"I have been using ECS for years and I frequently check out other systems. ECS is simply the most powerful system available. Every other system has significant limitations. Omnipotence is also responsive to comments and continually upgrading ECS." Dan (Livonia, MI)
More testimonials

Hello,
My name is Mark Gilmore. I am the proud owner/president of Omnipotence Software. We developed the original ECS ("Event Control System") in 1989, and have been improving it ever since. Now in its 3rd-generation design, ECS is easily the most powerful automation software there is. Supporting a large variety of devices, ECS is elegantly simple, yet extremely powerful. Automated tasks may be implemented via simple time-based schedules (great for novices) and/or English-like scripts (which give power users the flexibility they demand). And anyone who can surf the web will be comfortable with ECS, as it supports a browser-based user-interface (accessible via any PC or web-enabled phone/PDA).

The installation is complete and fully operational for 14 days. If you provide us a list of your devices and their addresses, we will create your initial configuration so that you may quickly/easily evaluate ECS. We also write scripts for very reasonable fees (normally $30 to $50 per script, depending on complexity).

If you are physically challenged or with a charitable organization, please send us an email describing yourself.
We may provide you ECS at no charge.

Note: This chart is a simplified overview, and does not convey all of ECS's extensive I/O capabilities.

Example screen image
Note: This is just an example (virtually any desired display may be created).

• Capability/flexibility: ECS is simply the most powerful/flexible automation software there is (and our customers concur). It supports more devices and features than any other, its scripting language can implement any desired logic, and ECS web pages can have virtually any desired appearance.

• Stability: ECS is a robust/well-tested/proven program that is used in numerous homes, office buildings, 2 universities, 2 institutes, a stock exchange, and various other commercial sites. For objective opinions, see our testimonials and/or send your questions to our User's Email List.

• Unrivaled tech support. Try us out by calling 423-745-0026 with your questions.

• Cost: The base price of ECS is only $280, and upgrades are free.
  And ECS can run on most of those old PCs that have been retired to the closet.

• Experience: We have been developing automation software for 18 years.

• Free evaluation and initial configuration: The installation is complete and fully operational for 14 days. And if you provide us a list of your devices and their addresses, we will create your initial configuration so that you may quickly/easily evaluate ECS.

• Ease of Installation: Most ECS system hardware can be installed by a novice in less than an hour.

• Scripting services: If you would like us to write a script(s) for you, then send us a description for a cost estimate. Our prices are very reasonable (normally $30 to $50 per script).

• Access security: In November/2006, world-class security experts at the Philadelphia stock exchange subjected ECS to some 1800 unique hack attacks (all of which failed).

• Minimal memory/CPU footprint: The ECS executable is only around 2 meg, and ECS sleeps when appropriate (you won't even know it's running).

• Support for OEM (private-label) versions: We offer customized private-label versions of ECS to companies that can assure a minimum of 2 sales per month. Contact us for details.

Here are a few examples of ECS's capabilities:

• Internet-access: Access your home from any PC or web-enabled PDA/phone (including WAP devices). And note that our web pages display updated values automatically, while most other systems require a page refresh to see updates.

• PDA/WebPhone support:
  The ECS web server automatically detects when you are using a PDA/WebPhone,
  and sends small text pages specifically designed for such devices.

• Schedules: Set any light/appliance/etc to a desired state at any time.
  Some example schedule entries might look like this:

  Property	Time	Value
  Living room light	Weekday:7:00 PM	On
  Living room light	Weekday:11:00 PM	Off

• Scripting: Supports powerful IF/THEN/ELSE scripting language which closely resembles normal English.
  For example, if you wanted a light to come on at 8PM, you would enter the following statements:

  	If  Time  Becomes  8:00 PM
  	Then  Living room light  Set  ON

• Graphics support: Create floor-plan/layout Pages with buttons and clip-art images (of doors, chairs, etc).

• Light/appliance control: Turn any appliance on/off, and dim/brighten lights.

