How Smart is Your Home? 3 Ways to Increase Home Intelligence
How Smart IS Your Home?
Smarthome technology has been around for a while!
Smarthome technology allows you, the homeowner, to automate recurring tasks in your home or office space and control electronics and appliance tied to your home.
Automations can include
- sound system
- alarm system
- window treatments
- lights
- thermostats
- locks
- coffeemaker
- microwave
- TV
- garage door
- and so much more!
1) Home Intelligence – How Smart Can Your Home Get with URC?
With URC, your home can perform many tasks you never thought you could automate.
That includes lighting, comfort, shades, security and high-definition audio.
In fact, let us show you what you can control!
2) Z-wave Lets You Automate EVERYTHING
Another way to increase your home’s intelligence is to connect everything with Z-wave!
Z-wave control can be added to just about anything electronic in your home, even devices that you would not think of as intelligent.
Z-wave is
- Affordable
- Easy to set up
- Easy to use
Z-wave has many uses. Here are some things to automate with Z-wave:
- Garage Doors
- Indoor Lights
- Outdoor Lights
- On/Off Outlets
- Remote Controls
- Smart Home Security Systems
- Door Locks
- Smoke Detectors
- Thermostats
- and much much more!
No matter how old your home is, adding Z-wave can seriously increase the intelligence of your home!
3) Your Home’s Brain – Honeywell Total Connect
Think of Honeywell Total Connect as the brain of your home!
Smarthomes need a center of intelligence!
The brain of the home with with Honeywell Total Connect is the technology behind this product.
“Whether you are running an errand in Myrtle Beach, at work along the Grand Strand, or on summer vacation in the upstate of South Carolina or elsewhere, you will have full access to your home and/or business through our app. You will love being able to check in from anywhere, at any time! Once you have Honeywell Total Connect™, you will fall in love forever.
With the tap of a finger, our app lets you control your security system, receive push notifications, text messages and email alerts, control thermostats, lighting and locks, locate vehicles or assets — even view live video and see, hear and speak to visitors at the front door anytime, anywhere on compatible smart devices, including iPhone, Android and iPad.”
Which Smarthome System is Right for Your Home?
What system is right for your neighbor or friend might not be right for you. Therefore we highly recommend you come talk to us at Strand Security.
A lot depends on what systems you have installed in your home, and how ‘smart’ your home is currently! We recommend using what you already have if the technology isn’t outdated!
Come talk with us!
The Holiday Season – Put a Ring Camera On It!
Ring Cameras Are All The Rage!
No matter where you live, in Myrtle Beach, on the Grand Strand, in South Carolina or in a different state, we know you want to keep yourself, your family as well as you personal property and assets safe!
While there is going to be a lot less in-person shopping and travel during the 2020 holiday season due to this pandemic, people like you an me will still need to leave their home to work, get groceries and run errands.
If you are on-the-go and need to keep an eye on things at home, Ring Cameras are a great option for you.
Ring Cameras At Your Front Door Protect What is Yours
You might have seen the home videos of ‘porch thieves’ and other front-door shenanigans. Having a camera on the outside of your front door, so that you can see from inside your home – or from anywhere in the world really – is powerful!
Protect what is yours and prevent a home invasion or burglary.
This is how having a Ring Camera can work for you!
and this one!
Whatever you might have on the outside of your home that thieves might want including bicycles, holiday packages or other sports equipment, a ring camera and alarm + flood lights can scare would-be robbers away!
Ring Cameras Connect You and Your Family aka Kids!
This little kid was told to reach parents with the Ring Camera if needed!
Check out the clever use of Ring at the doorstep.
When help is needed, no matter what type of help, Ring to the rescue.
If you have children, tell them a ring Camera can help them reach an adult when they are in trouble, like this little girl did when she saw a Bobcat while out on a bike ride!
How Can Ring Protect You During the Holidays?
When you are home, Ring can be used to help alert you to fire like in this dramatic video of neighbors using the Ring camera!
