by KMB Communications | Sep 12, 2022 | News
Beautifully engineered, Screen Innovations’ Zen 2 motorized shading solution turns outdoor areas into stunning year-round living spaces.
AUSTIN, TX — Screen Innovations (SI), the CEDIA industry’s fastest-growing manufacturer of motorized and manual window coverings, brings beautiful motorized shading to the outdoors with the easy-install, design-friendly solution, Zen 2. Developed to blend into outdoor environments and install in half the time as other motorized shade systems, Zen 2 boasts an elegant, customizable, architecturally-friendly design that transforms decks, gazebos, patios, and limitless other outdoor areas into comfortable, stylish living spaces.
“Systems integrators across the country indicated greater consumer interest in having a comfortable space outside to relax and entertain friends and family. Zen 2 caters to this trend by allowing homeowners to simply push a button to enclose an area with a beautiful shade that offers protection against the elements and insects,” says SI CEO Ryan Gustafson. “It dramatically extends the enjoyment of the outdoors, complements its surrounding environment, and adds valuable square footage to any home— everything the systems integrators’ customers are requesting.”
The Zen 2 motorized cassette accommodates a wide selection of outdoor shading fabrics, up to 25 feet wide and 16 feet tall, is available in several designer colors, or can be primed to paint for a perfect color match with the surrounding surface. Plus, Zen 2 installs in half the time of other outdoor shading systems with its unique snap-in tube and hidden bracket attachment. The cassette may be preinstalled and the tube snapped into place, affording a simple installation process. Zen 2’s zipper track system provides integrators twice the freedom of other track systems, simplifying the specification and installation process.
Zen 2 integrates with the latest smart home control systems through wireless Zigbee 3.0, RTS, or wired 485-based connection; this enables the movement of the shades to be choreographed with lighting, AV equipment, and more. Home systems integrators can use SI software to synchronize the movement of multiple shades and to open and close to several preset positions.
“After interviewing many integrators, we realized simplicity of installation is a top priority, next to design. Without question, Zen 2 streamlines integrators’ time and effort, while capitalizing on the growing demand for outdoor living areas.” Gustafson continues, “We truly feel that if integrators, designers, and homeowners are happy with a product, we’ve hit a home systems homerun.”
Where to See Screen Innovations at CEDIA Expo 2022
CEDIA Expo 2022 attendees can see a Zen 2 demonstration at Booth #19061. It joins SI’s other design-forward solutions, including Nano 2 indoor motorized shading and Solo 3 motorized projection screen cassettes. Systems integrators, designers, and architects can learn more about Zen 2 and SI’s complete line of residential and commercial shade and screen solutions at www.screeninnovations.com.
About Screen Innovations
Innovative shades & projection screens, making life beautiful, convenient & fun
Dedicated to developing the most innovative and design-forward projection screens, window coverings, and outdoor shading and screen solutions for home and corporate environments, Screen Innovations engineers and hand-builds every product it sells in its 75,000-square-foot factory in Austin, Texas. Always putting the customer first, SI listens, learns, and delivers a wide variety of design-forward products, services, and online tools. Committed to doing its part to limit the company’s impact on the environment, SI follows LEAN manufacturing principles and monitors production processes closely to minimize waste wherever possible. For more information about SI please visit screeninnovations.com and follow the company on social media platforms Facebook @screen innovations, Twitter @SIScreens, Instagram @siscreens, and LinkedIn screen-innovations.
Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, or more information please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
by KMB Communications | Sep 7, 2022 | D-Tools, News
Sony’s new partnership with D-Tools provides Sony dealers with direct access to real-time product pricing in D-Tools Cloud via TechData, helping to expedite and improve the estimating, design, and procurement process.
Concord, CA. (August 23, 2022) Sony and D-Tools, Inc., today announced an exclusive partnership that provides direct access to Sony’s product specifications and real-time pricing through TechData, exclusively from within the D-Tools Cloud environment. This direct integration allows dealers to deliver accurate product pricing and information to expedite and improve the estimating, design, and procurement process.
