Crestron Offers Innovative Solutions To Streamline Audio-Visual Technology

In today’s blog post, we’re pleased to highlight some of the exciting innovations happening at Crestron, a digital technology partner for CCS Projects. We’re pleased to work with Crestron, offering their digital entertainment and integration solutions together with our leading audio-visual services to a wide array of clients across the country.

For years, Crestron has been a leader in the manufacture of advanced control and automation systems, helping to innovate technology and reinvent the way people work and live. More recently, with the growth in digital capabilities across the world, Crestron is adept at streamlining technology and improving the quality of life for people in corporate conference rooms, hotels, classrooms, auditoriums, and in their homes.

original

One of the company’s recent innovations is its QuickMedia® transport technology, which helps to streamline presentation system design and simplify installation by integrating 16 separate cables into a single CAT5-type wire. True HD video, with balanced and unbalanced line and mic-level audio and high-resolution computer signals gets delivered over the QuickMedia single cable.

Crestron points to the efficiency of QuickMedia being the perfect integration for multimedia presentations in lecture halls, boardrooms, banquet halls and auditoriums. Simply put, QuickMedia works. It’s among the best integration equipment we’ve seen, even when faced with an array of AV sources, multiple computer inputs and several input locations, with multiple displays including plasmas, projectors and LCD monitors with sound reinforcement and program audio outputs. For installed setups, Crestron offers the QuickMedia Wizard to help users with a fast and simple programming and system configuration.

Another facet of Crestron’s service offerings is its MediaManager presentation solutions, which help save costs to organizations. It acts as a lower-cost presentation solution that uses QuickMedia technologies to save integrators cabling costs, and significantly reduce installation time and money.

CCS is proud to be a reseller partner for Crestron Audio Visual solutions across the country. Find out how we can complement your business, leisure or education environment with Crestron technology solutions. CCS Presentation Systems is among the largest U.S. audio-visual system integration firms, and one of the leading providers of audio-video products and solutions in the nation.

For a broader look into Crestron’s advanced control and automation solutions to infrastructure and interfaces, have a look at the inner workings of this successful company in the video clip below.

Crestron Corporate Video from DataVox on Vimeo.

Lead AV Installation Technicians

CCS Presentation Systems looking for an Inside Sales Representative with strong telephone selling skills for our growing Los Angeles office. The aspects of the job would be to manage and sell to inbound inquiries and support our Field Sales Representatives, but the main goal would be to develop your own relationships with new customers, and to move to a full outbound sales position within 12 months. Target customer segments are education, government/military, and/or corporations. We have all the top brands (e.g. Epson, NEC, SMART, AMX, Crestron, Extron, BlueJeans, Cisco, LifeSize, Polycom and numerous others) at the best cost basis due to our national buying power, and we offer one of the most lucrative compensation plans in the industry for the successful salesperson. The ideal candidate would have at least two years of successful sales experience, excellent phone and technical (e.g. computer) skills, a strong customer-service orientation, a strong work ethic, a team-centric approach, and a positive outlook. Successful AV industry experience or experience selling IT, copier, phone, or other technical equipment would be a big plus, but we are willing to train a good inside sales person on everything they need to know about the technical aspects of our industry. We would also show particular interest in anyone who has gone thru the Enterprise Rental Car management training program. We’re searching for full-time candidates but would consider a part-time position in the right situation.
  • Accepted file types: pdf, doc, Max. file size: 450 MB.

CCS eNews – Featured Products

zSpace – Virtual Reality

Using a pair of tracking glasses and a tracking pen, users can interact with objects in a stunning 3D environment. Those images can easily be displayed on existing projectors or flat panels for the whole group to experience.

Click here for a short video showing the power of zSpace and its ability to revolutionize our world.

Contact your local CCS location to learn more about this dynamic product, and how it’s easily implemented using your existing projector or flat panel display!

