Someone commented on my last post asking a fair question: why is ETS, the software every KNX project gets programmed in, still Windows-only in 2026? Is cross-platform development actually being talked about, and if not, why not? Worth answering properly rather than in a comment reply. The current state, officially Per KNX Association's own current software requirements page, ETS6 exclusively supports Windows 11 x64. Windows 10 support ended on 15 October 2025. Linux and macOS

I get this question on almost every project, usually about halfway through. The client has seen what's possible: lighting scenes, climate that adjusts itself, blinds that track the sun, a single button that locks up and arms the house on the way out. Then comes the question. "So should we automate everything? The kettle? The curtains in the guest room? All of it?" No. And working out where to stop is most of what I get paid to think about. The industry is already walking this

Across enough projects, the pattern's the same: nobody owns the middle of the build. The start has an owner, the end has an owner, but the months where everything actually gets built mostly belong to no one. Here's what that costs, and a question I don't have a tidy answer to.

I want to be direct about something that comes up on almost every project I work on. When a client decides they want home automation, the call I get is usually after the architect has done the preliminary drawings, the interior designer has a concept locked in, and someone has realised the conduit routes need to change. By that point, everyone is already defensive about their work, time pressure is real, and the best version of the project is no longer available. That's not t

The home automation industry just discovered what KNX has known for 35 years. Scene architecture isn't device control — it's emotional infrastructure. Here's why the brief matters more than the spec sheet.

South Africa's over-60 population is heading for 13.4 million by mid-century. Most people building homes today haven't thought about what that home needs to do for them at 80. KNX has an answer — but it needs to be in the brief.

I had a client call me last month. Someone who’d bought a house with a DIY smart home already in it. By the time he called me, half of it didn’t work. This is the conversation I have more than any other.

Understanding the real difference — before you regret either decision You've seen the ads. A slick app, a glowing light strip, voice commands that actually work. The dream of a smart home has never felt more within reach — or more confusing. So here's the real question: do you buy a few gadgets and figure it out yourself, or do you call in the pros? Short answer: it depends on what kind of smart home you actually want. The DIY Lane: Retrofit & Rock DIY home automation shines

In today’s fast-paced business world, efficiency is key to staying ahead of the curve. One of the most innovative ways companies are streamlining their operations is through automated machine monitoring and control systems. Imagine a scenario where machines turn on at specific times, run predefined checks to ensure optimal performance, and automatically shut down when needed to improve energy usage and address any potential issues. This seamless integration of technology is r