A variable crash course.
Variables are a truly high-end feature borrowed from the company's top-of-the-line MX-3000 touchscreen remote. Variables are essentially user-editable pointers that can be set to hold a "1" or "0" status, and few remotes on the market support them. Usually, devices that only include simple toggle power commands (and have no discrete workarounds) are nightmares to automate since there's no way to ensure that the device is always in the proper state. Variables make it possible to track what the remote's already sent to a device, so it can know whether something is already on or not.

taken from this very website....variables do offer more programmability for the custom install ie...using as a trigger and such but the MAIN HIGHLIGHT using variables IS to have a workaround for TOAD equipment.