CCS recently completes Santa’s Executive Conference Room

CCS Presentation Systems, one of the largest AV integrators in the country has just completed the audio visual renovation for Santa’s executive conference room at Holiday Headquarters, North Pole.

Features include multi-point telecommunications within the 3 mile long production warehouse, a SMART Board for elf training sessions, lighting control, an interactive projector that displays live route updates to the executive team and a warming oven for cookies.

We’re so proud of the work completed, stay tuned for more innovative projects in the new year!
Nationwide holiday closure hours:
All CCS locations nationwide ( click here to view the map) will be closed December 24th and 25th, as well as January 1st.
Office hours may vary by location, so be sure to contact your local representative for details.

Happy Holidays from CCS Presentation Systems! 

Light Up Swampscott Final Press Release

LIGHT UP SWAMPSCOTT COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER RAISES $16,607 FOR SWAMPSCOTT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PURCHASE & INSTALL A NEW PROJECTOR AND DONATES ONE YEAR WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT BULB VALUED AT $2,255.

June 23, 2015 – Swampscott, MA. – The Swampscott School District raised $16,607 as a result of the “Light Up Swampscott” fundraiser program, a partnership between the District, UNO Pizzeria & Grill, Swampscott Education Foundation, CCS Presentation Systems New England, Eastern Bank and Salem Five Charitable Trust.

This community effort had several components including donations of $7,965 from the Swampscott Education Foundation, $5,000 from Eastern Bank, $3,002 from UNO Pizzeria & Grill, $500 from Salem Five Charitable Trust and $140 from private donors. CCS Presentation Systems New England gave a $1000 discount on the installation and also agreed longer term support for the School District by providing a 1 year on-site warranty valued at $1,595 and an additional projector bulb valued at $660.

A new Hitachi CP-WX9211 digital projector will be installed replacing the auditorium’s original projector. The new projector will add high resolution, higher brightness, vivid colors, and sharp image quality to enhance presentations impacting education and community meetings and performances. . CCS will also provide digital HDMI connectivity, so that updated devices have a means of easily connecting to the system. The current system only allows for analog video connectivity. The auditorium serves as the venue for a wide range of teacher and student group activities in addition to numerous community meetings, performances, and forums. This new projector will ensure many more years of community usage and help enable greater student and school staff productivity.

”I am so grateful to UNO, the Swampscott Education Foundation (SEF), Eastern Bank, Salem Five, and the community for coming together to make our Light Up Swampscott fundraiser a success.”, says Superintendent Pamela Angelakis. “This kind of community generosity is what makes Swampscott such a special town. We will be holding a celebration in early fall when the installation of the projector at the high school is complete and we hope everyone will attend. A special thank you to Annie Pulaski at UNO for working so closely with the schools and for encouraging us from beginning to end.”

Dave Richie, President and Treasurer of the Swampscott Education Foundation, says, “I think this project was an excellent example of what our local business and institution can do when they work together and align their goals. It is my hope that we have an opportunity again to pool our resources and tackle these types of problems.”

”Combining the business, school and philanthropy communities proves that collaboration does have impact. Swampscott’s students and the community as a whole will now have increased opportunities to make use of advanced technology.”, adds Laura Kurzrok, Executive Director of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation.

“CCS is pleased to be a part of the LIGHT UP SWAMPSCOTT COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER to help support technology in the classroom” says Chris Gamst, Vice President of CCS Presentation Systems.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to support education and the Swampscott community through our fundraiser program. And this new Hitachi projector will benefit both the students as well as the community at large.” says Annie Pulaski, Local Marketing Coordinator of UNO Swampscott. “We are proud to be an active contributor to this community initiative.”

A “LIGHT UP SWAMPSCOTT” Projector Unveiling/Celebration Party will be held at a later date after the projector has been installed and school has reconvened in the fall. It will be a fun event for the whole Swampscott community to celebrate the success of the program and to kickoff the new school year. The date and details of this special event will be released at a later date.