“When it comes to our dealers, Sony Electronics aims to make the process of doing business with us easy and fast,” said Jeff Goldstein, Head of Sales for the Custom Installation Channel at Sony Electronics. “This new integration between TechData on behalf of Sony and D-Tools will help us achieve our goal of including our products into proposals even easier. We are excited to continue our relationship with D-Tools and look forward to offering our dealers new tools to streamline the procurement process.”
“This integration with Sony and TechData is an incredible, major asset for Sony dealers all over the country,” said Barrie McCorkle, Director of Supplier Programs at D-Tools. “Our partnership provides streamlined workflow and efficiencies with extreme accuracy for each of their projects.”
D-Tools’ cloud-based platform, D-Tools Cloud, is a powerful and easy-to-implement multi-OS, web-based SaaS solution that drives sales and increases profitability from any web-enabled device. D-Tools Cloud offers sales pipeline management, on-the-fly estimating from any mobile device, intelligent visual quoting, interactive system design presentations, product procurement using supplier-authorized dealer-specific pricing, and a full project management suite of capabilities.
Sony’s integrated dealer-specific pricing via TechData in D-Tools Cloud provides the following valuable benefits to system integrators:
- Instant access and a seamless means of quickly connecting to their unique pricing—including promotional pricing or standard base pricing
- Ability to deliver accurate quotes while expediting the generation and throughput of proposals, allowing them to close business faster
- Assurance that product and pricing information on purchase orders is always up-to-date
- Delivers a friction-free and highly efficient sales process – real-time proposal generation, e-sign capabilities, mobile payment processing
- Offers a data-driven, collaborative system design process for clearer communications across teams and with clients
- Instantaneously and significantly expands the list of products available to D-Tools Cloud users
Sony dealers interested in learning how to leverage D-Tools Cloud can register for an extended free trial of the platform, courtesy of Sony, by visiting: https://www.d-tools.com/d-tools-sony-free-trial.
To learn more about D-Tools software offerings, visit www.d-tools.com.
About D-Tools, Inc.
D-Tools is a worldwide leader in accessible, highly accurate business software that caters to the unique and diverse needs of systems design and installation firms. The company’s on-premises software, System Integrator™ (SI), and cloud-based platform, D-Tools Cloud, are robust solutions that help manage all aspects of an integrator’s business, including sales, comprehensive system design, project documentation, procurement, project management, and on-going servicing. Today, nearly 7,000 companies in over 90 countries use D-Tools’ award-winning software to streamline business processes, leading to improved operational efficiencies and increased profitability.
Find product updates and related information by following D-Tools on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
D-Tools Media Contacts
Tim Bigoness, D-Tools, (925) 270-4102, [email protected]
Katye (McGregor) Bennett, KMB Communications, (425) 328-8640, [email protected]
All products, product names, trademarks and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
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by KMB Communications | Aug 23, 2022 | Apex Technologies, News
With HDANYWHERE, US home technology integrators can remotely monitor and manage video distribution systems, eliminating the need for truck rolls and saving integrators time and money.
ATLANTA, GA (August 23, 2022) — Apex Technologies US—distributor of cutting-edge high-performance European AV brands—announced today that it has been named as the exclusive US distributor of HDANYWHERE (HDA). HDA is a unique platform that allows home technology integrators to reduce the amount of traveling they need to do by giving them the capability to remotely monitor and manage the HDANYWHERE video distribution platform and matrixes—all based in the cloud.
Dealers simply register units to their own HDA cloud portal and no matter where they are, they can use the account details on a particular unit to see info on that unit, monitor the unit, and even do pre-emptive checks on firmware updates. It’s the management of units that sets HDA apart, however, and helps prevent integrators from having to get in trucks and go to the site.
