This WeekIn this update, we’ll share a few quick reminders, then dive into the latest features in the AFAM AlarmTech App, along with enhanced IoT detector floorplan views in the Property Portfolio Portal for both service agents and property managers. Competitor Price IncreasesWe’ve had a surge of enquiries lately from customers looking for alternative monitoring options after, once again, receiving price increase notices from competitors. If you or your customers are in the same position, we’d be happy to provide a no-obligation comparison quote. We’re confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised, not just by the cost, but by the level of service and how simple it is to switch. Feel free to call us on 03 341 0464 or email [email protected]. IoT Detector and Floor Plan Features Recently ReleasedEasier Access to Floor Plans on Mobile Where IoT detector data and floor plans are available, service agents and property managers can view live detector information directly on building floor plans. We’ve now made this even easier to access on mobile, just a couple of clicks from the Summary page, which can be reached by:
Detector Level History on Floor Plans You can now view history at an individual detector level directly from the floor plans. This makes it much easier to identify recurring faults or nuisance alarms. For service agents, this means better diagnostics and more informed decisions, before even stepping on site. AFAM AlarmTech App New FeaturesWe’ve recently released an updated version of the AlarmTech App for Android, with the Apple version coming shortly. Alongside general improvements and bug fixes, there are two key upgrades to alerting and notifications: Customisable Alerts Previously, only Fire (and Fire + Defect) events triggered alerts. Now, users can choose which message types generate alerts, ideal for roles like sprinkler technicians who may want to prioritise defect notifications. Rules-Based Alerting We’ve introduced a rules engine that allows specific messages to be elevated to alerts based on defined criteria. For example, you might want:
This added flexibility ensures the right people are alerted at the right time. If you’re an Android user you’ll receive the new version automatically in the next couple of weeks. For more information on these features, feel free to contact our support team. Subscribe FunctionWe’ve improved the “Subscribe to All Messages” feature to make it more mobile-friendly. As a reminder, this allows you to temporarily receive all messages for a property, even if you’re not usually a recipient for that property. This is especially useful when working on sites outside your usual area or conducting inspections. To subscribe:
That’s it, you’ll receive all messages for that site during the selected period. Short Form VideosWe’ve released a couple of new short videos covering competitor price increases and what sets us apart: If there’s something you’d like us to cover, just let us know. Next TimeIn the next newsletter, we’ll take a closer look at additional new features and share an update on the CTU development project.
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 explored AFAM’s Reports & Analytics — what’s available and how you can access it. If you missed it, you can catch up here Reporting & Analytics. This Week: AFAM Property Portfolio PortalThis week, we’re taking a closer look at the AFAM Property Portfolio Portal, which we introduced briefly a few weeks ago. OverviewThe AFAM Property Portfolio Portal is designed for property owners and managers with multi-property portfolios. Traditionally, visibility into the state of fire alarm systems relies on updates from service agents. The Portfolio Portal changes that — giving owners and managers direct, independent access to live system information across all their properties. At a glance, you can see the overall state of your portfolio, then drill down to granular, real-time data — even individual IoT detector-level information where available. DashboardWhen you first log in, you’ll see a comprehensive dashboard summarising key details across your portfolio, including:
AFAM’s monitoring equipment natively supports IoT detector-level access for a wide range of panels and installation types. See our compatibility guide. Map & Table ViewsFrom the dashboard, you can move into a map view (with a familiar maps style interface) or switch to a table view if you prefer structured data. As you would expect with the map view, the level of detail changes as you zoom in revealing street data, buildings, and features such as parks and trees. Both views allow you to filter by:
Selecting a property reveals key details such as:
IOT Detector Level InformationFor properties with IoT connectivity, the portal offers deep, detector-level visibility — showing detector types, zones, states, and recent changes. Where available, floorplans can be uploaded, allowing detectors to be placed visually on each level. Their icons update in real time to reflect live status and individual detector history can be accessed. For multi-storey, or larger single storey properties, multiple floorplans can be uploaded to best represent the property. (The example shown here displays live data from a seven-storey building in Wellington.) Access & CostAccess to the portal is completely free. We actively encourage property owners and managers to take advantage of it. Please contact our support team who can enable access to it for you. Brochure & DemoIf you manage multiple properties, or have clients who could benefit from the portal, you can download our overview brochure by clicking on the image below. We’d also be happy to arrange a live demo to walk you through the platform and answer any questions — just get in touch. Coming Next WeekNext week, we’ll take a short break from our usual product and service deep-dives to share some exciting news about AFAM. We’ll also be announcing a major new feature launch and providing updates on a few developments we’ve mentioned in recent weeks.
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