The End is Nigh

Using your AlertMe, British Gas Hive, Safe & Secure or Iris system.
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mbuckhurst
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:01 pm

The End is Nigh

Post by mbuckhurst »

Don't know if anyone is left here but received this letter from Alertme today, question is will the Hive system work with all the old bits or at least some of them.

Hello Mike,
After 10 years we’ve made the tough decision to discontinue the AlertMe service from 31st October 2017.
Why is the AlertMe Service closing?
In March 2014 we stopped charging you for your AlertMe subscription service as we reduced the level of support. Since then we have been applying everything we’ve learnt from AlertMe into building a global connected home business under the brand Hive. We now offer a wide range of products and services that are designed to make your life easier and look after your home while you’re not there.
What now?
We’d like you to join us on the next stage of the journey and offer you a range of the latest Hive products, free of charge. Once set up, you’ll be able to continue to keep an eye on your home while you’re on the move, and much more.
The bundle includes:
• A Hive Active Heating thermostat installed free of charge by a British Gas engineer (if you don’t already have one)
• A Hive Window or Door Sensor
• A Hive Motion Sensor
• A Hive Active Plug
• A Hive Active Light
You can find out more about Hive products by clicking here.
Although these products have slightly different features to the AlertMe system, we feel that you’ll love what they have to offer.
Weeg
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2011 6:00 pm

Re: The End is Nigh

Post by Weeg »

I got the same email and I think I'll take them up in their offer.
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roobarb!
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Location: Manchester, UK
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Re: The End is Nigh

Post by roobarb! »

Oh, no! I've not received anything, though my system is up and running and my mailing address is correct. It's a real shame, I've loved using and tinkering with this system over the years.

Is there any contact information on the letter you received? I wouldn't mind dropping them a line. It's certainly a good offer if they've decided to knock the AlertMe servers offline.
Alerty - you could control your AlertMe system with my third-party app for iPhone and iPod Touch. Used to be available on iTunes!
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roobarb!
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Posts: 230
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:56 pm
Location: Manchester, UK
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Re: The End is Nigh

Post by roobarb! »

Ah, checked my inbox and found my email from AlertMe. It's a good offer; I think I'll be taking them up on it and seeing how it fits with me. What a shame I won't be able to use the existing devices I have, though. I have asked if the British Gas Safe & Secure system will stay alive - the two were cross-compatible with devices and I have a friend who uses that system.
Alerty - you could control your AlertMe system with my third-party app for iPhone and iPod Touch. Used to be available on iTunes!
Braeside
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 11:51 am

Re: The End is Nigh

Post by Braeside »

I also got the email, but am very unsure that it is a good offer that meets my requirements.
I had previously contacted them to say I had no interest in the boiler part of the Hive system. They then offered a sensor pack instead.

Here is part of my reply to them today.

Thank you for the reply. I understand the situation with lack of resources allocated to the migration from AlertMe to Hive.

I am still unsure if the Hive system is a suitable replacement for the previous AlertMe system.

My existing AlertMe system comprises

3 Alarm Detectors ( for detecting sound of Smoke or CO detectors going off)
1 Doorbell or panic button
3 Contact sensors for doors
1 electricity meter reader, clamp on.
3 motion sensors (PIR for intruder detection when armed)
2 Smartplugs
1 Hub with internet and backup Cellular connection
3 keyfobs to arm and disarm the system

If I understand correctly the proposed Hive replacement is

3 contact sensors
3 motion sensors
1 active plug
1 active light

So no Hub? no keyfobs, no electricity consumption reader, no doorbell button, no alarm sensors.

Presumably a monthly subscription is involved? I am not interested in anything that costs more than about £5 a month.

No dashboard software, at least it isn’t clear what is available and at what cost.

AlertMe has, or had until iOS11 stopped it from working as it isn’t 64 bit, a great App for the iPhone, fortunately a 3rd party app called Alerty was available that does work with iOS 11.

I am afraid I cannot see the proposed Hive sensor pack meeting my requirements, if it had been able to either use the existing AlertMe sensors or had all the types of sensors available with the equivalent functionality and the software gave similar features then it might have worked. However it does not appear to do so.

AlertMe has been a superb alarm system, giving peace of mind whether in the house at night or when having to leave the house unattended.

If I have misunderstood how the Hive system works, and it can be used as an alarm system like the AlertMe system then I apologise, but reading the Hive web pages does not make it entirely clear.

Regretfully I think I will have to look elsewhere for a replacement, currently the Samsung system is looking very promising as it can for example hook into 3rd party devices like the excellent RING video doorbell and they have something that AlertMe promised but never delivered, a siren/strobe. Incidentally no monthly subscription with the Samsung.

Once again I thank all at AlertMe for their excellent support over the years, it was just a pity that such a go ahead group were sold and that development of AlertMe then appeared to stop. That’s the way of things however.
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