Tag Archives: DSC

Johnson Controls launches new entry-level screen-free IQ4 NS Security and Smart Home System

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The new IQ4 NS screen-free system provides the same quality and reliability

customers expect from the IQ Panel 4 platform, but at an entry level price.

ISC West attendees can stop by the Johnson Controls stand 18033 during the show March 29-31 to learn more about the new IQ4 NS system

MILWAUKEE – (March 27, 2023) – Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announces the release of the new IQ4 NS (No Screen) Security and Smart Home System. The new screen-free system provides the same quality and reliability customers expect from the IQ Panel 4 platform, but at an entry level price. The IQ4 NS allows users to take advantage of the powerful and robust feature set directly from their smart devices for added convenience and cost savings.

Johnson Controls will showcase the IQ4 NS Security and Smart Home System as part of an entire suite of security solutions in stand 18033 at ISC West, March 29 to 31 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We designed this new system with robust security features, as well as with total cost of ownership and ease of use in mind.” – Mike Hackett, vice president, global sales & marketing, Johnson Controls

The new IQ4 NS Security and Smart Home System features PowerG range and reliability, giving users the flexibility to create a custom-tailored solution for customers. Connectivity with Z-Wave 800 Series enables powerful smart home and automation features.

The new system comes with built-in UL rated siren with 24-hour backup battery, built-in speaker for chimes, custom text to speech and language translation. The combined features make the IQ4 NS system ideal for many security applications like residential, builder, multi-family units, and small to mid-size buildings.

“We designed this new system with robust security features, as well as with total cost of ownership and ease of use in mind,” said Mike Hackett, vice president, global sales & marketing, Johnson Controls. “With features like the simple SmartMount system, powerful Alarm.com integration, and accessibility through the Johnson Controls IQ Installer Interface application, installation on a wall or table is meant to be easy and efficient.”

Attendees can stop by the Johnson Controls stand (18033) at ISC West to learn about the IQ4 NS system and other residential and commercial security solutions. For more information, visit Johnson Controls at ISC West or go to www.johnsoncontrols.com/security.

Media Contact:
Karen Tognarelli
Director, Public Relations & Media
Direct: +1 571.214.7744

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Read this press release on the Johnson Controls website here

About Johnson Controls:
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @JohnsonControls on social platforms.

New IQ Remote PowerG security panel from Johnson Controls offers superior range and reliability of control

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The IQ Remote PowerG is a secondary control panel that gives customers

the power to control their security and smart home system with the superior

range and reliability of PowerG technology.

ISC West attendees can stop by the Johnson Controls stand 18033 during the show March 29-31 to learn more about the IQ Remote PowerG control panel

MILWAUKEE – (March 27, 2023) – Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announces the new IQ Remote PowerG Security Panel. The IQ Remote PowerG is a secondary control panel that gives customers the power to control their security and smart home system with the superior range and reliability of PowerG technology.

Johnson Controls will showcase the IQ Remote PowerG Security Panel as part of an entire suite of security solutions in stand 18033 at ISC West, March 29 to 31 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“IQ Remote PowerG empowers users to fully utilize security and smart ecosystems wherever they need with PowerG’s reliable connectivity.” – Jonny Safford, commercial marketing manager for Johnson Controls

“IQ Remote PowerG empowers users to fully utilize security and smart ecosystems wherever they need with PowerG’s reliable connectivity,” said Jonny Safford, commercial marketing manager for Johnson Controls.

“Incorporating PowerG is an important step in providing customers with convenient, speedy access to their systems in large residential and commercial installations.”

Customers can add up to eight IQ Remote PowerG panels per system. The 7-inch LCD touchscreen mirrors the elegant user interface of the main IQ Panel 4, providing access to their system and ease of use wherever it is set up. IQ Remote PowerG features the same chimes, voices and alarm sounds as IQ Panel 4, as well as the ability to view video streams from cameras doorbells with the Live View, Live Answer feature.

IQ Remote PowerG is also compatible with the powerful new IQ Pro, a hybrid wired/wireless system built for larger residential, business and commercial installations.

Additional features include PowerG Security Radio for reliable, encrypted, long-range wireless communications, OTA upgrades allowing for future enhancements, emergency panics, and live view video cameras and video doorbell (Wi-Fi required). The IQ Remote PowerG Control Panel is UL 2610 and ULC-S304 rated, including 24-hour backup battery. Users can pair up to three panels over Wi-Fi and five panels over PowerG for a total of eight panels.

