As prices have fallen, many manufacturers are producing devices that provide APIs can be accessed over LANs (hardwired or Wifi) within secure networks.
To keep costs down, these devices may lack sophisticated function. Consider the two cards supported in the MPP suite:
CT-30
Envisalink 2DS/3DS
In short, NEVER expose your device interfaces outside of your network, and ensure that your network is secured against external intrusion (properly firewalled, encrypted wireless, no exposed connections).
So these devices need a front end system of some kind to provide security and in some cases functionality.
Why an Android Server?
A dedicated (always on) tablet sits idle most of the time. Why not harness that CPU power to do something useful?
Dedicated phones or tablets are an inexpensive way to add more function to your network use very little power and can be located almost anywhere without additional wiring. Smaller tablets are inexpensive - $80 on ebay new. Used android phones (look for Android 2.1 or later) are often better than the cheap tablets and are coming down in price quickly. The LG Optimus One (P500H) is a good, solid platform available for $40-$100. Using a phone as a server means that it can send or be controled by text messages (for example alerts such as a security alarm or loss of power) and are less likely to lose connectivity.
These features make them perfect for running servers like the DscServer app. They can be easily configured to be accessable from the outside world, come with a built in screen for configuration and status, and you can setup as many as you'd like quiet easily.
These simple, cheap and useful servers are ideal front ends to eliminate the shortcomings of these automation devices as they become available.