Automation activation

Overview

Use the Automation activation settings to control when automation features are available to end users and whether supported automation devices are shown in the user interface.

Use this page when you need to:

• Whether automation is always available, available only during an alarm, or disabled.
• Whether Z-Wave, ZigBee, and PowerG+ devices are displayed in the interface.

These settings help administrators align automation behavior with operational requirements and security policies.

Before you begin

Required permissions

• You must have permission to Resolve category of Server Settings.

Preconditions

• Automation devices must be enrolled and available before users can control or view them.

Dependencies

• Automation availability depends on the selected Activation mode.
• Device visibility depends on the Display Z-Wave, ZigBee, and PowerG+ devices toggle.
• Actual device control depends on device enrollment, device communication, panel support, and the current system state.
• Z-Wave behavior may also depend on Z-Wave region configuration for supported IQ panels. Z-Wave region settings apply only to IQ panel family devices and can affect whether Z-Wave devices are reachable.

Important limitations

warning

• If Activation is set to Disabled, automation features are turned off, even if automation devices are installed.
• If Display Z-Wave, ZigBee, and PowerG+ devices is turned off, those devices are hidden from the interface.
• Hiding devices does not confirm that the devices are removed from the system.

Page layout

The Edit automation activation settings dialog contains one dropdown, one visibility toggle, and two action buttons.

Edit automation activation settings dialog

Callout	UI element	Description	When to use
1	Activation	Defines when automation features are available to end users. Supported options are Always enabled, Enabled by alarm, and Disabled.	Use to control whether users can access automation features at all times, only during alarm conditions, or not at all.
2	Display Z-Wave, ZigBee, and PowerG+ devices	Controls whether Z-Wave, ZigBee, and PowerG+ automation devices are shown in the user interface.	Use to show automation devices to users or hide them when automation is not needed.
3	Cancel button	Closes the dialog without saving changes made during the current edit session.	Use when you want to review settings or discard unsaved changes.
4	Save button	Saves the selected automation activation and device visibility settings.	Use after you update one or more settings and want the changes to apply.

Activation

The Activation dropdown defines when automation features are available to end users.

Available options:

• Always enabled: Automation features are available regardless of the system arming state.
• Enabled by alarm: Automation features activate only when the security system is in alarm within a predefined time window after the alarm. Available ranges from 60 to 600 seconds. Default value is 300 seconds.
• Disabled: Automation features are turned off for end users.

Use this setting to match automation availability to the customer expected experience or security policy.

How to use this page

Make automation always available

Goal:

• Allow end users to use automation features at all times.

Steps:

1. Open the Edit automation activation settings dialog.
2. Select the Activation dropdown.
3. Select Always enabled.
4. Review the Display Z-Wave, ZigBee, and PowerG+ devices toggle.
5. Select Save.

Expected result:

• Automation features are available to end users regardless of the system arming state.
• Device visibility follows the selected toggle state.

Enable automation only during alarm state

Goal:

• Allow automation features only when the security system is in an alarm state.

Steps:

1. Open the Edit automation activation settings dialog.
2. Select the Activation dropdown.
3. Select Enabled by alarm.
4. Set the expected time window for availability after the alarm.
5. Select Save.

Expected result:

• Automation features are restricted during normal system operation.
• Automation features become available when the security system is in an alarm state.

warning

Use this option only when automation access should be limited to alarm conditions. This setting can prevent users from controlling automation devices during normal operation.

Disable automation features

Goal:

• Turn off automation features for users.

Steps:

1. Open the Edit automation activation settings dialog.
2. Select the Activation dropdown.
3. Select Disabled.
4. Select Save.

Expected result:

• Automation features are disabled for users.
• Users cannot interact with automation devices through the interface.

Tips

tip

• Use Always enabled when users need regular smart-home control.
• Use Enabled by alarm only when automation must be restricted to alarm conditions.
• Use Disabled when automation is not part of the customer service package.
• Turn off device visibility when supported automation devices should not appear in the interface.
• Before saving, confirm that the selected activation mode matches the expected end-user experience.

Troubleshooting

Users cannot access automation features

Possible causes

• Activation is set to Disabled.
• Activation is set to Enabled by alarm, and the system is not in an alarm state.
• The user does not have access to the relevant interface.
• Automation devices are not enrolled, supported, or available.
• Device communication is unavailable.

What to do

1. Open the Edit automation activation settings dialog.
2. Check the selected Activation value.
3. Select Always enabled if users need automation access during normal operation.
4. Confirm that automation devices are enrolled and communicating.
5. Select Save if you changed the setting.
6. Ask the user to refresh or reopen the interface.

Automation devices are not visible

Possible causes

• Display Z-Wave, ZigBee, and PowerG+ devices is turned off.
• The device type is not one of the supported visible categories.
• The device is not enrolled.
• Device data has not updated in the interface.

What to do

1. Open the Edit automation activation settings dialog.
2. Turn on Display Z-Wave, ZigBee, and PowerG+ devices.
3. Select Save.
4. Confirm that devices are enrolled and supported.
5. Refresh the interface.

Devices are visible but users cannot control them

Possible causes

• Activation is set to Enabled by alarm, and the system is not in an alarm state.
• Activation is set to Disabled.
• The device is offline or not communicating.
• The user's permissions do not allow automation control.

What to do

1. Check the selected Activation value.
2. Change Activation to Always enabled if control should be available during normal operation.
3. Confirm that the device is online and communicating.
4. Confirm that the user should have automation access.
5. Save changes and ask the user to try again.

Related pages

info

• Settings overview
• Devices
• Roles
• Permissions