• Direct-wired/LED lighting (if wiring is an option): ECS supports this unique capability via the EcoDimmer and/or NCD's "PWM8x" line of dimmers. To our knowledge, this is the only direct-wired/DC lighting system that can be automated. A few AC systems are available, but all are very expensive (over $2000). LEDs use less than 7% of the energy used by incandescents, and they last some 60 times longer. And unlike fluorescents, LEDs contain no mercury.

• Commercial sign support: Display any desired info (in any desired color) on large LED signs (see "Signs" in Supported devices table).

• Caller-ID: Announce/display/log the name/number/State of callers.
  Use customized names for known numbers.

• Entertainment: Create a customized web page(s) with buttons/etc to control all your TV/stereos/etc from any rooms in your house. Use any PCs or laptops in your home as an ultimate remote control.

• Security/Fire/Flood:
  • Detection: Monitor your home for fire, flood, or visitors (by foot or car).
  • Camera support: View/record multiple WebCam/NetCam video streams and/or images
  • Flexible response: Respond to potential problems by speaking an announcement, recording images, turning on lights, sounding an alarm, etc.
  • "Lived-in" look: Randomly turn lights on/off to make your home look occupied when you are out.

• NetCams/WebCams: View/record multiple camera video streams and/or images from any location.
  Check on traffic conditions before you leave home or office, and check on your home from the office

• Place ECS Objects within images and live video streams. For example: If you had a live video of a room in which ECS controlled a lamp, then you could place the ECS lamp directly underneath the real lamp.

• Run/control other programs: Execute and control any programs by emulating keyboard/mouse activity in the appropriate Windows (just as if a person were typing or clicking).

• Remote control: Carry out any task(s) when you push a button on any remote control, keypad, pendant (X10, IR, and/or RF), or ECS web page (on any PC or laptop).

• Remote control of PC media players: Many now use their PCs as music/video players (via software such as WinAmp, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, ITunes, etc). The problem is that PCs (unlike CD/DVD players) don't come with remote controls. But with ECS, you can control your music/movie playback via any remote, keypad, or pendant.

• Phone, email and text messaging alerts: Notify you of any events via a phone call, email, and/or text message.

• Client/server socket communications: ECS can communicate with other programs while acting as a client (that initiates communications) or a server (that responds to communications). Both TCP/IP and Datagram/UDP are supported.

• XML/RSS monitoring: Download XML & RSS pages, extract tags/values, and carry out any action(s) per the results.
  Monitor desired weather, headlines, stocks, etc, and report any desired tags/values via speech, emails, text messaging, etc.

• Web-page downloads: Download web sites and extract desired data from same (e.g. weather forecasts, stock quotes, etc).

• Reminders: Remind you (via audible, visual, emails, and/or text messaging) of upcoming dates/times (appointments, anniversaries, etc).

• Custom web pages: Create fully-customized web pages which appear and behave exactly as desired.

• Logging/diagnostics: Any unexpected behavior may be easily diagnosed via detailed logging of the related Object(s). For example: If a light is coming on at an unexpected time, its log will denote what changed it and what it was set to.

• Support of unknown devices: If you have a device which is not directly supported by ECS, chances are that you can support it via scripts (which can read/write data to the device's serial-port or IP address). We are also open to suggestions, if you would like us to add support for a new device(s).

• Remote access to serial devices: Most serial (RS232) devices we support may also be accessed remotely, whereby the device is connected to another PC and accessed via an ethernet connection. There is no extra cost for this feature. Contact us for details.

"ECS is very powerful, probably more powerful than anything else in the market." Rob (Orem, UT)

"I have been using ECS for a number of years. I initially used the earlier version of the program to control the many lights and modules that I have. ECS has worked better than anything I have used before. It is easy to understand and the programming is a breeze. I am now using the new object oriented version which is even better. Joe (Yellowknife, NT, Canada).

