Computers/ECM's/ECU's should be cheap
As well as heavy equipment work, I also have been a reseller of Apple computer equipment for many years.
One thing about computer equipment that we all use to participate in this forum is, that over the years it has become cheaper, more powerful, easier to use and more reliable. (Well at least that's been my experience with Apple products.)
So theoretically computers controlling engines and other aspects of heavy equipment should be a good thing. Replacement screens/Computers/ECM's/ECU's should be cheap and easy for users to configure within desirable limits. You should be able to program your machines Computers/ECM's/ECU's with your iPhone/IPad etc with ease, and even download preconfigured, approved, control options developed by other heavy equipment users into your own machine to try.
Considering the use of common parts such as hydraulic controls, motors etc, the excuse that each brand of machine has to have unique computer equipment, is not really valid. This increases the cost as each manufacturer produces smaller volumes of incompatible computer control systems.
I can't see that users and owners should find it acceptable for this situation to continue. Just think if a significant manufacturer said that "as well as using the inbuilt computer control module you could use your iphone as an alternative interface." Modern mobile phones already have significant features used by many equipment computer systems such as gps, wireless communication, bluetooth and of course significant computer power. I would be surprised if any inbuilt HE computer systems had the power that modern microelectronic devices now have. In fact many HE and motor vehicle computer systems use legacy computer CPU's etc that have been long superseded in modern desktop/laptop computers. These older components are also very cheap which makes the excessive cost of replacement ECU's/ECM's etc even more galling.
And the fact you need an expensive technician to come along with their own specialised laptop with proprietary software to diagnose your problems is just a way of extracting more cash. There is no reason why many problems known by the machines ECU/ECM can't be made clear in plain English/other language on its screen or to your own laptop, iPhone/iPad etc rather than obscure codes. When it's a problem that requires mechanical and engineering skills then your device can tell you to call the required skilled people.
What I'm basically saying that computer controls on heavy equipment could be great and without the disadvantages and costs stated in this thread. We're just being reamed by manufacturers with proprietary ECU/ECM profit making centres with attendant expensive tech support. What if they caught up with modern technology and made the needs of the customer paramount in this area.
Feel free to give feedback.
AusDave