.
  • Improved uDownloader support for DSC panels, and improved platform connection for
    uDownloader.
  • Various other bug fixes.

Touchpad Firmware Release Notes

Touchpad v0.3.19.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 06/21/2023.

  • Resolved issue that would prevent a zone’s state changes showing in Favorites list.
  • Improved handling of zone bypass from Favorites menu.
  • Resolved issue that causes the Clean Screen feature to stick. 
  • Resolved issue that did not show credentials on the Alula Cloud screen. 
  • Adjusted low battery and shutdown thresholds. Touchpad Pros and Touchpads will go into low battery trouble at 45% and shutdown at 30%. Touchpads older than 3 years will shutdown after 30 minutes of AC Fail trouble. These changes were made to prevent a lockup state that made the device hard to recover from. For troubleshooting this issue see here.
  • Improved packet sequence number handling to enhance communication. 
  • Resolved issue that was only displaying the attention banner for zone troubles. Attention will now show for any peripheral trouble. 
  • Resolved issue that would cause pop up menus to be stuck if they Touchpad would Sleep when the menu was up. 
  • Improved screens handling primary and secondary network details. 
  • Resolved issue that caused button beeps when the volume changes were made remotely with AlulaConnect.
  • Various other bug fixes and enhancements

Touchpad v0.3.18.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 05/01/2023.

  • Added all Peripheral devices to the Security tab.
  • Added ability to hide all controls in camera Live View to improve viewing window.
  • Added support for panel status volume and wireless siren volume.
  • Various bug fixes and enhancements.

Touchpad v0.3.13.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 11/15//2022.

  • Added support for remote configuration of Touchpad settings from AlulaConnect.

Touchpad v0.3.11.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 09/15//2022.

  • Enables two-way audio from JSW cameras to the Touchpad. Hardware vs0309 and later.
  • Added configuration for motion detection areas on CAM-OD-HS2-AI.
  • Added object detection configuration for CAM-OD-HS2-AI.
  • Added support for motion detection regions on JSW cameras.
  • Added support for JSW 360 Home Location configuration.
  • Added ability to enter secondary network. This allows Touchpad to get updates directly from local network when Connect+ or BAT-Connect is on cell. This was previously only available when updates were available. Auto-updates will occur automatically when secondary network is available.
  • Various big fixes and system enhancements.

Touchpad v0.3.10.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 06/27/2022 for Touchpads with internet access.

  • Ability to switch to local network connection once available. Previously require a reset to switch.
  • Provide prompt to connect to local network when downloading through BAT-Connect or Connect+ and when downloading over cellular connection.
  • Added progress bar for OTA downloads.
  • Resolves issue where new camera line would not appear in the Camera list if other camera models were also enrolled.

Touchpad v0.3.7.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 06/27/2022 for Touchpads with no internet access.

  • Ability to switch to local network connection once available. Previously require a reset to switch.
  • Provide prompt to connect to local network when downloading through BAT-Connect or Connect+ and when downloading over cellular connection.
  • Added progress bar for OTA downloads.

Touchpad v0.3.6.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 05/07/2022 for Touchpads with internet access.

Features: 

  • Required support for the latest Alula camera line up (CAM-OD-JS1-AI, CAM-DB-JS1, CAM-360-JS1). 
  • Added support for WiFi passphrases longer than 30 characters
  • Added support to refresh the motion detection area
  • Added requirement to “Enable Microphone” when launching doorbell live view from Door Bell Press. Previously the session would start automatically but only one voice session can be started with a doorbell, preventing mobile users from accessing two-way audio. 

Bug Fixes: 

  • Resolved issue where clip thumbnails would not load when a camera has a large number of clips in a day. 
  • Resolved issues that would prevent screensaver widgets after disabling “Auto Sleep Display” 
  • Resolved issues that caused conflicts with OTA updates. 
  • Resolved issue where battery percentage un pull-down menu would not update immediately. 
  • Resolved issues where users were required to reboot the Touchpad when seeing “Identifying best network” when connecting to local wifi network. 
  • Resolved issue causing arming level not to update on screen saver. 
  • Resolved issue that causes “return to dashboard” to fail to take to dashboard. 

Touchpad v0.3.5.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 05/07/2022 for Touchpads with no internet access.