Attendees can stop by the Johnson Controls stand (18033) at ISC West to learn about the IQ Remote PowerG and other residential and commercial security solutions. For more information, visit Johnson Controls at ISC West or go to www.johnsoncontrols.com/security.

To preorder the IQ Remote PowerG, find and contact your local distributor here: https://qolsys.com/find-a-distributor/.

Media Contact:
Karen Tognarelli
Director, Public Relations & Media
Direct: +1 571.214.7744

###

Read this press release on the Johnson Controls website here

About Johnson Controls:
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @JohnsonControls on social platforms.

Johnson Controls launches new IQ Pro Hybrid Security Panel, adding flexibility to intrusion protection

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The IQ Pro Hybrid Security Panel is purpose built for intrusion protection in

commercial buildings, large residential facilities,

campuses, and K-12 markets.

ISC West attendees can stop by the Johnson Controls stand 18033 during the show March 29-31 to learn more about the IQ Pro Hybrid Security Panel

MILWAUKEE – (March 29, 2023) – Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announces the new IQ Pro Hybrid Security Panel, purpose built for intrusion protection in commercial buildings, large residential facilities, campuses, and K-12 markets. The IQ Pro supports PowerG’s advanced sensor technology with industry-leading wireless range and extensive portfolio of life safety and security devices.

Johnson Controls will showcase the IQ Pro Hybrid Security Panel as part of an entire suite of security solutions in stand 18033 at ISC West, March 29 to 31 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“IQ Pro refines the commercial security category for Johnson Controls, bringing a flexible architecture enabling future hardware and software innovations and integrations.” – Mike Hackett, vice president, global sales & marketing, Johnson Controls

With IQ Pro, installers have the flexibility to connect over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, while simultaneously communicating via LTE. The industry’s best dual-path connectivity improves redundancy and reliability, integrating with Alarm.com for Business, delivering best in class remote connectivity, management, and access.

“IQ Pro refines the commercial security category for Johnson Controls, bringing a flexible architecture enabling future hardware and software innovations and integrations,” said Mike Hackett, vice president, global sales & marketing, Johnson Controls. “By investing in this solution now, building owners and managers can have peace of mind that their facility will be protected for years to come, even as their needs evolve.”

Additional features include IQ Installer Interface for easy installation, addressable loops, and capacity for eight partitions, more than 100 zones, and more than 1,000 users.

Attendees can stop by the Johnson Controls stand (18033) at ISC West to learn about the IQ Pro Hybrid Security Panel and other residential and commercial security solutions. For more information, visit Johnson Controls at ISC West or go to www.johnsoncontrols.com/security.

Media Contact:
Karen Tognarelli
Director, Public Relations & Media
Direct: +1 571.214.7744

###

Read this press release on the Johnson Controls website here

About Johnson Controls:
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.
Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @JohnsonControls on social platforms.

PowerG Comes to IQ Remote

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Never worry about your secondary panel’s connection

The range, speed and stability of Wi-Fi connections can be finnicky. Setting up devices that rely on Wi-Fi connectivity inherently becomes a guessing game as users work out the Venn diagram between where they need their devices and how far the Wi-Fi connection will reach.

PowerG revolutionizes connection with unprecedented range and stability, and it’s available now in IQ Remote.

With IQ Remote’s new PowerG functionality, up to eight secondary panels can seamlessly pair with an IQ Panel 4, IQ4 Hub or powerful commercial-grade IQ Pro at greater ranges than Wi-Fi can provide to give users ultimate control over their security systems wherever they need it.

PowerG offers over one mile of secure, encrypted range so IQ Remote users can confidently place their panels and devices wherever they need to without worrying about a loss of connection, even if the Wi-Fi goes down. Through its industry-leading reliability, IQ Remote PowerG provides a powerful solution to potential Wi-Fi connectivity issues in commercial installs or homes with multiple entry points.

 

IQ Remote with PowerG includes the same great features as IQ Remote, boasting a high-definition 7” touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, and over the air updates, all powered by Alarm.com. Many PowerG-enabled security devices have already released, with more becoming available all the time, so IQ Remote PowerG customers can rest assured knowing their IQ Remote PowerG and future PowerG devices will be able to join their system without issue.

