Observables Launches IOBOT Router with AlwaysON Service Portal

Observables launched at ISC West 2017 earlier this year with its connected security service platform. Now the company is introducing a new patent-pending solution: IOBOT with the AlwaysON platform.

IOBOT is a software-defined security device (SDSD) with the baseline functionality of a network router, plus configurable internal modules for customization according to the application. That includes phone and intercom, access control, security, network, automation, persistent communications and more, according to the company.

The AlwaysON platform couples an AlwaysON operating system, cloud and mobile app to provide a single dashboard for installation, service, support and end user control. IOBOT with AlwaysON enables dealers to monitor and manage any customer IP network — even when that network is down.

And here’s the clincher: AlwaysON enables dealers to develop a software as a service (SaaS) business model through subscription revenue.

“With the abundance of new security and smart home devices entering the market, we saw a need for dealers to provide an intelligent network platform that could be customized by market application with recurring revenue opportunities based on their services,” says Abe Schryer, president and CEO, Observables.

How IOBOT with AlwaysON Works

Each IOBOT comes with USB, Ethernet and WiFi connectivity. There are two additional modular slots inside each IOBOT that allow for custom configuration — one communication module (to add Cellular and soon Z-Wave and LoRa) and one personality module that handles physical connections (Analog Phone, Alarm panel, Controllable GPIOs, Relays, Wiegand interface, Z-Wave, RF and other application sensors/standards).

The USB interconnect Bus provides the ability to quickly add third party devices, expansion modules and the optional satellite Unit for global connectivity both on and off grid. There are numerous configurations that customize the IOBOT; dealers can easily add multiple applications to each IOBOT through a wizard-based interface on the AlwaysON Cloud.

The AlwaysON Cloud proactively manages all IP devices on a network, and continuously checks system health to alert dealers if the system is down or a network is breached. If any devices on the network report an error, the AlwaysON Cloud diagnoses and troubleshoots the issue and notifies the dealer, resulting in reduced truck rolls and higher profitability.

AlwaysON Mobile is a smartphone app that boasts an easy-to-use dashboard, eliminating the need for an end user to toggle between various device apps to manage and customize control for each connected device on the network. End-users also receive messaging and notifications on the app.

IOBOT is available with dealer-only pricing starting at similar costs to a typical alarm panel. Observables offers dealers a customizable recurring revenue model that can be sold on a SaaS subscription to customers.

This article was originally published on Security Sales & Integration.