ADT Security Pro - Home Security Blog

When I work with local customer home builders and architects, they tell me that there are very few security companies that will do security pre-wires. Most security companies today, including almost all ADT Authorized Dealers, install wireless security systems and do not have the expertise or experience necessary to custom design or install a hard wired security system. To get help, schedule a free home security review and our security experts will help you design your custom home security solution.

Learn more >>> So if you are building a custom home or doing a major remodel down to the frames, let's look at the steps of planning security for your home and family.

I recently attend ADT's Dealer convention and the most impressive part of the event was learning about the transformation ADT has made in customer service. As an ADT Dealer, over the years the customer service of ADT as a national company has been weak at times. Although the the monitoring service centers for alarm events have always been quick to respond, getting a customer service representative to help you for billing or a service call often took way to long. We had to tell our Security Pro customers to call us if the ADT Corporate is not giving them the service they deserve.

This information was posted on Nextdoor.com to give homeowners in the San Ramon area safety tips for burglary prevention during the fall season. It was posted in September and written by Kyle Madison, Regional Manager for Security Pro Group. It is definitely worth the read and very informative to help any homeowner complete steps to protect their family.

There are so many different options when you try to understand the ADT monthly cost for home security, life safety monitoring for protection from fire or carbon monoxide and the integration of ADT Pulse including remote interactive services for mobile devices, cameras and home automation. It can be quite overwhelming but it is nice to have options and find a security solution that fits your needs and budget.

I just added the ADT Pulse Skill to my Echo Dot from Amazon and Alexa is now controlling my ADT Pulse Security System including my ADT Pulse home automation devices. I have learned from experience that you must give Alexa the right commands exactly as she wants to hear them for the actions to smoothly work.

For example , I was asking Alexa to "Ask ADT to lock the front door"... she said I can not lock the front door. I tried several more times and she basically just said NO. Well, after a little reading about the ADT Pulse Alexa skill commands I realized I need to say "Alexa, ask ADT to lock my front door lock". It worked perfectly! 

Why this happened was because the wireless door sensor was named Front Door in my ADT Pulse Portal and my ADT Pulse Automated Door Lock was named Front Door Lock. So it is important to have the items you will use Alexa to command... named with what makes sense to you. Login to your personlized ADT Pulse web portal to make the name changes of devices to match the commands you will be giving to Alexa. Once you get open the web portal go to the SYSTEMS tab and click on the device you want to rename. You will be able to rename home automation devices and cameras. You can not rename door window sensors, motions, glassbreaks, smoke, etc because they match the zone chart ADT has for the security portion of your security system. The naming of the security devices are programmed by the installer at the time of your initial installation. If you want certain names for the security system devices, let the Technician know when they are installing your system.

After reading the list of ADT Pulse commands, I was able to ask Alexa to to check the status of my security system, arm and disarm my security system, lock my front door and control the lamp in my living room. I did like when I asked Alexa to arm my security system, that she told me which doors and windows were open and if I still wanted to arm the security system. It is an easy setup and once you give Alexa the right commands, she controls the ADT Pulse system quite nicely.

I did decide to rename my light in my living room so it will be easy for me to remember when asking Alexa to control the lighting. I went to my ADT Pulse Portal Login and renamed the lamp module in my living room. On the Alexa skill setup you will also need your ADT Pulse login user name which is your email for the account and your ADT Pulse login password to link Alexa with ADT Pulse. Alexa will also need you to enter a PIN number. This PIN number can be different than the code you use for your alarm panel or the same... your choice. The Alexa PIN will be needed to disarm your security system, unlock your door locks or open your garage door. Other commands do not need the PIN number.

It is important to note that you will need to have ADT Pulse Level III monitoring service for all the above to work with Alexa. See how to upgrade your ADT security system to be compatible with the Alexa Skill for Amazon's Echo and Echo Dot.

Here are some of the commands Alexa will listen to:

Customer FAQs about ADT Pulse Alexa Skill 

Discover answers to the most frequently asked questions from ADT customers with the click of a button.

Below is from ADT's website

When you get your ADT Pulse security system installed the next step is to decide what you want to program it to do. Now that you have cameras, door locks, thermostat, lighting and garage door control.... NOW WHAT?

Over 40% of our customers are getting at least one ADT Pulse camera with their ADT monitored security system. The integration with remote interactive services from mobile Apps and the affordability of these cameras are making them extremely popular. Many customers are asking if they are comparable to professional grade video surveillance systems. Well... no. Let's check out the differences.