 Last WeekWe explored a range of well-known—and not-so-well-known—features in Solomon designed to make life easier for service agents. If you missed it, you can catch up here Service Agent Functionality in Solomon. This Week: Monitoring SystemThis week, we’re lifting the lid on our monitoring system—how it works, what makes it secure, robust, and reliable, and a few statistics and things that might surprise you. Monitoring System The diagram above shows where the monitoring system fits within the overall solution. It’s the component that CTUs communicate with, and it, in turn, communicates with FENZ, fire alarm service agents, and building owners. It does much more behind the scenes, but at its core, that’s its purpose. Distributed for ResilienceThe monitoring system is built from multiple services and applications running across several providers and data centres throughout New Zealand—primarily in Christchurch and Auckland. We’ve intentionally designed it so we’re never dependent on any single hosting location or provider. All CTUs are aware of all services nationwide and can communicate with any of them. If one provider or location experiences an issue, CTUs automatically and seamlessly switch to an alternative service—no manual intervention, and no interruption. Fire Service (FENZ) MessagesThere are two common misconceptions about how we communicate with FENZ:
FENZ operates multiple services across different NZ locations, and we have dedicated secure connections to all of them. Messaging, Lots of MessagingBeyond FENZ notifications, the monitoring system also powers our advanced rules engine, which determines who needs to be notified, when, and via which channel as per their preference. It’s a busy part of the system. In an average month, we deliver over 800,000 messages to service agents and building owners—and in peak months, that number exceeds 1 million. Urban vs Rural MonitoringWe monitor buildings nationwide, and the monitoring system is designed so we can provide coverage anywhere in New Zealand with cellular service. What surprises some people is that urban and rural monitoring are handled identically. Whether it’s a building in the Auckland CBD or a ski lodge on a mountaintop, the process and technology are exactly the same. Monitoring the Monitoring SystemBecause the monitoring system is mission-critical, we use several independent services to continuously track its performance and alert our team to any potential issues. We also follow IT industry best practice for support and maintenance, and undergo annual independent audits to ensure our policies and processes are both appropriate and consistently followed. What Happens When there are Issues?While the system is designed for maximum reliability, no complex IT system is immune to issues. Thanks to our distributed architecture, most failures are handled automatically and transparently—often without users even noticing. After every incident, regardless of impact, we follow the same three-question process:
This disciplined approach ensures we continue to improve and strengthen the system over time. Coming Next WeekA few weeks ago, we mentioned our project to redesign and modernise the CTU hardware. Next week, we’ll share more about that project and some of the exciting capabilities the next-generation CTU will bring.
 Last WeekWe looked at backup power options for the CTU, and what to look for when selecting a battery. If you missed it, you can catch up here Backup Power Sources. This Week: Service Agent Functionality in SolomonThis week we’re diving into key service agent features in Solomon—how to access them, what they do, and how they can make your workflow smoother and more efficient. Solomon Link & AccessWhen you click the Solomon link in state change emails, text messages, or within the AFAM AlarmTech App, you’ll land on a summary page for that PFA. To unlock full functionality and view detailed information, simply use the login button at the bottom of that page. Logging InIf you already use the AFAM AlarmTech App, your login works for Solomon too. Don’t have access or forgotten your details? Contact our support team—we’ll get you set up quickly. PFA Off NormalsWe strongly recommend all service agents use the AFAM AlarmTech App, as it gives you a consolidated view of all your PFAs—across both AFAM and competitor systems. If you’re unsure whether the app is right for you, check out AFAM AlarmTech App, and our support team can help you get started whenever you’re ready. If you don’t have the app yet, you can still view Off-Normals for all AFAM-monitored sites directly in Solomon. PFA Details ScreenThe PFA Details screen is your main hub for site-specific information. From the login page, you can search PFAs by number, address, building name, or type. To open the full details, use the action button on the right-hand side of the PFA listing. PFA State History ExportFrom the PFA Details screen, you can export the PFA’s state history between selected dates as either a PDF or CSV. You can export:
