[quote=“John M., post:5, topic:195065”]Well, actually UI7 is OTA capable in conjunction with a Gen5 gateway(VeraEdge/Plus/Secure) but OTA updates will only be pushed on the request of the device manufacturer in question. This usually happens with critical device updates, and only if we are provided with the firmware from the manufacturer itself.
Under no circumstance, we can do this at customers requests, even if they provide the firmware file.[/quote]
Can Vera please get their story straight? A year ago OTA updates were done by customer request and now they are not??? Can they also please explain the logic behind putting this functionality into the controller but not exposing it to the customer? Vera has put itself in the (very poor) position of deciding what is “critical” or “needed” by us customers. That’s a no-win scenario because we are left with 2 inconvenient and totally unnecessary choices:
[ol][li]buy another device to do it and have the hassle of removing it from the network, doing the update, then adding it back to the network. This has the added ‘bonus’ of having to unplug my Vera Plus and take it to the remote device. Since it can’t join my wifi network, I also have to find a long enough ethernet cable.[/li]
[li]coordinate with customer care to get it done[/li][/ol]
In fact, just knowing that OTA updates are in there but I can’t do it myself turns a good experience with a good product into frustration. Don’t misunderstand – I am not an unhappy customer. The experience has steadily improved since I first bought an Edge 2+ years ago. Like most of us here, I am also not inexperienced (designed computer systems for 25 years). I don’t know what the update process is like, but the issue is not lack customer expertise.
Right now I only have one device that needs a firmware update. It is important enough that I bought a Z-stick and will go through the hassle – but I can do it myself and at my convenience. However, the number of devices needing OTA updates will only increase over time. I’m sure we all want to see a coherent response from Vera on this issue.