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The wireless option

Hi-Tech Security Solutions speaks to security manufacturer, Visonic.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Visonic has been around for many years, yet it is not well known in South Africa. Tell us about the company – where you started and what your focus areas are.

Eran Shoham: Visonic was established almost 40 years ago. We are a leading developer and manufacturer of high-quality wireless, security systems and components. Today, we are a global organisation of 550 employees. Visonic is headquartered in Israel and all our products are manufactured in a 10 000-square metre manufacturing plant, also located in Israel. Our systems are sold through a network of subsidiaries, distributors, and sales representatives in more than 70 countries throughout North America, Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. When we first entered the South African market, our focus was on hardwired detectors for the commercial and residential markets. In the past few years, we have shifted our focus to wireless alarm systems integrated with a full range of wireless intrusion detectors, home safety sensors, panic and personal emergency, and also home automation and home surveillance solutions.

Eran Shoham

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: What is Visonic doing in South Africa and Africa? Is this a growing market for Visonic?

Eran Shoham: Today, Visonic distributes its products through a wide distribution network which gives us the ability to sell and support our customers countrywide. As for the rest of the region, we are also extending our network in Africa to include new distributors in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and countries in the Indian Ocean.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Visonic is a promoter of wireless alarms solutions. Is wireless a safe and reliable option for security products?

Eran Shoham: No alarm system is 100% foolproof – be it hard-wired or wireless. There used to be a lot of talk about wireless alarm systems being hacked. Today’s advanced wireless alarm systems integrate powerful security mechanisms that require a tremendous effort and very specialised skills to hack. Nevertheless, it is the task of alarm system manufacturers to make the job of hacking and circumventing the system as difficult as possible and we are constantly working on just this task.

Several weeks ago, Visonic released its new generation alarm system called PowerMaster-10. This system integrates the company’s innovative PowerG technology.

PowerG is Visonic’s revolutionary wireless technology that introduces a new era in the alarm systems industry, literally redefining wireless intrusion security and reliability. PowerG answers the demanding security and reliability requirements facing the alarm system industry today, as well as the challenges of tomorrow.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: What are the benefits of wireless security solutions for the home and business user?

Eran Shoham: Wireless alarm systems rely on radio signals rather than wires to keep everything connected. The major advantage of wireless alarm systems is that installers save incredible amounts of time and money on the installation because there is no need for wires, electrical leads, wire stripping or circuit testing. In most cases, installers use just basic tools to install the system and within minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the size of the premises, the system is up and running.

Wireless alarm systems also deliver several other advantages. Since the systems communicate over the air, the range can be much greater. The systems can communicate over several hundred metres, and when you add repeaters, this range can be doubled or even tripled.

Furthermore, there are walls which wires cannot penetrate or their installation would cause damage or aesthetic issues. Not everyone is willing to have tunnels drilled in their walls to install an alarm system. With a wireless system, you only need to mount the detectors and devices so drilling is kept to a minimum.

Also, today’s advanced wireless alarm systems offer cellular and IP-based notifications for monitoring purposes. So even if the home power or phone lines fail or are tampered with by burglars, the system can still send alarm signals to the central monitoring station. Our systems can also send radio signals through an integrated module (PGM – 5) for radio transmissions.

Another advantage of wireless alarm systems is expandability. Unlike wired alarm systems, adding extra detectors and devices is quick and simple. This comes in handy when, for example, you add an addition to your house or when a new type of device comes out. Also, home-owners sometimes decide that it is time to add safety devices to their home and want to expand the solution. With a wireless system, adding these devices is easy.

Moreover, Visonic offers a hybrid solution as well. You can integrate any hard-wired panel with a Visonic receiver to connect wireless devices.

The world is going wireless and intrusion alarm systems are keeping up the pace. There is no doubt that wireless systems can provide a cost-effective, secure and easy-to-install solution for protecting homes and businesses.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Which companies distribute or represent Visonic in South and southern Africa?

Eran Shoham: Our three main distributors in South Africa are ADI International, QD Electronics and Inhep. Together with them, we participate in road shows, exhibitions and customer events.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: What should customers look out for in the coming year from Visonic?

Eran Shoham: In the beginning of 2011, Visonic released a new patented technology – PowerG, and the first member of an entirely new line of products based on this technology – the PowerMaster family.

As I mentioned earlier, PowerMaster-10 completely answers the most demanding needs and requirements facing the security industry today. Visonic’s PowerG network uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum and TDMA (time division multiple access) technologies. These features provide Visonic’s PowerG network with military grade robustness and reliability, a huge transmission range of up to 2 km (LOS), and an extended battery life of up to eight years for most of the system’s devices.

Later in 2011, Visonic plans to expand the PowerG-based PowerMaster family by adding panels with a rich set of features to suit large residences and small businesses. To complement these panels, new PowerG-based devices will be offered to support the various security and safety needs of different market segments.

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