For complete information on the “Light Up Swampscott!” Program, please contact Annie Pulaski at 252marketing@unos.com or Sarah Coletti at scoletti@unos.com.

Additional Information:

About Swampscott Education Foundation:

The Swampscott Education Foundation Inc. (“SEF”) is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, dedicated to raising money and funding grants that enhance the educational experience of the students of the Swampscott public schools. There has been a community based educational foundation supporting the Swampscott schools for the past twenty years and over that time it has awarded $300,000 to grant recipients. It is the SEF’s vision to build from that base and positively impact the educational experience of every Swampscott public school pupil. You can learn more about the Swampscott Education Foundation by visiting www.swampscottfoundation.org.

About UNO and UNO Dough Rai$ers:
Uno Pizzeria & Grill offers a complete casual dining menu, including seafood, burgers and steaks, pasta dishes, appetizers and desserts, as well as its signature Chicago Original Deep Dish Pizza™ and all-natural crust flatbread pizzas. There are over 140 Uno Pizzeria & Grill restaurants located in 24 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Uno is proud to support the local communities it serves with its hugely popular Dough Rai$ers program. To date, Uno has donated more than $4 million to deserving organizations. Organizations host a lunch, dinner or both at their local Uno and earn up to 20% of sales generated from guests who eat at Uno to support the cause. (http://www.unos.com/raisers.php)

About CCS Presentation Systems New England:
CCS Presentation Systems New England was founded in 1998 by Cheryl and Chris Gamst. CCS serves New England-area customers in the corporate, government and education sectors. The company provides full service sales, design, integration, installation and maintenance of audio and video equipment including interactive whiteboards, classroom response systems, projectors, LCD and video conferencing systems, digital signage, audio systems, document cameras, energy management systems, sound masking and more. During the past 16 years, CCS New England has been named a Top 50 Woman Owned Business, Top 50 Diversity Owned Business and Top 50 Privately Held Business. Additionally, CCS is a five time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list for fastest-growing private companies in America, has consistently ranked in the top ten for Systems Contractor News and was named Integrator of the Year in 2013 by Commercial Integrator. For more information about CCS visit www.ccsnewengland.com

About Eastern Bank:

Founded in 1818 and based in Boston, Eastern Bank is the largest and oldest mutual bank in the country, with $9.8 billion in assets and more than 100 branches serving communities in eastern Massachusetts and southern and coastal New Hampshire. Eastern Bank offers banking, investments and insurance all under one roof, and prides itself on working harder to understand its customers’ needs so it can deliver these services in a committed and personal way. Eastern Bank, which includes Eastern Bank Wealth Management and Eastern Insurance, is a recognized leader in corporate social responsibility and for its advocacy on behalf of a number of social justice causes. You can learn more about Eastern Bank by visiting www.easternbank.com, www.facebook.com/easternbank or www.twitter.com/easternbank.

How Do AV Technicians Approach AV Design For Education?

AV Technicians assess the complete requirements of an audio video system installed in local schools. They review the full requirements for the classrooms individually based on proportion and necessity. They follow specific tests when designing the systems that ensure that the school and teachers alike get the most out of their customized designs. The following highlights explain how these technicians approach Education AV Design projects.

Acquire Measurements for the Classroom

First, they measure the entire classroom. The size of the room defines specific elements about the AV system. First, it defines how the system will operate and whether or not these elements could affect how students view information through the systems. The size of the room may play a role in how the systems and furniture are installed throughout these areas.

Review Screen Size

The screen size is selected according to the room size and how it will be positioned. If the room is large enough for an overhanging screen, the technician will suggest a larger screen. The SMART Boards must accommodate the needs of all students inside the classroom. If the screen is too large, it could make it difficult for students sitting in the front rows to see it clearly. The technicians will test a variety of screens to help the school choose the best option for each classroom.