"I am an extremely happy user of the ECS automation program. The web based system has proven very stable and the java based event monitoring is great for providing real-time system status from within any web browser. Built-in web pages have a nice look and feel but additional tools are provided for creating your own custom web pages. ECS has also proven easy to interface with other hardware via its serial interface class. This product is highly recommended." Brad (Dayton, OH)

"I find ECS to be extraordinarily robust and reliable running on Windows 2000. The ability to change code without restarting, and the ability to program and operate the system from any browser, result in a trouble-free system. Amongst other things, I trust it to run my sprinklers - that is a testimonial in itself." Martin (Fremont, CA)

"My work requires that I be familiar with commercial building automation systems, and of the 15 different manufacturer's products that I work with, I would say none are as powerful and flexible as ECS. These are systems (hardware & software) that cost anywhere from $10,000 to $1,000,000 in large applications." Gary (Liberty, MO)

"I have been using ECS for years and I frequently check out other systems. ECS is simply the most powerful system available. Every other system has significant limitations. Omnipotence is also responsive to comments and continually upgrading ECS." Dan (Livonia, MI)

"Just one users opinion: Get it. ECS is the software all others are compared by. It's always interesting to read the other lists and hear them go on about wish lists of things that ECS has had for years. Even with only an X10 controller as it's sole interface it is very capable." Carl (San Francisco, CA)

"I too say, get it! All other software that I have seen give you the options that they think up, as buttons, and that is what you can do. With ECS, you have to put a little more thought into it, but you get anything you want, can dream up, or can conjure together to work. Even if something is not directly supported, you can work it if you know the protocols." Dan (Sepulveda, CA)

"I have been using ECS for 6 or 7 years. Not only is there no other HA product that integrates so many different pieces of HA hardware: X10, IR, Speech-Recognition, synthetic speech, phone processing, etc., there is no other product that can even remotely approach it's capabilities for the minimal investment required to purchase ECS. Hats off to Omnipotence, Inc. They may not spend a lot on glossy ads and big promotions, but their product is first class!" Bob (Austin, TX)

"I wanted a software package that I could customize completely. The Event Control System from Omnipotence is the software I chose. I looked into HAL 2000, HomeVoice, CyberHouse, and a few others but they all have limitations. Not ECS! ECS is not for the lazy automator, however. It takes time to learn and program. But in the end you really understand your automation system and have the ability to control anything." Kevin (Gales Ferry, CT)

"I have been using ECS from day one (or two). It is simply the best software I have ever bought. It works. It is stable runs 7X24 at our house. It has a great price. I have been able to accomplish everything I tried to do using the existing language/syntax. Ask for enhancements if you need more. Since the package is under priced to start with, one can pay for an enhancement and still be ahead." Doug (Dirby, KS)

"Don't let anyone tell you ECS isn't the coolest automation platform ever!" Martin (Tacoma, WA)

"I highly appreciate your dedication to your wonderful and continually growing product!!" A.J. Griglak (Monroe Township, NJ)

"ECS is a really good product; Omnipotence supports their product, and implements many of our ideas, better than any developer I have ever seen; Many of us, myself included, have received this level of support for many years, with Omnipotence only receiving our original investment in ECS several years ago;" Michael (Alexandria, VA).

"Finally, I want to take a moment to thank you for all of your support to us ECS users. ECS is not just my favorite hobby, it has become so ingrained in our world that we truly could not live without it." Michael (Alexandria, VA).

"... Their software is right out of the STONE AGE compared to ECS. As we all keep saying, ECS is the best!!" Bob (Austin, TX)

"I have been with your company since the days of Home Automation Labs, and in all these years its still the best software I have ever bought." Doug (Wichita, Kansas)

"My love of ECS is that it works great and I can make any programming that I can think up." Dan (Sepulveda, CA)

ECS fully supports the following devices, most of which are available from AutomatedOutlet and SmartHomeUSA.

If you have a device that ECS doesn't directly support, you can probably do so via scripts that access it via a serial or ethernet port (ask us for help).

Most serial (RS232) devices below may also be accessed remotely, whereby the device is connected to another PC and accessed via an ethernet connection. There is no extra cost for this feature. Contact us for details.

Note: SNMP access is not yet supported in Linux (Windows only).

