ISY Portal or Mobilinc? migrating from alarm.com...

[palacekeeper]

I just purchased an ISY-994i for use with my current Z-wave devices (about 60), that I currently have configured in an existing alarm.com configuration. I purchased the ISY mainly because of lack of flexibility with the alarm.com automation module, such as lack of support for associated devices., and also due to a recent lack of reliability with the automation module, which has already been replaced once before. I have some older Insteon devices that I'm not currently using, but may explore those later with the add on module.

For starters, my plan is to do some proof of concept with the ISY so that I can see whether I can set it up to do most or all of what I'm currently doing with alarm.com. I'm thinking that the ISY can do more, but there may be some downgrades, such as the ability to trigger devices on arming/disarming. 

I found an older thread (2017) where this question was asked, but figured I'd try to get an updated status/opinions:

Question 1: As an iPhone user with the choice to select either Mobilinc or ISY Portal, what are the key differences that I should consider? I don't really care about energy savings, but do care about maximum functionality with remote access, Alexa, and iOS. I have vpn set up to my house, so I don't necessarily need external access without port forwarding. However, I most definitely want to integrate with Alexa.

Question 2: Is there any way to set up the ISY to run a scene or automate based upon an alarm.com event, such as disarming the system? Alternatively, can the ISY receive a notification, text or email, and then take a action based on that? If so, I could set up alarm.com to send notifications to ISY and then trigger on that, I'm thinking.

 

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[lilyoyo1]

1 hour ago, palacekeeper said:

I just purchased an ISY-994i for use with my current Z-wave devices (about 60), that I currently have configured in an existing alarm.com configuration. I purchased the ISY mainly because of lack of flexibility with the alarm.com automation module, such as lack of support for associated devices., and also due to a recent lack of reliability with the automation module, which has already been replaced once before. I have some older Insteon devices that I'm not currently using, but may explore those later with the add on module.

For starters, my plan is to do some proof of concept with the ISY so that I can see whether I can set it up to do most or all of what I'm currently doing with alarm.com. I'm thinking that the ISY can do more, but there may be some downgrades, such as the ability to trigger devices on arming/disarming. 

I found an older thread (2017) where this question was asked, but figured I'd try to get an updated status/opinions:

Question 1: As an iPhone user with the choice to select either Mobilinc or ISY Portal, what are the key differences that I should consider? I don't really care about energy savings, but do care about maximum functionality with remote access, Alexa, and iOS. I have vpn set up to my house, so I don't necessarily need external access without port forwarding. However, I most definitely want to integrate with Alexa.

Question 2: Is there any way to set up the ISY to run a scene or automate based upon an alarm.com event, such as disarming the system? Alternatively, can the ISY receive a notification, text or email, and then take a action based on that? If so, I could set up alarm.com to send notifications to ISY and then trigger on that, I'm thinking.

 

Thanks for any feedback!

 

Personally I would recommend running everything through the isy portal. That way, should you decide to switch away from mobilinc in the future, you do not have to reprogram your system. Also, you get the network module free with an ish portal subscription so that makes it worthwhile as well. I did pay for my network module separately only because I want the things I use it for to still work should I decide not to (or forget to) renew my subscription. That last part isn't necessary but just something to be aware of. 

Mobilinc does work with homekit whereas the isy does not (not directly though there is a workaround)

With that said, both mobilinc and the portal works well. You won't go wrong with either one. 

In regards to your second question, I would have to say no. At least not directly or easily. You may be able to add your isy to your alarm.com zwave system as a secondary controller but it's not something I recommend taking on unless you're well versed in zwave and the isy since help will be limited should you have issues. 

[palacekeeper]

Okay thanks for the information.

So it sounds like there is generally feature parity between both? Including with ios apps?

Is Mobilinc a one time app fee whereas the portal is a subscription?


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[MrBill]

22 minutes ago, palacekeeper said:

Is Mobilinc a one time app fee whereas the portal is a subscription?

The original mobilic product family of apps is a one time purchase, adding Mobilinc Connect adds a monthly subscription.  The newer "Mobilinc X" is a monthly subscription for both the app and the connectivity service. 

I have the ISY portal personally and that's what I would recommend.  You can use the ISY portal with the original mobilinc's, with the newer Moblinc X there is a fee to unlock being able to use it with the ISY Portal.  

Personally I've owned and used all the apps made by 3rd parties for the ISY...Mobilinc, eKeypad, Agave, and another that is now defunct.   I don't actually care for any of them for one reason or another.... I do fall back and use Mobilinc Pro on rare occasions, but what I actually use now as my ISY remote from the phone is Home Assistant.  I like it the best because I can organize as many screens as I want, and ordered the way I want.... Further the Universal-Devices Integration for Home Assistant has a very active developer.  Now after pumping it up, I've gotta let some air back out.... 1) there is a learning curve 2) it takes some time to build it like you want it.  For me that was worth it-- if you need a turnkey solution tho.... it's not for you.

2 hours ago, palacekeeper said:

Question 2: Is there any way to set up the ISY to run a scene or automate based upon an alarm.com event, such as disarming the system? Alternatively, can the ISY receive a notification, text or email, and then take a action based on that? If so, I could set up alarm.com to send notifications to ISY and then trigger on that, I'm thinking.

