I'm dealing with this same issue but out of necessity due to my physical handicap. I was in the hobby mid-90's - early 2000's and am getting back in now. I have an adult form of muscular dystrophy and can no longer tote and pour water jugs. Operating mainly out of a wheelchair, I'm limited to where I can reach. It is also a lot easier for me to program from my computer or I-pad than it is to access standalone controllers or timers... all of these things play a part in how I will incorporate automation in my new tank.
When you talk about automation, you are really talking about 2 types: 1) To make things easier, or 2) To make things better. For instance, I had someone connect my RO/DI unit to the cold water spigot going to my washing machine, mount the unit in my laundry room, and drain the wastewater line into the washer's drain. From the unit, I had him run tubing up the wall into the attic, and then down between the walls, terminating at a ball valve installed in the wall next to where the tank will be. This will supply RO/DI water to my ATO reservoir under the tank and to my 40 gal saltwater mixing station next to the tank. The tank I've ordered is 142 gallons with a 40 gal sump. There is no way I could manually carry enough water to supply this tank, hence this automation makes things "easier". An Apex controller has the ability to make some things easier and some things better. For instance, the Apex can manage your 2-part dosing 24/7, which is better than doing weekly tests and trying to adjust Ca and alk once a week.
I say all of this because going through the process of planning my new tank, I realized that "automation" doesn't really mean anything until you sit down and determine exactly what it is you are trying to achieve. As I've gone through the process of determining what I'm trying to achieve, I've started figuring out how to accomplish through automation.