If you are away from home and expect a package to be delivered, you can monitor that is stays where it is supposed to be.
You can watch your animals from afar when you are not home!
The Perfect Holiday Gift: A Ring Camera System for your Home!
We encourage you to buy local, supporting your locally owned and locally operated small business. If the Ring Camera or the Ring Camera System is something you’ve been wanting to invest in, we invite you to come see us in Murrells Inlet, or call us to learn more. We’d love to talk to you to help you pick the best Ring cameras for your home.
If you are ready to give the gift of safety and security, we will be happy to help you surprise a loved one with a Ring Camera! Come visit us! As a reminder we services all areas in Horry County and Georgetown County.
3 Smart Home Security Tips For a Worry-Free Holiday Season
Are You Looking for a Worry-Free Holiday Season?
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year…holiday seasons 2020 is upon us!
What holiday are you most excited about?
No matter what holidays you may celebrate, we understand you might worry about safety, security and, in this pandemic, your health. Technology can help.
Today we will give you three smarthome security tips for a worry-free, and tech-savvy holiday season.
Ring Cameras
Ring cameras are a great way to keep an eye on your home, from wherever you are; at home in your home office, homeschooling kids, or running errands.
Ring cameras also
- deter packages thieves
- can deter break-ins
- enhance Halloween safety
If you need a worry-free holiday season, start by calling Strand Security to talk to us about Ring Cameras and installation! Win – win!
Alarm Systems
We know that the holidays can create extra stress, additional work and more worries; about money, safety and security.
While you are out shopping, or at home wrapping gifts, Alarm.com will keep an eye on your home, your family and your assets. All you need to do is arm the system. When an emergency arises, help will be on their way.
Alarm.com offers the latest technology and a great smarthome system.
Germ-Free, Voice Activated Smarthome!
Last but not least – how about a germ-free, voice activated system to keep your loved ones safe and secure?
At Strand Security, we trust URC to do the job for us. URC is fully-integrated and gives your whole house automation and control!
URC can
- alarm your home
- monitor your cameras
- light your rooms
- stream shows and films
- draw your shades
- pump music through your home
- lock your doors
and so much more, all without touching a button!
The Holidays Are Here: Be Ready!
The holidays’ aren’t complete without shopping and gift-giving.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a few cool gift ideas for the 2020 Holiday season.
- Cool Tech Gifts for Dad
- URC home automation for the whole family
- Family Home Theater Fun Ideas
- Sonos Speakers!
- Central Vacuum System
Homeschooling in a Smarthome is the Smart Choice for Parents
Homeschooling at the best of times can be a challenge but usually is a personal choice; homeschooling during a pandemic, or forced homeschooling as some will feel it is really challenging. As schools in Horry County and Georgetown County are back in session, many parents have already chosen to keep their kids home!
If that’s you, why not make being home just a bit easier by investing in Smarthome technology.
But what is a Smarthome?
Check out our blog 10 Reasons to Love Smart Homes if you aren’t sure what’s so great about smarthomes!
When you hear the word ‘Smarthome’ you might imagine a home that has ever available technology available to take the day to day tasks out of the hands of the homeowner. From smart doorbells, talking fridges and smart thermostats to voice assistants who welcome you home.
Sounds expensive, and it can be, however, you don’t have to go all in. “At its very core, a smart home is probably best defined as a living area connected to technology meant to enhance the home”.
We at Strand Security love URC. Check out how we help our customers on the Grand Strand.
Meaning that by a Smarthome can be a combination of devices or just have one. The trick is to find the devices that will benefit your home and your family.
Smart Speakers for Homework Help
With homeschooling becoming the norm and the kitchen becoming the classroom, a smart speaker provides a virtual classroom assistant enabling both parents and children to find answers to questions that would usually take time to find out.
