4.5.2. Short term flexibility

Integrated home systems in which the configuration and programming can be done by computer are able to make use of short term flexibility. It is then possible to send a different user file from the computer to the integrated home system at any time. Sending generally only takes a few minutes.

In certain cases, short term flexibility can offer advantages for the user. Suppose that the end user has a holiday home in Calpe (Spain) and this home has an integrated home system that not only controls lighting, but also the roll-down shutters, air conditioning, heating, audio, swimming pool, etc. At a certain time the owner wants to rent his holiday home to somebody else. When the tenants move into the home, a tenant file is downloaded to the integrated home system. This can mean in practice that the tenants can operate the lighting, roll-down shutters, air conditioning and heating, but they cannot do any operations with the multi-room/multi-source audio system, and they cannot change any settings for the swimming pool. Once the tenants have left the home, the ordinary home file can be downloaded to the system. The home and all operating buttons again do what the owner wants.

Short term flexibility is also a handy tool for maintaining and modifying installations in service flats for the elderly. When the flat has to be modified for a new resident, it can be done very quickly, even remotely over the internet or by modem.

The computer is ready to send a new file to the Vantage integrated home system control panel. (Illustration source: E&D Systems)