Test All Audio Connections

The classroom audio video system must provide adequate sound throughout the room as well. The technician must test the sound at different sections of the classroom. This prevents it from becoming unclear in distance spaces and too overwhelming in the front rows of the room. This may also influence speaker placement as well as the type of speakers chosen for the classrooms.

Eliminating Premises Liabilities

As the system is installed, the technician must evaluate how the cabling will flow through the classroom. They must find better solutions for hiding the wires to prevent aesthetic issues. They must also find ways to lower the probability of premises liabilities. The cable could present tripping hazards if they aren’t installed correctly.

These instances could lead to litigation if a student or teacher is injured. The cables must also be installed make it easier to navigate through the classroom. If they aren’t positioned carefully, they could make it difficult for students to walk around the system which could lead to damage of the classroom collaboration.

Reviewing Choices for the Control Panel

The control panel is often located in a centralized place in the classroom. This allows the teacher to control the system without blocking the view of the screen. They can use tools and features that are available through these EdTech systems to manage the AV system.

Technicians assess the best ways to approach new classroom installations. A new AV system requires careful assessments that could benefit the students overall. If the wrong choices are made, the system could be ineffective, and the school won’t receive the full benefits it provides. Schools who want to assess the Education AV Design and related products contact their local CCS Presentation Systems representative right now.

Using SMART Board solutions in Architecture, Engineering and Construction

In B2B circles, great technology strides are being made in areas you don’t read about in the Web headlines each day. But these tech advancements are touching humans in ways not seen five years ago, designed for humans to lead, teach and instruct.

For professionals in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) communities, there are amazing tools being put to use. Real-time connectivity is allowing for increased communication on projects, work sites are being rendered in 3-D modeling and scores of workers are training in understanding the latest projects using audio-visual solutions with interactive technology innovations.

original

Among the creative leaders in this area are leading-edge companies like SMART Technologies and AutoDesk Navisworks, whose technologies are bringing new excitement to the AEC community, while fostering new complementary opportunities for industry visionaries.

Autodesk Navisworks makes project review software products to help architecture, engineering, and construction professionals gain control over project outcomes. When combined with SMART interactive technology, its software can integrate, share, and review models and multiformat data with every project participant. Teams get better organized through complex installation projects using a comprehensive set of integration, analysis, and communication tools, even before construction or renovation begins.

It’s a fascinating leap into the future right now, and professionals are finding greater uses for these blending technologies. See below for a fascinating demo into how innovations from these two companies are helping design teams in AEC communities all over the country.

Other companies involved in installing integrated audio-visual solutions for business and education markets are also seeing opportunities with these technologies. CCS Presentation Systems, one of the country’s leading providers of audio video products and solutions, works on high-quality, on-time project installations for many leading audio-visual systems projects. From Ritz-Carlton hotel projects to large-scale casino installations and school classroom connections, CCS can utilize many digital solutions for discerning customers. It has found a growing market in using SMART Board interactive whiteboards in education, but also in corporate and government opportunities.

SMART interactive whiteboards and displays, software, services and support work seamlessly together, helping users move objects onscreen, or open files, applications, websites or multimedia. Project participants can write notes in digital ink, save them into files and share instantly via e-mail – and all participants can see and contribute to the work in real time, regardless of location.

Collaboration and training are key to the software’s potential in business. As construction projects become more sophisticated, engineers need to work with increasingly complex information from multiple cross-functional teams. Virtual design and construction (VDC) makes efficient communication between disciplines essential. SMART business solutions help by enabling these engineers to share information and plans, quickly and effectively.

How To Get Started With Wireless Presentations

We call this the digital age, and one of the most awesome things about the digital age is the level of inclusion that it has brought with it. Our devices work together to make work and life easier, and this has also catalyzed a heightened level of collaboration on projects within the business world. How, you ask, is this collaboration happening? Wireless presentation.

