by Kyle Glass | Oct 12, 2024 | D-Tools, News
CONCORD, Calif.: D-Tools, the leading provider of core business management software catering to the needs of the systems integration market for over 25 years today announced the latest update to its award-winning end-to-end business management software. System Integrator (SI) v22 introduces numerous productivity features designed to improve workflow efficiency, reduce manual tasks, and enhance an integrator’s overall workflow.
New capabilities in SI v22 include:
- International Pricing localized for Canada, UK, Australia/New Zealand. This update ensures that pricing is automatically adjusted for these regions, reducing the risk of errors and making your proposals more competitive and relevant in international markets.
- Customer Portal Enhancements, including multiple signatures & countersign and expanded notifications. This ensures all relevant parties can sign off, streamlining the approval process and reducing delays. The ability to counter-sign enhances trust and legal compliance, providing a robust framework for documentation.
- Gantt Chart Enhancements that include a new Successors Column to better manage task dependencies, and the ability to add lag times to tasks for more realistic scheduling and resource planning.
- Reports Improvements such as custom cover pages and more detailed scopes of work in proposals.
- Automated Resource Assignment that enables users to automatically assign resources to projects, tasks, and service orders.
- Change Order Improvements allow users to gain greater control over project costs with the ability to lock or unlock individual model/unit costs within change orders.
- QuickBooks Improvements that include the ability to export purchase order receipts directly to QuickBooks Online as bills.
- Mobile Install Enhancements allow users to view previous versions of documents and have the option to delete or replace them with current versions, ensuring that everyone has access to the most up-to-date information.
- SI Homepage Customization for setting a custom URL for quicker access to key resources.
Available now, System Integrator (SI) v22 streamlines project workflows for improved operational efficiencies and healthier bottom-line results. The software ensures accurate, up-to-date integrator-level pricing via the D-Tools Product Library, reducing data entry time. SI helps avoid the risk of human error and inefficiency of duplicate entry through integrations with QuickBooks and other accounting solutions.
Moreover, System Integrator enables integrators to generate reports on internal business analytics, helping to refine business models and operations to focus on growing revenues and profits.
SI v22 has several key differentiators from other solutions. No other end-to-end business management software for the integration industry has access to a Product Library as vast as D-Tools’, with 1.6 million products from 340 suppliers and 1,200 brands. SI integrates with Visio and AutoCAD for complete system documentation, and SI’s data-driven quoting and estimation capabilities enable integrators to close more deals and grow top-line revenues with professional, accurate proposals. The software’s mobile field technician management tools are delivering jobs on-time and on-budget with mobile field technician management tools, growing recurring revenue base through service contracts.
SI v22 streamlines the entire project workflow for integrators, from initial client contract through ongoing service, leading to improved operating efficiency and increased profitability.
Integrators can find out more about SI v22 by registering for our What’s New in SI webinar on Tuesday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. The one-hour educational webcast will include a Q&A session.
About D-Tools, Inc.
D-Tools, Inc. 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, and installation and service management. Today, 7,000 companies in over 90 countries use D-Tools’ award-winning software to streamline business processes, leading to improved operating efficiency and increased profitability.
Find product updates and related information by following D-Tools on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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.
by Kyle Glass | Sep 25, 2024 | Daisy, News
Raising $20M in first year, Daisy has quickly become the first national smart home services company
Costa Mesa, Calif., September 9, 2024 – Daisy, the first national home technology installation and services company, today is announcing its $7 million Series B, bringing its total investment to date to over $20 million in its first year. The round was led by technology and software investors Goldcrest and Bungalow, who also led the company’s Series A and seed rounds. Additional Series A investors also participating in this round include consumer-oriented investors Bullish and Burst Capital.
Daisy is the first national company to offer recurring, consistent, and reliable home technology services and support, including audio/video (AV), security systems, smart lighting, automated shades, home networking, control systems, and more. This latest raise allows Daisy to continue to build out its support team and branches, as well as its innovative branch support center.
Since announcing its intention to become the first smart home servicing company in January, Daisy now operates coast-to-coast with 9 locations across 5 states. In addition to acquiring integrators in Connecticut, Northern California, South Florida, and Colorado, Daisy has onboarded franchise locations in Southern California, Florida’s Gulf Coast, Virginia, and the Mountain West.