 

What is Wi-Fi 6?

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The newest generation of Wi-Fi technology is more than a catchy name.

When connecting to new Wi-Fi networks on your smartphone, you may have noticed a small “6” next to your Wi-Fi signal strength and thought to yourself, “What does that even mean?” Maybe you didn’t even notice it because of how tiny it is.

Even though the symbol is small, that little number is a big deal. When it appears, congratulations! You are now connected to a Wi-Fi 6 network.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, following a change in Wi-Fi Alliance’s naming conventions. Wi-Fi 6 is faster and more secure than Wi-Fi 5, with support for new WPA3 encryption and a theoretical maximum transmission of 9.6Gbps – nearly triple Wi-Fi 5’s 3.5Gbps max.

While it’s true that Wi-Fi 6 is faster than previous iterations of Wi-Fi, you’re unlikely to notice a significant change in speeds on your wireless devices. According to Ookla’s speedtest.net, the average download speed in the United States at the end of 2022 was 78.86Mbps, or .7% of Wi-Fi 6’s theoretical maximum. Even across multiple devices, you’re unlikely to ever need to hit that limit.

Where Wi-Fi 6 really shines is in the number of devices that can connect to the network and maintain fast speeds. As more Wi-Fi devices make their way into homes and homes come bundled with more Wi-Fi devices, wireless routers need to keep up with the onslaught of connections headed their way.

Wi-Fi 6 enables routers to handle the ever-increasing number of devices with ease. Through features that more efficiently manage when and where data is transmitted, more devices can connect without slowdowns than with previous generations of Wi-Fi. Improvements to wireless security standards on Wi-Fi 6 means you can connect with confidence knowing that your information is safe.

What do I need?

Wi-Fi 6 starts with the right router. While Wi-Fi 6 is an amazing improvement to wireless connectivity on its own, picking the router that addresses your needs is essential to getting the most out of your connections. Router features can help you create an easier and more unified wireless experience with Wi-Fi 6.

IQ WiFi 6

The IQ WiFi 6 router utilizes Wi-Fi 6 like other routers on the market but offers additional features and benefits specific to the security industry to make your home or business safer than ever before. Remote router access, Alarm.com and IQ Panel integration, and a dedicated network for security devices means your Wi-Fi 6 network can provide the best wireless connection, no matter the device.

Get Connected with IQ Pro: Traditional, Addressable Loops & PowerG Wireless

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IQ Pro connectivity works through traditional wiring schemes, addressable loops or PowerG.

The new IQ Pro is a game-changer for connectivity.

No matter if you’re using hardwired or wireless connections, IQ Pro helps you set-up and manage your system easier than ever. But what kind of connections are there, and how does IQ Pro fit in?

PowerG Wireless:

IQ Pro does wireless different than other hybrid panels. PowerG Wireless is embedded in the panel, so there’s no other purchases necessary before a system can utilize PowerG’s 1.24 miles of range and secure connectivity. If the IQ Pro is in an inconvenient spot where it can’t be used fully, users can purchase PowerG Hosts to centralize or extend PowerG’s wireless connections.
 
IQ Pro’s PowerG wireless capabilities are powerful and flexible, but sometimes an install necessitates hardwired connections. These connections come in two main forms: traditional schemas and addressable loop schemas.

Traditional Wiring Schemas:

Traditional wiring schemas require each device within a security system to have its own wiring connected back to the panel. This method of wiring is best utilized in smaller residential installs as running individual connections through a building to every single device can become quite laborious.
 
Even considering the higher amount of effort involved, this method is relatively cheap compared to other wiring options. Wires in traditional schemas don’t have to be run in a specific way and do not require the purchase of specialty devices or panels to function correctly. By using this schema, installers can cheaper devices to connect to the system without fear of compatibility issues or set-up headaches.

Addressable Loop Schemas:

Rather than running wires to every device individually, an addressable loop schema runs one wire through every device on the system. Rather than having its own connection to a panel, each device is assigned an address within the system to give it a way of individually relaying its status and other information to the panel.

