Thanks Ian. It appears there is at least two ways to handle this. One, for those who program and are sparky-capable, and one who will just pay Monnit's price-- me! Also, thanks for noting the required result helping to focus things. Notice I have modified the original problem statement with details on the exact Monnit products. They are not the base level but the ALTA level products. However, their sales folks also wanted me to buy their Premium level software ($39/yr) so I could use their API web hooks capability. I am trying to NOT buy that and stay with their simple cloud based software system so I am not slaved into upgrading this and maintaining it for years.
Finally, it appears to me(newly learned about Monnit) that I am forced to use Monnit's Ethernet server and thus their (free) cloud server service no matter what. So, short of figuring out a way to simply use their Industrial dry contact sensor and hack a receiver interface for my home, I am stuck with all that.