PFA State Change MessagingWant to check who was notified about a particular event? Open Agent Messages in the State History view to see everyone who received alerts, along with hold times and reminders applied by the messaging strategy. If someone is missing or needs changing, just reach out to our support team and we’ll update it with you or for you. State Change & IoT Detector Level InformationAs you would expect Solomon provides access to both high-level state changes and detailed detector-level information. You can view:
IoT Detector Level Message DecodingYou might be a ninja at decoding the cryptic messages that come out of the panels and know exactly which token represents the zone state and index but if you’re not, don’t worry, we’ve got you. For panels with structured outputs, Solomon automatically breaks down message strings into meaningful components so you don’t have to decipher them manually. Floor Plans with Live IoT Detector Level InformationAs mentioned a few newsletters ago, floor plans with live IoT detector-level data are now available in the Service Agent sections of Solomon. You can view detector locations, current states, and state history directly on the plan in real time. If you have floor plans (such as “as-built” drawings) with detector positions, it’s quick and simple to load them. Just contact our support team and we’ll guide you through it. And yes, this functionality is free to use. Coming Next WeekNext week, we’ll open the hood on our monitoring system—how it works, why it’s ultra-reliable, and some features you may not know about.
 Last WeekWe took a break from our usual product updates to share some exciting AFAM news — including recruiting an Auckland-based BDM and opening a new Auckland office! If you missed it, you can catch up here AFAM News & Updates. This Week: Backup Power SourcesThis week we’re talking about backup power sources for the CTU and connected devices. It might not be the flashiest topic, but it’s one of the most important — because getting it wrong can cause real headaches later on. Backup Power OptionsWe currently support two types of backup power sources:
The best option depends on your installation type and how many systems are connected. SLA Batteries Invented in the 1970s, the Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery became the standard for reliability and consistency. It uses lead plates and an acid-based liquid or gel to store and release charge. Traditional lead acid batteries as a technology were invented in 1859. Super Capacitors Super Capacitors work similarly to normal capacitors but are far more efficient at storing and releasing energy. They excel at delivering high currents when needed and aren’t affected by temperature in the same way as SLA batteries. Battery vs Super Capacitor - Which to Use?We generally use Super Capacitors when the CTU is installed in-panel and not connected to any secondary system. For all other installations, a battery is required. The required battery size depends on the number of connected systems — full details are in our installation instructions. If you’re unsure, our support team is always happy to help. Battery Quality MattersNot all batteries are created equal. Even if two look the same, their internal build quality can differ significantly. When purchasing batteries, stick with reputable brands and suppliers. Check the warranty period — shorter warranties often indicate cheaper, less reliable batteries. While budget options can seem tempting, they often cost more in the long run. 6 Volt BatteriesPreviously, some in-panel installations used two 6V batteries connected in series. However, when the original manufacturer discontinued these batteries, we were unable to find an alternative that met our performance standards. We now supply a single 12V 2.9Ah battery, which comfortably meets all backup requirements for new installations. For existing systems, we can still supply 6V replacements in the same form factor, but these now carry a 6-month warranty, reflecting the warranty provided by our supplier. If you have any questions, our support team can help. Battery vs Super Capacitor Confusion - Avoid the Mix UpAs we mentioned in a recent Tips & Tricks newsletter, the CTU can use either a battery or a Super Capacitor — never both at the same time. The Super Capacitor connector includes a detection pin that tells the CTU what’s connected. If both are plugged in, the battery can overcharge and be damaged. Connecting to the wrong port won’t harm the CTU, but it can leave the system without a proper backup. When in doubt, check your connectors or contact our support team — they’ll help ensure everything’s set up correctly. Coming Next WeekNext week, we’re diving into Solomon and focusing on features for Service Agents — including how to access them both in the office and on-site (even after hours). We’ll show you what’s available and how these features can make your work smoother and more efficient.
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