  • Resolves issue that delays Touchpad from updating Users PINs when PINs were updated remotely.

Touchpad v0.2.32.0 Release Notes

Released for over the air update 2/22/2022

Features: 

  • Adds support for Touchpad to temporarily connect to a local network with internet access. This allows Touchpad to download OTA updates directly from Alula instead of through the Connect+ or BAT-Connect. This will be required for cellular only installations when Touchpad updates are larger downloads.

Touchpad v0.2.26.0 Release Notes

Release for over the air update: 04/28/2021

Features: 

  • Support for Dealer branding on Touchapd
  • Added support for Weather
  • Improved UI for Scene configuration
  • Added support to edit the Installer PIN and Password
  • Added support for camera privacy mode
  • Added support for remote configuration from AlulaConnect
  • Made small UI changes to icons to better match mobile applications
  • Added volume quick settings
  • Added WiFi Network and battery info to quick-access menu
  • Updated AC Fail detection from 15 seconds to 60 seconds.
  • Added Z-Wave device signal strength
  • Support for Z-Wave lock “Jam Detected” condition
  • Various other enhancements and bug fixes

Touchpad v0.2.19.0 Release Notes

Release for over the air update: 02/22/2021

Touchpad Features:

  • Resolved issues for cameras enrolled with branded apps showing on Touchpads
  • Resolves issue that shows incorrect timestamp on video clips

Touchpad v0.2.17.0 Release Notes

Release for over the air update: 10/14/2020

Touchpad Features:

  • Added support for Napco GEM P800 & P801 panels.
  • Updated Scene Management interface. 
  • Added support for Z-Wave door lock codes on Touchpad.
  • Support for Alula Doorbell motion detection. 
  • Updates to scene configuration and management. 
  • Support for smoke trouble resets. 

Bug Fixes:

  • Resolved issues where panic in alarm was showing status “No panic detected”. 
  • Resolved issue causing Touchpad to briefly show incorrect time zone. 
  • Improved response time to camera notifications after initial enrollment. 
  • Various bug fixes and improvements.

 

Touchpad update 0.2.12.0

Touchpad Features:

  • Optimized Z-Wave status message handling.
  • Resolved issues around Voice Annunciation.
  • Resolved issue with thermostat temperatures (specific to LUX brand).
  • Resolved issues with missing events from event log.
  • Resolved issue with OTA updates to Touchpads.

 

Touchpad update 0.2.7.0

Touchpad Features:

  • Added support for voice annunciation.
  • Added support for a wallpaper slideshow.
  • Redesign of arming area. No longer using cigar bar – rather the interface will show
    floating arming buttons.
  • Automatically power down tablet with 5% battery to avoid deep battery drain.
  • Converted from left navigation to bottom navigation.
  • Moved glass-break sensor to Doors & Windows security tab.
  • Show battery level for Z-Wave devices.
  • Camera live view redesign.
  • Improved camera online/ offline status representation.
  • Allow user to configure a customer doorbell ringtone.
  • Added support to pan and zoom camera live view.
  • Removed the ability to initiate a two-way voice session in camera live view.
  • Added support for partition and account number in the event log.
  • Hide all security elements if the panel type is unknown.
  • Hide all settings that require a bus connection if the BAT-Connect not bus connected.
  • Show warning message when a user is trying to connect to LAN but before the panel is
    connected to the LAN.
  • Added support for global chime when connected to a BAT-Connect.
  • Added support for Touchpad low battery report.

Bug Fixes:

  • Resolved issue where Touchpad could not connect to a Connect+ Wi-Fi repeater.
  • Resolved issue where the Touchpad would not connect to a wireless network with a space
    in the passphrase.
  • Resolved issue where Touchpad could show “Ready to Arm” while in alarm.
  • Resolved where user could not disarm a silent panic alarm while the panel was disarmed.
  • Resolved where user could not arm DSC panel to arming level Instant.
  • Various other bug fixes.

Steps to enable annunciation on touchpads:

  1. Click on the “More” button in the right-hand corner of the touchpad
  2. Click on settings
  3. On the settings page choose the “Sound Tab”
  4. From the “Sound Tab” click on “Voice Feedback”
  5. Enable Voice Feedback
  6. Choose which voice feedback settings you would like to enable and disable.