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are the popular smart speakers nowadays in your homeschool classroom which can not only enable your kids to access enormous amounts of information just by asking a question, but can also;
- Keep them on track – using the timer function to keep them focused
- Enhance their communication – smart speakers are not perfect and sometimes a question has to be rephrased to get the correct answer (how many times have you heard ‘I’m sorry, I did not understand the question’!!!)
- Help the parents check the kids’ answers (school was a looooong time ago!)
Security System To Keep Kids Who are Home Alone Safe
Smarthome technology integrates with your security system, allowing your peace of mind if you need to leave your teens or preteen unattended for a while during the day.
You might find yourself needing to check in at work, or taking a trip to the grocery store.
Not sure if your child is ready to be left home alone? Check this article!
And remember – if you activate the security alarm system, help is close by is an emergency arrises.
An additional perk to smarthomes: not only are they safer, they are healthier! Smarthome means hands-free and in the age of COVID-19, that’s just plain smart!
Remote Monitoring of Your Teenagers and Schoolwork
You’ve got the kids to sit down, you managed to get them to open their books but now you have to go to your home office to do your work. But how do you know that the kids are actually doing their school work?
Getting up to check that they are working the books is going to break into your work time not to mention breaking your concentration so investing in remote monitoring is a good option.
Enter security cameras and remote access!
With this smarthome technology your kids aren’t just safe, they can be monitored in real time by a live camera feed fed to you on your device of choice!
How about that for hall monitor?!
Homeschooling and Smarthomes Sets Your Family Up For Success!
Homeschooling is looking to be something that will continue for a while and as learning ‘at the kitchen table’ continues, why not make your family’s life easier (and less shouty) by investing in smarthome technology – gotta go, the fridge is talking to me!
The Best Temperature Screening Solution for Businesses
Is Your Local Small Business Ready To ReOpen?
We are now 4+ months in a pandemic.
Some businesses are open, as we are an essential business, others are to remain closed and others are open but struggling to keep employees and clients safe.
We at Strand Security in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, have always strived to share the best brands and newest technology with you here on this blog.
Today, we are going to help out business owners once again, this time we are offering a solution to help you get back into doing business while keeping staff and customers safe!
Temperature Screening for Small Businesses
What does temperature screening for small businesses mean?
Some small businesses like spas, hair salons, massage therapists and other service-oriented businesses who are in close contact with their clients should go beyond wearing masks. Temperature screening offers a quick, safe and fast way to determine an initial base-line for employee and client safety.
Additionally, doctors offices, schools, universities, public buildings like libraries, court houses etc. will also be implementing this screening process as they consider reopening their doors this fall.
Opening a Business Responsibly and Safely During a Pandemic
How can it be done? How can a local business be opened and stay open and keep employees and customers safe?
Tools and technology are at the forefront of all solutions!
Not all solutions have to come at a huge cost!
One brand we trust and love for security, HikVision, had not only the technology but also the vision to develop this product.
If you are already a HikVision fan, hold on to your hats to be wowed.
If you’ve never heard of them before, get ready to be blown away!
The system HikVision uses to detect temperature can be integrated with existing technology including:
• Handheld Cameras
• Surveillance Cameras
• Security Metal Detector
• Access Control Terminal
• NVR Workstations
• Mobile and Desktop Applications
Pain Points of Conventional Temperature Screening Methods
Conventional methods that do not use preliminary screening have several disadvantages:
Close Contact, High Risk
Close contact with individuals leads to potential risks
High Cost, Low Efficiency
Increased staff required, and one-to-one inspection is inefficient and costly
Added Expenses
Continual replacement of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required
Instead, use a safer, smarter and faster approach!
Elevated Skin-Surface Temperature Detection Process
This is how it will work in your place of business:
It’s touch-free, safe and gives you fast, no instant results!
If you need this technology to get back on your feet, we want to hear from you! We not only offer solutions; we also install and maintain these systems once you decide this is what you need to reopen safely.
Strand Security Can help You Get Back to Business!
Our tagline is “Your security, Our business.”
This always includes personal safety, now more than ever! We want you, your staff and your customers, clients and team to be as safe as can be.
