How to use Visonic Remote Programmer and PowerManage

Applies to: Visonic PowerMax and PowerMaster panels, including the PowerMaster-10, PowerMaster-30 and PowerMaster-360, programmed with Remote Programmer, the PM-360 Configurator, the Alarm Install app or a PowerManage server. Screens differ between software and panel firmware versions.

Quick answer: Visonic Remote Programmer is Visonic's PC software for managing PowerMax and PowerMaster panels from a remote station. It connects by a direct cable, a phone modem, or over GPRS through a PowerManage server. Before connecting, check the UL/DL settings in Installer Mode under 04:COMMUNICATION > 6:UP/DOWNLOAD: set the Master Installer and Installer UL/DL codes, and for GPRS the panel SIM number and caller IDs. Remote access (on by default) must stay enabled for phone-line access. We have found no current official download, so ask Visonic support or call us first.

Visonic Remote Programmer is the installer software named in Visonic's PowerMaster installer guides for remote device configuration, remote walk tests, enrolling devices by ID and viewing the event log. The user guide (DE5450S) describes it as a utility to manage PowerMax and PowerMaster systems from a remote station.

This guide is for installers. It covers the tools, which panels they support, how to connect, and the panel settings you need first. It does not cover Honeywell Galaxy, which uses different software.

Which Visonic software does what

Tool	Who it is for	How it connects
Remote Programmer (PC)	Installers	Direct cable, PSTN modem, or GPRS via a PowerManage server
PowerMaster-360 Configurator (PC)	Installers working on a PM-360 (described in the V19.4 installer guide; the current V20.2 guide uses the Alarm Install app instead)	Micro-USB to the panel
Alarm Install (iOS and Android app)	Installers	Local connection or the cloud
PowerManage (server platform)	Service providers and monitoring centres	Panels report over IP or GPRS
Visonic-Go (app)	End users	Host address and Panel ID from the service provider, plus the user code

Before you start

Know your panel model and firmware. We stock the Visonic PowerMaster-10 Solo panel (0-103613), Visonic PowerMaster-30 Solo panel (0-102180), Visonic PM-33 E (868) UK panel (0-103725) and Visonic Hybrid PM-360R panel (0-103790). The steps below are taken from the PowerMaster-10/30 G2 and PowerMaster-360 installer guides; check the installer guide for the PM-33 E and PM-360R, as menus and connections can differ.
Have the Installer or Master Installer code so you can enter Installer Mode on the panel.
For a local connection, have the right lead. The PowerMaster-10/30 G2 guide lists local data transfer via an RS232 serial port, and on the PM-30 G2 a local PC can connect through the optional Dual RS-232 module with a Visonic PC cable. The PowerMaster-360 uses micro-USB. We stock the Visonic 9-102071 USB programming lead and the Visonic 9-100697 RS232 UL/DL kit. Check part numbers with us before ordering.
For remote access over IP or GPRS you need a communication path and access to a PowerManage server run by your service provider or monitoring centre. On a PowerMaster-10/30 G2 that means a GSM/GPRS module or the Visonic 9-103724 PowerLink3 IP kit, sold separately. The PowerMaster-360 has Ethernet built in, so it does not need the PowerLink3 kit for broadband.
Remote Programmer's older user guide (Rev. 8) lists Windows 7 (32-bit) or XP. Newer Windows versions are not documented, so test on your own PC.
Get the software only from Visonic (Johnson Controls) technical support. Avoid third-party "free download" sites.

Step 1: Allow remote upload and download on the panel

Enter Installer Mode with your installer code.
Go to 04:COMMUNICATION and then 6:UP/DOWNLOAD.
Open the PSTN UP/DOWNLOAD sub-menu (called UP/DWNLOAD PARAM on the PowerMaster-360) and check Remote access is enabled (the default). If it is disabled, the panel blocks remote upload/download and remote control over the PSTN or GSM analogue channel.
Set the Mast. UL/DL code and the Inst. UL/DL code. Each is 4 digits and 0000 is not valid.
Choose the UL/DL mode: in all modes (the default) or DISARM only.
If you will programme over GPRS, enter the Panel SIM Tel.# and the 1st and 2nd caller ID# numbers. Each caller ID needs at least 6 digits.

