Dude. I'm working with some $hit these days, that's Ethernet based....totally modular....expandable....and would rock your world with simplicity. I can make rooftops dance, or large central plants act as a symphony. I've even caused a sea change in my company in how I do my programming for this $hit. All of a sudden, a lot of the other guys are scratching their heads saying, "why didn't I think about that?" according to the owner a couple days ago. Imagine that. Because a stupid, mechanical based, nuts and bolts type of motherfucker like me approached this $hit the same way that I would approach a chiller replacement. Start at the beginning, and do one thing at a time. Keeping it as simple as possible the whole way.
And all the while my wiring is still kept simple and basic. Just like a light switch.....on and off.
Never forget the first rule (pretty much for all trades really).
KISS
Keep It Simple Stupid.