After months of planning and development, RFI recently unveiled the Control Center, its new state-of-the-art, UL-listed central station monitoring facility. This new central station features the most advanced tools and capabilities available, based on the latest developments in information and security technology. In this and future articles we'll outline some of the key new features and benefits the Control Center provides our customers.

Enhanced Reporting

The transition to a SQL database expands reporting capabilities beyond traditional static reports. Users now have the ability to run custom rather than pre-set queries and generate truly dynamic reports. This capability makes analyzing alarm activity and other data faster and easier. Customers can also receive automated notifications of alarm activity via an email to their desktop PC or PDA, or automatic scheduled reports on specific activity such as opens and closes. "We pride ourselves on providing a highly personalized service," says Mark Simpson, Manager of Central Station Services. "No matter what type of reporting capability a customer requires, we work closely with them to make sure they get what they need, when they need it."

Automated Receiver Technology

The Control Center utilizes the very latest in alarm receiver technology. An important advantage of this advanced capability is auto handshaking. "Every time an alarm signal comes into a central station, the receiver has to determine which type of securitydevice is involved to determine how to handle it. This is done through a tone 'handshake'," Simpson says. "Older receivers have to spend valuable time going through this process every time a signal comes in. But our advanced receivers are able to remember the handshake a particular device needs. This speeds the response time in emergency situations when every second counts."

Voice over Internet Protocol

As more and more business and residential security customers make the transition from traditional telephone systems to VoIP, their security providers must be able to handle alarm signals from VoIP devices. The Control Center is ahead of the curve here, being fully capable of handling signals from equipment designed to send alarms over the Internet.

Control Center IP receivers also have the ability to quickly determine if communication with an IP security device has been lost. "In the past, if a panel was disabled or stopped working, a monitoring facility wouldn’t know about it until the next scheduled check in," explains Simpson. "But the new IP-based receivers continuously and automatically check with customer alarm panels every 75 seconds to ensure constant communication between the Control Center and the security device."

Integrated Monitoring Platform

The Control Center uses an advanced integrated platform for monitoring various systems and applications. For example, when an alarm signal is received, video can also be presented simultaneously (via dual monitors) to Control Center operators to help ensure the best possible response to a given situation. This capability also allows video tours of facilities at any time of the day or night for security or operational purposes.

These are just a few of the new capabilities now available through the Control Center. For more information, or to schedule a tour, contact Mark Simpson at msimpson@rfi.com or (800) 400-7347