Jimmy Tok and Ralph Yew (Business Development Manager) with the software

Inside the Main Unit with the locally developed Secure Smith circuit board

We've heard of intelligent and smart homes for quite sometime already, but don't see many around or some developers claim their homes are smart just by having a network port built into the walls. iNix Technologies Sdn Bhd, an MSC-status company, is about to change that perception and the way Malaysians think about smart homes forever. Incorporate on 15th April 2003, the company was created with the idea to bring innovative products which were originally made by PC Sentry Sdn Bhd almost a decade ago. Designed for the local market, iNix Technologies have also spread their products to Australia and even the Middle East, with brisk sales! iNix was founded by Jimmy Tok, the CEO and Cheong Kok Yai, the CTO. iNix is also an investee company under MAVCAP (Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad), which is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance.

Developed as an ICT company with focus on developing an integrated intelligent System for the home automation and security industry, it has a team of strong research and development personnel that work on creating security products for the Malaysian market. Their goal is to integrate the high-end electronics that Malaysians are beginning to gather in their homes into a central and global access method for their lighting, power and security control. An ambitious vision that they aim to make as a flagship product, with the pride that it was made in Malaysia by Malaysians, for the world. They have even received a letter from our former Prime Minister.


Some of the products from the Secure Smith line by iNix Technologies

Their main strength is offering security and automation via Power Line Carrier (PLC) technology, something that takes advantage of what all homes have without the need for expensive cabling or modifications from old to new homes. 

It can be controlled by a PC software application that is also developed by iNix, allowing you to set schedules and events. It has verbal notification capabilities, is keypad free (unless you with to purchase an IR Keypad) so intruders cannot disable it, and can even be controlled and programmed via a phone!This includes mobile handsets and PDAs, not forgetting any remote controllers and a PC. The software supports DOS even, but no Macintosh support is currently available. It has a graphic interface with extensive settings and sensitivity controls for thunderstorms.

iNix is also currently working on voice recognition technology so expect in the near future to speak to your house system from anywhere in the world and it will adhere to your commands.

Secure Smith communicates with iNix's Ground Loop (G-LOP) automation device to control consumer appliances in homes and businesses. This means it's now possible to turn on your air-conditioner for a cool home while you're driving back home, via your mobile phone. This Secure Smith system can also interact with iNix's Central Monitoring System (I-CMS) that allows home developers to provide Central Monitoring to its customers as a value-added service. Gated communities can now offer residents to link up their home Secure Smith systems to their main Control Center for monitoring and security purposes are just the beginning of what's to come. The company has already installed Secure Smith in 5 housing developments in the Klang Valley, | in Kedah, | in Johore, | in Penang, and | in Perak.

Some examples of the capability of Secure Smith include running a program to automatically control your house to simulate the appearance that it is occupied. The program can switch lights off and on, control the TV or any other scheduled appliances with the ability for the user to control it from anywhere in the world.

It can detect intruders via heat sensors (which you can purchase additionally as add-ons if you wish to have more around the house) and do the required actions. From calling you up to recording the event, all these can be programmed into Secure Smith. In the event of blackout, the system switches to its built-in battery pack and continues to monitor, so there goes any idea about intruders hoping to shut down the system by cutting-off the power. Surge and spike protection guards the unit from electrical charges although the fury of Mother Nature's direct lighting strike is something even Secure Smith cannot guarantee to protect against. However, the controller is housed in a fire retardant casing, so even a fire will not harm it!

Ambience setting is another feature this system can offer - by dimming the lights or turning on your air-conditioner before arriving home. This works by sending DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency - unique tone of each button that allows a computer to recognize it) via your phone as instructions. Due to security reasons, the system has a built-in password to prevent unauthorized usage.


Some of the available modules and sensors for sale at selected DIY stores


With remote monitoring, you can even scare-off an intruder should one break in by talking over your phone to a speaker in your home. Secure Smith doesn't offer speakers but you can purchase them from another vendor. Let them know that you can see them and that their movement is being recorded, or turn on lights in your home and call the police or security to head over to your house. You can monitor what your camera is picking up should you have broadband access.

The locally developed Secure Smith system supports up to 22 input zones with support for a CCTV surveillance board plug-in. As for their G-LOP automation module, it uses iNix's proprietary PLC technology as opposed to the usual Relay Driver, allowing wireless information to be received with interference. This means there's no way to hack into your home system, even wireless or even directly in Tenaga Nasional's power line, without triggering the alarm system for an intruder alert.

G-LOP also allows the use of IR transmission for line-of-sight control and Secure Smith supports available monitoring cameras in the market, freeing you of the constraint of only using theirs. If things go well in a couple of years, iNix will go Open Source with their software, allowing users to customizes their own home security as they see fit. Perhaps Star Trek fans may prefer their home system to speak in a space ship voice or input their own sound effects, it's your choice.

With over 4000 devices that can be controlled, smart noise cancellation, energy-saving automation system, multiple level power control and a built-in real-time clock, Secure Smith offers innovative and robust products coming from our very own shores. It can even reduce electrical consumption to appliances if needed, as it has 40 power level steps. Upgrades are easy as once you have the main unit (which comes bundled with a few starter sensors and modules); you need only to purchase the extra modules or sensors as you need. As iNix releases new add-ons, you just have to add them to your house and expand your options. So how much does a Secure Smith Intelligent System cost? Available from their dealers in late June, the DIY Kit retails for RMxxxx for limited time only and you get the Main Control Panel, Power Supply, Internal Siren, Plastic Housing, Receiver Module, 5 Magnetic Sensors, 2 4-Button Handheld Controllers, and 3 G-LOP Sockets. You also get the complete control and automation software. You can purchase additional Magnetic Sensors at RMxx per unit, 4-Button Handheld Controllers at RMxx per unit, and G-LOP Sockets at RMxxx per unit.

Malaysians now can truly have a smart home with this unique innovative from iNix. For more information about their products and services, please contact them at (03) 5632 2222 or visit www.inix.com.my