iPad in a Car | Ingenious Thinking for Automotive Systems

 Apple iPad is a great device, while other touch products existed before it's release, they have not caught on like the iPad.  Since it's announcement the Home Automation industry has been buzzing about what it will do for that industry, but what about it's other uses?? 

Runco Mobile Device Site

Some companies understand their market and what is needed to make an installation go smooth. Runco is one of those companies, they have released a mobile site with tools to help the integrator form their mobile device... Right now it is just a lens selecter, but I am sure that more tools will be following soon....

Check it out.... http://m.runco.com/

HP Dream Screen Photo and Music Player

While I have not played with this product first hand I like what I see from the printed and video press on this device.  Sure it will not do everything that a full blown media server, multi room audio or home automation system can do, but I like the fact that it is another device that brings media servers to the masses.

While one would like for distributed audio and video to be more widely accepted, the fact remains that most of the public is just catching on to it.  Over the past several years the category has grown with items such as the AppleTV and Windows Media center as well as other servers. but the main interface for these products is the TV screen.  Most customers don't  want to turn on the TV just to listen to music.  Sure a good custom installer can add a remote that would control these devices without the TV, but that is costly and it does not help the general public who does not know about custom installers.

For the average person (and even me for smaller usage areas) this is a good device and will expand the world of custom installation and bigger systems.  Start them off with the basics and then the big systems will be asked for by more and more.

Product Alert 091126: Defective Chinese Drywall Corrodes Wiring

If you are a CE Integrator, electrician, home builder, contractor or just a DIYer, be sure to read this article.  The consumer product safety commission is warning that imported dry wall is causing copper wiring in walls to corrode due to the materials it is made from.  Just one more thing to worry about when constructing or modifying a home...

 

Report: Defective Chinese Drywall Corrodes Wiring - CE Pro Article from CE Pro

The Business of Integration

As integration companies are formed and grow it is easy to lose site of the operations sides of the business. Sure there are plenty of ways to run a business, and there is a lot of duties to be performed, but how what tasks are needed and what is the right way of doing them?

Running a technology service business is very different from other businesses, the proper operations for others is not necessarily true for the integration company. Technology people are generally more creative and more knowledgeable than the average worker and need to be managed in a way that does not prevent good performance. The attached article shares some advice from Custom Integrators on some do's and don'ts that may not be known by everyone.

I particularly like the part about project management, this is a term that has grown in business and while I understand the need for the skill, it has turned into a way to micromanage employees. Micromanagement is not a good practice in general, but especially not in a technology development or service environment. The creative free thinking flow of ideas required for proper operation is limited when micromanagement exists. I will talk about this in the future.

For now read the attached article as it has some helpful tips on proper opertaions of an integration company.

6 Secrets to Success - CE Pro Magazine Article from CE Pro