Via cloud-to-unit communication integrators can remotely change EDID, scaling, and reboot units if needed. If there are still issues after these remote steps have taken place, the integrator can raise a ticket on that unit, which will send the error log stored on the video matrix straight into HDA’s support system, where the company’s technicians will have visibility into the unit to remotely support the dealer before anyone has to visit the install site.
“That’s completely unique in the marketplace as of now,” says James Trumper, HDA Owner. “Partnering with Apex allows us to bring this capability to the US market, and we are thrilled to be working with this class-act group and to start making a difference in the lives of integrators all over the country.”
Another unique aspect of HDA is it has its own control platform. Via any unit, every associated display and source can be controlled with HDA’s free uControl app. This app typically would be used for setup if someone is using the HDA system with a third-party control system, like Control4, RTI, and Crestron Home. Video switching is simple, so integrators can make sure all TVs are receiving all sources even before any outside control system is set up. Additionally, each IR endpoint is able to be ‘hijacked’ so the integrator can control TVs and source devices using popular control systems.
“We believe in the HDANYWHERE product and think it’s the perfect complement to our growing roster of top-tier luxury European AV manufacturers,” says Ryan Donaher, Owner of Apex Technologies US. “The product itself not only presents a truly unique offering to home tech integrators via remote monitoring and management, but it’s a fantastic product in its own right providing the type of quality that is on par with our other offerings. We are thrilled to start selling these systems in the US!”
Visit apex-tech.us to learn more.
About Apex Technologies US
Founded in 2020, Apex Technologies US distributes cutting-edge European audio-video manufacturers at the highest end of the market. Brands include Meridian Audio, Display Technologies, TPI Cinema, Light Walls, NexGenTec, All In Sports, CATS – Complete Acoustic Treatment System, and HDANYWHERE. Apex works tirelessly behind the scenes from project conception through to installation and beyond to ensure that its partners can go about their business with ease. Visit apex-tech.us to learn more.
About HDANYWHERE
HDANYWHERE endeavors to make centralized entertainment more mainstream and to change the relationship people have with AV for the better. In recent years HDANYWHERE has released more affordable multiroom video and audio systems, designed for more project sizes, from apartments to mansions, small pubs to big bars. HDA has evolved quickly to become a complete single-brand AV solution provider in residential and light commercial markets. Much more than HDMI distribution, they unify room-to-room entertainment with video, audio, and control. For more information visit hdanywhere.com.
Media Contact
Katye (McGregor) Bennett, KMB Communications, (425) 328-8640, [email protected]
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
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by KMB Communications | Aug 16, 2022 | News, Quantum Media
Designed from the ground up for ultra-high-performance digital cinema, XDR caters to the requirements of home theater video excellence, offering distinct advantages over projection systems, including space efficiency, up to 1000nits of brightness, and an expanded High Dynamic Range of deep blacks and bright whites within the same image frame.
Learn more here: https://www.qmsprivatetheater.com/.
by KMB Communications | Aug 15, 2022 | News, NuTech Group
With more than 160+ attendees, dealers and vendors embrace the opportunity for face-to-face interaction at an event that emphasized education, demos, networking, and certifications.
Montgomeryville, PA (August 15, 2022) — NuTech Group—a leading residential and light commercial rep firm in the Mid-Atlantic region—brought vendors and dealers together for The NuTech Experience, a vendor showcase in the National Harbor Area in Oxon Hill, MD. Education, demonstrations, networking, training certifications, and fun were all emphasized during this inaugural two-day event held in June 2022.
The NuTech Experience was the first event of this scale for NuTech Group, with Sony Electronics reinforcing its commitment to the CI channel by headlining the event. Other participating vendors included Amina Sound, AV Pro Edge, Coastal Source, DMF Lighting, IC Realtime, Kaleidescape, Legrand AV, Monitor Audio, Sealoc, Stewart Filmscreen, and Storm Audio. More than 163 dealers attended—including owners, salespeople, and technicians—far exceeding NuTech Group’s and vendors’ expectations.
