RE: Re: Idratek

["ReynoldsB" <brian.g.reynolds@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Karam, sorry for the delay, new job and all that!



Thanks for this.



I will be in touch very soon, still playing!



B.







_____

From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Karam Karam
Sent: 05 November 2007 00:24
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] Re: Idratek



Comparison of IDRANet, C-BUS and EIB is a little misleading. Whilst
superficially similar features can be achieved by all there are
fundamental differences between these technologies other than those
associated with the physical designs and costs. The differences have
a bearing on the implementation of more complex integration
capabilities. In part this is a function of the underlying networking
structure and in part due to the capabilities of the modules and
higher level software.

Here comes the ramble ...

All technologies at this level will allow you to do expected stuff
such as co-ordinated or remote control lighting, better controlled
heating and so on. However the IDRATEK system is much more geared to
more intensive integration by which I mean more complex interaction
between system components. Just one example of what this means in
practice is the ability of the IDRATEK system to work out room
occupancy state as opposed to motion detection, which ofcourse has an
important bearing on lighting and heating automation (also security
automation). Another fundamental difference is IDRATEK's audio
features by which I don't mean delivering Hi-Fi but ability to
provide spoken information output and to deliver as part of its
inherant structure various audio related features such as distributed
inercoming, directed answer phone messages, telephony and other such
messaging functions.

At a more technical level the IDRANet protocol which underpins the
messaging method across the network also has significant differences.
It was designed bottom up to provide an agile structure which would
allow numerous components to interact efficiently with each other as
well as the flexibility to handle more data intensive functions. The
structure is decentralised and peerless. This means no one module
controls access to the bus and also that variable speed and variable
size data packets can co-exist on the same bus. So the bus is able to
deliver simple short control messages such as C-BUS or EIB, but can
also deliver higher speed and higher data payload data. This in turn
makes it more straightforward to deliver slightly more data intensive
features such as IR extender and textual message displays across the
same bus.

Associated with the IDRATEK system and what really is very different
to anything else around, is the Cortex software. Cortex is so
different because it is truly an integration concept rather than just
providing the more traditional scheduling, remote control, etc. etc.
features.

You may find it surprising to know that we did not even perceive
ourselves as competition to C-Bus or EIB, as we ourselves saw our
product as being really quite different, but understandably people
keep making this comparison.

Finally, to temper my enthusiasm for what is afterall our own product
I would honestly say that it really is a case of horses for courses.
I couldn't really say that one system is 'better' than another
particularly since (as I've just described) they can't be compared on
a like for like basis. It just depends on what you want achieve with
your automation, how you want it to look and behave, how much you
want to fiddle with the system, how to install it, costs, maintenance
and so on.

I know it is difficult to get a feel for all of these factors without
seeing something and having a longer discussion. Unfortunately I
can't speak for any of our customers nearer to your location but you
are obviously welcome to visit us in Newcastle. In the past we have
been known to conduct a more interactive internet based 'tour' with
Skype and UVNC being used to allow the interested party to 'see' one
of our own installations and discuss things real time. If its
something you might be interested in and can bear the vagaries of the
internet then we might be able to arrange something. Let me know.

Karam
IDRATEK LTD

--- In ukha_d@yahoogroups. <mailto:ukha_d%40yahoogroups.com>
com,
"ReynoldsB" <brian.g.reynolds@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi all, just looking at Idratek, looks good. I think it is either C-
Bus or
> Idratek but still looking..
>
> Do any of you live near Sheffield? Or better Beighton and would be
willing
> to give me a demo?
>
> I have recently moved to Beighton and maybe looking for a part time
job as
> well as the interest in these systems but need to understand them
better.
>
> Thanks all,
>
> B.



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