Computer based Alarm system

For several years now I have been contemplating an alarm system that at its core is a computer.
Most alarm systems have a dedicated hardware control box.. that frankly is limited.
By basing the central control unit on a PC it opens the window to a lot of possibilities.
Such as, LAN Internet control and notification, Phone line control and notification via Modem, web cameras, sound sensors, contact sensors through the com ports, UPS battery back up, voice or siren announcements.

For comparison “Broadcast Tools” makes a transmitter remote control that would make a excellent building alarm system as long as you can handle the archaic programing after paying $1000. The unit is the WVRC-8.
I think this unit would work fine for many applications if a premade “Brain” is desired. This unit allows contacts in and out but requires a computer connected to run “auto pilot” functions so the programing of contacts out is very limited as in most transmitter remote controls.

The closest software I have found to making a PC a building alarm system is the following,

“IRCAS Alarm is a PC based alarm system and surveillance system for Microsoft Windows.
http://www.ircas.com/
It can use almost every resource of camera, (Web cam (USB) and video capture card detected by the windows system and MJPEG IP cameras and other IRCAS Alarm applications) with its build in motion detection.
It can use detection loops for doors, windows, emergency buttons and key on/off switches
Alert you by email or SMS (SMS functionality not available in the evaluation version).
You can check a given alarm from anywhere by phone and the internet. So the advantage is: “public authorities are not involved until you or your trusted decide an alarm is real”. This solves the problem of false alarms alerting the authorities. IRCAS Alarm can be checked by you from anywhere on the Internet by a PC, PDA or mobile phone. Your mobile phone can be used to check and control the alarm system. IRCAS Alarm supports mobile modes WAP1.0 (wml) WAP2.0 (xhtml) and i-mode (chtml). Check your house while you are on holiday! ”

It appears to do about %70 of what I want to do with an alarm system. The help files contain diagrams of how to hook sensors to a computers com port.

A interesting interface for a PC based alarm is this unit sould by BSI.
BSI Trigger Kit USB 1024LS:
“The BSI USB Trigger Kit is an easy way to add 24 incoming triggers to Simian*, SkimmerPlus or WaveCart v 4.0. Formerly known as the PMD 1024LS, the USB 1024LS is identical in specification and has has replaced the original ISA and PCI cards from Measurement Computing and Computerboards which were more prone to static / lightning damage. ”

The problem is the software to run this unit as a alarm input device.

JW