Visualization

Since the visualization is the user interface for building control, you should consult its available range and your needs first. The most common functions like shading, light, heating, air conditioning, and switches are essential. Integrated alarm systems, fire alarms, and surveillance cameras are often crucial for security. Possibly you would also like to see your electricity and water consumption in real-time to keep an eye on the energy balance of the building. This also includes monitoring solar systems, energy storage, or EV charging stations. Hotels often require multi-room music systems, while door communication systems are more common. Private homes may also want to integrate home appliances such as coffee machines or vacuum cleaner robots, lawnmowers, or garden watering systems. This often needs an interface to IoT services, which can be realized, for example, with Alexa, Siri, etc. Depending on the expected functionality, you should ensure that these features can be displayed in the visualization and that new devices or functions can be easily added later. 

Do you need a Gateway to other protocols? 

Are those Gateways included in the visualization server, or are they separately?

Are these protocols supported by the particular visualization?

When selecting a visualization, it is also essential which devices you want to use to control the smart home - and whether it should react to voice inputs, for example. Smartphones, tablets, or permanently installed touch panels, that display all critical control functions in the building at a central location are conceivable. Please remember that security-relevant building control functions, such as alarm systems and door openers, should not get into the wrong hands. Therefore, mobile devices with the appropriate control apps should only be a supplement. In addition, although essential functions should be accessible on the road, security-relevant parts should be password-protected. Not only an empty battery can be annoying - but mobile devices can also be stolen or get lost. A permanently installed device in the building does not have these problems. If you want to combine mobile and fixed devices, make sure that the visualization supports different device types.

Do you want to use visualization in private or commercial applications? This question concerns the KNX project’s scope and the additional components you need. Depending on your answer, the size of the KNX project will vary widely. The hardware should be chosen according to the size of the project. You may select appropriate software, but your smart home will not work as expected if the hardware does not meet the requirements.

You should ensure who will use and set up the visualization. 

Do you want to understand exactly how every detail works and try new things? Or do you maybe just want your system to work and look good? The latter is an advantage in the commercial sector, for example, in hotels or weekend homes.

Usability should also play an essential role. It is recommended that you can reach your selected device within the visualization with just a few clicks. Furthermore, vital features such as scenes should be easy to create and access. Thus, ensure that the basic structure is readable and that you can quickly reach frequently used processes. Since a lot can change during the adjustment process, a user interface modifiable by yourself can be helpful. A dashboard possibly adapted to the specific room in the case of permanently installed display units is advantageous, too. If guests should also be able to operate the visualization, intuitive handling and creating a “guest user” is even more critical.

You have to consider the costs for the hardware and visualization. Think to what extent (good!) support is available in your language. Do you have to pay once, or are there hidden costs for maintenance, support, or updates? In addition, the range of functions should not be neglected. Too many - maybe unnecessary - features drive up the costs. Ask yourself whether the price is respectable for the spectrum of functions provided and actually used. In addition, you should include the costs possibly incurred for setting up the visualization in your calculation.