Release Notes

 
All you need to know about EST4

 
 
A New Leader is Born

EST4 is the premier emergency communications system from EDWARDS. Though it represents a small change in name from its predecessor, EST4’s leap forward in capability is anything but diminutive. This exciting flagship system features a whole new network architecture that makes fire alarm, mass notification, and building integration easy to implement, quick to service, and secure in the face of today’s cyber threats.
 
EST4 offers usability from the moment the control panel is powered up by combining the simplicity of color LCD touchscreen technology with at-a-glance programmable color display strips and tactile direct-access control buttons.  EST4’s new network architecture provides you with not only great flexibility for new installations, the EST4 network won’t orphan EST3 for retrofits and give options that allow existing wiring to be reused even with EST4’s advanced self-configuring IPv6 network.   A network that adapts to a wide range of network configurations, including rings, stars, redundant segment, and full mesh topology. The network even allows changes in the physical layer from copper to fiber, and employs hot-swappable network connections at control panels and annunciators.
 
Edwards has created numerous resources to help understand, prepare and deploy the EST4 platform. This includes information about product updates, training, quoting and designing an EST4 system.
 
The marketing release notes provide a one stop destination of what’s available. This document is structured to give an overview of what’s available and provides links to the specific documents and detailed information. 

Please take a moment to review and expand your EST4 knowledge. 
 
Please note:  Several links in this document require you to be signed in to MyEddie.  For best experience, click here to log in and then return to this page.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 
*Node calculator, System Builder and Pricing links required login to my-eddie 
 
 


WHAT'S NEW
 
In 2019, we launched EST4 and introduced innovative solutions to address fire safety risks encountered by every size and type of facility while complying with all required codes and standards. Some of the new EST4 features included: panel-to-panel cabling reduction, cybersecurity, remote connectivity, flexible network configurations, one hundred digital audio channels, and others.

We are now excited to announce the expansion of EST4’s capabilities, which add reliability, scalability and third party integration options. 

Some of the features and functionality included with this release are:

 
Node support increases from 40 to 80, which translates into a large enough system capable of accommodating up to 200,000 addressable devices
Ability to automatically archive the active project database in up to two locations: two fire alarm network nodes, two folders on a local or network drive, or one node and one folder. This ensures you can always retrieve a version of the active project from which you can make modifications.
Ability to change the home screen LCD background image to one that is associated with the protected premises or to one that includes the service company’s information.

Enhanced cyber-security protection
Updates that comply with ULC 2020 requirements for annunciating alarm events on the control unit within ten seconds
Configuration utility Help files in French, Portuguese and Spanish languages are now available as a plug-in file
Agency listings
Other features and functionalities coming soon will include: 
 

Ability to connect to a FireWorks 9.0 stand-alone workstation
Integration options of EST4 with third party building management system is now easily achieved by utilizing a BACnet or Modbus protocols with the use of a UL listed field server bridge

Your feedback has been key to continue shaping EST4 into our platform of the future. We are happy to share with you the new additions to EST4 to support programmers and end-users alike.
  • Device address information within the panel’s LCD details report and in the 4-CU grids: Provides physical address information for all active events and while configuring the system
  • Logout option on LCD display: Allows users to return to the system’s home screen immediately after logging out with higher privilege access
  • Back button to return to previous screen on LCD: Reduces navigation time by returning users to previously accessed screen
  • Configuration utility software navigation improvements: Improved serial number validation, project validators which add extra reliability to the program being created and downloaded via errors and warnings. More intuitive errors and warnings
  • Configuration utility query panel functionality improvements: The query panels feature has been improved to show the defined Nodes and their status, which will assist in verifying MAC address information
  • Configuration utility software mapping functionality improvements: The mapping diagnostic screen status has been improved to auto-refresh every five seconds, which provides a real-time view of the mapping process. .  Prevents user from trying to start the mapping until ready and many other error proofing improvements.
  • Configuration utility can now send private email certificates to the system for email functionality: Ability for users to update expired email certificates and use public (or private) certificates that don’t come with the EST4
  • Configuration utility now utilizes an updated version of SQL Server database: Improves the software performance, reliability and installation capability.​
  • Password of the day: Provides a means for a user to reset forgotten passwords to access the fire alarm panel with the assistance of Technical Support personnel.
 
