We took a closer look at our monitoring system—how it works, why it works the way it does, and we dispelled a few common myths along the way. If you missed it, you can catch up here AFAM Monitoring System.

A couple of weeks ago we shared that we’ve begun developing a next-generation version of our CTU monitoring device. This week, we’re excited to give you a deeper look at what’s underway.

Earlier this year, we quietly kicked off a ground-up redesign of our CTU hardware. Our current CTU has served the industry for more than a decade, evolving through multiple updates and still outperforming alternatives.

However, there are new features and services we want to deliver that the current design simply can’t support. This redesign lays the foundation for those capabilities—both for today and for the future.

​Be rest assured though, everything that the current CTU provides such as in panel installation and native IoT Detector Level information capture will be carried forward. We're not going to remove any existing functionality, we're going to add to it.

Right now, we manufacture two CTU variants, chosen based on whether the device will be installed inside a panel or not.

The new CTU will be built as a single common platform, with an optional secondary board (added during manufacturing) to meet specific installation requirements. This gives us far more flexibility, makes future feature expansion easier, and even opens the door to potential use in new markets here and overseas.

​The next-generation CTU includes built-in Bluetooth. One major use will be enabling authorised users to connect via the AFAM AlarmTech App for diagnostics and commissioning while on-site.

This will mean guided commissioning prompts, clear indications of what’s correct or incorrect, and far less reliance on manuals, prior knowledge, or interpreting LEDs on the unit.

This new CTU isn’t just faster—it’s dramatically faster.

• The processor is roughly 100× faster
• It includes over 100× more storage

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This leap in capability allows far more processing to happen directly on the device, which will be crucial for the new services we’re planning.

As with the current CTU, the new device will include four versatile inputs. (If you missed our article on how those inputs work, you can read it here: CTU Additional Inputs)

The next-gen CTU will also feature two outputs, allowing the device not just to monitor equipment but to activate it when required.

We’ve designed the new CTU around a modern, commercial-grade battery management system. Battery management technology has advanced significantly since our current model was introduced, and this upgrade will improve charging, monitoring, and overall battery lifespan.

We’re still in the prototyping phase. While we’d love to release it this year, that won’t be possible. Hardware development takes time, and our best estimate is that the CTU will be ready sometime early to mid next year.

There’s plenty we haven’t revealed yet—and we’d love your input.

​If there’s something you’d like the new CTU to be capable of, let us know. We may already be working on it, or it might be something we can still build in. We can’t promise every idea will make it, but we’re listening.

​We’ve got some news to share—and a few interesting updates you won’t want to miss.

We shared some handy tips to make CTU installations smoother — plus how to avoid and fix the top five issues our support team encounters. If you missed it, you can catch up here: CTU Installation Tips and Tricks.

We’d planned to look at messaging options this week — but after last week’s article, we had so many requests about CTU Additional Inputs that we’ve bumped it up the list. Messaging will now feature next week.

Each CTU supports up to four additional inputs (depending on installation type) that can monitor a wide range of devices. If it can drive a relay, it can be monitored.

​We’ve seen these inputs used for:

• Freezer alarms
• Door alarms
• Temperature sensors
• Water and jockey pumps
• Local smoke detectors
• Generators and fuel supplies
• Gas detectors
• Vape detectors (especially in schools)
• Beam detection systems
• Penguin enclosures — okay, not really, but you could!

How much does it cost to monitor additional inputs? Practically nothing. Actually, it’s completely free.

If you already have a CTU installed, you can use the additional inputs — and all related messaging — at no extra charge. We actively encourage you to take advantage of this feature.

You can set up custom messaging to alert specific people when a monitored device:

• Activates (e.g. a pump starts running)
• Deactivates (e.g. the pump stops)
• Is isolated (e.g. for maintenance)

Message text is fully customisable and can be sent by SMS, email, or via the AFAM AlarmTech App. These alerts follow your normal messaging strategies — which we’ll explore in detail next week.

Need to work on a monitored device without triggering alerts? You can easily isolate an input for a set period. There are a few ways to do this, depending on your setup — just contact our support team, and they’ll walk you through it.

If you’re unsure whether a specific device or system can be monitored, get in touch with our support team.

Chances are, we’ve seen it (or something very close to it) before — penguin enclosures aside.

Enjoyed the penguin photo above? Check out the animated version on our LinkedIn page — or simply click the image to head there. While you’re at it, follow us for more updates and behind-the-scenes insights.

Next week, we’ll really dive into CTU messaging options, including:

• The different message formats and strategies
• How to temporarily pause messaging
• How to subscribe to all messages for a site