Olarm Installation for Compatible Alarm Systems

Olarm Installation connects a compatible existing alarm panel to the Olarm smartphone app, so you can arm, disarm, bypass zones and get notifications without replacing the alarm. Olarm is a South African smart alarm communicator. It suits owners whose panel still works but has no app control.

• Give the panel brand and model, from the panel board or keypad if possible.
• Say whether the property has Wi-Fi and reliable cellular signal.
• Say whether an armed response company monitors the alarm.

Compatibility Comes First

Olarm works with a published list of alarm panels from supported brands, not with every alarm. Some older or uncommon panels, and some models within supported brands, are not compatible. Olarm publishes a compatibility checker, and an installer should confirm your exact panel before quoting.

• Olarm lists supported panels from brands including Paradox, DSC, IDS, Texecom, Honeywell Galaxy and Orisec.
• Support is model-specific. For example, Olarm lists Paradox MG5050, SP6000, SP65 and EVO192 for its current device.
• Some IDS X-Series panels need an adapter board and a minimum panel firmware version.
• Some Nemtek electric fence energisers are also supported.
• Panels not on the list, including some older or less common brands, need checking with Olarm or a replacement panel.

What Olarm Lets You Do

• Arm, stay-arm and disarm from the app.
• Bypass zones and see which zones are open.
• Notifications for alarms, arming and disarming.
• Activity history showing who did what.
• Shared users, with in-app panic alerts to people you share with.
• Camera integration with supported camera brands.
• Control of gates or lights through the device inputs and outputs, on supported models.

Connectivity

The current Olarm MAX connects over Wi-Fi and has two SIM slots for cellular backup. Olarm describes a small built-in energy store that keeps it online for a few minutes in an outage, but the device itself relies on the alarm panel's power and battery.

If your router has no backup power, Wi-Fi drops during load-shedding, so a SIM connection matters for alerts during outages.

Setup

1. Confirm panel compatibility.
2. Mount the Olarm device near the panel and connect it to the panel and power.
3. Connect it to Wi-Fi and/or insert the SIM.
4. Pair it to the Olarm app and set up users.
5. Test arming, disarming, zone status and notifications.
6. If monitored, confirm signals still reach the control room.

Subscriptions

Olarm does not offer a free tier. A subscription is required and covers the app, cloud service, SIM data and maintenance. Plans are sold for 6 months to 3 years. Some armed response companies supply Olarm and bill it themselves, and Olarm offers a separate tier linked to partner monitoring companies.

Olarm Prices

What Affects the Cost

• The Olarm model.
• Whether a SIM and data are needed.
• Installation time on your panel.
• Subscription term.
• Reprogramming if the installer code is unknown.

See the alarm system prices guide for other smart-control costs.

What to Include in Your Request

• Town or suburb.
• Panel brand and model, and a keypad photo if the form allows it.
• Wi-Fi and cellular signal at the panel.
• Armed response provider, if any.
• Never send alarm codes, app passwords or master PINs in a quote request. A provider will set or change these with you on site.

How the Enquiry Works

1. Request. Send your panel details.
2. Match. Independent installers that may serve your area can respond.
3. Compatibility. The installer confirms your panel model is supported.
4. Install. Device fitted, app set up and tested with you.
5. Hand over. Confirm who manages subscriptions and users.

Request quotes from providers serving your area. Availability depends on your location and service requirements.

If your panel is not compatible, see alarm system upgrades or smart alarm systems. Compare installers through Alarm Systems South Africa.

Olarm Installation FAQs

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