Note: If these IR transmitter cannot be placed within 6-8 feet of your components,
then IR repeaters such as these can be used to amplify the signal and/or route it to another room:
      PowerMid
      IRC-3.0 SmartPath IR Kit
      Remote Control Extender
      SmartPath Kit w/Surface-Mount IR Receiver

Note: SNMP access is not yet supported in Linux (Windows only).

Johnson Controls:
      DX9100

This installation is complete and fully operational for 14 days. And if you provide us a list of your devices and their addresses, we will create your initial configuration so that you may quickly/easily evaluate ECS. If you have questions or need help, please call us at 423-745-0026.

Note: Sun's JRE (Java Runtime Environment) has a bug which sometimes causes browsers to crash when a web page containing JAVA is closed. If this happens, ECS will automatically restart the browser in 15 seconds and display the ECS home page.

To install ECS on Windows (fully operational for 14 days):

1. Recommended: Install latest JAVA JRE (Java Runtime Environment) at Java.com.
   If the ECS web pages do not display properly, an outdated JRE is the probable cause.
2. Download and execute ECS_SETUP.EXE.
3. Click the ECS Icon on your Desktop to start ECS.
   After installing Microsoft's Text-To-Speech engine, ECS will display it's Login page in your web browser.
4. Login by entering "owner" for both the Name and Password (neither are case-sensitive).
   ECS will then display it's Home page.
   If your browser attempts to login to the Internet (even though no Internet access is required),
   just click "Cancel" in the ISP connect window. This will not happen again until you restart the browser.
5. If you're using IE7 (Internet Explorer 7), we recommend the following browser setup changes:
   1. Allow ECS's Java buttons (e.g. Edit, Create, etc) to open new windows:
      1. Move the mouse over the Edit button. The entire box containing the menu and message line will be outlined, and a mini-window may also appear stating "Click to activate and use this control".
      2. Click Edit (to activate the control).
      3. Click Edit again.
      4. This message will then appear near the top of the browser window):
               "Pop-up blocked. To see this pop-up or additional options click here..."
      5. Click this message and select "Always allow pop-ups from this site...".
   2. Allow ECS to display messages in the browser's status line:
      1. Click Tools, Internet Options, Security, Custom Level.
      2. Scroll down to the "Scripting" section (near bottom).
      3. Under "Allow status bar updates via script", click "Enable".
      4. Click OK.
   3. Tab browsing setup:
      1. Click Tools, Internet Options, General.
      2. In the "Tabs" section, click "Settings".
      3. Check "Always switch to new tabs when they are created".
      4. Check "Always open pop-ups in new tab".
      5. Click OK.
6. If you're using FireFox, we recommend the following browser setup changes:
   1. Allow ECS's Java buttons (e.g. Edit, Create, etc) to open new windows:
      1. Click Edit. If the Edit page is displayed, you may close it and skip this setup.
      2. This message will then appear near the top of the browser window:
               Firefox prevented this site from opening a popup window
      3. Click the Options button to the right of this message and select "Allow popups for 127.0.0.1".
   2. Allow JavaScript to display messages in the browser's status line:
      1. Click Tools and Options
      2. Click the Advanced... button to the right of "JavaScript" (not the tab at top).
      3. Check "Change status bar text".
      4. Click OK.
7. Move the mouse over various buttons ("Edit", "Create", etc) to see what they do
   (descriptions will appear in the message line below the buttons).
   To view/modify/delete existing Objects/Scripts/Schedules, you would click Edit.
   To create new Objects/Scripts/Schedules, you would click Create.
8. Set your login Password(s), enable automatic login, and/or enable remote logins.
   1. Click Edit. This will display a list of your Objects in a new window.
   2. Click the "Password:Owner" link. This will display the edit page for the "Password:Owner" Object.
   3. At the "User::" prompt, enter your desired login name.
   4. At the "Password::" prompt, enter your desired password.
   5. If you wish ECS to automatically login this password at startup, enter "Yes" at the "Default:" prompt.
   6. All Password Objects are initially defined only for local use (i.e. on the ECS PC or LAN).
      If you wish to use this Password from remote locations (i.e. via the Internet):
      1. Set the Client-IP to "*".
      2. Setup your router and/or firewall to open up ports 2080/2081/2082 for TCP/IP.
   7. Click SUBMIT.
9. Denote your time zone/etc, so that ECS may accurately predict your dawn/sunrise/sunset/dusk times:
   1. Click Edit.
   2. Click the "Clock" link. This will display the edit page for the "Clock" Object.
   3. Click the "Time-Zone" value and select your time zone.
   4. Click the "Longitude" and select your longitude.
      If you don't know your longitude/latitude, click here or here.
   5. Click the "Latitude" and select your latitude.
   6. Click SUBMIT. The Dawn/Sunrise/Sunset/Dusk Clock Properties will then denote the times appropriate to your area.
      will now denote the times appropriate to your area.
10. Denote the NOAA web sites for your area's weather:
    [Note: If you're in Canada, please skip these steps and contact us for the required Objects.]
    1. Click Edit.
    2. Click the "Weather" link. This will display the edit page for the "Weather" Object.
    3. Click here.
    4. Enter your zip code in the white box on the left and press <Enter>.
    5. Copy the "Current Conditions" link to the clipboard (right click and select Copy Link Location).
    6. Paste the URL into the "Conditions-URL" Property field.
    7. Copy the "Detailed 7 Day Forecast" link to the clipboard (right click and select Copy Link Location).
    8. Paste the URL into the "Forecast-URL" Property field.
    9. Click SUBMIT. After a few seconds, your local weather data will appear.
11. Specify the port for your main controller (if any):
    1. Click Edit.
       
