Advanced Quonset Technology, Inc. has announced version 8 of their popular Home Control Assistant software. One of the biggest changes in this release has been the addition of support for the Insteon protocol. It looks like it's more than just some basic communications too, as the software now includes a visual scene editor, helps you replace failed devices and supports device such as the EZ-Rain controller and thermostats. Other changes include support for the GC-100 and an updated UPB driver. Check the list below for more info on the major changes in this release.
- Insteon Visual Scene Editor. Create links between Insteon devices and remotely program them.
- HCA reads Insteon device linking databases to facilitate scene creation and network documentation
- HCA 8 creates an Network controller-receiver map to help you see at a glance if the network is configured as you want
- Replace a failed Insteon device and re-program it with the links for the failed device and reprogram all devices that reference the old device to use the new device.
- Detect and correct bad links between devices. Makes it very simple to remove a device from your network.
- Improved linking tabs for Insteon devices and controllers. Using the new remote programming facilities all links between HCA and devices can be programmed with the press of a button.
- Insteon Network "spidering". By reading a single Insteon device's memory, other devices can be located. Build a HCA design simple and quickly from a previously installed Insteon network.
- Support the the Insteon EZ-Rain device
- Support for the Insteon Thermostat adapter
- Improved visibility into the internal memory of the Insteon PowerLinc
- Improved program triggering from Insteon messages
- Improved design checker for Insteon devices and their links.
- New Web Server Component allows remote access to a HCA design from a web browser on a desktop or mobile device.
- Support for the GC-100 Networked IR device in sending IR signals
- Full support for IR sequences read by the Global Cache IR Learner
- Support for the GC-100 relays and digital inputs
- Program trigging on GC-100 digital inputs
- HCA 8 updated to handle all the new UPB devices from PulseWorx, Simply Automated, Web Mountain, and the RCS thermostat
- New Visual Programmer Scene element to allow activating and deactivating pre-programmed scenes. This element lets' you see at a glance the effects of the scene.
- Improved security and password control
- Improved printing for the Insteon network and Protocol Bridge. Makes documenting your design easier.
- A new "Disable" property added to devices and controllers. Allows you to have has "forget" devices that you are working with or have removed but don't want to completely remove from your design.