Because this method is less labor-intensive than the traditional schema, addressable loops are commonly used in large-scale installations. Installs are made simpler as the entire system uses less material overall than a traditional schema of the same size. Additionally, if a building has intrusion infrastructure already in place, an installer can utilize the existing wiring to set their devices up on a new system. However, to function correctly, addressable loops require addressable panels and devices that can cost quite a bit more than traditional wiring hardware.

If an installer does end up in a situation where using wires is the best option, with IQ Pro, they’ll be able to complete the install regardless of the building’s schema. IQ Pro works with either traditional or addressable loop wiring schemas to painlessly get security systems up and running.Instead of antiquated menu-driven setup, IQ Pro’s installer app, available for Android and Apple devices, reduces install times even more by taking installers through clear step-by-step installation instructions and troubleshooting.
 
No matter your connection, IQ Pro is there to help you manage and secure your assets like never before.

IQ4 Hub: Your Warrior in Winter

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Winter weather approacheth, and with it, the risk of flooding from frozen and burst pipes. Taking steps to prevent this disaster from happening may seem daunting and expensive, but thanks to IQ4 Hub, customers can keep their homes safe for a fraction of the cost.

IQ4 Hub is the most affordable all-in-one option for customers looking to up their home or business’ security and comfort. IQ4 Hub provides similar functionality to the IQ Panel 4 at a lower cost and offers a compelling choice for those wanting to secure their home or business for less.

Powered by an 8-core processor and sporting lightning-fast LTE and Wi-Fi Dual Path, IQ4 Hub unifies smart home devices on one beautiful 7” touchscreen to give customers ultimate control over their building’s wellbeing. IQ4 Hub can pair with devices such as the PowerG Temperature Detector, PowerG Flood Detector and IQ Water Valve to defend against flooding by monitoring freezing temperatures near piping, detecting leaks, and automatically shutting off a building’s main water before a puddle becomes a pool.

As part of the IQ family, IQ4 Hub also comes with many of the amazing features present in our other panels, like Bluetooth disarming and music streaming. Set-up is a breeze with the included SmartMount system, and the Install Wizard and on-screen diagnostics quickly guides installs with easy-to-understand instructions and in-panel fixes.

Customers looking to automate their homes can utilize the IQ4 Hub’s powerful Z-Wave 800 functionality to program their lights, locks, thermostats, or garage doors together in one panel.  Those with security cameras or video doorbells will be able to watch those video streams in real time and communicate through the panel with Live View, Live Answer.

Of course, IQ4 Hub comes in tons of different versions so you can pick the panel that suits your needs: PowerG, 319.5 MHz, 433 MHz, and 345 MHz.

IQ4 Hub presents a lower-cost alternative to other home security panels while offering a robust suite of features customers can use to defend their home against threats. With IQ4 Hub, your customers can buy peace of mind at a discounted price.

Double-check this to make sure the options are being used correctly.

Black IQ Panel 4: So Much More Than Color

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When creating IQ Panel 4, our designers wanted to make something that not only automated and protected your home but looked great in it as well. IQ Panel 4 is the first panel we’ve made that comes in two colors: white and black.

Black is a timeless color. It’s unique in that, compared to other color options, it doesn’t move in and out of trendiness in the same way. Insider.com predicted in early 2022 that black accents were going to soar in popularity. In fact, Google searches for black accents reached their highest peak in January 2022.

In 2020, Jessica Pierce, lead design consultant with David Weekley Homes wrote about this trend as well, stating, “We’re seeing a trend toward light, bright spaces with black accents to create contrast that’s very popular. Black plumbing fixtures, door and cabinet hardware, lighting and even tile, is helping to create this unique look.”

Of course, a room can easily be overwhelmed with black and become devoid of character and life, but light touches of black in contrast with brighter colors can pull a room together and make it feel “finished”. Neptune.com, an interior design company, explained why this trend works, saying, “Rather like a painting which is transformed once mounted in a slim black frame, every room can benefit from the stabilizing effect of a delicate touch of black.”

Your customers will be looking at their IQ Panel 4 every single day. They will have to consider the design implications of the panel as well as its technical specifications. For customers looking to tie a room together and follow trends, a black IQ Panel 4 will be a strong choice.

The Power of Choice

In 2000, psychologist and “expert on choice” Sheena Iyengar, along with her collaborator Mark Lepper, published an interesting study on the influence of choice on consumers. In it, Iyengar and Lepper set up a jam-tasting booth in front of a grocery store and rotated between a selection of six and 24 jams to discover how variations in the number of choices affected consumers’ final decisions.