Step 2: Connect locally with Remote Programmer

Install Remote Programmer on the PC and connect the lead to the panel.
Create or open a site for the customer.
In Options, choose the serial (COM) port, or use Auto Detection.
Enter the panel's UL/DL download code and select Login.
When connected, the indicators in the status bar turn green. You can then upload, edit and download the panel settings.

Step 3: Connect a PowerMaster-360 with the Configurator

The PC Configurator is described in the V19.4 installer guide. The current V20.2 guide uses the AlarmInstall app instead (see Step 5), so newer panels may not ship with the CD.

Run Configurator.exe from the CD supplied with the panel.
Connect a micro-USB cable to the panel.
Log in with the download code supplied in the kit.
Use the virtual keypad for full USER and INSTALLER MODE.
If Windows does not find the panel, install the USB driver from the link placed on the desktop. The panel appears as a Gadget Serial or ELMO GMAS COM port.

Step 4: Connect remotely by phone line or GPRS

PowerMax and PowerMaster-10/30 G2 only (the PowerMaster-360 has no phone-line connection): choose Telephone modem in Remote Programmer, then enter the site phone number and download code. The guide gives 300 baud for analogue lines, which takes about 10 minutes for a full upload or download, and 9600 baud for digital. Callback is also supported.
For GPRS, the panel must first be registered on the PowerManage server.
Set the IP receivers and the APN in the panel communication menu. The IP receiver addresses (21:IP RCVR 1 and 22:IP RCVR 2 under 3:C.S. REPORTING) can only be set with the Master Installer code.
Set the GPRS UP/DOWNLOAD caller IDs from Step 1. PowerManage calls or texts the panel SIM. If the caller ID matches, the panel connects back over GPRS to IP receiver 1 or 2.
Run the panel's GSM/GPRS diagnostics and the SIM NUMBER TEST. You should see SIM# verified.

Step 5: Connect over broadband or the Alarm Install app

On a PowerMaster-10/30 G2, fit the PowerLink3 IP communicator (sold separately) and set it up under 7:BROADBAND. The PowerMaster-360 has Ethernet built in: connect its LAN port to the router and check DHCP or manual IP under 7:BROADBAND.
Note the PANEL ID shown on the panel. This is used for PowerManage connectivity.
On a PM-360, make sure TCP ports 8080 and 5001, UDP port 5001 and FTP port 21 are open on the router for the PowerManage connection, as listed in the PM-360 installer guide (they are open on most home routers).
To use the Alarm Install app on a PM-360, connect your phone to the panel's Wi-Fi access point, or by USB on Android only. First enable the access point (Installer Mode > 04:COMMUNICATION > 8:WiFi > ACCESS-Point > A. POINT Mode > Enable, or press + and - together on the panel). The system must be disarmed and the USB cable unplugged. Join the network using the Panel ID as the SSID and the panel serial number as the password (both are on the panel sticker). Choose Direct, enter the code, and use the virtual keypad.

