Integrating CHeKT with my central station software

Integrating CHeKT with my central station software

CHeKT has developed a method of bringing Video Alarm Verification into the alarm central station and control room.  Our integration with alarm automation software allows the CHeKT platform to deliver alarm signal traffic and an interactive video monitoring portal to a central station.  When operators begin processing the alarm signal, the CHeKT video monitoring portal automatically opens, providing instant visual awareness.  CHeKT communication method and protocol maintains the consistent alarm experience operators are accustomed to with all alarm signals, providing them with a consistent video monitoring interface for all camera brands.  

There are two main areas of integrating CHeKT Video into your central station automation software.
  • Alarm Automation Driven Video Alarm Processing
  • CHeKT Cloud Signal Delivery

Alarm Automation Driven Video Alarm Processing:

Providing Video Alarm Monitoring services should not interfere with the integrity of an on-site alarm system. With our design, an operator is taken to the CHeKT Video Monitoring portal when processing alarm signals from an existing system alarm system communicator.  By leveraging the dependability of an alarm system and the signal delivery of that alarm panel, we allow integrators and the central station can add video verification to existing accounts while maintaining the graded listing of the panel. There are two ways to build this into your automation system. 
1. Automated Actions: When using one of the integration alarm automation software platforms, accounts can be "flagged" as a CHeKT account, and the CHeKT Video Monitoring portal will automatically open for an operator when they process an alarm event.   
Valid CHeKT URL Variables:
With serveral of the automation platforms listed above, the CHeKT URL is automatically generated within their software and automtically opens the CHeKT Video Monitoring portal for the operator.  The CHeKT Monitoring portal needs to open in a Chrome browser.  With this integration, an operator does not need to click a link or locate a customer's video account.  The integration ensures an operator is drive to the customer's video account and specific zone/point that is in alarm within 5 seconds.  If your alarm automation software does not support automatic dynamic URL creation and you need to define the URL for your automation software, refer to the following information:      
  1. Base URL: https://monitoring.chekt.com/monitoring?
  2. [act] - Account Number Variable: Used to communicate alarm codes from CHeKT into the automation platform.
  3. [uid] - Referance ID Variable: The unique ID number for the customer record in the automation platform, used to match to a unique site in the CHeKT platform.
  4. [site] - CHeKT Site ID Variable: The unique ID number for the customer record in the CHeKT platfomr, used to link an automation account to the CHeKT platform. 
  5. [zone] - Zone/Point Number Variable: The zone number of the signal processed by an operator. Links the operator to the camera tagged to the zone number in the CHeKT platform.
  6. [event] - CHeKT EventID Variable: The unique ID for the alarm event in the CHeKT platform.  Used to link an alarm event in the automation plaform to the event in the CHeKT platform. 
  7. Example URL: https//monitoring.chekt.com/monitoring?act=1234&zone=004
If the automation platform has more than one account number for a customer record and all account numbers for the customer should launch the CHeKT platform, then it is best to use the [uid] or [site] variable to link the customer record in the automation software to the customer record in the CHeKT platform.
The [zone] variable is not required, but when used, ensure the operator is driven to view the associated camera that is tagged with the zone number. This is considered the camera "in alarm"

2.Manual Procedures: If you automation software cannot automaticaly generate a url and/or launch google chrome for an operator, the manual method below will allow an operator to click a link and open the CHeKT Video Monitroing portal.
  1. Manual Actions: Operators can click a link to open the CHeKT Portal.

CHeKT Cloud Signal Delivery:

When configured, the CHeKT cloud platform and Video Bridge hardware will transmit Contact ID alarm signals into your alarm automation platform, providing additional auditing information and functionality of the CHeKT solution. Using the Ademco Contact ID Library, the CHeKT cloud will communicate alarm signals, system messages signals, and trouble information into alarm automation software platforms.  All signals are sent to the account number defined in CHeKT cloud customer site details.  In addition to the standard Contact ID code events in the Ademco Library, CHeKT also uses custom codes in the 750-790 range.  Here is a list of the default Contact ID codes transmitted by CHeKT. 

While this area of integration is optional, it is highly recommended.  With CHeKT Video Bridge hardware paired with an on-site alarm system, CHeKT signaling is not required if your automation software can launch the CHeKT Video Monitoring portal from the alarm panel communicator.  However, with CHeKT cloud signaling integrated, we can provide the central station with critical details about the CHeKT devices, including device health, operator activity in the monitoring portal, and video stream status of all the devices on an account.  This allows your monitoring company to be aware and proactive about any system trouble events when they occur.
Alarm Communicator Configuration: CHeKT Signal Delivery setup is required if an integrator is installing the CHeKT hardware as a stand-alone alarm communicator or using video analytics to transmit alarm traffic through the CHEKT Bridge. All Systems need to be properly tested to ensure your Central Station is receiving alarm information and video.  
Each of the automation systems listed in point (1.: Automated Actions) above, supports CHeKT cloud Signal Delivery and the setup directions are defined in the links above. 
CHeKT Signal Delivery is from our AWS cloud-hosted environment over IP and is communicated in a proprietary protocol for each automation platform.  These protocols are in various formats or API calls. If your automation platform is not listed above, CHeKT supports the SIA DC-09 communication standard to support additional platforms.  If you have any questions, contact our support team. 
     Follow the direction outlined here to set up your CHeKT Signaling Adaptor.

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