Final Goodbye to ISY994 Series
June 1st is upon us and sadly it’s now time to say our final goodbyes to our beloved ISY994 Series. It will be missed dearly.
What Models Are Affected?
With the exception of ISY 994r, ISY 994 PRO OADR, and OEMs all other models are affected.
What Does It Mean for Me?
Starting 06/01/2023:
- Free technical support will cease for any issues relating to ISY994 Series. Paid support will remain available till 06/01/2024.
- You can no longer add modules to your existing ISY994s.
- All requests for transfer from one 994 to another 994 will require a $125 transfer fee.
What Are My Options?
- If you have a Polisy, please migrate to it. Here are the instructions.
- Easily upgrade to our super cool and super powerful 7th gen product eisy | home and expand your system to infinity and beyond. Here are the instructions.
- Please note that if you want to use your existing Serial PLM (2413S), you will also need our Serial PLM Kit (or you can make it yourself using the part numbers and pinout in the same link).
Upgrade Discount?
Yes. Please use coupon code ZAFHC46J for $25 discount per eisy. Expires 06/15/2023. For our Candian friends, AARTech offers a discount as well using coupon code: EISY25UP.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please submit a ticket.
May 24, 2023 @ 10:00 am
It’s wildly disappointing that you are discontinuing a product and obliging people to pay for upgrades. I have been a customer for over 10 years. A $25 discount just doesn’t cut it. I can’t really afford $300, so my only real option is to replace the parts of my system piece meal to a new platform where the devices don’t require servers or plm modems.
May 24, 2023 @ 10:14 am
Tyler, 994 has been around for over 14 years. Not only the parts are no longer available, but the performance cannot meet the new world. You are NOT at all obliged to upgrade. You can keep going with 994 till it stops working. This notice is about the fact that we can no longer offer free tech support related to 994 simply because we cannot.
May 24, 2023 @ 10:42 am
I actually have a spare, will software updates still be available? (Not made, just current ones still available)
May 24, 2023 @ 10:46 am
Hi Gregory,
Yes, of course.
May 24, 2023 @ 12:09 pm
I have the ISY 994i PRO (1100) Open ADR (21010), I’m assuming this product support will continue past 6/1. However, if I did want to upgrade, I know I’d have to buy the EISY. Since I use all Z-Wave, what will I need to purchase to operate as I am today?
May 24, 2023 @ 12:11 pm
Hi Kelly,
Unfortunately not. Only ISY994 PRO OADR (not ISY994i PRO with OpenADR module) continues support.
If you are all Z-Wave, then you also need our ZMatter USB dongle.
May 24, 2023 @ 12:23 pm
Hi MIchel,
I want to upgrade from my 994i pro to the eisy. I went to the store but Canada isn’t in the shipping destinations 🙁
Is that a glitch or can you not ship to me?
May 24, 2023 @ 12:33 pm
Hi Mark, unfortunately we do not ship to Canada. This said, AARTech has them in stock and considering average of $43 shipping to Canada + customs fees, you will be paying much less if you purchase from AARTech even after the discount. So sorry.
May 24, 2023 @ 12:56 pm
The z-Matter dongle shows out of stock. When will it be available again?
May 24, 2023 @ 1:02 pm
Hi Tom, 2 weeks.
May 24, 2023 @ 1:21 pm
Mark, I was just notified that AARTech now offers a discount coupon:
EISY25UP
May 24, 2023 @ 2:58 pm
I am deeply disappointed by this.
Forking out several dollars to replace something that is still working is ludicrous.
No more modules, no support!
May 24, 2023 @ 3:13 pm
I’m confused on the Zmatter dongle. Does it just plug into the eisy? Does it come with antennas? Does the programming from my ISY carry over to it?
I run mostly Insteon, but use Zwave for my door locks.
May 24, 2023 @ 3:33 pm
Jay Fuller, no one is forcing you to replace the unit. Again, this is to notify you that due to shortage of parts and processing power, and after 14 years, we can no longer support 994 for free.
May 24, 2023 @ 3:34 pm
Hi Justin,
Yes, it’s a USB dongle and yes it comes with antennas. Yes, all programming/licenses from ISY are migrated over.
May 24, 2023 @ 4:26 pm
Michel….while it’s understandable that some are disappointed, I applaud you for keeping a platform running for so long….14 years is a very long time, way beyond what typical companies do….thank you for your great support all these years…
May 24, 2023 @ 4:59 pm
Why the panic ? I am still using a ISY99 and it works perfectly!