Wireless presentations will be soon be commonplace in most boardrooms, classrooms, conference rooms, and the like. Wireless presentations allow your apple, windows, and android devices connect to a centralized display, and share your information on a display that can be seen by all in attendance. This technology could do wonders for the flow of a board meeting or conference. Like much of the new technology that is utilized in many of our day to day practices, wireless presentations can greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the need for paper in your meetings.

Imagine that you are in a board meeting, and instead of the presenter coming before everyone gathered for the meeting opening a briefcase full of papers that pop out like biscuits from a can when he opens it. He or she begins handing out laminated copies of their vision for the project at hand. You see that they have done their best to make their presentation aesthetically appealing, however all you can think about is that this presentation is only the first of many. “OMG, this is going to be a long one…” you think to yourself as the first presenter tells you to turn to page one of your pamphlet.

Believe it or not, wireless presentation could actually turn those board meetings into a pleasant experience, and not just a necessary evil or cost of doing business. If you’ve fully recovered from the previous scenario given, then take some timeout to visualize a better day, one that has been made possible by IoT and the collaborative spirit of it. Instead of you and your co-workers pouring over endless pamphlets, fishing for the best ideas, imagine a streamlined series of presentations in which everyone can display their work on a digital screen that everyone’s laptop, smartphone, and tablet can communicate with. Now everyone’s engaged instead of have a boardroom full of bored people. The following is a list of companies and their products that are designed to engender collaborative effort in the boardroom, classroom, or conference room.

Mersive Solstice

Mersive definitely has their finger on the pulse of corporate America. They understand the need to streamline the presentation and sharing of info in a meeting, and have created a platform that allows and unlimited number of devices to connect to a Solstice enabled shared display. This hastens the flow of the meeting and decision making by allowing projects to be simultaneously from devices sharing a preexisting wifi or ethernet network.

Crestron AirMedia

Crestron AirMedia has targeted not only the facilitation of collaboration in meetings, but have also put in place stoppages that reduce what they call “presentation chaos”. Their platform allows for interconnectivity of multiple devices to one centralized display, but they also incorporated a feature called moderator mode that allows for an admin to choose who will and won’t be able to present.

AMX EnZo

There isn’t much that AMX missed with their incarnation of a wireless presentation platform. However, the best feature offered by their system is the end of session purge. Any documents or files that are downloaded for your presentation are purged from the network when once your EnZo session is closed out. In a world where intellectual property is under constant threat of piracy, one can never be too careful.

Montage Display Note

While their might not be much that separates montage display from its competitors, they have the numbers posted on their website to show the positive affect that their system could have on your business. Their website boasts quantified improvements in sales, productivity, and even competitive advantage. Men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t.

Extron ShareLink

Extron ShareLink is another titan in the wireless presentation field. Their product is designed for efficiency, and ease for the end user. Their platform allows for multiple users to share at once for compare and contrast applications, but also has moderator mode so that an admin can cut down on possible presentation over-inundation.

If you have not brought your boardroom, classroom, or conference room into the 21st century, then you are simply conceding the upper hand to your competition. It is highly likely that those who have already made the change to wireless presentation are getting twice as much accomplished in half the meetings. So, what are you waiting for?

Choosing The Ideal AV Integrator For Your Business

With today’s evolving technological state, businesses must migrate towards advances that facilitate good communication. Confirming to such changes is useful in improving interaction in real time and strengthens working conditions and workflow. Applying audio visual integration system is one way of incorporating technological advances to improve intra and intercompany communication.

Simply put, audio visual integration combines hardware, both audio and visual, for a more unified communication experience. The system often comes with a user-friendly interface whose design is dependent on the client’s needs and functionality requirements. Once a business decides to upgrade to an AV system, choosing the right integrator is the next crucial step.

Here are some tips to help guide in the selection of a good AV Integrator.

