It’s not a new system, they simply have two identical systems called two different things depending on who’s selling them. 1. simplex branded panels that will be sold directly through simplex/JCI, and 2. autocall branded panels that will be sold through 3rd party vendors (the same vendors/dealer who already sells JCI controls and want to get their hands on the new fire alarms JCI just acquired).
Joe Electrical will now be able to pick up and sell the Autocall branded panel that’s identical to the Simplex branded panel, and therefore has the same technology/reliability/research/familiarity/etc as the Simplex branded version.
its just two different modes of doing business, one is direct, one is through resellers. JCI has always used resellers along with going direct so it makes perfect sense to push simplex panels (rebranded as Autocall to make a differentiation) out to their already established reseller base.
It’s a direct copy of what Siemens did with their Cerberus/Desigo lines, both panels are identical but branded different depending on the sales outlet to the customer base.
It’s not a move to compete with smaller systems, or an introduction of anything new, it’s just a way to get their product out through other means other than direct to customer through a Simplex branch.
As for the old autocall panels, they’re dead and will stay dead.