The new features and functionality are now available to you by downloading version 4.0 of the configuration utility and firmware updates located on MyEddie.
 
 

MARKETING INFORMATION 

Overview Presentation

The EST4 overview presentation will provide a high level view of the features, benefits and components of the EST4 system.  Please log in to MyEddie and click here  to download.
 
Catalog Sheets

There are 13 updated catalog sheets for EST4 and 7 existing catalog sheets that have been also updated to support EST4. 

Please see below the list and click here to download.
 
Updated catalog sheets for EST4


Revised catalog sheets, now supporting EST4

Other Marketing tools

Additional collateral  
​​As these documents become available, they will be posted on Lifelines
 
 


TECHNICAL TRAINING

Like EST3, EST4 has a certification training class.  The class is 1-week long and is currently available in Bradenton and also available in our new Western training center in Arizona.

For information on the training calendar and scheduling your EST4 training classes please click here. 

 
 
 


SPECIFICATION, QUOTING AND ORDERING
Project Review Process

Because mid to larger fire alarm and emergency communication systems can be complex and EST4 has new capabilities and a new architecture we are continuing the project review process to ensure any projects quoted can be designed and deployed to everyone’s expectations.
 
For a limited time, all potential EST4 projects will need to be reviewed by our Applications Engineering team.  To start the process please reach out to your District Manager.

 
 
Specification Tools
 
SpecBuilder  
The EST4 SpecBuilder give you the tools to quickly create a guide spec that you can customize for your projects.  The EST4 specification builder includes the new features that give EST4 customer, installation and operation benefits.  Check it out here .
 
BIM Files
Click here  to access BIM drawings of EST4. 
 
Node Count Calculator
As with any new product there is a learning curve to being able to quote new projects accurately.  The Node Count Calculator has been updated to aid you in estimating the total number of EST4 nodes your quote will need, be it a retrofit of and EST3 or a new installation.  Your use of the tool will help you and Application Engineering ensure you have the equipment needed to support your projects. Please login to MyEddie and click here  to access the Node Count Calculator and go to Training and Resources > Application Notes. 
 
System Builder  
The new system builder provides the SKU numbers, pricing, and many of the same functions you have come to expect from System Builder, but with an EST4 focus, helping you quote projects as accurately as possible. Please login to MyEddie and click here  to access system builder. 
 
Pricing and Software Licenses
Pricing of EST4 equipment is available to partners that have at least one technician who has successfully completed EST4 training. Once trained, your company myeddie administrator will be assigned the 4-CU (EST4 Configuration Utility) license administrator role. 

A letter from Edwards will provide detailed information to your business.  
 
To ensure success for this new product, visibility of the EST4 price list, and order entry is controlled.  A Price list is not visible on MyEddie until at least one technician in your organization has successfully completed EST4 training.
 
All quotations and order entry for EST4 is being managed through your District Manager to help ensure success with new parts.  What this means is that all orders and quotes must be discussed with your District Manager; this applies to both trained and non-trained partners.  All quotes will be assigned a Pre-Sales Application Engineering case number that you will include with your product order. 
 
Orders that have not been registered and entered with the Pre-Sales case number will not be accepted by the Edwards Order Entry Department.
 
All EST4 orders must go through Edwards Order Entry Department; MyEddie orders are currently not being accepted.
  
 


TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
 
EST4 has many new features, new parts and backwards compatibility, too.  To take advantage of all the power of EST4, technical knowledge is needed and there is technical documentation to support submittals and installations alike.  Below is a list of the technical documentation available.  Please sign in to MyEddie and then click here.

Application, Migration and User Guides



Operating Instructions, Technical Reference Manual and Drawing Package 


 
Agency listing information  

For other listing information please refer to the EST4 catalog sheet
 

New and updated installation sheets


  
 


A new leader is born
 

Edwards
8985 Town Center Parkway, Bradenton, FL, 34202 United states


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