Let us help you get back to the business of doing business, give us a call today!
To learn more, and to download the full HikVision PDF, click here.
10 Reasons To Love Smarthomes
This post is the second in a year-long series of ’10 reasons to love…’ as Strand Security celebrates 10 years in business.
10 Reasons to Love the Grand Strand
What is a Smarthome?
A Smarthome is
a residence equipped with a number of devices that automate tasks normally handled by humans. Some are built into the structure itself and some added later, and homeowners operate them with voice commands or by artificial intelligence.
What Can a Smarthome Do?
A smarthome
uses internet-connected devices to enable the remote monitoring and management of appliances and systems, such as lighting and heating.
That is just the tip of the iceberg, though.
New uses, new brands, and more integrations are available every day!
Our homes are getting smarter.
10 Reasons To Love Smarthomes
While new Smarthomes are created every day, not everyone fully understands what a Smarthome can do and how it can affect daily life.
Therefore, we’ve come up with 10 reasons to love Smarthomes.
1) Smarthomes Are Brilliant
Of course, they are brilliant. Their name says it all.
This home can think and has a brain that functions to communicate with the homeowners. If that’s not brilliant, we don’t know what is!
2) Smarthomes Are Convenient
While we won’t go as far as calling people lazy, Smarthomes offer convenience to those who crave it. With just one button, one switch or one command, the homeowner can engage the home to auto-work for them.
3) We Love Smarthomes Due To Endless Integration Possibilities
Smarthome technology integrates with hundreds, if not thousands of brands. URC integrates with 100’s of brands, many brands that we offer and recommend to our customers here at Strand Security
4) We Love Smarthome Automation
Automation means that once you set something up once, that ‘action’ is remembered and can be triggered at any time by a commend. Automation means that when you get home, you can, for example, tell your home ‘I am home’ and that would trigger any automation you’ve programmed – drawing shades, changing the thermostat, locking the doors behind you etc.
5) Smarthomes Save Us Time
By virtue of automation and integration, we all save time; the Smarthome does the thinking as well as the execution.
6) Smarthomes Eliminate Redundancy
Never again draw the shades. Never again have to touch a light switch. Never again have to lock (or forget to lock) the door behind you. Set it up once and it’s done!
7) Smarthomes Help Those Who Are Less Able-bodied
If you or someone you love lives with a disability, or is elderly and not active, having a Smarthome can be a gamechanger to being independent! Especially if that person has limited physical ability.
8) Smarthomes Make Our Homes More Energy Efficient
By automating lights, thermostats, and window shades, your home becomes energy efficient. You will save money on your electric bill just by being smart!
9) Smarthomes Give Our Home a Personality
Your home might be quirky, or stern, or persistent. If you set your automation right, your home will have a personality!
10) Smarthomes Allow Us To Control Our Home With Just One Remote
The best part of having a Smarthome besides ‘peace of mind’ is the ability to control your home from one remote! No more TV controls, thermostats controls, light switches and keys… One remote can do EVERYTHING for you.
Creating a Smarthome With Your Holiday Tech Gadgets
Merry Christmas to You
We’ve got questions!
- How many tech gadgets do you expect to get for Christmas?
- Will Santa be good to you?
- Will you get exactly what you want?
This holiday season more than any before, tech gadgets are on top of the list for many!
Whether your desired gadgets are designed to make your life easier, your home smarter or your business run better, I bet you are going to love them.
If you are asking for or hoping you get even just one tech gadget for Christmas this year, you want to keep on reading.
Tech Gadgets Should Make Your Life Easier, Not Harder
While tech gadgets should take recurring tasks and take over for you, often tech gadgets create additional stress.
This is because the receiver of the gift might not understand how it works, or even how to set it up, or how to get the most out of it.
Unless they specifically ask for this specific gadget, well-meaning relatives often forget what happens after the gift is opened.
This hilarious SNL skit shows us just how confused some people might be when receiving tech gadgets as holiday gifts they don’t know how to use.
