ETS4 for Experts

Advantage compared to ETS3

Changing the database is now possible directly in ETS4. After selection of another database, there is no need to close or restart the program, as used to be the case in ETS 3. Time needed to switch to other data or projects is thus significantly decreased.

Advantage compared to ETS3

The bigger the KNX project, the more important it is that access to the data is well regulated. ETS 4 now allows storing projects on a central server repository, thus optimizing the workflow. Several persons can access this data: ETS 4 indicates the person currently editing the data (the status of the project is set to “checked out”), all others can only view the data. Under ETS 3, access to the same project by several persons had to be regulated by own working rules.

Advantage compared to ETS3

Data backups are vital in any IT infrastructure, creating an extra copy of one’s work results. The ETS4 optimizes backup by either performing it during project editing or automatically / on user request when quitting the program.

Advantage compared to ETS3

Not only the size of KNX installations is constantly increasing, KNX is moreover often linked with other automation systems. An easy exchange of data is therefore of the essence. This is for instance the case for visualization systems, showing the status of a KNX project in a control room. With the newly defined XML based ETS4 in/export now all data of exported ETS4 projects can be accessed by reading them directly. In ETS3, access to this data was very limited.

Advantage compared to ETS3

The project documentation does not consist of only the project file itself: it may also consist of extra information like CAD drawings, product documentation or installation manuals. Such data may be missing if not explicitly requested during hand-over of the project or may not be kept up to date during the project life cycle. ETS4 now allows storing and attaching such data directly to the ETS project. Via a separate dialog, files can be added to the ETS4 project, deleted or extracted for viewing purposes.

Advantage compared to ETS3

Documenting performed steps is important during the life of a project. ETS 4 allows the installer to create extended log descriptions. These descriptions can consist of a title summarizing the log entry as well as a more elaborate description.

Advantage compared to ETS3

2 and 3 level group addresses are well known from ETS3. However, if an installation needs a more granular group address structure, a three level group address structure may be too restrictive to meet the project requirements. ETS4 now allows the user to freely define one’s group address levels. The ETS4 moreover allows the use of the entire 16 bit KNX group address space (compared to only 15 bits in ETS 3).

Advantage compared to ETS3

Parameter dialogs are the central control windows for the configuration of KNX device properties. Hence, it is important to be able to quickly access them when editing or quickly view the current parameterization status of a device. In ETS4, parameter dialogs are embedded directly in the relevant ETS4 view (e.g. topology) and can be displayed easily by clicking the relevant tab (even parameters of several devices at the same time). If desired, parameters different from the device default setting can be marked with an appropriate icon. These possibilities did not exist in ETS3: at one given time it was only possible to view the parameters of a single device in a separate window.

Advantage compared to ETS3

Visualizing devices according to specific properties is a classic action during the creation of a project. The so called filter criteria are always different and may even be combined (e.g. display all couplers of a project with specific names). In ETS4 the “dynamic folders” allow the installer to define the content of a window according to his freely set selection criteria. These folders (and their individual display criteria) can also be saved. ETS3 only allowed to enter selection criteria per column, without being able to combine selection criteria or to save them.

Advantage compared to ETS3

ETS users should be familiar with the behavior of Windows Explorer. This behavior is now to a large extend adopted in ETS 4, e.g. by double-clicking in a window one can reach the next lower (e.g. double clicking main group to reach the underlying middle groups) or next higher level. ETS3 does not allow this: with this, editing performance can be considerably improved.