Unite and control: Advantages of Group mode in the Ajax security system

Ajax security system can consist of hundreds of different devices: detectors, sirens, relays, smart plugs. To make managing them as effortless as possible, we designed Group mode. It allows grouping devices regardless of their physical location and makes security flexible and automated.

Why use Group mode?

Group mode allows you to strengthen security without compromising on comfort. Flexible settings help to split the object into independent parts, each of which will be protected at the right moment.

• Arm and disarm separate areas regardless of the security mode of the entire system
• Limit access to specific areas
• Link automation scenarios to the security of specific areas
• Control who and when disabled the security
  

How groups work with Night mode

Created groups do not affect Night mode. It is a special mode for perimeter protection when there are people inside. For example, to ensure protection of the occupants of a cottage or an apartment at night. For quick access, there are separate buttons for Night mode on key fobs and keyboards. Night mode, like the security of any group, can be activated by schedule.

👉 What is Night mode and how it works

Examples of Group mode application

There are many examples of utilizing Group mode. We gathered the most common ones for you.

Limiting access to a space

Often, accounting offices, warehouses with expensive equipment, weapon rooms, and safes require extra control. Add such a space’s devices into one group and make it independent from the overall security mode. Give access to the group only to trusted users. This way, the space will be secured even if the whole system is disarmed, and the event log will record the user who has disarmed it.

Security during cleaning or repairing

Even during cleaning or repair works, specific premises can be protected. Combine home office with a safe in a separate group and limit unauthorized persons’ access to it. Or secure the living rooms with valuables while the repair team works in the hallway and the kitchen.

Administering access to the stores and offices security

Only those employees who have been granted permission can disable security: security staff do not have access to the warehouse, and cashiers do not have access to the security room. Access distribution applies to apps as well as personal passcodes and keyfobs.

👉 Ajax as a Retail Security System

Sirens for particular alarm types

Indoor and street sirens can signal different types of alarms. To do this, distribute the detectors into groups of corresponding types. For instance, street sirens will be activated when security detectors are triggered to attract neighbors’ and passersby’s attention. When fire detectors are triggered, an interconnected alarm with built-in sirens is enough. And a flood detector alarm can trigger a water shut-off scenario, notifying you in the app without activating sirens at the site.

Guest access

Pass or Tag can be used for temporary employee and service personnel access to the premises. There is no need to create an Ajax account. It is enough to assign an access device to a dedicated group, and the person will have access only to that group. It is a convenient solution, for example, for the service companies. A company has a card or a tag and disarms the hallway, kitchen, living room, and bedroom, but the safe and the office remain secured.

Access for unregistered users

Ajax keypads support access codes for people not added to the hub. This is convenient, for example, to give a cleaning company access to security management.

For each code, you can choose which groups it can control. For example, a code can control the security mode of two groups out of four. Only these groups are armed if you arm the entire system using such a code.

When an access code is used, the name of the user who changed the security mode is displayed in the hub event feed and notifications. And an event with an ID linked to this code is sent to the security company CMS.

👉 Learn more

Adjusting security to the work schedule

Schedules of individuals and entire departments in the same office often do not coincide. To avoid relying on the “last one to close the door,” divide offices’ security into groups and assign them to users or control devices — keyboards or keyfobs. Each person will activate their group’s security at the end of the day without closing the entire office to those who remained. You can also set activation of groups’ security by schedule.

👉 How to create and configure a scenario in the Ajax security system

Automation of separate rooms and areas

Automation scenarios help the system to react instantly to a threat without human intervention. Combine outdoor detectors into a group to activate the perimeter security separately. Set up a scenario by the alarm of these detectors to close the electric locks on all house doors.

When fire detectors are triggered, only the relays that control electric heaters and other fire-hazardous appliances can be switched off, but the lights for safe evacuation will remain on.

Also, by setting a scenario by arming/disarming, you can switch off the electricity in the garage when activating partial security as well as when arming the entire object.

How to set up Group mode

Group mode is activated in the hub settings. Depending on the model, the maximum number of groups can be 9 or 25. After activation, the groups are displayed in the Control tab in the Ajax app. Groups can also be managed via keyboards and keyfobs.

How to set up Group mode