In September, security professionals across the UK joined an exclusive live installer demonstration of the VIAS Video IoT Alarm System, marking the debut of the country’s first EN50131 Grade 2 control panel with built-in video recording and smart home management.
The held by Benchmark and presented by System Q the webinar offered a hands-on look at how this innovative system unifies intruder detection, CCTV, and smart home control in a single, integrated platform.
Unlike traditional security solutions, which often rely on separate devices for alarms, cameras, and smart home features, VIAS consolidates them. The system is EN50131 Grade 2 certified, providing assurance for both installers and end-users regarding compliance with insurance standards. It features U-net 5.0 wireless AES-128 two-way communication and can support up to 160 devices, offering flexibility for installations of varying scale. Crucially, VIAS incorporates 24/7 video recording and supports ONVIF cameras directly, not as an add-on, allowing for a streamlined, unified approach to security management.
The webinar was structured as a CPD-certified session, providing attendees with professional development credentials on completion. Participants were guided through both the technical capabilities and practical applications of the VIAS system, demonstrating how its fully integrated design simplifies installation, monitoring, and control.
Mike Isherwood, Managing Director at System Q, opened the session, sharing insights from his extensive experience spanning IT distribution, telecommunications, and security. He highlighted how VIAS represents a step change in British security technology, combining regulatory compliance with practical installer-friendly functionality.
The live demonstration was led by Jim Veal, a product development expert with more than 20 years’ experience in the intruder security sector. Jim walked attendees through a full installation, highlighting the system’s embedded software design, wireless protocols, and real-world performance. Since joining System Q last year, Jim has applied his expertise to reinforce the company’s position in the market, ensuring VIAS delivers both reliability and innovation.
A defining feature of the VIAS system, emphasised throughout the webinar, is its all-in-one integration. By combining alarm signalling, video recording, and smart home management within one panel, the system reduces complexity, removes the need for multiple apps or subscriptions, and enables more secure and reliable device communication. The panel’s local storage and resilient design, including over 12 hours of battery backup, further ensure continuous protection even during outages.
The interactive format of the webinar encouraged attendees to engage directly with the experts. Questions were submitted live and addressed at the end of the session, giving installers and specifiers the opportunity to gain clarity on both technical and practical considerations.
The VIAS demonstration signals a broader trend in UK security technology: a move towards fully integrated, installer-friendly solutions that combine regulatory compliance, video surveillance, and smart home capabilities. As the first EN50131 Grade 2 system in the UK to integrate all these elements, VIAS is positioned to influence how installers approach residential and commercial security deployments.
For professionals seeking to stay ahead in the evolving security landscape, the VIAS webinar offered both practical insights and a clear view of the potential for unified alarm and video management systems. Attendees left equipped with a CPD certificate and a thorough understanding of how VIAS can simplify installations while enhancing functionality.