The market for connected devices has grown exponentially in the past years, around the globe and in every sector of activity, especially in the residential sector. Inside a “connected home”, a major role is played by electric roller shutters, such as MCA electric roller shutters. Installing them brings you many benefits, such as autonomy, comfort, security and smaller electrical bills.
MCA electric roller shutters may be fitted with 2 types of automated radio wireless technologies. Both bear the Somfy brand, the French manufacturer which is well-known internationally for the solutions it provides for an automated home. The first of these is the RTS technology, released in 2000, and the second one is io-homecontrol (2009). Presently, although these technologies apparently do the same thing, they provide different benefits.
RTS technology allows for the control of your roller shutters from inside your home
RTS or Radio Somfy Technology is a control platform which operates with radio waves and allows users to control interior or exterior products, such as MCA electric roller shutters, from inside or outside your house.
MCA electric roller shutters equipped with RTS technology may be operated very easily, through switches and remotes, through the simple press of a button. Radio waves can pass through any obstacle, without disturbance, since RTS technology is omnidirectional. Installing roller shutters that are equipped with this technology is fast and allows you much easier control of your roller shutters and a comfortable usage.
RTS systems also include transmitters (remotes and switches) and radio receivers which are incorporated into the roller shutters. The radio signals are impossible to decrypt, providing a superior security level. Generally, RTS technology is recommended for the simple control of one or more roller shutters, for homes and buildings with a small number of motorized roller shutters. It is also compatible with the TaHoma command unit. RTS technology has set the international standard for roller shutters automation solutions and is present in over 10 million devices installed across the world.
MCA electric roller shutters – optimal remote control through io-homecontrol technology
If you wish to control your MCA electric roller shutters remotely through the internet, you can best do this with io-homecontrol technology, powered remotely via your smartphone, or a tablet with internet acces. Compatible both with the TaHoma command unit, as well as Connexoon, io-homecontrol technology, unlike RTS, benefits from bidirectional communication.
This is a very important function when controlling the roller shutters from a distance, via internet, as it signals to the command unit if there are any obstacles interfering. The user will thus have visual confirmation of his command and can find out, for example, if his command has been succesfully applied, or which is the exact position of his roller shutters. RTS roller shutters can also be controlled remotely via the TaHoma command unit, but this technology does not have bidirectional communication, and those who use it do not have visual confirmation that a certain command has been succesfully completed, making internet control not very reliable. Also, while the RTS device transmits only one signal, with io-homecontrol you can send 8 signals, minimizing the possibility of interference. Controlling MCA electric roller shutters with io-homecontrol technology is made through radio switches, cabled switches and remote controls, and the level of security is among the best in the world. Io-homecontrol technology is a multi-brand communication protocol developed by a group of international manufacturers (Somfy, Philips, Velux, Renson, Hitachi, Danfoss, G-U, BKS etc.), which allows connecting a large number of motorized equipment.
Both technologies are very powerful, yet they excell from different points of view:
| Benefits | RTS | io-homecontrol |
| In-house control | Yes | Yes |
| Scenario creation based on Internet reports | Yes | |
| Command confirmation | Yes | |
| Roller shutters position status (up, partially down, down) | Yes | |
| Superior security | Yes | |
| Interference minimization | Yes | |
| Compatibility | TaHoma | TaHoma + Connexoon |
The advantages of MCA electric roller shutters equipped with RTS and io-homecontrol are several, such as:
- safe operation - the radio waves through which the wireless signal travels have emmissions which are 1000 times weaker than a mobile phone;
- comfortable and friendly usage - including remote control and preset scenarios;
- simple installation;
- upgradable- you can later add new equipment and components, depending on your budget and needs, without changing the original setup;
- energy saving- possible due to the fact that these two technologies monitor the house’s energy consumption and significantly reduce costs thanks to the simultaneous control of several systems.
Controlling exterior roller shutters with Conexoon