I'm not familiar with alarm.com's protocols, but if you can hit a url based on an event you can control anything you want on the ISY.... if you have that ability from alarm.com I would definitely push you to the ISY Portal instead of Mobilinc Connect.

[palacekeeper]

7 minutes ago, MrBill said:

The original mobilic product family of apps is a one time purchase, adding Mobilinc Connect adds a monthly subscription.  The newer "Mobilinc X" is a monthly subscription for both the app and the connectivity service. 

I have the ISY portal personally and that's what I would recommend.  You can use the ISY portal with the original mobilinc's, with the newer Moblinc X there is a fee to unlock being able to use it with the ISY Portal.  

Personally I've owned and used all the apps made by 3rd parties for the ISY...Mobilinc, eKeypad, Agave, and another that is now defunct.   I don't actually care for any of them for one reason or another.... I do fall back and use Mobilinc Pro on rare occasions, but what I actually use now as my ISY remote from the phone is Home Assistant.  I like it the best because I can organize as many screens as I want, and ordered the way I want.... Further the Universal-Devices Integration for Home Assistant has a very active developer.  Now after pumping it up, I've gotta let some air back out.... 1) there is a learning curve 2) it takes some time to build it like you want it.  For me that was worth it-- if you need a turnkey solution tho.... it's not for you.

I'm not familiar with alarm.com's protocols, but if you can hit a url based on an event you can control anything you want on the ISY.... if you have that ability from alarm.com I would definitely push you to the ISY Portal instead of Mobilinc Connect.

Thanks Mr. Bill. Not sure about hitting a url but I know it can send emails and texts, as well as notifications for the alarm.com app, of course. I'll check to see if there is some way to configure it to hit a URL.

In looking through some threads on this forum, I've seen mention of secondary controllers elsewhere too. I'm guessing that you could add either controller to the other as a secondary? For maximum functionality, I'm thinking that adding alarm.com controller to ISY as a secondary would provide the most functionality. Is that correct? That being said, I'm not sure how I'd accomplish it. I've added secondary controllers to alarm.com before, but not sure how to add it to the ISY as a secondary controller.

[MrBill]

2 minutes ago, palacekeeper said:

In looking through some threads on this forum, I've seen mention of secondary controllers elsewhere too. I'm guessing that you could add either controller to the other as a secondary? For maximum functionality, I'm thinking that adding alarm.com controller to ISY as a secondary would provide the most functionality. Is that correct? That being said, I'm not sure how I'd accomplish it. I've added secondary controllers to alarm.com before, but not sure how to add it to the ISY as a secondary controller.

I have no idea what the alarm.com controller is, how it works, or how it interfaces to other controllers.   The ISY has a strong API however, and with Polisy you can add nodeservers (... yet another reason to use the ISY portal....) to interface with other devices via their API's whether local or cloud.

[palacekeeper]

6 minutes ago, MrBill said:

I have no idea what the alarm.com controller is, how it works, or how it interfaces to other controllers.   The ISY has a strong API however, and with Polisy you can add nodeservers (... yet another reason to use the ISY portal....) to interface with other devices via their API's whether local or cloud.

Okay thanks again. I'm pretty sure I could add the ISY to alarm.com, but I think that wouldn't buy me much, because if I'm thinking correctly, then the ISY devices would show up in alarm.com but be subject to the same limitations I'm trying to resolve. Not sure what Polisy is - new to this ISY game. Sounds like I have some reading to do!

[lilyoyo1]

2 hours ago, palacekeeper said:

Thanks Mr. Bill. Not sure about hitting a url but I know it can send emails and texts, as well as notifications for the alarm.com app, of course. I'll check to see if there is some way to configure it to hit a URL.

In looking through some threads on this forum, I've seen mention of secondary controllers elsewhere too. I'm guessing that you could add either controller to the other as a secondary? For maximum functionality, I'm thinking that adding alarm.com controller to ISY as a secondary would provide the most functionality. Is that correct? That being said, I'm not sure how I'd accomplish it. I've added secondary controllers to alarm.com before, but not sure how to add it to the ISY as a secondary controller.

Most controllers do not like being secondary to other controllers. With alarm.com being an alarm system, I suspect it would be similar to the qolsys alarm panel and not allow itself to be tethered to another controller. 

As I stated previously, I wouldn't use a secondary controller until you're fully aware of how the isy works. You can always use your isy early on for testing and practicing before jumping fully into it (which I recommend doing). 

[palacekeeper]

Most controllers do not like being secondary to other controllers. With alarm.com being an alarm system, I suspect it would be similar to the qolsys alarm panel and not allow itself to be tethered to another controller. 
As I stated previously, I wouldn't use a secondary controller until you're fully aware of how the isy works. You can always use your isy early on for testing and practicing before jumping fully into it (which I recommend doing). 

Sounds good. I was just trying to do some initial information gathering to get an idea of the possibilities. I may end up just using both controllers for different things. I still need the alarm module for cellular backup anyway.


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