Hunter Douglas, one of the leading makers of custom window treatments, announced this week a couple of really interesting new additions to their PowerView Gen 3 Automation line – a cool internal Rechargeable Battery, ideal for retrofit installations, and the PowerView+ Gen 3 Automation wired solution, perfect for new construction projects. The company says that these new options are both consistent with PowerView Gen 3’s principles of installation simplicity, performance reliability, and system scalability.
Integrators
First PrepTECH Grads Hit Dallas Market; Company Seeks More Sponsors
PrepTECH, a for-profit workforce service company that finds, vets, trains, and places new entry-level techs into the custom integration space, has had its first graduating class enter the industry in the Dallas market. A “pilot” or proof-of-concept initiative, the company says it was quite successful and a great learning experience for them – as well as for their participating students and the industry.
Now the company is looking to scale the concept.
Learn more about PrepTECH…
[Read more…] about First PrepTECH Grads Hit Dallas Market; Company Seeks More SponsorsHow You Can Thrive in the High-Performance Stereo Music System Segment
A Guest Post by Keith Dowd, Vivid Audio
Is it possible for a speaker company that doesn’t sell architectural speakers, or home cinema speakers, or soundbars, or outdoor landscape speakers – to grow and thrive in today’s market? I would argue that YES, it is very possible. And it is equally possible for dealers to thrive in the segment as well, if they are willing to take just a few simple steps. I make that argument based on my direct experience in the high-performance stereo music system segment in my role as U.S. Brand Director for Vivid Audio.
You might ask…how is this possible? Read on to find out…
[Read more…] about How You Can Thrive in the High-Performance Stereo Music System SegmentCrestron Supply Chain Town Hall Updates Frustrated Dealers; Did It Help?
This week, Crestron Electronics held a special Supply Chain Town Hall meeting with their dealers to conduct a deep dive into the root causes of their delivery delays, suggest what actions dealers can take, and offer a preview of what to expect in the future. The action was taken, the company says, in the name of transparency – a noble goal. But some dealers are asking what took so long – we are now 2½ years into supply chain issues and things don’t seem to be getting any better at Crestron. Or are they?
See more on the Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall meeting
[Read more…] about Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall Updates Frustrated Dealers; Did It Help?Russound Partners with Jetbuilt; Also Reveals New Products for CEDIA Expo 2022
Russound announced this week that it is partnering with Jetbuilt, a project management software tool that is popular with custom integrators. Separately, the company announced the new products it will be focusing on during the upcoming CEDIA Expo 2022 event.
Learn more on these Russound announcements
[Read more…] about Russound Partners with Jetbuilt; Also Reveals New Products for CEDIA Expo 2022U.K.-Based Lithe Audio to Enter U.S. with Wireless AiO Speaker Systems
Lithe Audio, a London, U.K.-based designer and manufacturer of unique, all-in-one, wireless streaming music solutions announced on Wednesday that it is entering the U.S. market for the first time at CEDIA Expo 2022. The company is experienced in supplying products to European commercial and residential channels since its founding in 2014 and is now expanding its distribution here in America. With a unique line of products, such as all-in-one powered in-ceiling/in-wall, surface mount, and outdoor speaker solutions, the company offers a new approach to system configurations.
See more on Lithe Audio solutions now available in the U.S.
[Read more…] about U.K.-Based Lithe Audio to Enter U.S. with Wireless AiO Speaker SystemsEmerald Expo Offers ‘Reinvigorated’ Education for CEDIA Expo 2022
Emerald Exposition, one of the largest exposition companies in the U.S. and the owner of the CEDIA Expo (and CE Pro), announced this week that they will be offering “reinvigorated educational programming” at this year’s CEDIA Expo 2022. This initiative will include a range of more than 150 sessions, including seminars, panels, workshops, and manufacturer product training.
See more on education at CEDIA Expo 2022
[Read more…] about Emerald Expo Offers ‘Reinvigorated’ Education for CEDIA Expo 2022Crestron Announces Spotify Connect Upgrade for DM NAX 8-Zone Amplifier
Crestron Electronics, Inc. (Crestron) announced today a firmware update that adds Spotify Connect to its growing selection of streaming music services available through its recently-launched DM NAX 8-Zone Network Streaming Amplifier. With Spotify Connect in the DM NAX’s firmware, users get “an elevated music experience” the company says, with control available directly through the Spotify music service or via any Crestron interface.
Learn more about Spotify Connect on Crestron DM NAX
[Read more…] about Crestron Announces Spotify Connect Upgrade for DM NAX 8-Zone AmplifierSnap One Offers ‘Partners’ Advice to Protect Them from Fraud
Snap One, the entity originally founded as SnapAV, and a company whose motto is “Founded by integrators for integrators,” recently demonstrated how they strive to be a better partner by providing their dealers with some really solid and helpful advice. One of their appreciative dealers forwarded me an email he had received from the company containing useful information on how to protect his business from fraud.
See how Snap One sought to protect dealers from fraud
[Read more…] about Snap One Offers ‘Partners’ Advice to Protect Them from FraudIf I Was an Integrator Specifying Savant, I’d Do This Immediately
Company’s Power Division Expands National Distribution
You may have seen the recent announcement from Savant that they have broadened the distribution of their new energy management solutions to a pair of new, strategically significant distribution partners. You may have ignored this news, perhaps not recognizing the distributors who are both better known in the electrical/renewable contracting communities.
But if you are an integrator who specifies Savant products in your proposals, you should be really paying attention to what this company is doing with its powerful (pun intended) energy management strategy. It’s big!