Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Pc based alarm system possible??

Ok, my scenario as follows;

I take possession of my house in Aug 2005 - its in a new development and has been bought 'off the plans'. I want to make life easier by planning in advance any extra work i should get the builder to do during construction.

In terms of an alarm system, i am thinking in terms of getting either an alarm co. or an electrician to pre-wire the house - running 6/8 core wire to all windows/doors.

I will have wireless broadband and a pc running 24/7 in the house. There will be NO active phone line in the house.

Question 1: Is there a system out there that is pc based? - ie. I have the sensors on the doors/windows - hardwired back to the pc. Then a software based monitoring system that can interpret the info coming from the sensors, activate the external alarm bell, etc.
Furthermore, in the event of something like this being available, would such a system be capable of emailing/texting an alert via internet?

The company I work for uses a system called Monitor AFX/VEREX. It has a central contol panel that does just burglary alarm stuff and you can get expansion modules for access control....this control panel can and will work alone but the best feature is that the system can be programmed and controlled by PC. It has VNC client capabilities for off site management outside of a natural network connection. I am sure there are other similar product out there.

I am sure you will hear for some other guys here with some more good ideas.

Typically we run a 22/4 to all windows and doors. This size wire is easy to manage in smaller holes and 3/8 is the average recessed contact size but they have larger sizes as needed. Good Luck.

Thanks for that DALSECMAN. This is the closest yet to what i'm looking for. However, in terms of monitoring, its more a case of a system that can get a simple text to my cellphone via the internet rather than an off-site system management.

There has to be a product available that can do this - or if not, it surely won't be long until there is....

You may be interested in HAI's line of products - specifically, the Omni Pro II. It allows for PC-based programming, as well as access via phone or internet through the WebLink software.

It's not a PC-based system, but to my knowledge, there is not one out yet (other than maybe a DVR camera system with relay inputs - but technically, that's not a true security system.)

It's not a cheap system by any means, but it is one of the absolute best security and automation systems on the market.

Take a look at HAI's website for more info: http://www.homeauto.com

The Verex panels can send alarm signals via paging or telephoning and IP monitoring....I have never used the IP monitoring part and the paging. But if one company can make something like this you figure there has to be more. Good luck with the searching. Verextech (http://www.verextech.com/)