May 24, 2023 @ 5:39 pm
Questions on purchasing a new system,
When viewing the products on the web page, there is a line that states “Want a discount? Become a member! “. Wouldn’t I already be a member and wouldn’t it show a member pricing when I am logged in?
The Z-Matter dongle,
Is it a USB or a adapter or a board that is attached to the main unit? The pictures and description are a little fuzzy.
May 24, 2023 @ 5:48 pm
Hello,
I use notifications (via IFTTT) daily. Does eisy have direct notifications or would I still need to use IFTTT?
May 24, 2023 @ 6:10 pm
Hi John,
It’s our primitive website’s way of describing developers and resellers.
ZMatter USB is a USB dongle that attaches to eisy externally.
May 24, 2023 @ 6:12 pm
Hi Michael,
Direct push notifications using the Notifications node server (plugin) and ISY Portal. Very similar to how ISY does email notifications.
May 24, 2023 @ 6:15 pm
When you say modules, does this mean I can no longer add NEW Insteon modules, i.e. lamplinc, keypadlinc, appliance modules, to my existing ISY?
I currently am in no position to spend $300.00 on the new POLISY? My current ISY is functioning just fine! Why won’t the discount coupon be available for ANYONE currently using the ISY when/if their ISY dies?
May 24, 2023 @ 6:18 pm
Hi Michael, no. It means ISY Modules. You can add and replace any INSTEON device as long as it’s not i3.
May 24, 2023 @ 8:12 pm
Is ZMatter USB the only option for z-Wave or is there a solution that is internal to the eisy? The eisy form factor is slick and I feel an external device takes away from that 🙁
May 24, 2023 @ 8:23 pm
Unfortunately not:(
May 25, 2023 @ 12:32 pm
Michel: Two questions, tho first I have a need to give some preamble, if you’ll indulge me.
I’ve been using ISY devices like, forever – since the X10 days. And I’ve been totally satisfied – these little boxes just sit quitely and do their thing with rock solid reliability. I’ll also note that I am 100% Insteon, and at the moment everything works just fine. But in doing a refresh install of my Linux desktop (I don’t own either a Windows or Mac machine) I discovered that .JNLP is an obsolete platform and I had to install an old icedtea-web package long out of date to still be able to get into my ISY admin console. So between that and Insteon’s issues I think it’s time for me to consider ‘modernizing’ my home automation environment. Given my positive experience with UD, and you, I’m certainly inclined to stick with you.
So with all that said – in looking at the description of the eisy I have two questions:
1. In headless mode would I be able to manage/program my devices and all that jazz from my Linux desktop PC? That is, would I be dependent on the mobile app; or can the eisy be operated, and fully maintained, without resorting to a mobile device’s app? And without having to plug a monitor and keyboard into it? Maybe using something like VNC Server?
2. More just for a fuller understanding in my own mind about the nature of the eisy: It sounds like the eisy is essentially an Intel-based computer, running FreeBSD as the OS, with a set of Universal Devices applications running on it. (Which is why you could plug in a keyboard and monitor and use the device pretty much like any other PC.) Is this a fair way to think about it?
May 25, 2023 @ 1:03 pm
Hi Jeffrey, thank you very much for your interest.
1. In headless mode would I be able to manage/program my devices and all that jazz from my Linux desktop PC?
Yes but you still need IcedTea-web for the Admin Console
That is, would I be dependent on the mobile app;
No
or can the eisy be operated, and fully maintained, without resorting to a mobile device’s app?
Yes, just like 994
And without having to plug a monitor and keyboard into it?
You do NOT need to plugin monitor/keyboard
Maybe using something like VNC Server?
You can install xrdp if you wish but, again, it runs fine in headless mode
2. More just for a fuller understanding in my own mind about the nature of the eisy: It sounds like the eisy is essentially an Intel-based computer, running FreeBSD as the OS, with a set of Universal Devices applications running on it. (Which is why you could plug in a keyboard and monitor and use the device pretty much like any other PC.) Is this a fair way to think about it?
Yes, but a few things, including the OS, have been modified to work with the hardware. For instance, the power button does things that are not supported by the OS but by udx .
For all intent and purposes, you can consider it another 994 because it behaves the same
May 26, 2023 @ 3:42 am
Hi Michel,
I’ve updated all along the way, your system says I have a ISY994i/IR PRO. Should I upgrade?
