Many people want to bring “automation” into their homes. Alexa and Google Assistant are two great offerings today, but they are really “control” rather than “automation”. If one says, “Alexa, turn on the kitchen lights” the device acts on command, but what if I want more complex tasks executed? What if I want my driveway sensor to see a car and then see my garage door open? What if I want the lights to turn on, my Sonos system to play music in the background, and adjust the set point on my Ecobee smart thermostat? That’s a lot more than devices like Alexa or Google Assistant can do. In fact, to accomplish anything close to all the above, you need a competent and very capable home automation software like Home Control Assistant (HCA), a full-featured home automation software powered by the Azulle Byte.
The possibility of automating homes allows us to program the house to be independent and perform tasks like turning the lights, closing blinds, or programming household appliances with a single click. New technological advances have resulted in a significant expansion of technology applied to the home, with the birth of companies such as Home Control Assistant (HCA), an enterprise that produces automation software of the same name, which consists in an “integrative toolbox” that allows users to create automation in homes making life much easier and the home much more comfortable and secure.
With HCA, you can create an automation solution that responds to your needs by combining multiple devices in complex scenarios involving events, time, location, state of the home, and more, into one single program. The HCA automation software adapts to be an automation solution that works for you, regardless of your skill level or needs. The simplest set of tools is configurable with a few checkboxes, to get you started fast. With no programming necessary, you can easily configure an auto-off for any device at different times of the day, specify how different devices in the same room interact, or set up devices to respond as you move through your day – at home, away, asleep. Then, tweak and advance your system over time as your needs and tools become more sophisticated.
HCA is designed not to just automate your home but also to program it. Home Control Assistant includes built-in support for the most popular equipment, such as Insteon, UPB, IR, Wireless, IP-connected devices, thermostats, IP cameras, climate, and X10. Additionally, this automation software can be used in a client-server configuration, allowing you to access your HCA installation from anywhere in your home, or around the world. Control the voice devices you already own, such as Amazon Echo or Google Assistant by simply adding HCA to Alexa or Google Assistant through their respective apps.
And if that wasn’t impressive enough, HCA also allows you to control your cloud-connected devices, like the Ring doorbell, Ecobee thermostats, wifi lighting, etc. However, like any software, it needs a hardware to act out its direction, especially for automation where software needs to be running 24/7, according to HCA expert Kimberly Harms. “For this, users are free to use any Windows computer, but we also offer the Byte mini PCs to users who want one”, said Kimberly. “I looked at lots of computers and the Byte line satisfies all of the requirements. We started with the Quantum Byte (still many of these are in use), then the Byte3, and now the Byte”. The Byte is one Azulle’s award-winning line of mini PCs and an essential component in HCA’s home automation solution!
Why Azulle hardware?
Choosing the right hardware is essential. According to Kimberly Harms, in order to run the assistant smoothly and without complications, the computer used to run the program must be:
- Reliable – less than 1% defect rate.
- Fanless and quiet – for durability, energy efficiency, and silent operation.
- Capable, but without the need for a “power user” machine, given that most of the software does not consume a lot of resources.
- Have a full range of ports to connect control interfaces.
- Run Windows LTSC, so it doesn’t do Windows updates so often. Any offline reboot caused by an update indicates that the system is not able to function as it should.
- Cost-effective without compromising quality, making it affordable to many users.
Make your Home Truly Smart
Take the next steps in automation and let the Internet of Things world into your home. Built from the ground up to put the power back in your hands, HCA’s home automation solution allows you to don’t just control your home but program it the way you want! To learn more about Home Control Assistant (HCA) powered by the Azulle Byte, visit their website, where you will find user guides, a video tutorial library, weekly blogs, and more information.
Azulle Partnerships
Azulle is proud to partner and have cultivated relationships with some of the most innovative technology companies in the country dedicated to a common mission: developing solutions for real people with real needs. For more information about our reliable and cost-effective hardware options, visit our website.
