Lock your doors (thru any method you choose), it arms after 30 seconds. Unlock your doors (except from the inside) and the system unarms. Mine came with a warning to disarm the system before opening the trunk, but I've found no issues with opening the trunk using the button under the lift handle (I never use the remote for anything so it's always in my pocket). The system is completely integrated so really you don't have to take any special actions at all. It's basically a noise maker so how effective it really is I'm not sure, good for keeping kids away I guess which is why I got one on mine. I looked into the tracking alarms, but the extra cost and the extremely minimal insurance reduction made it less than appealing.

It uses the same light on the dash by the clock as the engine immobilizer. There are times when the immobilizer has the light steady on but the VIP wants to blink the light (if memory services this happens when the immobilizer is being activated and the alarm is doing it's 30 second countdown to arming.)If you look carefully, you can see the light actually pulse brighter during the 30 seconds even though it's on all the time.

Two climate control systems, one inside and the other at the tailpipe.

2007 Camry Hybrid (in service June 2006)
FE: 6.77L/100km (34.8 mpg) over 37750km (23450mi)
75% city - Ave trip 20 min - 2 Winters