- ActionTiles Forum
- Security
-
Ideas & Feature Requests
Option to require PIN entry for Disarming system only (no PIN for arming...)
Current pinpad feature requires using pinpad authentication for both arming and disarming. Allow the option to use pinpad for disarming only.
Answer
Worthwhile feature request, Markl...
We want to lean towards making ActionTiles more customizable and flexible for customers, and that means considering adding "little" but useful options like this -- without making the app too cluttered.
Thus, our Feedback Forum is a good place for us to measure the popularity of the Feature / Option. The discussion (as well as Votes) can help us understand the various use-cases and different customer perspectives.
The current default design behavior is intentional: ActionTiles requires PIN input even for "Arming" SmartThings, rather than just "dis-Arming".
Some quick research revealed that traditional and competitor alarm systems are about 50/50 on this requirement, and some make it an option (e.g., the Schlage Connect smart lock lets the customer decide whether one of their PIN code is required to LOCK the door as well as unlock).
We decided to default to requiring the PIN for initial release, since we figured that without this step, some folks (or the little ones in their home) may accidentally (!!) Arm the system and not have or have forgotten the code; thus "trapping" them into a corner and triggering Alarms they can't shut off! For some households, of course, this is be less of a problem than in others; but we default to "better safe than sorry" and took the cautious approach.
Those are good points. I mounted my security systems panel out of my kids reach just for that reason. Since only one pin is supported I suppose this feature would make more sense to have after you added multiple pin support (assuming it gets enough votes)
You can make both work on the same panel. Most traditional alarms that don't require a pin to arm have an "ARM" button. If you create an "ARM" routine and it it to your panel, you can have it not pin protected, allowing you to arm without a PIN.
Alternatively, some alarms don't have an arm/disarm button at all, and if you enter a valid pin, it just changes state from one to the other. This is much less trivial to implement in AT... My office (traditional) alarm uses this and logs the pin that was entered (every employee has a different pin), and lets management know who is locking up and unlocking the building every day.
I solved this problem by creating an "Automation" in the App called "Enable Security".... and had that action change the System Mode to Away and Alarm the system at the same time. I did the same things with the Good Night! Automation as well....... and then put these routines on my panels as a button without security turned on (interactive).
Another thought, if I may, on the subject... I have a "panic" button that currently sounds the alarm (think of scare off bad person trying to enter home). I do NOT want a pin associated with pressing it, however want a pin to silence the siren. Press -> alarm, press again -> "what's your pin"?? Is there a place we can post suggestions - if created cool, if not, it's your product and all good... :)
Suggestions are fine right here, Lost...
But for the Panic Tile idea, for now I think it is sufficient to just have 2 Tiles: Panic On Tile setting = no PIN. Panic Off Tile setting = PIN.
OK - didn't think of that (doh) - however how do I disable the panic on, when the siren doesn't have an on / off discrete command that I know of? In other words, how do I set the panic on tile to only turn on - right now it turns on and off from the same tile? Dumb question? Thanks Terry!
Not a dumb question, Lost.
Unless we implement this Feature Request, you'd have to use 2 Routine Tiles or Virtual Momentary button Tiles, rather than a single Switch Tile. Generally the same concept as: https://support.actiontiles.com/communities/12/topics/1856-option-to-require-pin-entry-for-disarming-system-only-no-pin-for-arming#comment-11866
Funny - that pointed to this same post... lol
Created two routines in ST (one on and one off), waited for the ActionTiles sync and added them. Something I found, do not add them at the same time - at least for me the opposite response per button resulted... Added them one at time and both buttons work as designed - thanks again @Terry!
Customer support service by UserEcho
Worthwhile feature request, Markl...
We want to lean towards making ActionTiles more customizable and flexible for customers, and that means considering adding "little" but useful options like this -- without making the app too cluttered.
Thus, our Feedback Forum is a good place for us to measure the popularity of the Feature / Option. The discussion (as well as Votes) can help us understand the various use-cases and different customer perspectives.
The current default design behavior is intentional: ActionTiles requires PIN input even for "Arming" SmartThings, rather than just "dis-Arming".
Some quick research revealed that traditional and competitor alarm systems are about 50/50 on this requirement, and some make it an option (e.g., the Schlage Connect smart lock lets the customer decide whether one of their PIN code is required to LOCK the door as well as unlock).
We decided to default to requiring the PIN for initial release, since we figured that without this step, some folks (or the little ones in their home) may accidentally (!!) Arm the system and not have or have forgotten the code; thus "trapping" them into a corner and triggering Alarms they can't shut off! For some households, of course, this is be less of a problem than in others; but we default to "better safe than sorry" and took the cautious approach.