Part 1: Introduction to Vera (by Adrian Biffen, GM, Feb 2012)

We have 2 distinct approaches to blind and shade control:

• Our radio equipped motors use RF (Radio Frequency) for transmission of the remote control signal from a hand-held or wall mounted remote control. These very affordable multi-channel systems are extremely easy to install and operate.
  
  
• Our non-radio motors require an external controller and are most often used with home automation systems such as Vera, using our Universal Interface. These systems are more complex, more expensive and require some technical know how. Having said that, VeraLite at $199 is the bargain of the year when it comes to full blown home automation systems - and the most user-friendly.

In order to further support the second option above, we deliberated and studied the market for a number of years before we chose Vera as our premium home automation controller, and there is a long list of reasons why we think it is the very best choice for complete home automation.

Vera and VeraLite are powerful home automation controllers that run as a web server on your local lan and/or wifi network. They can be used simply as local controllers, but they can also be accessed remotely from any location via browser using a secure encrypted system.

You can easily monitor and control your home whether you are on the premises or away, and look after the boat down at the dock, that summer cottage at the lake, or that ski chalet in the mountains. You can have the system send email alerts, based on events that you structure yourself with very easy to use wizards.

Unlike many PC based systems, you do not need a dedicated 'always on' computer or laptop.

The Vera system is about choice, budget & flexibility: it can be operated by any web enabled device via the browser (smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops) and any operating system (Windows®, Apple®, Linux®, B2G, Android®, Tizen®, IOS®, etc). It can also control various different device protocols, such as Z-Wave®, Insteon®, and x10®. It can be customized to support any device with the Lua scripting language, although the built-in user-friendly interface can set up 'scenes' to do almost anything.

Special Note About x10®: Like many others that have been doing home automation for a long time, we have an extensive x10® system that would be very expensive and time consuming to replace all at once. One of the great features of Vera is that it supports x10® via the Mochad X10 Gateway or the Insteon USB modem, so you can upgrade to Vera and slowly replace your x10® devices with a more robust type, such as Insteon® or Z-Wave®. If you decide to keep all your x10® devices, Vera is still the best way to control your system.

Our blind and shade motors can be used with any system (Insteon® or Z-Wave® or x10®) via our Universal Interface.

purchase Vera controllers in our online store

Vera comparison table:

purchase Vera controllers in our online store

Note that the primary difference between VeraLite and Vera is that VeraLite does not have wifi built in - it plugs into an existing wifi router. Vera has its own built-in wifi system for those that do not already have a router, but they both have the same functionality. Vera also has twice as much memory (for very large installations, over 60 devices) and some extra ports.

Stay tuned, part 2 coming soon (how to use Vera with our motors). We sincerely hope you enjoy using these advanced motor systems; if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time!