When connecting an ADT security system with other smart home devices, it’s easy to take for granted that everything works together seamlessly and securely. There’s no need to juggle multiple apps or struggle to keep all the components in sync. This is powered by Z-Wave, a wireless communication protocol that creates a unified, secure network, making homes both smarter and safer.
ADT, the leader in home security, has long embraced Z-Wave for its ease and interoperability. This means that Z-Wave-certified devices — including lights, locks, thermostats and more — work together out of the box to ensure an efficient smart home setup.
But ADT’s approach extends well beyond simply integrating Z-Wave products. ADT is a principal member of the Z-Wave Alliance — a global consortium dedicated to the advancement of Z-Wave technology — and there have been numerous ADT employees on the Alliance’s board of directors. ADT invests in Z-Wave to evolve the possibilities of the company’s app, products and services, and to advance the capabilities of the wider industry. The goal is greater flexibility and peace of mind for customers.
A collaborative relationship
Founded in 2005, the Z-Wave Alliance has more than 700 member companies, ranging from large multinationals to cutting-edge start-ups. It encourages innovation by providing resources to its members, including technical assistance, development tools and access to a network of industry experts.
“Our involvement with the Alliance means that we get to play a ground-level role in pushing the state-of-the-art, guaranteeing that ADT systems continue to work flawlessly with the widest variety of smart home solutions,” said Tim Rader, ADT's Vice President of Product Engineering Quality and Labs.
“ADT is a strong partner,” said Avi Rosenthal, Chairman of the Board of the Z-Wave Alliance. “They roll up their sleeves and get work done within the Alliance. They contribute back to the open standard for others and take a leadership role with important advances.”
New innovations include Z-Wave Long Range, which facilitates communication upwards of a mile and a half between two nodes. “The technology is phenomenal, and we’re already seeing ADT start to use Long Range for campus-wide environments,” Rosenthal said.
“We are proud to help drive forward Z-Wave technology,” said Gilles Drieu, ADT’s Chief Technology Officer. “Innovations like Long Range will allow us to link numerous homes and businesses across a much larger mesh backbone. We are also making sure that Z-Wave works well with the next generation of AI features, like our new Trusted Neighbor™ service.”
Building new capabilities
Andrew Weir, ADT's Director of Hardware Engineering at ADT, was recently named to the Z-Wave Board of Directors. He lauded the Z-Wave Alliance’s stringent certification program, which grants the Z-Wave-certified badge only to products that meet the highest standards of interoperability and quality.
“This certification ensures that all Z-Wave devices deliver reliable performance well before they are ever paired with ADT,” Weir said. “That provides essential confidence for us and for our customers.”
“Our engineers participate in Alliance working groups to define and push for newer capabilities within the standard, including specification and code base development,” said Tai Nguyen, ADT’s Director of Firmware Engineering and Chair of the Z-Wave Alliance’s Marketing Committee. “We are also proud to promote the benefits of Z-Wave and support the growth of the smart home market. We want to help consumers make informed decisions and expand the standard for everyone’s benefit.”
By collaborating on the development and maintenance of the Z-Wave protocol, ADT helps to ensure that the standard remains reliable and secure. “Being so centrally involved in the Alliance allows us to influence all aspects of the standard's evolution — not just for now, but for Z-Wave’s long-term viability,” Weir said.
“ADT and the Z-Wave Alliance will keep pushing the frontiers of interoperability and innovation,” Rader said. “As Z-Wave continues to evolve with Long Range, AI and more, we will stay proactively involved in the pursuit of even more sophisticated and user-friendly solutions.”
In the coming years, ADT plans to work with Z-Wave to empower fully autonomous homes, where every device across an entire property intuitively adapts to the user's habits and needs. Long Range and AI-enabled products will optimize energy use, security and comfort across distances, creating a truly intelligent and connected living environment.
That’s a future ADT believes is worth investing in.