“Our goal is to be the brand that curates home technology for our clients throughout their lives,” shared Hagan Kappler, co-founder and CEO. “This Series B will ensure we can continue the momentum achieved since our first acquisition 6 months ago in building a trusted national brand. Goldcrest and Bungalow are great partners that share our passion and vision for this critically needed service offering.”
Committed to sustainable growth, the debt-free company has long-term investment partners and a clear path to industry leadership with a current $35 million revenue run rate, putting it on track to become the industry leader by revenue and footprint over the next 12 months.
“It’s rare and exciting to see a company like Daisy not only delivering on their commitments to customers and investors but exceeding them so early in their journey,” said Adam Ross, Goldcrest co-founder and partner.
“We’re thrilled to continue our support of the Daisy team on their journey to build out a beloved national brand through M&A and franchising,” shared Dave Ambrose, co-founder and partner of Bungalow and Daisy board member. “Daisy has become a win-win-win for integrators joining the platform, homeowners utilizing the product and technicians delighting their customers.”
About Daisy
Daisy is a nationwide leader in smart home and small business technology installation and services, designing custom smart living spaces and providing ongoing technology support for audio/video (AV), security systems, smart lighting, automated shades, home networking, control systems, and more. Daisy is currently onboarding top integrators across the country, offering unparalleled training and support. To learn more or become a future business partner, franchisee, technician, or customer, please visit www.daisyco.com.
by Kyle Glass | Sep 5, 2024 | News, Torus Power
TORONTO, ON, CANADA (August 23, 2024) For almost two decades, Torus Power Inc. has emphasized to the systems integration industry the importance of clean, isolated power to the performance of high-end residential AV systems. Now, Torus Power also offers systems integrators a way to protect the entire home from damaging electrical surges.
Appointed by Amanda Surge Protection as the exclusive distributor for North America for the custom integration channel, Torus Power is now shipping the Armada Series 2+ and Armada Series 3 surge protectors, for 120/240 volt and 120/208 volt installations, respectively. Robust and compact, these surge protectors attach directly to electrical circuit breaker panels, safeguarding electronic components throughout the entire home or business from power surges, including those caused by lightning. The devices feature patented Power Pressure technology, which transforms electrical energy into kinetic energy to absorb powerful short circuits.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our dealers another solution to the power-related issues that plague so many homes and businesses today. The addition of whole-house surge protection to our established line of isolated power transformers broadens our scope considerably,” says Torus Power president and COO Kevin Main. “While our isolation power transformers mitigate voltage harmonics that can degrade the performance and longevity of AV equipment and provide state-of-the-art surge protection for connected equipment, our new line of Armada whole-house surge protectors safeguard all electronic devices from damage.”
Torus Power’s new Armada Series 2+ and Series 3 whole-house surge protectors are small enough and adjustable to fit any electrical installation. A unique, modular adaptive design allows it to be installed as a single unit or set in a series to suit every application and electrical load. The surge protectors feature nanosecond-level reactivity, ensuring quick responses to surges, and a non-flammable housing for added safety.
Where to See Torus Power’s New Armada Whole-House Surge Protectors
To see Torus Power’s new whole-house surge protectors, learn about the importance of its isolation transformers to the performance of video walls and high-end audio systems, and hear about the options available, CEDIA Expo attendees are invited to speak with Torus Power president and COO Kevin Main, chairman and CEO Howard Gladstone, and Ground One AV Inc. CEO Arthur Kelm at Booth # 4121. Post-show inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
For more information about Torus Power, visit www.toruspower.com and follow Torus Power on Twitter and Facebook.
About Torus Power
Torus Power toroidal isolation transformers are the world’s finest clean power source for audio, video, and control systems. Dramatically increasing performance levels of connected AV components from video displays to amplifiers and powered speakers, Torus Power products utilize Plitron Manufacturing’s patented NBT technologies and medical-grade toroidal isolation transformers to eliminate virtually all power-line noise artifacts and protect equipment from potentially damaging AC power line events while increasing system reliability and extending product life. Torus Power products deliver higher levels of instantaneous current which ensures that dynamic components and high-performance systems are never compromised, nor starved for power.
Built to rigorous specifications in Toronto, Canada, Torus Power’s toroidal transformers—the heart of the Torus Power product line—utilize similar technologies as those found in leading AV amplifiers as well as in industrial, medical, broadcast, telecommunications, IT, and energy management applications. For additional information visit www.toruspower.com and follow Torus Power on Twitter and Facebook.
