Tyco Invests in Qolsys; Unveils Smart Services Platform

Tyco says it has advanced its Internet of Things strategy with an investment in Qolsys, the maker of the self-contained IQ panel.

CORK, Ireland – Tyco Int’l announced this week it has “advanced its Internet of Things strategy” with a strategic investment in Qolsys, the San Jose, Calif.-based company that introduced a self-contained home automation/security system at ISC West 2013.

Tyco did not disclose the amount of the investment.

The “all-in-one” Android-based IQ panel has a seven-inch touchscreen with six wireless radios, including CDMA cellular, WiFi, security sensor RF, Z-Wave, Bluetooth and a radio to communicate with Alarm.com’s Image Sensor motion and image capture device. The panel leverages interactive services powered by Alarm.com. A camera is built into the touchscreen so the panel can take a picture of anyone who enters a PIN into the system.

“The partnership with Qolsys is exciting news for Tyco and further demonstrates our commitment to enabling new intelligent services via the Internet of Things,” Mike Ryan, president, Tyco Security Products, said in a press release. “This investment deepens our intrusion security portfolio offering so that we can continue to deliver the most innovative and intuitive solutions to our customers in the residential, commercial and service provider segments.”

Along with the Qolsys investment, Tyco also said it has hired a new CTO, Daryll Fogal, and introduced Tyco On, an integrated data and smart services platform.

Fogal previously served as CTO and vice president of engineering for Eaton Corp.’s $13.6 billion electrical business. He formerly held senior technology, R&D program management and operations positions over a 15-year career with Honeywell, including vice president of engineering and technology for the company’s Building Solutions business from 2003 to 2011.

Tyco On provides software-enabled capabilities that enhance safety and security systems using open standards to connect a wide range of intelligent devices, systems and services, enabling customers to improve their operations, according to the company.

Solutions enabled by Tyco On will address varying needs of multinational, small business and residential customers, ranging from efficiency to complex system integrations and intelligent operations. For example, the company said the solution enables improved efficiency through a service application already in use in its Installation and Services business that allows a single technician to perform fire alarm testing. Using a mobile app, the technician can test detectors throughout a building and connect remotely to the system’s fire panel, where a second technician would have been stationed in the past, to complete the procedure.

In the future, the application will also offer immediate cloud-enabled access and storage of testing documentation, providing an overall more cost-effective solution that would appeal to a broad base of customers with standard needs, according to the company.

Tyco On will also enable more complex, “smart” solutions that leverage data from varied devices and systems and apply advanced analytics to reveal insights that lead to better decisions, faster execution and transformational business outcomes for customers, according to the company.

“As the core of our Internet of Things strategy, Tyco On builds on our deep expertise in systems integration and services and our installed base of more than a billion sensors, tags, devices and systems around the world, and unlocks the value of this data with the power of analytics to deliver a range of smart services for multiple vertical markets, from healthcare and hospitality to petro-chemical operations to education and more,” Oliver said.

SSI continues to report this story.

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Although Bosch’s name is quite familiar to those in the security industry, his previous experience has been in daily newspaper journalism. Prior to joining SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION in 2006, he spent 15 years with the Los Angeles Times, where he performed a wide assortment of editorial responsibilities, including feature and metro department assignments as well as content producing for latimes.com. Bosch is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in Mass Communication & Journalism. In 2007, he successfully completed the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association’s National Training School coursework to become a Certified Level I Alarm Technician.

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