A Smarthome for Everyone!
If you’re hoping for a new speaker, new cameras, or any other tech gadget this holiday season that you want to use in your home or business, let’s talk URC.
No matter how old your home is, it can be turned into a smarthome.
No matter how tech-challenged you find yourself, your home can be turned into a smarthome.
No matter how many systems, devices and brands you have, your home can be turned into a smarthome.
All you need is URC.
What is URC?
URC stands for Universal Remote Control.
URC links all your systems together so that you can control all your gadgets, all your devices, all your systems with ONE central remote.
How easy is that?
The best part about URC and Strand Security; we help you by setting it up for you!
No more struggling to read instructions.
No more getting systems battling each other.
No more getting wires crossed.
The Strand Security crew is YOUR SMARTHOME crew! They have experience setting up URC and other smarthome systems.
What Can Your Smarthome Do For You?
We often get asked this question; what can my home do once it’s turned into a smarthome?
“Anything” and everything is the right answer!
Smarthomes can
- play music
- turn on the tv
- record your DVR
- lock your door
- survey the room
- draw the shades
- turn lights on and off
- adjust the thermostat
- order groceries
- and so, so so much more!
We hope you will enjoy the rest of your holiday season and remember to call us if you need help linking all your gadgets!
Remember; URC and Strand Security are like PB & J.
Professional URC Total Control (Smart Home) Installation!
What Is Currently Powering Your SmartHome?
Many of us love technology! Some of us hate it.
Those who love it get the latest and greatest gadgets when they are released and want an upgrade after upgrade after upgrade.
(if you are THAT iPhone user who gets the next phone the day it’s released, raise your virtual hand )
Each year millions, upon millions of electronics are sold.
You can buy a system to
- alarm your home
- monitor your cameras
- light your rooms
- stream shows and films
- draw your shades
- pump music through your home
- lock your doors
and so much more.
How Many Remotes Do You Own?
One way to find out how many systems you have is to count your remotes!
That is if you aren’t already using a universal remote.
So how many different systems do you own in your home, in your business?
Wouldn’t it be cool if they all could talk to each other?
Wouldn’t it be amazing if you only had one point of contact for all those systems?
Wouldn’t it save your time, hassle and headache if you could control your WHOLE HOME form one point of contact?
Look no more, the future is here!
URC Smarthome Premium Whole-House Automation and Control
What is URC? Not sure what URC can do for your home?
(Make sure to watch the videos in that article!)
The best part about URC – we believe – is total integration with 1000s of other brands!
- Do you already have a SONOS surround-sound system? Yes, URC works with SONOS.
- Have you recently had a Home Theater installed? URC can integrate with your current system.
- Are you hiring in-home help and want to add cameras to your alarm system to keep an eye on what’s going on at home? URC will integrate and you can watch the cameras on the same device.
In essence, just about any system on the planet will integrate with URC – and take a look at the premium control devices. Slick right?!
For a full list of integration partners, click here.
URC Installation; The Easiest Way to Gain a Smarthome!
URC installation is as easy as 1-2-3!
All you need to get this in your home…
1.
and this…
2.
is THIS; the Strand Security TEAM!
3.
What’s not to love about that!
Myrtle Beach’s Favorite Smarthome Installation Team!
Strand Security prides itself on staying ahead of the competition by offering its customers the latest and best technology for their home and business.
In this industry, things change often, fast and furious!
Brands change, technology changes, products are updated and new features are added. We proudly stand by every product we offer and every system we install.
Let our team help you enter the year 2020 with a Smarthome that will hard work for you every single day.
Want a Smart Home? Check Out URC for Integration Options!
A Smart Home To Take You Into 2020!
As 2020 draws near, we at Strand Security are excited to introduce you to the next generation of Smart Homes!
Before we do, let’s talk a bit more about Smart Homes and what they can do.
