Digital Building Ecosystem (9/13): IoT for Better Automation and Security

June 30, 2021 TimeTec 0 Comments

"What is the speciality of TimeTec smart home or smart office system when you compare it with others? This is the question frequently asked by our customers. I always like to quote this example. Normally for a smart home system, when there is a break-in, it will trigger the intrusion alarm and alert you, your family and some closed contacts on your smartphones. Besides, you and the people inside the house also can hear the siren installed at home. But if there is no siren installed outdoor, and usually, this is the case for a smart home system, even your neighbours can't hear it, not to mention the guardhouse that's located quite far away." Teh Hon Seng, CEO of TimeTec Group, introduced i-TimeTec Smart Home/Office products in this Digital Building announcement series.

"Where is the immediate rescue? It is supposed to come from the guards that your JMB (Joint Management Body) paid monthly to take care of the gated and guarded community's security issue. But it usually won't happen due to the lack of connectivity between systems. It means that your smart home system doesn't talk with your community system. And the outcome is, delayed security is denied security," added Teh Hon Seng. 

 

Teh Hon Seng, Founder and CEO of TimeTec Group

"Our TimeTec smart home/office system can connect to our guardhouse i-Vizit panel as part of the community system for residential (iNeighbour) and commercial buildings (TimeTec Building). It also connects to our Guard Patrol system. When an alarm goes off in a particular unit, it will alert the guardhouse and the guards on patrol duty. The guard can call the unit owner or tenant directly to check and decide whether to dispatch a guard over immediately or not."

Smart home/office can feature either wireless or hardwired systems—or both. Wireless systems are easier to install. Fixing a wireless home automation system with features such as smart lighting, climate control, and security cost only several thousand dollars, making it a very cost-friendly solution. On the other hand, hardwired systems are considered more reliable, but it is also way more expensive than the wireless system.


"And the trend now has shifted towards wireless smart home/office systems. It is easier to deploy, and it costs lower, especially suited to new smart home/office housing projects in Malaysia, as most of the new house owners will renovate the house before moving in. Wiring the whole house would add that extra cost many unwilling to fork out. I had the experience of spending several thousand extra to rewire my pre-installed smart home alarm system given "free" by the developer. Besides, I got a spoiled and warranty void smart home panel due to the slight relocation of the item I have made during renovation," explained Teh.