Issue to consider when choosing an Environmental Controls System. There are lots of questions to ask before deciding which environmental control system configuration is best in any given situation. The key issues revolve around; Functions required Ease of use Ease of Installation Ease of ongoing maintenance Affordability In addition, a positive attitude towards using the technology can help make the system a real success. Some of the questions you might want to ask are listed below. Functions How many functions do I need now? How many functions will I need in the future? Do I need quick access to all these functions? If so, I should probably choose a system with a dynamic screen or direct access keys rather than a scanning system. Will I want to change these functions often, e.g. if I buy new appliances, or move house? Will I need to add functions as time goes by? Signalling Method Do I need infra-red and radio options, or just infra-red, or just radio? Are any of the functions I need likely to be safety-critical? If so, then would I prefer to use radio signals for these functions? What is the infra-red coverage like from the environmental controller? Will it get from one end of my lounge to the other? What is the radio range of the environmental controller? Can I extend it in any way to get from the lounge in the nursing home all the way to my bedroom for example? Does the radio system ensure reliable operation of my emergency alarm, and over what distance? Does the system have a means of ensuring my controller operates only my appliances? Battery Do I prefer rechargeable batteries or standard batteries in my controller? How much battery life can be expected from the environmental controller? Do parts of the environmental controller system need battery back-up in case of mains power failure e.g. the telephone or the door operator? Telephone Using the telephone is very important to me. How many numbers can I store? Can I add/edit/delete numbers myself? Can I have answerphone functions? Can my environmental controller operate a mobile phone so I can be outside, or in town and still make/receive calls? Entertainment Do I want to use Teletext, Satellite or Cable? Am I likely to have problems with 'time-out' (where I can't select the page numbers quickly enough for the TV to accept them) that I need the environmental controller to resolve? Integration Do I need to control my environmental control with the same input device that I use to drive my powered wheelchair? Would it help if the environmental controller could also be used to operate the computer? Mounting Is there are suitable way to mount the controller so I can see it and use it easily? Will my carer be happy to help me re-position it when I want to use it from different locations such as my bed or wheelchair? Input Devices I have a degenerative condition. Can I choose a range of input devices to operate my environmental controller that will mean I can use it whatever my circumstances? Can I alter the speed at which the cursor scans through the functions or does someone have to do this for me? The Environment I want to use my environmental controller at home, at work or at school. Will it be able to work in both places? Sometimes I go away for a weekend and want to use the appliances wherever I stay. Can my controller be re-programmed for this?