Automation is one of those things that can be relatively cheap, or the sky's the limit. It all depends on what you want to do with it. Intermatic sells a relatively basic system that can control your Intelliflo. Jandy also has some systems that can directly control that pump via RS485. Pentair has three levels of automation, with increasing price points respectively: SunTouch, EasyTouch and IntelliTouch. The advantage of the latter two is that you can control them via your computer or iPhone with an added software/hardware add on option called ScreenLogic 2. This basically connects to your computer or router via ethernet and converts ethernet to RS485 so that your computer or iPhone can interact with your EasyTouch or IntelliTouch. If you have a large number of things that you want to automate via a single panel, the IntelliTouch is the best option. I use Insteon for home automation, and I'll keep using that, while getting an EasyTouch panel. Once Pentair offers an Android version to communicate with ScreenLogic 2, then I'll be able to control outdoor lighting, etc, via MobiLinc (through Insteon) and my pool with that app. The EasyTouch systems are nice because they also can come packaged with a SWCG and transformer built into the power center, cutting down the cost if you also plan to add a salt system.
Intermatic's MultiWave is based around Z-wave HA technology. X10 technology is a bit old school these days, and upgrading your HA to something like Insteon or Z-Wave is probably the way to go. Since Intermatic supports Z-Wave on their MultiWave products is a good thing. Their products are somewhat limited, but if that suits you, that might be the way to go. Z-Wave is RF based and unlike Insteon or X10, does not use powerline signals. Insteon is a "dual mesh" protocol and uses both powerline and RF to communicate, which can add to the robustness if set up properly. What in particular are you planning to automate?
