Centralised ETS Project Management via MyKNX with Synchronisation and Access Control

I'd like to share an idea that I believe could be useful for many KNX SIs, especially those working with larger building operators.

I personally manage several larger KNX installations and regularly run into problems with different versions of ETS projects.

Especially in public buildings such as schools, government offices or other state-owned facilities, ETS project files are often not managed particularly well.

Here's an example: I've been maintaining a KNX installation for several years. Due to a public tender, another electrician or system integrator is awarded the contract for a major extension. That's perfectly fine, but things often get complicated afterwards.

Did they use the original ETS project? Were all changes included? And when I return for the next maintenance visit, will I actually receive the latest and complete project file?

A large part of my work now involves modernising existing installations and, unfortunately, reconstructing ETS projects. Especially in installations that have been extended several times over the years, parts of the documentation or even entire project versions are often missing.

With KNX Secure, I don't think this situation will become any easier in the future.

Building operators could store and manage all their ETS projects centrally within their MyKNX account.

For example, a regional government manages 30 buildings equipped with KNX installations. All 30 ETS projects would be stored centrally in the government's MyKNX account.

This way, the project files would always remain under the building operator's control instead of depending on individual contractors.

The building operator could grant individual KNX partners access to specific projects.

The authorised partner would open the project directly in ETS, make the necessary changes and synchronise the updated project back to MyKNX once the work is completed.

If another electrician or system integrator takes over, the building operator simply grants them access. Permissions for previous contractors could be removed whenever necessary.

This would also eliminate the constant exchange of project files via email or other methods.

Direct integration into ETS would be ideal.

Open the project, make your changes and synchronise it back to MyKNX.

Some additional features could include:

• Version history with the option to restore previous project versions

• Project locking to prevent multiple partners from creating conflicting project versions

• An overview showing who last modified a project and when

• Notifications to the building operator whenever a new project version is uploaded

ETS already allows users to attach additional files to projects.

These might include access credentials, visualisation project files, network documentation or other technical documents.

What I'd like to see here is a better overview. It should already be visible in the project list whether additional documents are available, without having to open the project details first.

Sensitive documents should, of course, only be accessible to authorised users.

I see a particularly strong benefit when it comes to KNX Secure.

If different project versions are circulating or important security keys are lost, maintaining or extending an installation can quickly become very complicated.

Centralised project management could help ensure that the latest project files, including the necessary KNX Secure information, remain available to authorised partners.

Building operators would retain full control over their ETS projects while still being free to choose which KNX partner carries out maintenance or extensions.

For us system integrators, it would also make life much easier because we wouldn't constantly have to search for the latest project version when working on existing installations.

I can certainly imagine larger building operators being willing to pay an annual subscription fee for such a service.