Integrating Z-Wave Technology with a FrontPoint Security System

Smart homes continue to grow in popularity and, companies across the globe, including FrontPoint Security, have embraced home automation. Last month’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) featured a lot of new ‘smart’ devices, adding to the current ‘Internet of Things’ trend. By all accounts, it looks like smart homes are here to stay. As home automation becomes more prominent, it’s important to understand how it works. This begins with learning about Z-Wave technology, a critical component of home automation. The Basics of Z-Wave Technology What is Z-Wave? Straight from Z-Wave.com:

Z-Wave is a wireless technology that makes regular household products, like lights, door locks and thermostats “smart”. Z-Wave products “talk” to each other wirelessly and securely and can be accessed and controlled on your phone, tablet, or pc.

Simply put, Z-Wave technology is the ‘brain’ behind smart home technology. It was designed to be smart and easy to use. Z-Wave products communicate using low frequency channels. This allows them to avoid more crowded frequencies -- such as those associated with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Z-Wave is optimized to make sure that there is no interference or interruption of the communication between your home automation products. Even if you’re in a large house, there’s no need to worry about interference due to the distance between devices. Z-Wave runs on a “mesh network,” which creates a relay system between Z-wave products. This allows the signal to bounce to each other until it reaches the intended destination. To sum it all up, Z-Wave is smartly designed and reliable, which explains why so many companies have been eager to adopt and integrate the technology. Z-Wave and Security Systems FrontPoint Security has embraced Z-Wave technology, with help from General Electric (GE). As many of you know, GE manufactures our security systems. They’re also part of the Z-Wave Alliance. This has allowed us to seamlessly integrate Z-Wave technology into our security systems. In addition to reliable home security, FrontPoint customers can take advantage of a wide selection of home automation features. The best part about this is that some of the staple home automation features – like wireless light controls and automated locks – also provide security benefits. The Z-Wave products are very easy to install and use. If you can use a smartphone, you can use a Z-Wave product. Our wireless light controls for example, come pre-programmed to work with your system. All you need to do is plug it in! (Did you expect anything else from a FrontPoint system?) The Future of Z-Wave If this year’s CES is any indication, 2014 promises to be a huge year for smart home, home automation, and, by extension, Z-Wave. We’re looking forward to the future of Z-Wave and home automation technology.