Any home can be a Smart Home, whether it’s a studio, a condo, a townhome, or a mansion. It’s the powerful connections that make it smart!
The powerful connections being internal connections within the home to automate daily tasks like
- locking and unlocking doors
- setting alarms
- turning music on and off
- turning lights on and off
- drawing shades
- setting the thermostat
- and so much more!
At Strand Security, we strive to always offer the latest technology, the most sought-after brands, and the best value! In our search for the best we can offer our customers, we landed on URC.
Who or What Is URC?
URC stands for Universal remote Control.
URC is the ultimate smart automation & control system for you to experience premium control & automation for your home or business
URC Total Control 2.0 smart automation & control system features unprecedented ease of use with high-quality control devices, amazing custom GUIs, powerful system processors, and rock-solid performance.
URC comes with premium control devices, making integration easy, even those who are technology challenged.
How Smart Can Your Home Get?
It’s amazing how smart your home can get with URC.
We have been amazed by the integration possibilities!
Take a look at this list of partners!
Do you already own products by
- SONOS
- Vizio
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Home
- ONKYO
- Honeywell
- BOSE
- Dish
- Panasonic
- Sharp
- Zwave
just to name SOME of the integration possibilities!
Imagine it…
URC in action! Smart Home Demo Videos
Peace of mind for parents!
For those who like to be in control of everything!
For those with nosy neighbors!
For those who own a business!
Making Your Home a Smart Home With Strand Security and URC
If you are as excited about the possibilities as we are, give us a call!
We’d love to hear
- what brands you love
- products you currently have in your home or business
- what you want to automate
and together with URC technology, we will make a plan of action to take you into 2020!
Why Zwave is the Best Home Automation your Money Can Buy
What Exactly is Zwave Home Automation?
Zwave home automation is a way to transform any home into a smarthome!
You can use Zwave for your home, but don’t forget, Zwave can also work for your business!
Zwave can take over reoccurring daily tasks like
- turning lights on and off
- locking and unlocking doors
- drawing window shades
- adjusting thermostats
Zwave is world-standard wireless technology that lets all your electronics devices talk to each other and to you via remote control!
How Smart Can Your Home Get with Zwave Home Automation?
How smart is Zwave?
Pretty darn smart, even if we say so ourselves!
Zwave control can be added to just about anything electronic in your home, even devices that you would not think of as intelligent.
By utilizing Zwave, you unify all your home electronics into an integrated wireless network without any complicated programming and no new cables. Any Zwave enabled device can be added to your existing network and many non-Zwave devices can be made compatible simply by plugging it into a Zwave accessory module.
Zwave Home Automation is Easy To Set Up!
Zwave control is easily added to almost any device.
As stated before, simply plug your device of choice into a Zwave module and ‘join’ it to your Zwave network.
You can add as many devices as you need.
Zwave can be added to one device, a whole room, a floor or an entire home!
Zwave Home Automation is Easy To Use!
Unlike whole-home control systems, no special wiring is needed to utilize Zwave. If you are handy and have tackled DIY projects before, installing Zwave should be an easy task. Of course, we at Strand Security understand that even if you can do it, sometimes you don’t have the time to do it.
No worries.
Our crew can set up your Zwave systems for you, saving you time and possibly a bit of frustration and some stress.
Zwave does ‘the thinking’ for you!
It understands the present status of any enabled device and gives you confirmation that your devices have received the automatic or manual commands you want!
Zwave Home Automation is Affordable
Because there is no special wiring needed and Zwave can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer, Zwave remains affordable.
Last but not least, Zwave is brand-agnostic.
What that means is that you, the consumer, are not stuck having to buy from just one manufacturer or supplier.
Ready to Move Forward with Zwave? Request a Demo!
We have Zwave in our showroom, feel free to stop by to see us in Murrells Inlet anytime you are in the area.
While you are visiting, ask about other demos including
✔️ Sonos
✔️ Honeywell
and more!
We are located at 11810 Frontage Rd. Unit 10 in Murrells Inlet!
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