OPTEX recently launched the cloud version of its GENIO Map alarm monitoring software. In this article, we examine what’s new with the solution and what are its benefits.
OPTEX recently launched the cloud version of its GENIO Map alarm monitoring software, billed as “the world’s first real-time cloud-based burglar alarm-monitoring platform targeting consumers.” In this article, we examine what’s new with the solution and what are its benefits.
OPTEX has long been a leader in the intrusion detection/perimeter protection field. Among its offerings, the GENIO series of wireless sensors, managed by the GENIO Map monitoring software for a Window-based PC, has always been a popular on-premise solution. To meet the request from the end users of GENIO Map, OPTEX has taken this technology a step further. In February, the company launched
GENIO Map Cloud, which is cloud-based and allows real-time monitoring of alarms via any browser or the GENIO app on the user’s smart device. An annual subscription fee is required.
“GENIO Map Cloud is the world’s first real-time cloud-based burglar alarm-monitoring platform targeting consumers with its affordable cost and fulfilling features,” said Ken Arimura, GM of Asia Pacific Sales Division at OPTEX. “GENIO Map Cloud is a simple all-in-one solution to manage the security workflow for alarm monitoring and management for small and medium-sized operations such as gated communities, factories, and warehouses.”
How users can benefit
The new solution carries various benefits. For starters, GENIO Map Cloud saves money and time, as the user is spared the effort to buy and install expensive, complex software.
“For many decades, alarm monitoring has conventionally been carried out by using monitoring software geared towards security professionals or by so-called Graphic Annunciators consisting of LED display maps, but their high costs and complexity of equipment have been hurdles for wide-spread general use in many places. GENIO Map Cloud provides a solution for those problems with the simplicity of cloud-based software that can be used at less than one-tenth the cost of conventional applications,” Arimura said. “There’s no need to manage router settings or to have knowledge of complicated IP networking. As long as you have a web browser, anyone with permissions can log in and use the software.”
Remote monitoring is another draw. “The all-new GENIO Map Cloud alarm monitoring software is accessible anywhere an Internet connection and web browser are available,” Arimura said. “Without the need to stay in an office to make use of GENIO Map, remote monitoring of multiple sites has been made so much easier as security staff are able to access the system by simply entering their username and password with their tablet while they’re out patrolling or currently investigating a security event. There is no longer need to keep security staff in a single location.”
Further, GENIO Map Cloud offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface allowing users to see a list of alarm events on a map that are detected in real-time, as well as confirm details such as when and where the alarms occurred and the type of event such as an incidence of trespassing, or burglary.
“A task list for each event is displayed as a workflow, making it easy for anyone to follow the process for monitoring operations. Users can also access past alarm history and operational logs. Being able to access detailed reports about the events while outside of the office, or being able to enter and manage security reports while on the scene of a particular event brings about a boost in operational efficiency, and creates an environment that is both safer and more cost-effective,” Arimura said.
GENIO Map Cloud is especially suitable for gated communities, factories and warehouses as mentioned earlier. These are mostly small- and medium-sized operations, which can benefit more from wireless intrusion alarm solutions. Larger projects such as airports and city surveillance typically rely on wired systems due to limited wireless transmission distances.
According to Arimura, the solution initially targets users in Asia. “Since we released it in February, we received many inquiries in Asia,” he said.
For more information on GENIO Map Cloud, go to its
website. A video introduction of the solution can be found
here.