In the ever increasing mobility of our lifestyles we need a matching mobility from our Home Automation Systems. What better solution than a Mobile App accessible on your mobile phone. Even better, why not consolidating it as a remote control for your Home Automation aystem while located at home.

For the HAI-Omni based automation systems this is possible mainly on four different ways. I am excluding custom created solutions not certified or officially supported by the manufacturer.
Client based app on the mobile phone that communicate directly with the home controller, or web based app that connects to a user hosted web server which communicates with the home controller. Another solution is an USB stick that plugged to any internet connected computer can connect to the home controller. The last option is the old fashioned phone call and running through the voice menu on the controller. The main differences are:

• The first option requires supported mobile platform (example iPhone), data plan on the mobile device and an internet connectivity at the home controller.
• The second option requires supported mobile platform (example (Blackberry), data plan on the mobile device, hosted web server PC running 24x7, and internet connectivity at the home controller.
• The third option requires PC with internet connectivity and internet connectivity at the home controller.
• The fourth option require wireless or wired phone line to the controller.

Which one is better? - It depends on the mobile platform, customer needs, and application and the applicable restrictions. That is the benefit of the home automation, it offers choice and solution that fits best to what the user needs.

Krasi Piskov