CCS System Design And Project Management

The top choice of integrator should obviously be one that has experience in developing and managing AV systems for similar businesses. Thoroughly review their portfolio or seek external information from their clients regarding systems that they have designed. This way, making the decision is based on proof of their success in integrating AVs for other similar companies. Testimonials from clients may help establish a level of customer satisfaction with the integrator’s product.

Degree Of Technical Support And Maintenance

Integrators should essentially provide constant support to ensure smooth operation of their systems. The degree of support they offer should be enough to demonstrate their commitments to their clients. An Integrator that caters to the needs of their client and avails themselves to ensure seamless user experience is obviously the best option.

The ideal integrator should outsource audio and visual technologies from high quality, reliable sources. Nobody expects to use outdated hardware for a modern communication system. They should also demonstrate their ability to evolve with the changing technology. For example, equipping their clients with hardware and systems that can be upgraded expanded or replaced by upcoming, new models.

This means integrating a fluid system that can accommodate changes.

How Well Do They Respond To Servicing And Repair Needs

A good integrator should constantly offer a servicing option for equipment and repair in the event of damage. Anticipating damages or failure is a smart move to cover a business from risk and eventual losses. One should critically asses the ability of their integrator to respond to and service failure or damage within the AV system.
Installation Services And Quality Of Audio Visual System

Many integrators offer installation services for their systems. Aside from how well they can install the system, how reliable is the AV system function? If there are complaints about the subpar performance of previously installed systems, reconsider your options. Compromising on quality of installation invites delays, breakdowns and unexpected errors within the system. These are certain to inhibit rather than promote communication.

It is quite clear that in audio visual integration choosing the right integrator is elemental to the smooth transitioning of businesses to more efficient communication methods. These factors are sure to guide anyone in deciding on the most suitable integrator for their business.

Choosing The Ideal AV Installation Company For Your Business

The DIY trends has breached all sectors, audio visual industry and others alike with sites that offer tutorials and lessons from professionals or experienced users; anyone can do anything themselves. Sometimes, doing things without any trained assistance might be the right course of action. Other times, trained professionals are the right choice for better results.

Audio visual installations are one of those instances where everyone is much better off getting professional assistance. It may sound biased, but think about it this way, this person has been trained in all matters AV and is capable of solving any problem that may erupt during installations.

Here is why opting to go the professional route might be the wiser alternative:

Professional Audio Visual Installations

Other than say simple TV installations, most homeowners require the help of a professional. These installers know what to consider and look for while installing an AV system. They have a third eye for these things. Some people may be wary of letting strangers into their homes to do something they can seemingly do. Well, trust their professionalism and their abilities to give objective recommendations for the best AV choice and installation procedure.

Not convinced? Try going through several installers’ websites and consult on their services.

Take The Low-Risk Option

Most times, DIY installations are driven by the misguided notion that it might save the user some money. Well, the truth is, hiring a professional installer puts the client at less risk of poor installation. Why is that a good thing? With a professional, the client is assured a certain level of quality in both the items provided and the installation technique. The AV system is sure to look good and sound great. If it doesn’t, the client is entitled to complain and get exactly the quality they’re paying for.

This is unlike personal AV installation where, if the setup quality is mediocre, too bad. The consequence: having to live with a poorly installed and coordinated AV system in an attempt to save a buck here and there.

Keep It Simple

Hiring a professional to do installations is likely to save the client a lot of time. Often, some steps are complex and require experienced professionals to navigate through them. Trying to do these installations may end in an incomplete or dysfunctional setup. The client can choose to save themselves a lot of heartaches while trying to figure out what goes where: and allow trained individuals to do so. Most times, the installer ends up simplifying the process without compromising on the quality of the system.

Once the system is successfully installed, try to avoid making changes and keep anything as is. If during the installation there is an aspect that isn’t pleasant, speak up. The installers do not work according to their preferences; their goal is to work under the mandate and requirements of the client. Understanding this makes it easier to communicate any thoughts or preferences during installation services for customer satisfaction.