    2. Click the Object appropriate to your controller: Ocelot, PowerLinc, CM11A. StarGate, or HomeVision.
       
    3. At the "Serial port:" prompt, click the value and select the port that your controller is connected to.
    4. Click SUBMIT. If ECS reports an error, stop any other program that might be accessing the unit, re-check your connections, and make sure the unit is powered up,
12. Setup caller-ID (if you hava a modem that supports caller-ID):
    1. Click Edit.
    2. Click the "CID:Modem" link. This will display the edit page for the "CID:Modem" Object.
    3. At the "Port::" prompt, enter the modem's serial port.
    4. Click SUBMIT.
    5. Now when you receive a call, the CID:Modem Monitor Script will announce the name/number and display same in a JAVA window. If you wish to assign a customized name to a number (e.g. change the default of "Mary Smith" to "Mom"), then edit phone_book.txt and add the number followed by the desired name.
13. To review simple (step-by-step) tutorials, click the "Tutorials" link in the Home page.
14. To stop ECS, click "Stop" at the top of any page.
    If you close your web browser or your ECS page(s) without stopping ECS, you can regain access by clicking the ECS tray icon (bottom right) and clicking "Login", or by displaying http://127.0.0.1:2080/Login.
15. To run ECS when Windows boots:
    1. From your Win DeskTop, select Start, Control Panel, Scheduled Tasks, Add Scheduled Task, Next, and Browse.
    2. Find/select ECS.EXE (normally in \Program Files\ECS).
    3. If your PC logins in automatically, check "When I log in".
       Else, check "When my computer starts".
    4. Click Next and Finish.

To install ECS on Linux (fully operational for 14 days):

1. Login to your normal user account.
2. Recommended: Install latest JAVA JRE (Java Runtime Environment) at Java.com.
   If the ECS web pages do not display properly, an outdated JRE is the probable cause.
3. Enter:
         mkdir ecs
         cd ecs
4. Download ecs_linux.zip to ./ecs.
5. Enter:
         unzip ecs_linux
         chmod +x *.bin
         chmod +x *.sh
6. To install the pre-compiled Festival text-to-speech software (optional):
   1. Login as root.
   2. Download festival.zip to the root directory ("/").
   3. Enter:
            cd /
            unzip festival
   4. Enter "ls -l /usr/lib/libtermcap.so.2".
      If no such file is found:
      • Enter "ls -l /lib/libncurses.so.*".
        The resulting listing should look something like this:

        lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root     17 Feb 19 19:39 /lib/libncurses.so.5 -> libncurses.so.5.5
        -rw-r--r-- 1 root root 263040 Apr  1 15:44 /lib/libncurses.so.5.5

