Large Australian Warehouses Go Wireless With Alula Connect+

Commercial facilities up to 160,000 square feet are rarely candidates for wireless security systems. Considerations such as a site’s size, thick concrete walls, metal components and multiple levels combine to make deployment of a wireless system difficult at best. However, Australian security dealers recently proved that wireless technology easily meets the security needs of two large warehouse facilities in the country’s most populous cities, Sydney and Melbourne.

The Alula Connect+ security panel is built for a wide range of residential and small business security and automation applications.

At the heart of both projects is an Alula Connect+ security panel providing one hub for monitoring all system devices. The 5G-ready Connect+ is built for a wide range of residential and small business security and automation applications. The Australian projects include up to 70 connected points, including PIRs, smoke and seismic detectors, door and window sensors, access control readers and more.

Large australian warehouse go wireless with alula connect +

Ashley George, technical director for Sydney-based ASEG Security & Automation, said his company previously installed Connect+ units in smaller commercial facilities throughout Southeastern Australia. The success with those projects left him wondering if the units could meet the needs of much larger sites.

“I’ve been involved with the wireless market for many years and decided this was the time to see how the technology would work in a large installation,” George said. “Our client successfully used 100 percent wireless systems leveraging Connect+ in six smaller satellite depots around Sydney and Melbourne. That experience gave them the confidence to try it in a new 15,000-square-meter (161,458-square-foot) Melbourne warehouse.”

The ASEG team worked to pre-program and pack the entire system, including two signal repeater devices, numbering each box to correspond with a specific location in the new warehouse. George shipped the boxes to a trusted Melbourne contractor and oversaw the four-day installation.

The system was an immediate hit with the end user. George said the Alula mobile app enabled the warehouse management to receive real-time updates, including any system arming or disarming and views of cameras throughout the new facility and satellite locations. George said the wireless system saved days of installation time compared to a hard-wired project, enabling ASEG to charge a premium while also saving the client money.

Routine signal strength checks show the system is working as expected. George said he’s already planning more wireless systems for larger commercial locations that, until recently, were thought to require hardwired systems. “I’m pleasantly surprised how well this project came together,” he said. “Connect+ is a great product that’s light years ahead of the competition.”

Another Australian warehouse recently scrapped a hard-wired security system in favor of Connect+ based wireless technology, installed by Actel Group, which provides electronic security, building controls, fire accessories, communications systems and more from its base in a Sydney suburb. Actel Group Managing Director Vince Valente said the quick installation time of the wireless system convinced his client to try something different for a 7,000-square-meter (75,347-square-foot) warehouse for storing computer-related technologies. The project includes sensors in the office space and throughout the warehouse.

The facility includes two levels of offices and one level of warehouse space in a building, including thick concrete walls and metal structures — potential roadblocks for wireless communication.

Valente said the Actel Group had never installed a wireless system in a project of this size. The installation took a little over two days and was completed without signal repeaters. He estimates that a hard-wired system installation in the same facility would have taken a couple of weeks to complete.

“To be honest, we’ve dealt with wireless projects and they weren’t always 100 percent effective,” he said. “But that was working with other brands. We gave Alula’s Connect+ a go as our distributor recommended it. This project gives us the confidence to install wireless systems in more locations. I’m pleased with how efficiently and reliably it has worked. And, more importantly, our client is happy with it.”

Alula Launches BAT-Fire Universal 5G-ready Fire Communicator.

Versatile new communicator offers reliability, easy installation and universal FACP support

St. Paul, Minn. – December 7, 2021 – Alula, the leader in smart security and system communications for professional installers, today introduced BAT-Fire, an innovative universal 5G-ready fire communicator for system integrators requiring an all-purpose, full-featured device. BAT-Fire builds on Alula’s long history of developing award-winning products and services. 

BAT-Fire offers easy configuration and support of all fire alarm control panels using dial-capture to report Contact ID signals, or flexible inputs for interfacing with dialer-less FACPs. Simply connect the communicator via its dual Tip & Ring Dial Capture, configure the panel and the system is ready to go. The new communicator provides sole path cellular (LTE-M) and IP or dual path communications. 

Previously, you may have needed one communicator for cellular communications and another for ethernet,” said Dave Mayne, Alula’s senior vice president, product and marketing. “Both are always available on BAT-Fire, and you can turn the cellular radio on or off if desired, something other communicators can’t do.”

BAT-Fire’s four programmable inputs or outputs allow monitoring of auxiliary building systems, such as the HVAC and sprinkler flow control, for increased RMR opportunities. There’s no need to redo battery calculations, as the new communicator is powered off the panel, using less current and eliminating the need for a different power supply or a bigger or secondary battery. 

BAT-Fire features remote troubleshooting and diagnostics. It also comes with Alula’s industry best Five-Year Warranty, so you can feel confident that your investment is well protected.

“We took our time designing BAT-Fire to meet the needs of a proven, mature and established market,” Mayne said. “BAT-Fire offers features that help reduce the total cost of ownership and reduce the complexity of fire communicator  installations. Plus, with 5G capability, it eliminates typical hassles associated with cellular sunsets.” 

The BAT-Fire is now available through security and electrical distributors that carry Alula products.

ABOUT ALULA
Alula’s fire, security and home automation solutions are purpose-built for today’s independent security dealer and integrator professionals. Alula offers end-to-end alarm and interactive services, mobile app, dealer portal, wireless security/smart home system, universal communicators, translators, cameras, sensors and more. Alula’s mission is to provide differentiated security, automation and smart property solutions that help professional alarm dealers and integrators grow their business more profitably. The BAT-Fire communicator is available nationwide through distributors catering to the fire alarm and integrator industry. Click here for more information about BAT-Fire. For more information about Alula, visit https://alula.com/