Good habits

Keep the Master Installer and Installer codes different. If they are the same, the Master Installer can lose master rights.
Record the UL/DL codes for each site in a secure place, not on the panel.
Upload and save the panel settings before you change anything, so you can restore them.
Set UL/DL to DISARM only if you do not want remote changes while the system is armed.
Do not publish or share default codes. Change any default code during commissioning.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Likely cause	What to try
Remote Programmer will not log in	Wrong download code, or the code is not set in the panel	Check the code you entered and check it is defined under 04:COMMUNICATION > 6:UP/DOWNLOAD.
Modem not identified	Modem off or wrong initialisation string	Make sure the modem is on and select the recommended initialisation string.
Master Installer has lost master rights	Installer and Master Installer codes are the same	Change the codes with Remote Programmer, or use the temporary-code procedure in the installer guide.
PM-360 Configurator will not connect	USB driver not installed, or no Configurator CD with a newer panel	Install the driver from the desktop link and check the COM port. If your panel did not come with the CD, use the Alarm Install app as described in the current V20.2 installer guide.
No GPRS service	The SIM has no data service	Ask the SIM provider to enable GPRS data.
GPRS conn. fail	Wrong APN, user name or password	Check the APN details with the SIM provider.
Srvr unavailable or IP not defined	Server IP missing or wrong	Check the IP receiver settings with the service provider.
Denied by server	Panel not registered on PowerManage	Ask the service provider to register the panel.
SIM card locked	SIM needs a PUK	Remove the lock before fitting the SIM. A PUK cannot be entered at the panel.

Questions

Where can I download Visonic Remote Programmer?

We have not found a current official download page for Remote Programmer. Older copies circulate on third-party sites, which we do not recommend. Ask Visonic (Johnson Controls) technical support or call us, and we will tell you what we know for your panel.

Does Visonic Remote Programmer work on Windows 10 or 11?

The Remote Programmer user guide we have seen (DE5450S Rev. 8) lists Windows 7 (32-bit) or XP. We have found no official statement on Windows 10 or 11. The PowerMaster-360 Configurator guide also only states Windows 7 support.

Which cable do I need to program a PowerMaster from a laptop?

The PowerMaster-10/30 G2 guide lists local data transfer via an RS232 serial port, and on the PM-30 G2 a local PC can connect through the optional Dual RS-232 module with a Visonic PC cable. The PowerMaster-360 uses micro-USB. We stock a Visonic USB programming lead (9-102071) and an RS232 UL/DL kit (9-100697). Check part numbers with us before ordering.

How do I enable remote upload and download on a PowerMaster?

In Installer Mode go to 04:COMMUNICATION and then 6:UP/DOWNLOAD. Set the Master Installer and Installer UL/DL codes. For GPRS, also enter the panel SIM number and the caller ID numbers PowerManage will call from. For phone-line access, Remote access (on by default) must stay enabled.

What is the difference between the Master Installer and Installer download codes?

Both are 4-digit codes, and 0000 is not valid. The Master Installer code is the higher access level. The Installer code can only change by UL/DL the options the installer is allowed to change from the panel keypad.

What is PowerManage, and do I need it?

PowerManage is Visonic's web-based server platform for service providers and monitoring centres. It receives panels over IP or GPRS and handles remote management. You need a PowerManage server to programme a PowerMaster over GPRS. It is not a download for a single installer.

Alarm Install or Visonic-Go: which app is for installers?

Alarm Install is the installer app. Its App Store listing says it is for security professionals to commission, diagnose, maintain and remotely service panels, including the PowerMaster series. Visonic-Go is the end-user app for arming, disarming, device status, events and notifications. It is not Visonic's installer programming tool: use Alarm Install or Remote Programmer for that.

Why does my panel show Denied by server or Srvr unavailable?

Denied by server usually means the panel is not registered on the PowerManage server. Srvr unavailable means you should check the server IP address set in the panel. Run the GSM/GPRS diagnostics again after each change.

Does Zenith install Visonic alarms or supply software licences?

No. We supply Visonic panels, communicators and programming leads from Wolverhampton. We do not install systems or issue software licences. If you need an engineer, use our find an installer page, and installers can apply for a trade account.

More Visonic help

Browse our Visonic range, or read the official documents on the Visonic Knowledge Exchange.

Related guides

Stuck connecting to a Visonic panel? Call us on 01902 902251 or email sales@zenithsecurityco.co.uk. We supply Visonic panels, communicators and programming leads from Wolverhampton. We do not install or issue software licences. If you need an engineer, find a recommended installer. Installers can apply for a trade account for trade pricing.