Posted this under the Alexa child board, but it may be more appropriate here.
I’m in a loop - Vera says they cannot touch secure items, Amazon says the API will let you do that.
Research has shown Amazon has all the smart skill APIs you could ask for.
Read the info below if you have time - otherwise a simple question:
Do I need to build an Amazon Alexa skill or does Vera need to allow Alexa to use the (already) accessible devices?
The inaccessible security answer seems to come from Vera, not Amazon.
Current system - Honeywell alarm panel (z wave secondary), Vera Plus (z wave master), Alexa Dots,
Various Honeywell in wall dimmers, GE in wall dimmers, a few switched plugs, thermostat and connected deadbolt (lock).
Problem: garage door has remained open some evenings so a $20 garage door z wave tilt switch was added.
Vera discover/sees/responds to the tilt switch named (GDOOR), but only offers notifications (email) and an Arm/Disarm.
I attempted to add the switch to Alexa and she (?) will not see it from Vera’s standpoint - in the Vera console, under Manage Alexa, there is no sensor/tilt switch (GDOOR). I wanted Alexa to provide a visual alarm at 9 PM if the door was open.
My understanding is this is a security issue to Alexa. However, I see MANY plug ins for Samsung, Google Assistant and other systems and hardware that do EXACTLY what I am asking for.
I contacted Customer Support via phone and they were sympathetic but not helpful - lua code does not seem to be the answer.
I need to know if I should pursue this with Vera, or with Amazon or if this is something people have encountered and/or fixed?
Apologize for TMI - I have already opened an AWS account if that’s the way I should go - but shouldn’t we be afforded the basic rights to our systems secure settings?