Event Based Txt Messages?

[ChrisS]

I am searching for a way to do event based Txt messaging off of my HAI system but have not found a good way to accomplish this. Any ideas?

I'm looking to be able to send simple txt based messages for small things like leaving the garage door open or when Certain Temperatures go out of range. Stuff that I would not want to trigger an alarm but would like to have the info on. I've done several Phone call based lines but would prefer to do Txt.

Maybe a Contact Closure to Canned TXT output? I just have not found anything but surely someone has done something like this already.

 

[programmergeek]

You need WL3 and a windows home server running, sucking down power and you do it via email. I don't know why HAI decided to go this route wish they built it into the hardware like Elk or had it run on a normal pc so we could build little energy efficient boxes and use them for other things. If you run homeseer and a pc you can also do it. I think if you run there quick link key fob you can do it but you that is not good because you have to leave it running on a pc.

I am searching for a way to do event based Txt messaging off of my HAI system but have not found a good way to accomplish this. Any ideas?

I'm looking to be able to send simple txt based messages for small things like leaving the garage door open or when Certain Temperatures go out of range. Stuff that I would not want to trigger an alarm but would like to have the info on. I've done several Phone call based lines but would prefer to do Txt.

Maybe a Contact Closure to Canned TXT output? I just have not found anything but surely someone has done something like this already.

 

[JonW]

Weblink II, WL3 or SnapLink will all do the messaging based on events. FYI (to programmergeek) the Snap-Link software can be copied off the USB key fob to permanently reside on the PC if you wish.

 

[heffneil]

Does anyone think that they would be interested in paying for a service of hosted WL3? I don't know about the licensing but I have always considered this. I don't know how many people have OPII that would be interested in it. I was in the hosting business for a long time and I thought this would be a very interesting product line for me to go in to since selling that business. Again I don't know what the sales numbers for OPII are and then what subset would be interested in this.

Thanks!

Neil

 

[ChrisS]

I do have snap link but it seems limited in what events you can have it announce plus the main server I leave running at the house is a Mac Oh well, guess I'll be waiting on that some more. Are there any small stand- alone devices that can take a contact closure and produce an email? If so I could just slave one to the Omnipro and do it that way

 

[pete_c]

I currently utilize my HA server (HS) to send me text status messages which originate with OPII HW connections. This is autonomous from monitoring service. Not an abundance of txt messages but just basic stuff. I've built small footprint mITX mini PC's and currently using them for TS's. The last one I built (collecting dust right now) is using a DC-DC PS with the ability to utilize a backup 12VDC battery (should work for a "few" hours).

Ideally one of these hooked up serially to the OPII (leaving the network connection for the HA server) with a separate internet connection (say via GSM). The OPII would have three means of I/O access. It secondary internet connection could be also serving as a failover for primary internet connection. (In my old home had both BB and DSL internet connectivity).

I've also noticed that legacy alarm monitoring companies are set up for older style panel monitoring but are still (unless you pay much more) haven't caught up to an HA methodology of monitoring.

A combo hosting / alarm service company might work. You can today "host" your own HA at home but there's no reslience unless you proactively create it. I use my PDA phone to monitor my HA/security status. I can see my cameras, change the temperature in my home, turn on sprinklers etc; but there is no QOS (unless I put it there).

Telco's right now haven't caught up with the increased cellular internet transport (although they knew it was coming) and specifically AT&T wasn't ready for the abundance of IPhone 24/7 internet users. (hence bandwidth hogs and new proposed levels of service).

On a tangent and a few years back (I will not mention company names here) but there are "virtual" monopolies of global commercial air to ground traffic companies. Historically I dealt with two companies that charged by the Kb (buckets) of traffic tiered to global geographical locations. Monthly reviews of invoicing (6-7 digits per month). I would attend some interesting meetings that showed what could be (say hi res weather graphics, internet access etc) and at the same time would see invoicing relating to buckets of Kbs (very ancillary invoicing close to 50 years old). IE: today's commercial airline internet access was more of a telco / air to ground communications issue (and political) rather than purely a technology concern. (front of cockpit versus passenger internet access). What's funny was that it was known to be (technology) yet many companies were reluctant to change their pricing (bucket charges) cuz they were making so much money with it. I had a project / R&D relating to providing internet access to commercial passengers and the same time had to do a monthly meeting regarding air to ground transport charges (literally ripping the invoices apart and finally after much debate signing off on them). On one hand saw what could be with existing technology and on the other hand was always hampered by monthly charges of air to ground communications transport charges.

 

[programmergeek]

Home Seer is a small stand alone box that interfaces with the HAI and draws about 15w THis will do what you need and more but at a price, You need to note thought he interface has not been updated in a shile you need to contact homeseer to see what it can and can't do. Web link II will run on a pc, wl3 on a home media server and do what you want. It works great for rules and txt messages and stuff but is limited on the interface side but if you dont' care about the UI it is what you want.

JohnW - thx, didn't relise it could be copied off, that may also work I never tried it though none of my custemers ahve had a need for it after installing WL3.

 

[fwd03]

I am searching for a way to do event based Txt messaging off of my HAI system but have not found a good way to accomplish this. Any ideas?

I'm looking to be able to send simple txt based messages for small things like leaving the garage door open or when Certain Temperatures go out of range. Stuff that I would not want to trigger an alarm but would like to have the info on. I've done several Phone call based lines but would prefer to do Txt.

Maybe a Contact Closure to Canned TXT output? I just have not found anything but surely someone has done something like this already.

I am using a little board made by CAI has 8 TTL in and 8 TTL out. For each TTL output state change, it can send out emails, which can be text message, too. Just right now, their firmware only support sending email through clear port, not SSL port. I heard they are working on that. You can take look the discussion of that board here:
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15005