The perfect performance of each of the components that make up an automated house depends to a large extent on the installation having a reliable software platform for its operation.
Alejandra Garcia Velez
Flexibility, compatibility and adaptability are the three main features that a residential integration software must have. Control systems integrate equipment and solutions, usually from different manufacturers, in spaces and with very diverse applications.
Therefore, these systems must be prepared to integrate with all types of equipment and under any scenario. That is why it is a mistake to assume that a residential system is less complex than a commercial one, when sometimes the opposite can happen.
This is recognized by Ivette Mancera Bermúdez, marketing coordinator of the company AMX Mexico, when stating that "a residential project can become so complex that it really requires powerful tools to achieve a desired goal and a happy ending for the user or owner of the house".
As a result of this complexity, it is essential to offer the user a stable platform, from an equally solid company with experience in both software and hardware support.
In addition, it is essential that the software "allows to include all the data that the integrated control system must access from each integrated equipment to it, so that there are no failures when requesting an order from the system," Mancera explained.
For his part, the director of Crestron for Latin America, Manuel Montoya, stressed that the main purpose of any residential software is to offer comfort, entertainment and facilitate the use of technology by the user.
"It is crucial that the integration system fits the needs of the customer, the way they live and want to live the technology. This tailor-made suit is only enjoyed when the system is reliable, functional and intuitive," he said.
What's New
Users want higher quality, better equipment and more technology. This is reflected above all in its requirements in terms of entertainment, in which the implementation of complete AV installations are increasingly demanded.
"Customers want to live the digital experience. It is no longer enough to have surround sound in the TV room, now they are looking for 3D projection and higher image quality in all areas of the house, "explains the representative of Creston.
The other big trend in the world of automation is energy saving; in a residence, the savings that are achieved with the use of natural light, the administration of blinds and lights is supported by a control system that frees the client from performing these tasks by executing them automatically and maintaining a consumption record that the client can consult at all times.
For its part, in AMX they explain that the implementation of IP-based systems is one of the main current trends in this field, likewise, the number of cloud-based data solutions has increased. "The A/V world is leaning more and more towards the IT world, they are unifying," Mancera said.
Another important point is that the integration software must be compatible with the previous, new and future technologies. "It must be expandable and flexible, because although the system is projected and built at a certain time, it must retain the capacity to grow," Montoya said.
Residential vs Commercial
Although there are both differences and similarities between both types of systems, the main variable is in the requirements of the client and the functionalities that he requests, but in essence they have similar elements in their composition. For example, the processor as the heart of the system, a user interface and the ability to manage audio and video equipment, lighting systems, thermostats, video conferencing, etc.
However, the ultimate goal of each of these elements is different. In general, the commercial client has efficiency as a priority in all senses, while the residential customer is oriented more towards comfort.
In this sense, it highlights the importance of a simple and intuitive graphical interface in either case, especially since that component of the installation is the one that comes into direct and continuous contact with the end user.
"The easier it is to achieve the goal of clarity and intuitiveness of handling, the better the software will be. If we add to this the characteristics of the powerful and versatile programming or portability of a cloud-based software, these are in themselves important features that all recognized software can have, "said Mancera.
Case Study
The luxury house Villa Al-Bahar in Kuwaitt, is the perfect example of the options offered by a control system. In the case of this property, the integrating firm SMC used different AMX products to satisfy the client's indications.
The house, built in concrete, steel and glass, covers an area of 16,000 square feet, in which a central automation system was made that included audiovisual systems, lighting control, access control, CCTV, data and telephony.
The software was key, because for the company one of the main challenges was to integrate these systems so that they could be controlled by several users at different levels. The client, for example, was going to have full access and remote control to all the advanced settings he wanted, while other people on the property would be given access only to the functionalities they needed.
In addition, the installation had to have a fail-safe operation, with generation of backups and with the possibility of performing remote diagnostics and repairs; as well as integrating with minimal aesthetic impact into the modern and clean design of the house.
In this case the use of good integration software ensured that the different systems effectively communicated with each other through the villa and allowed users to benefit from the possibility of managing all aspects of the installation.
For the handling of the different devices a simple interface was used, with touch screen functionality that made it even more user-friendly. About 16 panels were installed for the control of the different systems.
As for the detail of the installed devices, the residence included a multi-room entertainment system with movie server and Apple TV, as well as several IPTV set-top boxes.
The AMX app was also designed to control temperature, lighting and blinds. Integrating without difficulty to products of different brands.
Software Features
- Flexibility to adapt to the needs of the user and the installation.
- Compatibility with systems of different types and manufacturers.
- Ability to expand in the future if necessary.
- Ease of handling by the end user.
- Simplicity in its operation process.
