digimag-summer-2021.connecteddesign.comConnected Design Summer Issue 2021

× Content x Home A Letter From the Editor Integration Simplicity URC Automation An Outside Perspective Atmavan Outside the (Speaker) Box Transforming Backyards As You Wish Seeing is Believing Wi-Fi For All The Fairway Comes ‘Home’ Artfully Crafted Eyes Wide Open Floating House Latest Trends What’s Next with Jess Subscribe To Our Publications Masthead Get In Touch Menu Connected Design Digital Edition In this Issue: As you turn the pages of this Summer issue, bask in some of these visuals. Dive into these features offering the latest outdoor solutions available in today’s market. As I take a look back at all the progress we have made both as humans and as an industry, I have to offer my applause. Tech is present in everything we do on a daily basis. Start Reading A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR All The Glory One thing comes to mind when I reflect on this issue—resiliency. And, for once, I am not talking about plugging along through the pandemic. The theme of resiliency stands out to me because in many of the features and case studies you will read, integrators hurdled some onerous obstacles. For example, Future Automation & Design restructured a home’s entire nervous system;” New Wave AV faced a wall, a glass wall, that is, and maneuvered to deliver the ultimate home entertainment system. And in our cover story, Electronic Concepts New York encountered a lighting nightmare yet turned it into a dream. No matter the challenge, smart home integrators dig into their creativity pockets to reveal the golden coin of resourcefulness. And when it gets real tough, well, they also know when to call for backup. Just as cyberManor’s Gordon van Zuiden has done with partnering with an interior designer; and Electronic Concepts’ Paul Bochner has done with teaming up with Coastal Source Lighting. The end result gets all the glory, but it’s the daily grind and, sometimes the plain-old ugly, that exposes the kind of company you’ve built. Staying resilient through it all is what makes those end results so much sweeter. Stephanie M. Adamow – Senior Managing Editor CASE STUDY In his 20+ year career as a smart home technology integrator, Joe Whitaker, president of Thoughtful Integrations, based in St. Louis, MO, has seen a fair amount of challenging projects. And like many custom integrators, he and his team have found solutions to meet needs and surpass expectations. One particular project he encountered recently required ingenuity, resource allocation and deep understanding of the product and client needs. Most importantly, however, the seamless integrator-manufacturer relationship made all the difference. Solving Problems; Generating Revenue As a Global Board of Directors member Governance Committee Member for CEDIA, Whitaker takes full advantage of the programs the organization provides, including the Propel Program, an affinity program that provides members with access to emerging trends, innovative technology, and special offers from manufacturers. When the program began in November 2020, manufacturer brands included security and surveillance manufacturer, Ring. Whitaker promptly joined the Propel program and simultaneously signed on to be a Ring Pro installer through their Ring Partner Program. Through the Ring Partner Program, Whitaker responded to a request for a retailer’s multiple-location commercial project, involving security and surveillance systems, both at storefronts and warehouses. The scope of the project posed challenges, as locations spanned the country, but the ability to solve the client’s problems with an easy-to-use system, while also forming lasting relationships, outweighed these obstacles. The client had previously worked with another security company, but soon became frustrated with monthly fees andunfriendly” user interfaces. Looking for a simpler solution, they turned to Ring. Whitaker has found great success with the Ring Partner Program, reporting that 90 percent of leads convert to sales (He’s received 8 leads from the program so far, and 7 of them has turned into solid sales leads). This is attributed to the client’s established commitment to purchase; they simply need a trusted installer. I’ve never seen a conversion rate like this,” Whitaker explains. But on top of that, there is also an extra 40 percent conversion rate (3 out of the 8 sales leads) for customers adding other technologies, such as network, audio/video, digital stage, etc . The customer is looking for an integrator they’re comfortable with to do the installation. It’s your job to close it, and enhance and explain the expectations correctly.” What’s more, Whitaker notes, once you create the relationship with the client, they have you top of mind for future projects and services. Most Consumer-Friendly Experience By far, the biggest problem-solver Whitaker has noticed with Ring is its simple-to-use features. Whitaker recalls the many support calls he’s received from customers who experience problems reviewing surveillance recordings from other manufacturers. Many times, the user needs to take several steps, possibly on a laptop or computer, to access these recordings. With Ring, users simply access the app and select the desired camera. As users scroll through footage, they can select portions of video to view. The app details if an action has taken place, such as motion detected,” person detected,” as well as timestamps. You can select and grab” portions of videos easily. Whitaker describes it as the most consumer-friendly experience I’ve ever seen.” Integrator Support Ring provides a thorough training once an integrator joins the Partner Program. They provide education about each of their products. According to Whitaker, this provides the integrator the extensive product knowledge needed to educate clients as to which product is best for specific installations based on the type of camera (hardwired vs battery or solar) , particular angles that need to be recorded, the locations the client wishes to keep an eye on, and more. For situations like this, both in commercial and residential, we are leading with Ring as the primary solution,” Whitaker says. Ring allows the full features of surveillance and security expected by clients, but allows us to provide these solutions within tight budgets, such as those of retail commercial clients.” Joe Whitaker, of Thoughtful Integrations, has found great success with the Ring Partner Program. CONNECTED WITH ARCHITECTS Written by Chris Smith, TheCoTeam Tribeca Rooftop. Photography by Ty Cole Rockland County Residence. Photography by John Kane Brooklyn Heights Penthouse. Photography by Francine Fleischer It’s summer! Time to take the Connected with Architects conversation outside. I sat down with Gareth Mahon, RLA, LEED AP, Principal at landscape architecture firm RKLA Studio (New York City), to learn more about his approach to exterior spaces. What drew you to landscape architecture? You actually started in tech, correct? At APC? Yes, while living in Ireland, I worked at APC for five years as their Head of Technical Support for Europe, Middle East and Africa. My degree is in Electronic Engineering, so I am very comfortable with technology. However, not up to speed on it as much these days! I knew that it was not what I wanted to do. Not technology, per se, but the corporate world. I really liked design and the way things are built. I flirted with being an architect, but decided not to go back to school. You almost missed your calling? Yes! About 20 years ago, I met Robin Key, my business partner here at RKLA. I was consulting, helping out with drawings, graphics, web design, etc. Robin asked, Why don’t you just work with me and we’ll see if we can grow this business?!” We’ve been great business partners and close friends ever since. What influences your design aesthetic and love of nature? My upbringing in Ireland, growing up on a farm, and having an appreciation for the land and the natural world. Now that you live in Brooklyn, a far cry...