How to enable and configure group mode in the Ajax security system

What is the difference between groups and rooms

Rooms are needed to arrange devices. Room names are displayed in push notifications and SMS. Rooms do not control the security modes or allow arming certain groups of devices.

Without rooms, you cannot bind devices to the Ajax security system.

Groups allow arming individual detectors or rooms: manually or according to a schedule, as well as binding:

• Sirens — so that they react to alarms of certain devices.
• Key fobs and keypads — so that they control the security mode of certain devices and not the entire system.
• Automation devices— so that they react to changes in the security mode of their own group.

Devices in the group can either coincide with that of the rooms or differ from it. The names of the groups are displayed in the text of notifications upon changing the arming mode of the group.

Configuring and activating group mode

The group mode can be activated and configured by a user or PRO with administrator rights in the Ajax app. The maximum number of groups depends on the hub model.

How to create a group

1. Select a facility in the hub selection menu in the Ajax app (if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO application).
2. Go to the Devices  tab and select the hub (located at the top of the list).
3. Go to the hub settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. Go to the Groups menu and click Next.
5. Click Add Group.
6. Enter a name and add a photo of the group. This will help you find it in the list more conveniently and manage the security. Then click Save.

The group name can contain up to 12 Cyrillic characters or up to 24 Latin characters.

How to add devices to a group

1. Select a facility in the hub selection menu in the Ajax app (if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO application).
2. Go to the Devices tab and select the hub (located at the top of the list).
3. Go to the hub settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. Go to the Groups menu.
5. Select a group from the list and click the Select Devices button.
   

   Please note that a device can only be in one group. When a device is added to another group, it is automatically moved.

6. Select the required devices and click Save.

Devices that work through radio signal range extender, as well as wired devices that connected to MultiTransmitter, can be assigned to different groups. Always active devices (leakage detectors, and panic buttons) will work regardless of the security mode of the group. The fire detectors operation algorithm depends on whether the Residential Fire Alarm System is on or off.

How to activate group mode

1. Select a facility in the hub selection menu in the Ajax app (if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO application).
2. Go to the Devices tab and select the hub (located at the top of the list).
3. Go to the hub settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. Go to the Groups menu.
5. Distribute all devices in groups.
6. Click Activate Group Mode.

How to configure user group access rights

1. Select a facility in the hub selection menu in the Ajax app (if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO application).
2. Go to the Devices tab and select the hub (located at the top of the list).
3. Go to the hub settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. Go to the Groups menu.
5. Select a group from the list and go to the Users tab to define access rights. Users with no rights cannot see the group in the control menu or control its security modes.
6. Click Back to apply the settings.

Access to groups can be restricted if the user does not have administrator rights. Users with administrator rights always have access to all groups.

How to define arming and disarming rules for a group

1. Select a facility in the hub selection menu in the Ajax app (if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO application).
2. Go to the Devices tab and select the hub (located at the top of the list).
3. Go to the hub settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. Go to the Groups menu.
5. Click on the gear opposite the group name and define the rules for arming and disarming:
   • Arm If System Armed — the group will be armed when the entire system is armed. If the option is disabled, the group should be armed manually.
   • Disarm If System Disarmed — the group will always be disarmed when the entire system is disarmed. If the option is disabled, the group should be disarmed manually.
6. Click Back to apply the settings.

How to delete a group or change its settings

1. Select a facility in the hub selection menu in the Ajax app (if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO application).
2. Go to the Devices tab and select the hub (located at the top of the list).
3. Go to the hub settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. Go to the Groups menu.
5. Click on the gear opposite the group name.
6. Click:
   • Pencil icon to change the group name.
     

     The group name can contain up to 12 Cyrillic characters or up to 24 Latin characters.

   • Camera icon to change or set the group photo.
   • Delete Group button to remove the group from the hub. Before deleting a group, be sure to transfer your devices to another group. The last group can only be deleted after disabling the group mode.

How to move devices from one group to another

1. Select a facility in the hub selection menu in the Ajax app (if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO application).
2. Go to the Devices tab and select the hub (located at the top of the list).
3. Go to the hub settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. Go to the Groups menu.
5. Select the group to which you want to move the devices. Click the Select Devices button.
6. Select the devices and click Save.

Please note that a device can only be assigned to one group. When a device is assigned to another group, it is automatically moved.

How to disable the group mode

1. Select a facility in the hub selection menu in the Ajax app (if you have several facilities or if you are using a PRO application).
2. Go to the Devices tab and select the hub (located at the top of the list).
3. Go to the hub settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. Go to the Groups menu.
5. Click Deactivate Group Mode. In this case, all group settings are saved, and the mode can be reactivated after.

Operation of the app with group mode activated

After the group mode is enabled in the Ajax app, the control screen changes — icons of the groups to which the user has access are displayed, as well as buttons for security management of the entire facility.

Security management when group mode is activated

• To arm the entire system, press Arm . After that, all groups for which the Arm If System Armed option is enabled will be armed.
  

• To disarm the entire system, press Disarm . After that, the system will be disarmed for all groups with the Disarm If System Disarmed option enabled.
  

• To activate night mode, press Night Mode . After the Night mode is enabled, the button will change colour to blue, and the groups will be highlighted by a frame.
  

• To arm a group, click on its icon. As soon as the group is armed, its icon turns blue, and the pictograph in the lower left corner of the icon changes to a blue circle .
  

