Integration of systems and services in central monitoring stations (CMS)

Abstract

Since time immemorial the protection of life and property has been an important part of our world. For thousands of years the job of keeping watch over valuable objects was carried out by specially trained people or animals. Today, with the advent of many new kinds of technologies, sophisticated systems are being increasingly used. Basically, little has changed and the procedure remains virtually the same. Someone notices that something is wrong, has to make a decision and then initiate and supervise the appropriate response. This paper presents a solution as to how a central monitoring station can handle incoming information from widely disparate telecommunications systems in a standardized way and how the intervention services (police, fire brigades, private services) can be integrated in the process of false alarm reduction. Information exchange with different partners in the security chain can be improved by using technologies such as remote terminals, interactive voice response systems (IVR) or fax on demand.