I’m beginning the process of phasing out SimpliSafe and moving fully to my existing ecosystem. Yes, these steps were generated by GPT but it is my approach.
Existing Ecosystem:
- Home Assistant (primary automation platform)
- Aqara Zigbee devices (P100 multi-state sensors, FP presence sensors, doorbell, etc.)
- Alexa devices for whole-home announcements
- Local NAS infrastructure (UPS-backed)
This post outlines my staged transition plan in case it helps others considering the same move.
Current Environment
- HA as automation backbone
- Strong Zigbee mesh (routers distributed)
- Alexa for audible alerts
- Aqara devices already deployed
- Reliable remote access
Goal: Eliminate monthly monitoring while maintaining layered security and improving automation intelligence.
Phase 1 – Parallel Perimeter Monitoring
Objective: Replicate SimpliSafe perimeter functionality without canceling service yet.
Deploy Aqara P100 on Exterior Doors
Use:
- Contact = open/close
- Vibration = forced entry detection
- Tamper = removal alert
Create automations:
- Contact open while armed → trigger alarm
- Vibration while closed → instant alert
- Tamper → silent push notification
Run in parallel with SimpliSafe for validation.
Implement Alarm Control in Home Assistant
Options:
- Alarmo (recommended for full replacement)
- Native alarm_control_panel
Configure:
- Armed Away
- Armed Home (night perimeter)
- Entry delay logic
- Instant trigger zones
Test for:
- False positives
- Delay timing
- Notification reliability
Phase 2 – Layered Detection (Beyond SimpliSafe Capability)
This is where HA surpasses traditional monitored systems.
Add Presence-Based Interior Detection
Using FP sensors:
- Trigger only if interior movement AND perimeter breach
- Ignore motion if household members present
- Night mode only trigger in specific zones
This reduces false alarms dramatically.
Intelligent Vibration Logic
Example:
- Vibration while door closed + Armed → immediate alert
- Vibration during daytime + Disarmed → log only
- Repeated vibration pattern → escalate
Traditional systems can’t differentiate this well.
Camera + Doorbell Correlation
If:
- Door contact opens
- AND no known person detected
- AND system armed
Then:
- Play alarm sound on Alexa
- Push snapshot
- Trigger siren routine
Phase 3 – Alert & Escalation Strategy
SimpliSafe advantage:
- Professional dispatch
- Cellular redundancy
To offset this:
Notification Hardening
- Critical mobile push
- Alexa emergency tone + TTS
- All-device audible alert
- Repeat alert until acknowledged
Network Resilience
- UPS for:
- Router
- HA server
- Zigbee hub
- Internet modem
- Consider LTE failover for internet backup
Phase 4 – Validation Period (2–4 Weeks)
Before canceling SimpliSafe:
- Simulate forced entry
- Simulate door open while armed
- Test power outage
- Test internet outage
- Verify push delivery reliability
Log:
- Trigger time
- Alert latency
- Failure cases
Only cancel after system proves stable.
Phase 5 – Cancellation & Cleanup
Once validated:
- Cancel SimpliSafe monitoring
- Remove redundant sensors
- Reclaim hardware if desired
- Consolidate all alarm logic into HA
Advantages of This Approach
- No monthly fee
- Smarter detection logic
- Integration with lighting, locks, thermostats
- Context-aware alarms
- Custom night perimeter modes
- Deeper automation control
Known Tradeoffs
- No professional dispatch
- No cellular backup unless added
- You are responsible for system health
My First Step
Deploying Aqara P100 multi-state sensors to all exterior doors to replace basic contact sensors and add vibration-based forced entry detection.
This seems like the logical starting point before expanding interior detection and eliminating SimpliSafe entirely.
If others have completed this transition, I’d appreciate feedback on:
- Long-term reliability
- Cellular backup options
- Dispatch alternatives
- Best practices for escalation logic
