HIKVISION has released its new Axiom wireless alarm and automation panel in Australia, a hub-based solution with 32 wireless zones, support for TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, and 3G/4G wireless communications.
Taken as a whole, Axiom is a professional alarm system that’s been carefully designed to cover many bases. Whether Hikvision alarm systems can have as big an impact on the electronic security industry as the company’s CCTV cameras is uncertain but the possibility is there. Axiom is a solid initial release and there’s plenty of scope for further development.
AXIOM from Hikvision is a hub-based alarm panel – it’s the first alarm panel the company has released onto the Australian market and the big question is how it stacks up against the competition. The word ‘axiom’ has its basis in a Greek word meaning worthy or fit for purpose, and it’s an appropriate name for this solution.
The core functionalities are certainly there. Along with 32 wireless zones, Axiom can manage 32 wireless outputs, 8 wireless keyfobs, 4 relays, 2 repeaters, 2 sirens, support up to 13 network users; including 1 installer, 1 administrator, and 11 users. Axiom has an integrated movement sensor that can be programmed to ring like a doorbell when it is triggered in disarmed status.
There’s voice prompt, Wi-Fi app mode, management of via Web client or mobile client, and the system can push alarms via messages, or phone calls. There’s long distance 2-way communication with AES-128 of up to 800 metres line of sight – pretty solid performance – as well as LED indication of system status.
The 4520 mAh lithium battery gives a 12-hour backup power supply, which is nice to have in a hub solution.
Axiom is ABS poly in black or white and there are a number of variations – these relate to the communications capabilities required. In terms of physical specification, the hub is compact at 155 wide x 155 high x 35mm deep. Power demand is 5V DC with a rated 10W maximum draw with HDD connected or 5.6W without, there’s an audio output of 1.5W for voice prompts and bleeps and operating temperature is -10 to 55C.
Axiom offers ISAPI, Hik-Connect, Contact ID, and NAL2300 for things like professional monitoring, self-monitoring, system configuration and system management. You can also manage the system via iVMS4200. Axiom also allows viewing of live video and sends emails of alarm linked videos via mobile client, push notifications, as well as uploading reports to an alarm centre.
The app and the browser management installer and user experience are going to be a key element in the success of the product and running through the introductory demo online these seem modular and straightforward, without being the slickest on the market. It’s higher touch than some of its competitors in this space but is not more complicated.
Setting up Axiom
My little Axiom kit is the 433MHz version and it contains the hub, a PIR, a reed switch, transformer and battery – no surprises or frights going on there. As I’m pulling everything out of the box my first thought is that the system is going to be relatively easy to set up. In the hand this new gear from Hikvision has a nice feel – it’s all well made without any rough edges. The hub is compact and has an organic shape, the sensors are nicely designed and look modern without being obtrusive.
To get the system operational, you open the back of the hub, connect the power from the transformer, install the battery, set the AP/STA toggle switch to AP, note the serial number, open Hik Connect on your smart phone, log in and then scan the QR code on the rear of the hub to create the device.
The hub shows in the app as offline and to get it online you select connect to network, select wireless (make sure the toggle switch is set to AP!), enter the Wi-Fi credentials, go through the wi-fi setup process, create a password, move the toggle switch From AP to STA mode and when the panel connects to the network select finish.
With the hub setup and online, it’s time to add devices. You take the backs off the sensors, power them up by pulling out the insulation strips under the battery contacts, hop into Hik-Connect again, select AX hub and select + to enter Add Devices mode and then + to add a device. As part of this process, you scan each devices QR code to add it, select device type and then hit Add.
To add a keyfob you go into Add mode and press any key on the fob to add it to the system. Give the fob a name and select finish. To add a tag, you get into menu and then Card/Tag management hit + to add. Present the tag to the hub for pairing. You then give tag a name and hit finish – simple stuff. If you don’t want to use your smart phone to set up devices, you can also add them via the hub’s function button – you press the button on the side of the hub to enter Add mode, then you trigger the device to enrol it to the system – this process is actually lower touch than the QR scanning route you take when using the app.
You can access the hub via your PC browser to add video cameras from the same network – just enter the hub’s IP address, enter username and password when prompted, select system, then network cameras and select add. For VV you need the camera to be connected to the same network as the hub. Importantly, you link a camera to a zone by noting control panel channel number select wireless device, then zone.
You select the settings cog of the zone you want to add a camera to, then select the control panel channel number of the camera and click ok to pair the camera with the zone. When an alarm event occurs, the event is pushed to you via the Hik-Connect app and you select the most recent event in the event log to get into the notification log, then open the event and select playback to view footage – pretty simple stuff.
Axiom supports dual path reporting of alarm events and notifications over a combination of 10/100 LAN, Wi-Fi, GPRS and via 3G/4G SIM, with a primary and a backup channel. There’s SIA-Contact ID protocol for professional monitoring by control rooms. Something I like is IVaaS Support up to 2 channels of video with 7 seconds pre/post alarm recording for video – you can use any Hikvision IP camera or select a 3rd party IP camera that supports ONVIF standards. The video functionality supports viewing of event video via mobile client and clips sent by email.
Conclusion
Does Hikvision Axiom do enough to warrant consideration by installers? We think it does. This is a competitively priced alarm system that is strong in key areas like comms, reporting and remote management using app or browser. Axiom’s video verification capabilities are solid, too, with not only Hikvision, but third-party ONVIF camera support. The app could be more polished but it’s logical to navigate. However, the ability to support 32 wireless zones, 32 wireless outputs, 8 wireless keyfobs and 4 relays is the key, in SEN‘s opinion. It gives Axiom the capacity to handle complex residential as well as smaller SME applications.
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