Key Takeaways:
- 💎 Complete User Accountability: Commercial facilities require transparent user logs. By assigning individual names to access codes, business owners can track exactly who arms and disarms the system in real time.
- 💎 Redundant Communication: Relying on a single internet connection is a major vulnerability. Utilizing a hub with Ethernet and dual SIM card support guarantees that critical fire and intrusion alerts always reach the monitoring station.
- 💎 Bypassing Physical Barriers: Thick concrete walls and long distances often disrupt wireless signals in industrial spaces. Deploying a dedicated range extender via an Ethernet link easily pushes the secure wireless protocol to isolated warehouse zones.
Hi guys, I am Helder Luis from Magma Networks. Protecting a commercial facility requires far more than just mounting basic alarms. When a business relies on heavy machinery, high temperatures, and complex production workflows, the security infrastructure must integrate robust intrusion detection, fire safety, and centralized access management into one seamless platform.
Recently, we partnered with Pipl Systems to present a real-world Commercial Ajax Security Installation. We went on-site to Ethica Coffee, a premium specialty coffee roastery in Toronto, Canada. I will show you exactly how we designed this network and why the Ajax ecosystem was the only logical choice for this demanding environment.
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Introduction: Securing Ethica Coffee with Magma Networks
Ethica Coffee is not your average retail cafe. It is a full-scale industrial operation. The team imports green coffee beans from all over the world to Toronto. They roast the product here, package it here, and sell it to other coffee shops while also serving it in their own retail space.
Managing a facility of this size demands an advanced Ajax System for Business. Their previous security system simply did not fulfill all of their operational needs. They required a solution offering complete transparency, reliability under heavy production loads, and the ability to scale. Magma Networks stepped in to design a tailored wireless infrastructure using professional-grade Ajax devices. You can see how this approach translates across various corporate environments by checking out another detailed Ajax Systems Case Study on Business Security.
Client Needs: User Logs & Dual-Path Communication
During our initial assessment, the client highlighted two critical missing features from their legacy alarm setup. First, they needed detailed logs of everything happening on the system. Business owners must know exactly who is arming and disarming the property. With the Ajax platform, we program all users by name. This gives management a precise, real-time log of every single interaction. Having a digital paper trail of everything that happens on your system is really important.
The second major requirement was dual-path communication. This is critical. If one communication path fails, there is no way to reach the monitoring station. With dual path, you get a primary Ethernet connection alongside a cellular backup. For a facility dealing with industrial roasters and high heat, redundant communication is absolutely essential when dealing with fire risks and human safety.
The Core: Ajax Hub 2 Plus Capabilities
The main brain of this entire Ajax Commercial Security System is the Hub 2 Plus. I installed this unit to act as the primary gateway for all alarm sensors, security cameras, and smart home automation devices like light switches and smart plugs.
The Hub 2 Plus features exceptional connectivity designed specifically for business reliability:
- It comes with standard Ethernet connectivity.
- It includes dual SIM card support for maximum cellular backup.
- One of those slots comes pre-populated and pre-activated with a SIM card valid for 3 days.
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This pre-activated SIM is a massive advantage for us as installers. It allows us to use cellular communication during installation even if the site internet is not available yet. We can verify communication with the monitoring station before we ever leave the job site. It provides incredibly secure wireless communication between all the sensors and the hub.
Training Area: DoorProtect, MotionProtect & StreetSiren
Ethica Coffee features a dedicated training area located right near their main entrance. To secure this critical access point, I deployed a strategic combination of devices:
- DoorProtect: Installed directly on the main entrance door.
- MotionProtect: Positioned right beside the door to cover the interior space. These motion sensors feature a battery life of up to 5 years. They also include pet immunity algorithms that ignore animals weighing up to 20 kilograms (44 lbs).
- StreetSiren: Mounted prominently above the door. This device features an LED frame that provides instant visual and audio notifications when triggered.
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Packaging Area: FireProtect Integration
Coming down the aisle into the packaging and production area, our focus shifts to environmental safety. Here, I installed the FireProtect sensor. This device is a comprehensive 3-in-1 detector. It continuously monitors the environment for carbon monoxide, smoke, and heat changes.
