I'm not a Harmony fan. I will explain. There is a big difference between "easy" for end user and "easy" to program. 100% of my clients (higher end installations) are the first type, meaning they will never, ever even think of trying to make program changes. Hell I get calls because the batteries are running low...
I started in this business when Crestron (basically the most expensive remote control known to man) was just a simple touch screen but was able to be programmed to perform macros to integrate many remotes and spit out IR. Of course now Crestron makes everything for the high end installation including control systems, lighting control systems, all kinds of integration stuff and so on. High end client's thought this was the greatest thing since sliced bread because it was simple to use, like an atm machine if programmed correctly (BTW that's huge IF). You could have the same exact equipment on 2 jobs and one person can say greatest thing while the other says POS. It all depends on if the programmer can think simplistic like the end user will likely be. Now keeping it real, I am a Crestron dealer and have been for 15 years but I don't push it as often as I used to for a bunch of reasons. For the last few years I have used URC remotes as they are far less costly and simpler to program. (not to say that a client would program these either). URC makes really solid products and I have been selling their new Total Control system which I think is incredible. Internal streaming audio (Pandora, Rhapsody, etc) built in interface so that you can use an ipad or iphone as your remote control....but not some bogus app, its a URC app that allows you to do everything that their integrated touchscreens can do.
Anyway I went off track but the point is that anything that is going to truly be "custom" because every system is slightly different even if it means a different brand of cable box or TV etc, and has to have flexibility in the programming to accommodate for everything. Timing issues, direct input access, just a lot of little things that make things "work" more consistently and seem "simpler" for the end user. I remember Harmony initially had this thing where you just put in the equipment models and it "does the rest", this may be good enough for some people but definitely not thorough enough for my typical installations.
This is tough to convey. I should have had you just call me....
