Intrusion detection systems consist of burglar alarm panels, keypads, digital dialers and field sensors.

Examples of field sensors include:

Motion detection

Cabinet tamper

Glass break

Duress

Door contact

Seismic sensor

Field sensors connect to the panel in one of two ways:

1. Wired to the input/output channels on the panel, or

2. Via serial input/output modules. (The IO bus can span thousands of feet.)

Numeric keypads connect to the panel using manufacturers' proprietary protocols and run on a dedicated communication bus. In order to integrate with a 3rd party system such as access controller systems, a serial interface module is required.

Andover Continuum integrates easily with most burglar alarm panels via serial interfaces. The integration allows users to monitor intrusion alarms, arm and disarm security zones, create reports, and graphically view security incidents at workstations. Intrusion events can be configured to trigger automatic responses. For example, a glass-break alarm or motion detector can cause a camera to pan, tilt and zoom to the alarm zone, while the live and recorded feed pops up on the workstation. Integration enables an access control card reader to be used to simultaneously unlock entry doors and disarm the alarm when a credential is presented.