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In a facility operating heavy machinery and gas equipment, early fire detection is a strict requirement. Ajax continues to rapidly expand its commercial safety lineup. You can explore these capabilities further in this overview of Ajax Systems new NVRs, superior cameras, keypad, outdoor, and fire safety devices.
Production Area: DoorProtect Plus & GlassProtect
The actual production area houses the roasting equipment and features multiple access points. This includes an overhead garage door and several large windows. Securing this zone required specialized hardware.
For the overhead garage door, I installed the DoorProtect Plus. This specific model includes built-in tilt and shock sensors. For an overhead door, it is very convenient. If someone tries to tamper with or force the door, the shock sensor triggers. If someone tries to lift it, the tilt sensor notifies us immediately that the door is opening
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To secure the perimeter, there are two windows nearby. We installed a GlassProtect sensor on each side. If anyone breaks a window, the sensor trips. This notifies both the client and the monitoring station immediately so security can be dispatched. Because this is a Wireless Alarm for Commercial Property, installation was completely seamless. It allows optimal placement anywhere on site without running cables across a busy production floor.
Warehouse Setup: Extending Range with ReX 2
The final zone we covered in this phase is the green coffee storage warehouse. This area presented a real technical challenge. We faced significant distance and thick concrete walls separating the warehouse from the main building.
To solve this, I installed a radio signal range extender called the ReX 2.
- We ran a single Ethernet cable between the Hub 2 Plus and the ReX 2.
- This enables Ethernet signal transmission right through the concrete barriers.
The ReX 2 also features a built-in backup battery, exactly like the main hub. If primary power goes down, both the hub and the ReX 2 remain fully operational. They continue relaying signals from the warehouse back to the hub and onward to the monitoring station.
Warehouse Security: KeyPad TouchScreen
Over at the warehouse location, we needed a specific access control point for the staff. For this area, I set up the KeyPad TouchScreen.
This specific keypad is allocated exclusively to the warehouse group. This means that when employees enter through this specific door, they only disarm the warehouse unit. The rest of the production facility remains securely armed.
One of the main features of the KeyPad TouchScreen is its incredible user interface. For the end user, the interface on the keypad screen is pretty much exactly the same as the mobile app. This consistency makes it extremely convenient. Through this touchscreen, users can easily:
- Enable or disable entry chiming.
- Use secure DESFire NFC cards or tags to arm and disarm the system.
- Enter personalized numerical user passcodes.
User Access Management via the Ajax App
Moving from the physical keypad to the smartphone app, I want to show you exactly how easy it is to manage user access. Inside the device list on the Ajax app, the Hub 2 Plus always sits at the top as the main brain of the alarm system.
If a business owner needs to grant access to a new employee, the process takes seconds:
- Open the Hub settings and select "Keypad Access Codes".
- Tap to add a new user and create a title (for example, "Magma").
- Assign a temporary or permanent keypad access code (like 1-2-3-4) and hit "Add".
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That is it. The KeyPad TouchScreen immediately syncs the information from that new user over the network.
When I enter that code on the physical keypad to arm the building, the system authorizes it instantly. If you look at the mobile app, you immediately receive a push notification stating: "Warehouse armed by Magma". When I disarm it, the app logs the exact date, time, and user identity. Deleting a user code from the app is just as fast and instantly revokes their access across the entire property.
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For businesses looking to extend this digital access control to physical deadbolts, we often show clients how to integrate Yale smart locks with Ajax Systems directly through this exact same interface.
Client Interview: Why Ethica Chose Ajax Systems
To give you a firsthand perspective on this Commercial Ajax Security Installation, I sat down with Greg, the owner of Ethica Coffee, to hear his thoughts.
Me (Helder): We are here with Greg, the owner of Ethica Coffee. Greg, how would you describe Ethica to the people seeing our video?
Greg: Ethica is a specialty coffee roastery located in Toronto. It consists of a retail location, production, a training center, and green coffee storage. We focus on high-end beans, so precision, dedication, and intention are our main focus. We also have an education center that focuses on training and creating new products for the coffee market. Also, all our equipment is top tier. We have convectional roasters and a conductional roaster, two different types of roasting in one room.
Me: You are a man of good taste, and we can see that by tasting your coffee and the way you present it to customers, as well as the equipment you have for your roastery. What criteria did you put in place to select Ajax Security as your security system?