• To disarm a group, click on its icon. As soon as the group is disarmed, its icon changes to the original one, and the pictograph in the lower left corner of the icon changes to a grey open circle .
  

The system settings can be changed only when the system is completely disarmed (Night mode is disabled and none of the groups is armed).

Hub states with group mode enabled

The hub selection menu displays the current security status.

• If all groups are armed, Armed is displayed.
• If at least one group is armed, Partially Armed is displayed.
• If at least one group is armed and Night mode is enabled, Night Mode is displayed.
• If only Night mode is enabled, Night Mode is displayed.
• If the system is completely disarmed, Disarmed is displayed.

Adding new devices to the hub

After the group mode is enabled, the process of adding devices remains the same. The only change is that when adding a new device, you need to specify the Group. Sirens, key fobs, and keypads are automatically added to the first created group and work with the entire system.

Key fob operation when group mode is activated

When the group mode is activated, key fobs can operate in four modes:

• By default — the key fob controls the security modes of the entire facility. It is not bound to a user or group. The name of the key fob is displayed in notifications about changing the security mode.
• Group-bound — the key fob controls the arming modes of its own group only. The name of the key fob is displayed in notifications about changing the security mode. Note that a key fob can only be bound to one group.
• User-bound — the key fob controls the arming modes of all groups to which the user has access. For example, if a user has access to only two out of three groups, the key fob will control their security modes only. The username is displayed in the notifications of changes in the security mode.
• User- and group-bound — the key fob controls the security mode of the specified group only. The username is displayed in the notifications of changes in the security mode. Note that a key fob can only be bound to one group.

To bind a key fob to a group, in the Ajax app:

1. Go to the Devices tab.
2. Select the key fob.
3. Go to its Settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. In the Group Management field, select the group.
5. Click Back to save your settings.

To unbind the key fob from the group, in the SpaceControl settings select All Groups in the Group Management field.

To bind a key fob to a user, in the Ajax app:

1. Go to the Devices tab.
2. Select the key fob.
3. Go to its Settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. In the User field, select the user.
5. Click Back to save your settings.

Night mode control using a key fob

The ability to control Night mode using a key fob depends on the device settings:

• Key fob is not group- or user-bound — the key fob can control Night mode. The name of the key fob is displayed in notifications about changing the security mode.
• Key fob is group-bound only — the key fob cannot control Night mode.
• Key fob is user-bound only — the key fob can control Night mode if the user has the appropriate rights. The username is displayed in the notifications of changes in the security mode.
• Key fob is group- and user-bound — the key fob can control Night mode if the user has the appropriate rights. The username is displayed in the notifications of changes in the security mode.

Operation of keypads with group mode enabled

After activating the group mode, the keypads can control the security of the entire facility, individual groups, as well as the Night mode. You can manage security modes with a common and personal password.

How to control groups with passwords

A keypad can be bound to a specific group. In this case, it only controls the security modes of the specified group. Note that the keypad cannot be bound to a user. To receive notifications about arming or disarming on behalf of the user, use personal passwords.

To bind a keypad to a group, in the Ajax app:

1. Go to the Devices tab.
2. Select the keypad.
3. Go to its Settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. In the Group Management field, select the group.
5. Click Back to save your settings.

To unbind the keypad from the group, in its settings select All Groups in the Group Management field.

Night Mode control using the keypad

The ability to control Night Mode using the keypad depends on the device settings and the arming method:

• Keypad is not group-bound, common password is used — the keypad can control the Night mode. The name of the keypad is displayed in notifications about changing the security mode.
• Keypad is group-bound, common password is used — the keypad cannot control the Night mode.
• Keypad is not group-bound, personal password is used — the keypad can control the Night mode if the user has the appropriate rights. The username is displayed in the notifications of changes in the security mode.
• Keypad is group-bound, personal password is used — the keypad can control the Night mode if the user has the appropriate rights. The username is displayed in the notifications of changes in the security mode.

Operation of sirens with group mode enabled

After activating the group mode, the sirens operate with the entire system: they signal about delays and respond to alarms of all detectors as well as inform about changes in the security mode of a system or any of the groups.

The siren can be bound to a specific group. In this case, the siren will react to changes in the security mode and alarms in its group.

To bind a siren to a group, in the Ajax app:

1. Go to the Devices tab.
2. Select the siren.
3. Go to its Settings by clicking on the gear icon .
4. In the Alarms in group mode field, select the group.
5. Click Back to save your settings.

To unbind the siren from a group, in its settings, select All Groups in the Alarms in group mode field.

Siren response to Night mode alarms

The siren informs about delays as well as reacts to alarms of the Night mode, regardless of binding to the group.

Operation of automation devices after group mode activation

After enabling the group mode, automation devices (Socket, WallSwitch and Relay) are automatically bound to the group defined by the administrator.

This means that the scenarios for arming and disarming will be executed after arming/disarming the group to which the automation device is bound. The scenario is also triggered when arming and disarming the entire facility if the corresponding options are enabled in the settings of the group to which the automation device is bound (Arm If System Armed and/or Disarm If System Disarmed).

Alarm and scheduled scenarios operate regardless of the group mode.

Response of automation devices to Night mode

Automation devices react to enabling and disabling the Night mode if the Night Mode Response is specified in scenario settings.

Alarm and scheduled scenarios operate regardless of the group mode or Night mode.