I have a house full of Insteon, a garage program, xmas programs, pool program, lights, geo fence and Alexa plus MobilLinc Pro. I go way back to my last home being full of x-10. I don’t mind spending the money but I’m so busy and don’t have much time these days. I’ve had little success just managing the system because the Admin program doesn’t work on my Surface. I also couldn’t replace broken Insteon modules because Insteon seemed out of business. I was able to get a couple switches from eBay.
I appreciate any comments and suggestions.
Thanks for all you do.
John
May 26, 2023 @ 7:34 am
On this: “…you still need IcedTea-web for the Admin Console” – this is a problem for me as my chosen Linux distro, fedora, has dropped support for icedtea-web. And it does appear that, in general, java web-start is being deprecated.
May 28, 2023 @ 10:41 am
Hi John,
You don’t have to upgrade. As long as the system works and you don’t need support, you should be fine. The only other consideration is support for i3 devices which is only available on eisy.
May 28, 2023 @ 10:42 am
Ok.
May 29, 2023 @ 8:07 am
I understand the end of support, but what I don’t understand is the $125 fee to transfer modules. I have a spare ISY in case of failure, but now will have to pay a $125 fee to transfer a license to my backup unit, that is ridiculous.
May 29, 2023 @ 8:42 am
James, you have till 06/01 … please transfer now. Regarding the reason: the whole point of this exercise is to reduce support for 994. We cannot continue supporting 994 indefinitely.
May 30, 2023 @ 12:58 pm
I don’t expect UD to support ISY forever; it’s a business. Unfortunately, though, mine has been rock solid. Other than replacing the zwave controller in the ISY, I don’t think I’ve done anything to it in years. (the same can’t be said for Insteon PLMs) What makes it a hard decision is I don’t know of any new features I would actually use, and I’ve spent the last year or so being emotionally prepared to replace all my insteon stuff with something else if I stop being able to repair my PLMs (I have a spare broken one so two tries) or something. $450 is a lot to spend to just replace what I have. Do Eisys make it easier to move insteon scenes to zwave devices if I start replacing piece-by-piece?
May 30, 2023 @ 1:09 pm
Hi Bruce, thank you for the feedback.
You really do not have to upgrade your 994. You can continue using it till it breaks. Regarding making it easier to move to Z-Wave, it depends. You can definitely have multi protocol scenes (Z-Wave, INSTEON, node servers, etc.). The only issue is that unlike INSTEON, Z-Wave is RF only. So, you will need to be prepared to have some non-battery devices to make sure you have a good mesh. Of course, we’ll be here to help along the way.
May 31, 2023 @ 6:54 pm
Hi there. I am a current and longtime ISY994 user (have abut 50 Insteon devices and an ISY) and I currently use Home Assistant to pull together all of my smart home devices, including the ISY. I have used other things with ISY, including software I wrote myself in the past, but I am currently using Home Assistant.
Now that ISY is EOL and the future of PLMs is dubious (although seems to be coming back… maybe…) I have started moving things to ZWave and am using 2 ZWaveJS instances running on PIs with Aeotec dongles. Still use the ISY for the Insteon stuff.
Question for me is whether to move from the ISY to a USB PLM with Home Assistant’s Insteon integration and ditch the ISY, or upgrade to eisy and move everything (including zwave stuff) to that.
I guess what I am looking for is: tell me what I get with the eisy (using the home assistant ISY integration) that I don’t get with home assistant alone (and it’s Insteon and ZwaveJS integrations)?
I’ve been searching for this answer and coming up dry, so I thought I’d come to the source. Thanks!
/nathan
May 31, 2023 @ 9:43 pm
Hi Nathan,
HA implementation of INSTEON is not complete especially for managing scenes. PLMs have been back in stock for months and insteon is back. If you move to ZWave or don’t care about Insteon scenes, and if you like how HA does things, then there’s no reason to have eisy as well.
June 19, 2023 @ 12:26 pm
Hi Michel,
I’m running perfectly fine on my ISY994i with over 70 devices, both Insteon and zWave, since 2017. It might be time to upgrade to eISY but I’m not ready yet.
My question is: Will my ISY portal subscription remain valid after upgrade ? I do have it paid until 2027. Will the upgrade also register the eISY to the portal in place of the old ISY994i ?
Thanks,
Dragos
June 19, 2023 @ 1:34 pm
Hi Dragos,
Yes, your subscription for 994 remains active and there will not be interruptions. Yes, you can migrate your license from 994 to eisy.
July 23, 2023 @ 11:38 am
Any idea when the EISY will be back in stock or how to get one on order for when it does?
July 23, 2023 @ 3:06 pm
Hi Eric, yes by the end of the month (July 2023).