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Real-Time Alarm Queue

The Talos CMS serves as the central hub where operators manage the real-time alarm buffer. This unified interface provides comprehensive alarm management capabilities with priority-based sorting, filtering, and instant acknowledgement features.

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Alarm Queue

Centralized Management

Overview​

The Real-Time Alarm Queue is the primary interface for security operators to receive, process, and manage alarms. It provides a centralized buffer where all incoming alarms are displayed, sorted, and made available for operator action.

Key Features​

  • Centralized Queue: All alarms displayed in a single, unified interface
  • Priority Sorting: Automatic sorting by alarm priority and severity
  • Instant Acknowledgement: Quick acknowledgement capabilities for rapid response
  • Filtering: Advanced filtering by priority, status, site, device type, and time range
  • Event Grouping: Related alarms grouped into single events for context

Understanding Alarms vs. Events​

In GCXONE, precision in terminology is vital for accurate reporting:

Alarm​

A single notification from a specific device (e.g., a "Line Crossing" detection from Camera 1). Alarms are the raw signals from hardware.

Event​

A logical grouping of related alarms. For example, if a motion sensor triggers at the same time a door contact is breached, GCXONE groups them into one Event to provide you with the full context of the incident.

Benefits of Event Grouping:

  • Complete Context: See all related alarms together
  • Faster Processing: Handle related alarms as a single unit
  • Better Reporting: More accurate incident documentation
  • Reduced Clutter: Fewer items in queue to manage

Queue Interface​

Queue Layout​

The alarm queue is typically organized into columns:

  • Unassigned: New alarms waiting for operator assignment
  • Assigned to Me: Alarms you are currently handling
  • Assigned to Others: Alarms being handled by other operators
  • Parked: Alarms temporarily set aside
  • Closed: Recently resolved alarms

Alarm Display​

Each alarm in the queue shows:

  • Priority Indicator: Color-coded priority level
  • Alarm Type: Visual icon representing alarm category
  • Site/Device: Location and device information
  • Timestamp: When the alarm was triggered
  • Status: Current processing status
  • AI Classification: If available, shows AI verification result

Prioritization and Severity​

Alarms are sorted in the queue by priority (e.g., Burglary alarms appear above Motion alerts) or by timestamp. High-severity alarms are color-coded to ensure they are addressed immediately.

Priority Levels​

  • Critical (Red): Life-threatening or property-damaging events

    • Fire alarms
    • Panic buttons
    • Critical security breaches

  • High (Orange): Important security events requiring prompt response

    • Burglary alarms
    • Intrusion detection
    • Forced entry

  • Medium (Yellow): Standard security events

    • Motion detection
    • Door/window contacts
    • Perimeter breaches

  • Low (Blue): Informational or non-critical events

    • System notifications
    • Maintenance alerts
    • Status updates

Sorting Options​

  • By Priority: Highest priority alarms first
  • By Time: Newest or oldest alarms first
  • By Site: Grouped by site location
  • By Device Type: Grouped by device category

Assignment Process​

Manual Assignment​

Alarms land in the "Unassigned" buffer. You can manually take an alarm by:

  1. Clicking "Assign to Me" button on the alarm
  2. Dragging the alarm into your column
  3. Double-clicking the alarm to open and assign

Auto-Feed​

In busy environments, the "Auto-feed" feature may be enabled to automatically push high-priority alarms directly to your screen based on your availability. This prevents bottlenecks and ensures critical alarms are handled immediately.

Auto-Feed Configuration:

  • Priority Threshold: Only alarms above this priority are auto-fed
  • Availability Status: Only active operators receive auto-fed alarms
  • Workload Balancing: Distributes alarms evenly among available operators

Workspaces​

Operators can be assigned to specific "Workspaces" to route high-priority alarms to specialist teams or specific language-speaking staff.

Workspace Benefits​

  • Specialization: Route alarms to experts in specific areas
  • Language Support: Assign alarms to operators speaking specific languages
  • Workload Management: Distribute alarms based on operator capacity
  • Geographic Routing: Route alarms to operators familiar with specific regions

Alarm Actions​

Available Actions​

  • Acknowledge: Mark alarm as received and being processed
  • Dismiss: Close alarm as false or non-actionable
  • Escalate: Forward to supervisor or specialist team
  • Snooze: Temporarily set aside for later review
  • Reassign: Transfer to another operator
  • Add Notes: Document observations and actions taken

Quick Actions​

For common scenarios, quick action buttons provide one-click responses:

  • False Alarm: Quickly mark and close false alarms
  • Verified Real: Confirm real threat and proceed with response
  • Technical Issue: Mark as technical problem for IT team
  • Test Alarm: Identify and close test alarms

Filter Options​

  • Priority: Filter by alarm priority level
  • Status: Filter by processing status
  • Site: Filter by site location
  • Device Type: Filter by device category
  • Time Range: Filter by alarm timestamp
  • Custom Criteria: Advanced filtering with multiple conditions

Search Functionality​

Quick search allows you to find specific alarms by:

  • Alarm ID: Unique alarm identifier
  • Site Name: Search by site
  • Device Name: Search by device
  • Operator Notes: Search within notes and comments

Best Practices​

  1. Prioritize Critical Alarms: Always handle critical priority alarms first
  2. Use Event Grouping: Review related alarms together for complete context
  3. Document Actions: Add notes to all alarms for audit trail
  4. Regular Queue Review: Check queue frequently to prevent backlog
  5. Collaborate: Use reassignment when you need specialist help

Need Help?​

If you're experiencing issues with the alarm queue, check our Troubleshooting Guide or contact support.