      • Enter "ln -s /lib/{file} /usr/lib/libtermcap.so.2", where {file} is the file listed above that is not a link (e.g. "ln -s /lib/libncurses.so.5.5 /usr/lib/libtermcap.so.2").
7. KDE 3.2.1 has a bug whereby popup menus appear behind the browser window.
   To correct this problem (if applicable):
   1. Click Browse and start applications
   2. Click Control Center
   3. If the displayed version is 3.2.1:
      • Click Desktop
      • Click Window Behavior
      • Click Advanced
      • At the Focus Stealing Prevention Level prompt, select None.
      • Click OK
8. To start ECS, execute ./ecs/ecs.bin. ECS will display it's Login page via FireFox.
   Note: If you wish to startup with another browser, edit linux_browser_startup.sh as needed.
9. Login by entering "owner" for both the Name and Password (neither are case-sensitive).
   ECS will then display it's Home page.
   If your browser attempts to login to the Internet (even though no Internet access is required),
   just click "Cancel" in the ISP connect window. This will not happen again until you restart the browser.
10. Move the mouse over various buttons ("Edit", "Create", etc) to see what they do
    (descriptions will appear in the message line below the buttons).
    To view/modify/delete existing Objects/Scripts/Schedules, you would click Edit.
    To create new Objects/Scripts/Schedules, you would click Create.
11. Set your login Password(s), enable automatic login, and/or enable remote logins.
    1. Click Edit. This will display a list of your Objects in a new window.
    2. Click the "Password:Owner" link. This will display the edit page for the "Password:Owner" Object.
    3. At the "User::" prompt, enter your desired login name.
    4. At the "Password::" prompt, enter your desired password.
    5. If you wish ECS to automatically login this password at startup, enter "Yes" at the "Default:" prompt.
    6. All Password Objects are initially defined only for local use (i.e. on the ECS PC or LAN).
       If you wish to use this Password from remote locations (i.e. via the Internet):
       1. Set the Client-IP to "*".
       2. Setup your router and/or firewall to open up ports 2080/2081/2082 for TCP/IP.
    7. Click SUBMIT.
12. Denote your time zone/etc, so that ECS may accurately predict your dawn/sunrise/sunset/dusk times:
    1. Click Edit.
    2. Click the "Clock" link. This will display the edit page for the "Clock" Object.
    3. Click the "Time-Zone" value and select your time zone.
    4. Click the "Longitude" and select your longitude.
       If you don't know your longitude/latitude, click here or here.
    5. Click the "Latitude" and select your latitude.
    6. Click SUBMIT. The Dawn/Sunrise/Sunset/Dusk Clock Properties will then denote the times appropriate to your area.
       will now denote the times appropriate to your area.
13. Denote the NOAA web sites for your area's weather:
    1. Click Edit.
    2. Click the "Weather" link. This will display the edit page for the "Weather" Object.
    3. Click here.
    4. Enter your zip code in the white box on the left and press <Enter>.
    5. Copy the "Current Conditions" link to the clipboard (right click and select Copy Link Location).
    6. Paste the URL into the "Conditions-URL" Property field.
    7. Copy the "Detailed 7 Day Forecast" link to the clipboard (right click and select Copy Link Location).
    8. Paste the URL into the "Forecast-URL" Property field.
    9. Click SUBMIT. After a few seconds, your local weather data will appear.
14. Specify the port for your main controller (if any):
    1. Click Edit.
       
    2. Click the Object appropriate to your controller: Ocelot, PowerLinc, CM11A. StarGate, or HomeVision.
       
    3. At the "Serial port:" prompt, click the value and select the port that your controller is connected to.
    4. Click SUBMIT. If ECS reports an error, stop any other program that might be acce