Greg: When we are talking about a security system, it should be about quality, reliability, how fast the reaction is, and if you can trust this equipment. In our case, it is crucial. All the sensors, like CO2 sensors, temperature sensors, and security sensors, affect our work dramatically because we work with gas equipment, heavy loading equipment, and sealers. Everything that can help to increase safety on production, we support with both hands. Beyond that, the main reason for choosing Ajax is the story about the company and how they develop their products. Also, Magma Networks, the service, how fast they can install it. And of course, word of mouth. It was a crucial factor.
Me: You can see that Ajax has a lot of expandability on their systems, from sensors to cameras to integrations with door locks. Do you see this expandability in the future as an opportunity to grow your infrastructure?
Greg: It was two main points. One is customization, so we can add something. Can we integrate it with the video cameras? Mobility was a concern. We can take the sensors and move them to another location or expand to another location. And the third factor is flexibility with the building. For example, we have two units in one building under one umbrella. Most alarm systems do not have this option.
(Author Note: Greg is absolutely right about seamless camera integration. For industrial environments requiring visual verification alongside alarms, deploying a solution like the Ajax TurretCam HL with hybrid illumination provides incredible low-light detail directly inside the same Ajax mobile application.)
Me: You mentioned that one of your main concerns is temperature and humidity. Most people know that is really important for coffee. We will be providing you a LifeQuality sensor to monitor and test it for your infrastructure. How do you see this opportunity to test this sensor in your environment?
Greg: We are happy to test!
Working with Magma Networks
Me: Since the start of our conversation, you asked us to come here and explained what you wanted for the security system. Since that period of documentation, installation, and support, what is your experience working with Magma Networks?
Greg: First of all, it is simplicity. Fast. The quote was very transparent, no gimmicky language. We got proposals from a couple of companies, and yours was really clean. No confusing sentences. It was the main reason why we chose it.
Me: Thank you, Greg. One last question. With so much variety of coffee out there, what coffee would you say is similar to Ajax Systems?
Greg: The coffee that you like!
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Summary
Securing a specialty coffee roastery involves unique industrial challenges. Standard alarms simply do not offer the environmental monitoring, rapid scalability, or precise user tracking required for a busy production floor. By deploying a comprehensive Ajax Commercial Security System, our team at Magma Networks delivered a unified platform that handles intrusion, fire safety, and strict access control simultaneously.
Using intelligent wireless technology eliminated the need for invasive cabling near heavy roasting machinery. Tools like the ReX 2 range extender and the KeyPad TouchScreen ensured the system remained robust and user-friendly, even across thick concrete walls. Ultimately, a modern wireless alarm empowers business owners to monitor their operations instantly, maintaining absolute safety, climate control, and staff accountability from anywhere in the world.
Want to see this setup in action? Watch my complete on-site breakdown of this Ajax installation right here:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can an Ajax commercial security system manage multiple buildings?
Yes. The platform allows administrators to group devices logically and manage multiple business units or separate buildings under a single mobile app interface. This provides complete oversight for facility managers without requiring separate login credentials.
How does the Hub 2 Plus communicate during an internet outage?
The Hub 2 Plus features dual-path communication. It utilizes a primary Ethernet connection and includes dual SIM card slots for instant cellular backup. This redundancy guarantees that critical alarm signals always reach the professional monitoring station, even if the local ISP goes offline.
Are wireless alarms reliable for large industrial properties?
Absolutely. Ajax uses the proprietary Jeweller wireless protocol, providing highly secure, encrypted communication over massive distances. For industrial areas with thick concrete walls, adding a ReX 2 range extender easily pushes a stable connection across the entire facility.
Can I track exactly which employees open and close the business?
Yes. Administrators can assign unique numerical passcodes or NFC cards to individual employees. Every arming and disarming event is recorded instantly in a detailed digital log featuring the user's name, the exact date, and the specific time of entry.
Does Ajax integrate directly with video surveillance cameras?
Yes, the platform supports seamless integration with major IP camera brands, as well as their own proprietary cameras. Business owners can view live video feeds and verify security events directly within the exact same Ajax application they use to manage their alarms.
Is it possible to monitor temperature and air quality with this system?
Yes. Specific devices like the Ajax LifeQuality sensor monitor indoor temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels in real time. This data is highly critical for businesses that process or store sensitive goods like specialty coffee beans, food products, or pharmaceuticals.