On the Radar
Last updated April 16, 2007 12:00 PST
Q&A with Reza Raji, president and CEO of iControl
(Part 2)
In part two of our Q&A with iControl's CEO Reza
Raji, ZWW digs into the details of the company's home control
service.
What services are provided with the "$14.95 per
month" service fee? Why
not use a built-in web server?
iControl is a web-based remote home monitoring solution.
The iControl monthly service enables customers to monitor
their property and control the devices (lamps, thermostats,
etc.) from their personal web portal or web-enabled cell
phone. It also offers customers the ability to set notifications,
automations and schedules to maximize their service.
What types of security cameras can be connected and
how many? Does it
only use IP cameras?
iControl only supports IP cameras at this time. There is
no limit to the number of cameras that can be connected
to an iControl system.
How many key chain remotes can be used with the system?
There is no limit to the number of keychain remotes that
can be used with an iControl system.
What types of connections do you have to make for the
security sensor monitoring? The website states that the
system can co-exist with existing alarm systems. How would
this be wired? Are you supporting only systems that have
an Ethernet interface such as the Elk M1G, do you have to
tap into the existing systems sensors or does it only support
wireless sensors? If only wireless sensors are supported
what type of wireless sensors?
An iControl remote home monitoring system and service can
complement any home security system. However, iControl does
not connect to existing home security control panels, rather
it is a complementary system and service that offers additional
uses (remote monitoring, home controls, etc.). iControl
currently supports GE, Z-Wave, and IP devices. GE and Z-Wave
devices are both wireless and IP can be wired or wireless.
Is the water sensor a z-wave enabled device?
The water sensor that iControl currently offers is a GE
device but will also support select Z-Wave water sensors
in the future.
What mode does the iControl server use to manage Z-Wave
devices? In other words does it act as a master, secondary,
or static update controller?
The iControl gateway acts as a master controller.
Read part one
of the Q&A.