“The NuTech Experience was one of the most challenging yet rewarding projects we have ever tackled as a company. So much time and effort went into the event, but the results surpassed our expectations. We had phenomenal support from our vendor partners—the trainings and demos were top-notch—and we are still receiving positive feedback weeks later!” says Tim Painter, VP of sales for NuTech Group. “The event would not have been successful without the tremendous turnout and support from our dealer partners. We know how valuable their time is and for them to set aside hours or even days to attend is greatly appreciated.”
The synergy of vendor lines allowed the NuTech Group to have rooms for networking, a panel discussion on lighting, a Sony TV training room, two audio hotel demo suites, and a Coastal Source training room and outdoor audio training area.
Chad Shapiro, owner of Sterling Sound & Vision says, “The NuTech event was a great experience and an excellent way to learn more about products and opportunities in our industry. The open discussion panels were a great approach to interactive learning and sharing of ideas.” Shapiro was a panelist on the indoor and outdoor lighting discussion along with Lani Godfrey from DMF Lighting, Kevin Minton of Coastal Source, and Jeff Brooks from Integrated Home.
“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to improve our businesses and lives. However, I cannot count the hours I have endured being ‘educated’ by a PowerPoint spec sheet masquerading as real wisdom for my business,” says Daniel Carr, Senior Client Manager at Gramophone. “With that said, I am so thankful for our partners at NuTech. This training was packed full of wisdom, important tidbits, and real-world applications. The enthusiasm was contagious and the attention to detail was impeccable. Thank you to everyone that was part of this amazing event.”
The Sony TV Training Room showcased all the new 2022 TV models up to 100 inches. Hands-on training—including the new Sony XW series of projectors and the GTZ-380 projector—was provided by Carlos Giraldo, the Sony regional sales specialist.
“The Regional Spring Sony Line show held during The NuTech Experience was a complete success. Thank you, NuTech Group, for making it fun and professional,” says Giraldo.
The Coastal Source training room consisted of audio and lighting demos and an onsite Coastal Source University certification training. Dealers were able to see NuTech Group’s Coastal Source van firsthand and request future van demos.
Mike Hench, Coastal Source National CI rep manager says, “The NuTech Experience was a great event for Coastal Source. Extremely well planned, promoted, and executed. Attendance was excellent. Lots of direct interaction with quality dealers that were there to learn. From our perspective as a vendor, The NuTech Experience delivered top quality and value. We’re looking forward to supporting the 2023 event!”
An emphasis was also put on high-end theater, demonstrated with the 10,000-lumen Sony GTZ-380 projector, Stewart Filmscreen FireHawk G5 cinemascope projection screen, new Monitor Audio Cinergy high output theater speakers, Storm Audio ISP Elite MK3 Immersive AV (preamp) processor and PA 8 Ultra MK3 8 channel ultra-high-power amplifier, with Kaleidescape as the source. All equipment was housed in a Middle Atlantic rack and utilized Middle Atlantic Power.
The success of this event confirms the model is right for the market and NuTech Group is already planning to host another one in 2023. Those interested in working with the company or attending, sponsoring, or demonstrating at the next NuTech Experience are encouraged to email [email protected].
About NuTech Group
NuTech Group, established in 1982, is known for being one of the most experienced and highly regarded manufacturers’ representative firms in the country. Our focus is on the residential and light commercial channels, doing business with all major AV retailers, custom retailers, and CI integrators in our territory. NuTech’s ongoing commitment is to consistently offer direct, honest, real-time information to our manufacturers and dealers. Our main goal is to help them grow their business, and that is what has made NuTech Group the sales and marketing leader in the Mid-Atlantic.
Media Contact
Katye (McGregor) Bennett, KMB Communications, (425) 328-8640, [email protected]
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
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