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
Media Contact
For interviews or reviews please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications, Inc. by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
by Kyle Glass | Sep 3, 2024 | Leon Speakers, News
The Ann Arbor manufacturer is empowering designers and integrators to bring the finishing touch to every space with all-new products, special events, and collaborations with Sony, Sonos, and More.
[Ann Arbor, MI] – August 27, 2024 – Leon brings its signature approach to CEDIA Expo 2024 with several new ways for designers and integrators to bring the finishing touch to every space. A celebration of the creative process, Leon’s Booth #3916 layout encourages attendees to explore a three-step approach of incorporating technology into the design of any room: framing the TV, adding custom-matched sound, and enhancing the look with Leon’s one-of-a-kind stylistic centerpieces.
Making its debut at CEDIA is the Edge Flex Frame—a groundbreaking new addition to Leon’s popular Edge Media Frame line compatible with any TV less than 2” deep. With its lower price, easy on-site assembly, and flat-pack ultra-fast shipping, Flex Frame is poised to set a new standard in TV framing.
Building upon the success of the Leon Studio Frame for BRAVIA XR, Leon and Sony will also debut the latest Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA 7—featuring two new sizes and complemented by the award-winning FrameBar 44UX. Additional solutions displayed include Leon’s flagship line of high-performance built-to-match Horizon Soundbars, classic hardwood Edge Media Frame, Ente SoundTile MINI’s fusion of art and audio, the Mera Sound Sconce sound-and-light fixture, Elite Moving Art Screen, and Terra Outdoor Speakers’ stylish, functional, and durable solutions.
Leon’s design-oriented solutions can also be seen at the booths of partners and collaborators across the show floor. At Sony’s Booth #2502, all four sizes and finishes of the new Leon Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA 7 will be on display, while a fifth model will be showcased at the Sonos Booth (#3508). The all-new Edge Flex Frame will be displayed at the LG Booth (#3101) and Legrand Booth (#1506), and an exclusive preview of the upcoming Leon Edge Media Frame for Meridian—an elegant hardwood on-wall media mounting solution specifically for Meridian’s range of high-performance architectural loudspeakers—will debut at Meridian’s Booth #C1305.
The interior of Leon’s iconic on-site airstream trailer will explore the past and the future of technology and design with a tribute to the late 1960s and an exclusive preview of Leon’s brand new online design tool from Cogent 360.
Leon Unveils the Edge Flex Frame: The Future of Ultra-Thin TV Framing
Leon’s new Edge Flex Frame is a revolutionary solution designed to transform any ultra-thin TV into a work of art. With meticulous attention to detail and a sleek, contemporary design, Flex Frame sets a new standard in TV framing. This highly anticipated new addition to Leon’s popular Edge Media Frame line will make its debut at CEDIA 2024, with pre-orders opening up after the show.
As end users increasingly seek simple, design-conscious solutions for their living spaces, the Edge Flex Frame answers the call. Its precision-engineered frame measuring 2.75” deep installed, along with the included SANUS LL11 slim-fit TV mounting bracket, ensures a sleek and unobtrusive profile to provide a finished look for any space. Available in 4 premium finishes, every Edge Flex Frame ships flat-pack via ground shipping, allowing for quick and efficient delivery.
The Leon Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA 7 Transforms a New Generation of Sony TVs into Sophisticated Works of Art
Building upon the success of Leon’s Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA XR, this updated version introduces two new additional sizes and several enhanced features. Like its predecessor, the Leon Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA 7 is meticulously crafted to elevate the ultra-HD display of the Sony BRAVIA 7 into a sophisticated work of art.
With new 55” and 85” options added to Studio Frame’s existing 65” and 75” sizes, added artwork options on the exclusive Sony Art Gallery TV app, and a convenient new on-board IR receiver, this groundbreaking new solution is the perfect complement to Sony’s popular mini-LED configuration. With four stylish finishes to choose from, the Studio Frame enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of your BRAVIA TV experience.
Every TV Deserves the Finishing Touch of a Leon Speakers’ Edge Frame
Leon’s popular Edge line of handcrafted hardwood frames are a simple and modern way to upgrade any TV for the design-conscious client–elevating the look of any and every installation.
Just as every picture deserves a frame, every TV deserves a Edge Frame from Leon. Unsightly plastic framing, visible cables, and bulky mounting equipment can detract from the style of a space, but Edge Frame’s selection of beautiful hardwood finishes do just the opposite.
Available for both standalone TVs and TV-soundbar setups, Edge Frames are easy to install and built to fit the exact dimensions of any size television. Edge is available in a variety of Leon standard finishes with additional options for custom paint matching.
