What is the purpose of a MCDI alarm receiver? MCDI alarm receivers are specialized modems for the Security industry. They answer phone calls from alarm panels used in business and homes. Typically, those alarm signals are answered automatically and decoded for reporting to PCs using software developed for Monitoring stations such as WinSAMM.
Do I need a Central station to use MCDI products? No, although a large part of MCDI customers are Alarm Monitoring Central Stations, several users are businesses handling their own alarm signals. They range from schools, hospitals, factories, plants, mines to airport etc… Anyone who wants to process alarm signals can use MCDI alarm products.
What is the purpose of software such as SAMM and WinSAMM? SAMM and WinSAMM are automation software. They collect alarm events from alarm panels and help operators of Monitoring stations reach decisions about processing of alarm signals.
Is WinSAMM able to work without human intervention? Yes, WINSAMM response is available in automatic mode or operator mode. Those settings can be set for all accounts or for specific accounts and even for specific alarm codes. Typically alarm events such as opening or closing of an alarm systems are logged automatically by WINSAMM and are reported to operator only if you select it.
Can I receive only my opening and closing and let the Central station handle the rest? Yes, if your alarm panels can send you only the opening and closing and send the rest to a second number. A lot of alarm installers around the world use MCDI equipment to receive automatic signals and let a Central station deal with emergency alarms. WinSAMM can even make reports about monthly activity and create invoices for your customers.
Can I receive only my test signals? Yes, same reasoning as opening and closing.
Can I receive on both lines of my receivers at the same time? Yes, processing is independent on both lines. You can receive two signals simultaneously. They will be transmitted to the PC in order or arrival or line 1 in first position if simultaneous.
Are MCDI SP receivers blocked for a number of accounts? No, there is no logical limitation to the number of accounts per MCDI SP receiver. In fact if you have several MCDI receivers with rollover on your phone lines, an infinite number of accounts could be supervised.
Are MCDI SP receivers able to handle all alarms panels? The brand of your alarm panels is not important. The transmission format is. MCDI receivers can handle most alarm panels providing alarm panels are reporting in a recognized format such as 4x2, Contact ID, SIA. MCDI SP receivers are not brand dependant. They work with more than 20 reporting formats. To check if a specific panel can transmit to MCDI receivers, check the reporting format panel is using and compare to list from receivers such as exprecium or Decrypta 2.
Can WINSAMM work with most alarm receivers? WinSAMM understands protocols used by most receivers such as MCDI, MCDI enhanced, Sur-gard (Radionics 6500), Sur-Gard MLR2000, Ademco 685. If a receiver is sending one of those formats to the PC, WinSAMM will understand it no matter what brand of receiver you are using.
What are the advantages of an alarm receiver on a computer card? Lower price is a great advantage. By using the electrical current from the PC, the PC box and the PC internal connection, a large part of manufacturing costs does not have to be included in PC board without giving performance away. Having to maintain electrical protection and electrical supply only to one unit (the PC) is a great adavantage. Size is another. Receivers tend to be bulky and since you already have PCs, less space is required. Having no buttons to play with also insures that your staff does not change settings without you knowing.
Are the performances of an alarm receiver on a computer card the same as an alarm receiver in a box? Yes, given you compare the same level of programming. In fact internal components are the same. The difference between both is very often features such as controls, redundancy and visual display.
How many accounts can I supervise with a MCDI receiver? It really depends on the type of monitoring you do and the number of simultaneous calls you have to answers. If most of your panel calls the Central station, 4 times a days (opening, closing, test) you can take more accounts than a business accounts with 20 calls per day. MCDI SP suggest as a rule of thumb to add an Exprecium2 or Decrypta 2 receiver when you reach 1400 domestic accounts using panels transmitting in fast formats.
The real question you need to answer is ‘How many calls do you have to take simultaneously?’. The number of phone lines give you the measure of the number of simultaneous calls you can receive. All MCDI SP receivers have 2 phone lines. As for processing time: a typical Contact ID transmission takes 5 seconds from start to finish. Theorically, 720 calls could be answered by hour and 17280 could be answer by an Exprecium 2 or Decrypta 2 given all calls are continuous and one after the other.
Can I have several MCDI receivers answering my phone lines as one big receiver? Yes, you can have multiple phone lines linked in rollover (provided by the Telco). If the first line is busy answering, the call will be directed to the next available line. Several MCDI receivers can be connected to the same PC or network. Receiver numbers and phone line numbers included in the alarm event can identify each one receiver.
Can I start with one receiver and add boards as my alarm traffic grows? Yes, Exprecium PCI board can be added as long as you have PCI slots available in your PC. If your PCI slots are all in use, you can add external receiver of you can spread Expreciums in PCs of your WinSAMM network.
Does MCDI have any Linux products? Yes, MCDI Security Products has been developing Linux based products for quite a while. Cognitum software is currently available with it’s own Linux Fedora 2 distribution. Extrium line of alarm routers with Linux embedded will be announced in Q4 2007. SECURITHOR network version, MCDI Security Products new automation software will be available in 2008 with a PostgreSQL database for Linux server.
What are the advantages of Linux operating system? Price and stability are the first to come to mind. No royalty to pay is great but frankly there is no substitute to stability. Having a worldwide community of developers also helps pushing the envelope of innovation.
What is MCDI support for Linux? MCDI hired Linux specialists and is in the process of training all support staff on Linux. During 2008, MCDI will also train key dealers in all aspect of supporting MCDI Linux products. MCDI is selling all of its Linux products with their own installer and versions in order to insure compatibility and stability.
What is the difference between ISA and PCI bus? ISA is an older technology developed in the 1980. New PCs with ISA bus are getting rare. MCDI does not recommend new installation be done with ISA cards. PCI bus is much more recent, developed in the 1990 and is widely available.
Are MCDI receivers UL listed? An integrator using MCDI products sells an external receiver UL listed with MCDI components. Contact MCDI sales department for referral in the USA.
Legal notice: FAQ information is written broad general terms and may not apply to some specific MCDI Security Products units, software version or commercial dealings. Information may be changed without prior notice and may be updated or rectified without prior notice. MCDI Security Products is not responsible for any interpretation of the FAQ information or any use or installation that MCDI Security Products did not approved specifically. Testing should always be performed prior to using a monitoring system or software. If you need more information, contact MCDI Security ProductsI sales department at : mcdi@mcdi.com
