Introducing the DSC PowerSeries Pro Touchscreen Alarm Keypads (by Johnson Controls)

GeoArm adds the DSC PowerSeries Pro Touchscreen Hardwired Keypads for professional security.

The DSC HS2TCHPRO (in white color) and HS2TCHPROBLK (in black color) hardwired alarm keypads are now available at GeoArm Security. Having an easy-to-use 7″ touchscreen, these high-tech professional alarm keypads are compatible with DSC PowerSeries Pro line of security systems.

The PowerSeries Pro touchscreen keypads com equipped with proximity support and are expandable up to 248 total zones (with built-in PowerG wireless transceiver). The touchscreen keypad is easy to install and simple to program with a user-friendly interface packaged in a low-profile white case that easily blends into any décor.

The keypad has been designed with the user and installer in mind. For the user, menu driven, intuitive screens with large buttons make programming very easy to configure desired options. For example, to access the Fire, Medical, Panic keys, users just press the EMERGENCY button on the sidebar. LED status lights on the bottom of the frame provide a quick visual check on the security system. Programming of labels is made simple through the ‘QWERTY’ keypad. The installer will also have the ability to do installer programming from virtual keypad, as well directly through the keypad.

Building from the default or optional displays, the installer can quickly configure five of the graphical icons from over 10 options, depending on the user’s needs. With up to 32 partitions available, the keypad offers the benefits of a multi-partition control panel without changing the control panel and lets each partition zone act independently from the rest of the system.

The display can be easily customized for the user. For example if the user doesn’t want to see partitions but wants to turn the chimes on and off, simply hide/display the appropriate icons. The clutter-free home screen can be easily modified later by the installer through password-protected setting menus.

The background of the home screen can be easily customized by the installer to display company logos, contact information, pictures, etc. The integrated digital picture frame gives homeowners the flexibility to display photos as a single photo or a timed slideshow or default background screen. Just insert an updated standard SD card into the SD slot and follow the onscreen prompts, similar to other “off-the-shelf” digital picture frames.

Product Features:

  • PowerG robust industry leading commercial grade wireless technology
  • Available in White or Black Color Case
  • PowerG robust industry leading commercial grade wireless technology
  • Intuitive menu-driven interface for the user
  • Responsive, high-resolution 7″ (177.8 mm) full color touchscreen
  • Customizable home screen allows user to select most commonly used commands
  • Up to 32 keypads per system
  • Up to 32 partitions
  • Connects to control panel via 4-wire Keybus
  • Ready (Green LED), Armed (Red LED), Trouble (Yellow LED), AC (Green LED), HOME (White LED)
  • Wall mount tamper
  • Four programmable function keys
  • Built-in and easy-to-update digital picture frame using integrated
  • SD card slot
  • Clean, low-profile case in white color blends into any décor
  • Quick-view LED status indicators (Ready, Armed, Trouble and AC Power)
  • Authorized users can easily customize home screen to display commonly used icons
  • Input/Output terminal saves time and allows install flexibility
  • Convenient authentication and better security with mini prox tags
  • Optional Dual level of security with using both code and prox tag authentication
  • Backed by DSC’s 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty

A Global Chip Shortage Continues to Disrupt the Security Industry

In addition to chip shortages, a backlog of shipping containers are further complicating the operational flow of the security industry through 2022.

As many of you have probably experienced or heard about, there is currently a backlog of container ships in most US Ports; this backlog is causing a delay in the regular supply chain that leads security products to customers.

So you may ask yourself, how exactly has this happened? Well, there are a few reasons why supply chains have been stressed across a plethora of industries, thus resulting in product availability delays. Over the past two decades over 90% of the world’s global trade has been shipped by sea and with 70% via shipping containers. Simply stated, shipping products by sea has been the most cost effect means for sending goods abroad.

The United States has continued to increase the outsourcing of the production of goods to foreign countries, mostly for economic reasons which has resulted in a supreme reliance on importing goods, instead of producing them at home, in today’s global commerce. As well, US companies have also increasingly relied on JIT “just-in-time” inventory systems to order their goods at the last moment, rather than stocking the items on their shelfs, which has resulted in lower inventory levels.

Together with, during the past two decades the shipping business has not been too profitable, meaning little investment has been put into building new ships. To make matter worse here in the US, our railroad companies have also been cutting costs and reducing their headcounts which has created the perfect storm for the shipping logistics crisis that we find ourselves in today.

The global semiconductor shortage is reducing the availability of security related parts.


Many industries including the security industry are also experiencing a global semiconductor chip shortage too. The sudden lockdown from the coronavirus created a ripple effect, where suppliers were unable to meet the growing demands for the silicon microchips that power today’s security system electronics. The remote work from home environment along with cloud infrastructure amplified and prioritized the sales of gaming gadgets, phones and several other electronic devices. And, the remaining stock of chips left available was insufficient to catch up to the pent-up demand in a slew of industries, including the security industry.


The good news is that we anticipate both crises to come to an end soon. Shipping routes now have alternative locations, like Florida, which are offering to carry more of the load, and semiconductor manufacturer’s, like Qualcomm, have stated that they expect the chip manufacturing shortage to begin resolving itself by the third quarter of 2022. So, if you are one of the many who are experiencing delays in receiving your parts order, you are not alone. Here at GeoArm, we are monitoring the two shipping crises described in this article on a day-to-day basis and keeping track of the out-of-stock items. So that when these parts do become available again for distribution, our customers will be first in line to receive them.