Mera Sound Sconce—the Ultimate Expression of Sound, Light, and Design.
A unique combination of form and function suited to high-design residences and hospitality-oriented commercial environments, the wall-mounted Mera Sound Sconce represents Leon’s exciting creative collaboration with the design and architecture firm, Mera Studio Architects.
This game-changing new solution delivers full-range audio and dimmable lighting in three unique colorways—elevating the sound, look, and feel of any commercial space. Its artisan-inspired design integrates Leon’s world-class audio components and diffused LED lighting by American Lighting.
Where to See Leon Speakers at CEDIA Expo 2024
CEDIA Expo 2024 attendees can see Leon Speakers’ extensive collection of design-forward technology concealment and customizable speaker solutions at Booth #3916.
As part of its mission to merge technology with design, Leon will also be sponsoring and participating in Technology Designer’s Day of Discovery on Thursday, September 5. This year’s program includes keynote presentations, networking opportunities, and curated show floor tours. The event will conclude with a special reception, where Leon founder and president Noah Kaplan will paint a work of art live on-site. Learn more: https://www.technologydesigner.com/2024/02/12/day-of-discovery-2024-save-the-date/
On Friday, September 6, at 11:00 a.m., Leon’s own EVP Jeff Day, will present a talk on Integrating Art and Audio in the Modern Workplace at CEDIA’s 2024 Commercial Integrator Expo Conference, found at the following link: https://expo.commercialintegrator.com/show/schedule/
About Leon Speakers
Leon brings a creative approach to the AV industry by designing and manufacturing customizable speakers and technology concealment solutions that enhance the sound and style of any space. For over 25 years, they have been a leader in the conversation on merging design with technology, creating innovative products that serve both the Residential and Commercial markets. Learn more on their website.
All products, product names, trademarks and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Media Contacts
Press Contact: Katye (McGregor) Bennett
KMB Communications
(425) 328-8640
[email protected]
Company Contact:
Sabine Bickford
Marketing & Communications Manager at Leon Speakers
(888) 213-5015
[email protected]
by Kyle Glass | Sep 3, 2024 | Kordz, News
Exhibitors and integrators gear up for more hands-on fun at the industry’s favorite competition.
August 23, 2024 – Kordz, a leading innovator in high-performance connectivity products, is excited to announce the return of the popular Kordz Termination Challenge at CEDIA Expo 2024. Taking place at the Future Ready Solutions Booth #3823, this thrilling competition invites attendees to test their termination skills in an ‘against-the-clock’ format. The goal: beat the impressive current record of 35.05 seconds, and secure prizes and bragging rights as the CEDIA Expo 2024 Termination Challenge champion.
Beloved by trade show attendees for its blend of fun and fierce competition, the Kordz Termination Challenge offers participants a hands-on opportunity to experience the difference of terminating Kordz’ installation-friendly, professional-grade cables.
“Integrators are competitive by nature and very hands-on, so they are always up for some friendly competition while experiencing how easy it is to handle our cables and terminate the connectors,” said James Chen, Kordz managing director.
No prior registration or termination experience is required and attendees can participate at any time throughout the event. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the industry, the Kordz Termination Challenge promises excitement and the chance to showcase your skills among peers.
For more information, visit the Kordz exhibit at the Future Ready Solutions Booth #3823 during CEDIA Expo 2024.
Where to See Kordz at CEDIA Expo 2024
CEDIA Expo attendees can see Kordz’ range of high-quality cabling solutions and speak with its connectivity experts to discover more about the products and how to become a dealer at Booth #3823. To learn more about Kordz’ extensive line of professional-grade cabling, please visit futurereadysolutions.com or kordz.com.
About Kordz
Kordz is the connectivity brand for integrators, by integrators. A multi-award-winning global industry leader in professional-grade connectivity products, Kordz’ team of seasoned former integrators is on a mission to ‘Kordzify’ and optimise technology for professionals by designing, engineering and manufacturing products that deliver ease and profitability through a seamless installation experience with high performance results that today’s tech-savvy end-users expect. With a wide range of robust, fast and effective solutions backed by expert technical support, Kordz helps integrators around the world meet the evolving cabling requirements of a diverse range of residential and commercial environments. For more information about Kordz, please visit kordz.com and follow the company @kordzglobal on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, and more information please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications at (425) 328-8640 or [email protected]