The pair found in general, although customers appreciate large numbers of options, fewer choices make consumers more likely to make a purchase – almost six times as likely in their jam study. Additionally, customer confidence went up when they received a recommendation on which choice they should make.

It might seem like the choice between a black or white IQ Panel 4 is a simple choice, but it is a choice your customers will have to make, nevertheless. You can help them make that choice with confidence with recommendations tailored to their concerns.

Blog: IQ Base Sound You Can Feel

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When designing IQ Panel 4, we were intent on incorporating critical feedback into the panel. Many users and installers told us that the panel needed better, more powerful speakers. We responded to this feedback with the new QuadSound speaker system incorporated into the panel. But we wondered if we could take it further.

 

So we did.

 

The new IQ Base adds increased levels of depth to the IQ Panel 4’s powerful QuadSound speaker array. With its large, low-frequency speaker, IQ Base rounds out your panel’s sound with impressive bass to give your panel the richness of sound it deserves. No matter what you’re playing, you can be sure that you’re hearing it the way it should be heard.

 

In 2022, NPR reported on a 5-year survey about smart home devices and revealed that more than 1/3 of Americans own a smart speaker. In that same survey, they found that between 2017 and 2022, the number one reason users bought a new smart speaker was to listen to music.

 

Luckily, with IQ Base, your home security panel is that speaker. Thanks to IQ Panel 4’s Bluetooth connectivity, you can take advantage of IQ Base’s room-filling sound to stream audio from any app on your Bluetooth-enabled device. Jam out to your favorite songs while you’re cooking or wind down for the evening with a cozy audiobook. If you can stream it, IQ Base will make it sound pristine.

 

In addition to sounding great, the IQ Base makes your IQ Panel 4 look great as well. The sleek design expands your choices for your panel location, meaning you can keep your panel wherever you want without needing to reinstall the system on a wall. Install your IQ Panel 4 on a desk, side table, counter, or anywhere you want convenient access to your home security system and music.

 

But the IQ Base is more than just music. Every sound that comes out of your panel will have improved strength and dimension. That includes IQ Panel 4’s built-in features, like Live View, Live Answer for your video doorbells and cameras. Every voice and alarm – regardless of how high or low – will come through loud and clear.

 

IQ Base is an essential add-on to every IQ Panel 4 installation. Enjoy every sound’s mid, low, and high wherever you want in your home.

Blog: Keeping Water Where Water Belongs

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It’s the nightmare scenario: your home’s pipes have burst, and the water is rising quickly. An unexpected freeze may have blown in, or some aging pipes finally gave way, or perhaps an errant, thirsty tree root found the ultimate watering hole. In any case, you’re stuck with the repair costs of flood damage.

The threat of flooding exists everywhere. According to floodsmart.gov, 30% of all flood insurance claims are filed in low- to moderate-risk areas, and just one inch of flood water can cause more than $25,000 in damages. Standard homeowner insurance policies don’t include flood damage in their terms, meaning those costs will be coming out of your pocket – unless you have a plan.

The IQ Water Valve can help you stop flooding as soon as it starts. The retrofit servo can operate 1/4 turn ball valves with pipes from 1/2” to 1 1/4”. When a flood is detected in your home, the valve will automatically turn your main water off to prevent any more water from escaping your plumbing.

As part of the Qolsys IQ platform, the IQ Water Valve utilizes powerful Z-Wave 700 to ensure reliability and maximum range to your IQ Panels. Like other IQ products, setting up is as easy as putting your panel in pairing mode and adding the device.

Most amazingly, the IQ Water Valve can be completely installed without the need for a plumber. Similar, more expensive products on the market today require an appointment with a plumber to install, and that visit alone can cost you an average of $330 (according to homeadvisor.com). The IQ Water Valve is designed to keep your install simple, removing burdensome and expensive appointments to save you time and money.

In fact, the IQ Water Valve is so easy to install, our technical account manager’s 5-year-old son completed an install in less than one minute during a product workshop in 2021. In just a few turns of the screws, you (or your kids) can protect your home from future flooding catastrophes.

Protect your home, keep it dry, and give yourself peace of mind with IQ Water Valve.