| Home automation systems such as Crestron and | | | | news in real time. They can be designed |
| AMX offer the end user the possibility to have | | | | specifically for your home, i.e. an on-screen floor |
| something much more than a just standard touch | | | | plan can let you read and set temperatures in |
| panel with the use of custom designs. Having | | | | each room, adjust light levels or monitor CCTV |
| worked on, and seen many custom installations, a | | | | cameras on a room by room basis. They can |
| big factor in the overall project is the design of its | | | | have specific pages for family members and be |
| touch panels. It's true to say that just as a well | | | | named and styled to individual tastes. |
| designed touch panel can enhance your system, a | | | | So what are the common problems? Firstly, a |
| poorly designed panel can equally devalue it or | | | | simple issue is purely aesthetics, many panels |
| even render it useless. | | | | either look ugly or are poorly fitted into their |
| First off, how are custom touch panels designed | | | | surroundings. Panels should really complement the |
| and why would you want one? Custom touch | | | | room they are placed in, be discreet and stylish. |
| panels are designed through proprietary software | | | | Another big problem is over complicated panels |
| from the manufacturer, only accredited installers | | | | which are overloaded with content and are |
| and programmers will have access to this | | | | difficult to use. You shouldn't need a manual to |
| software so you can't design your own panels. It's | | | | operate your system, it should be intuitive for |
| important to note that whoever installs your | | | | you to pick up a control or look at a touch panel |
| system is responsible for their design and | | | | and understand how it works. If its not, you'll soon |
| implementation. A touch panel design is simply a | | | | be irritated by it's design, especially seeing as its |
| graphical interface that talks to automation | | | | something you may be using many times a day. |
| equipment, it incorporates images, text, buttons | | | | If touch panels feature as part of your |
| or even moving images and streamed video. | | | | automation project it's worth asking the installer if |
| Designers have free reign over all these elements | | | | customisation is possible. It's certainly worth |
| meaning anything is possible and is only limited by | | | | investigating the design and usability of the panel |
| the designer's imagination. There are of course | | | | even if it's not customised. Remember, the whole |
| standardised panel templates available, they are | | | | success of your system can hang on the design |
| easy to install but often lack the personalised | | | | of its controls. Ask for examples/demonstrations |
| touch. Custom designs can be much more than | | | | prior to installation and make it a consideration |
| simply displaying a family photo. Panels can show | | | | when choosing your installer. |
| useful information such as local weather, traffic or | | | | |