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Download CCP Live Update Today!
We issued our most important CCP Live Update of the year on May 10. If you haven’t downloaded CCP Live Update in the last month, please do so immediately!
We’ve completely revised how our CCP Help System works, making it much more powerful and much more programmer-friendly. There’s now a wealth of new info in the CCP Help folder.
Please note that this Live Update will delete your entire CCP Help file. So if you’ve stored other data in your CCP Help file, back it up BEFORE you download this Live Update.
Questions? Contact us at techsupport@universalremote.com.
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CE Pro 100 Shows Overwhelming Support for URC Remotes
The CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis report is out, and URC’s numbers are way up! The details: 88 percent of the CE Pro 100 integrators are selling URC remotes this year, up from 71 percent last year.
Perhaps more impressively, URC gained a 9 percent share of the CE Pro 100 integrators in lighting control this year, despite being a new name in the category!
CE Pro offers the full report for all product categories in the custom installation industry through its premium CE Pro Plus site. We encourage you to check out the full report, along with all of the other great content available through CE Pro Plus! Just visit http://cepro.com/plus for more information on how to become a CE Pro Plus member.
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Visit Us in Vegas at InfoComm 2010!
Many of our dealers conduct both residential and commercial business, so we’re continuing to build our commercial value proposition. That’s why URC will once again exhibit at the top show in the pro-AV space, InfoComm, which will be held this year from June 9 to 11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. We invite you to stop by Booth C5586 and learn more about how our Network Keypad Solution and other products can excel in the commercial realm. We’ll also be telling the pro-AV community about URC University.
We’re excited for the show, and we hope to see you in Vegas!
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Download our 2-way Beta Modules for Apple, Integra, Onkyo, Proliphix!
Join the URC community by becoming among the first to download, play, test and report on a whole assortment of new 2-way Beta modules for our Network Series (MX-6000, MX-5000, KP-4000) controllers!
With these modules, you will gain the ability to control iTunes from a Mac or a PC with any of our Network Series controllers. You can also control Apple TV, Integra and Onkyo A/V receivers, and much more.
Visit the URC Tool Box via the dealers-only URC Control Room today to become part of this important Beta program!
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Product of the Month: CCP
Our Complete Control Program (CCP) isn’t a product per se, but it’s the engine you can use to make all of our products sing sweetly for your clients.
CCP, introduced last year, is the universal programming platform for the entire current URC product line*. We know that many of you are extremely loyal to some of our earlier professional remotes, and you’re comfortable with their corresponding standalone editors. We urge you to learn and use CCP, however, because CCP enables you to program any of our current products using one programming language and one file. With CCP, you can feel free to choose the appropriate URC device for any scenario or job.
In addition, using CCP’s highly configurable workspace, you can easily program a whole house full of remotes, base stations and other URC devices. CCP conveniently sorts URC products naturally, by the room in which each resides.
Going forward, CCP is the ONLY editor we will support, and the only editor that works with our current products.
So if you haven’t already, download CCP today through the dealers-only URC Control Room.
* One member of the current URC product line cannot be programmed in CCP: the venerable MX-3000. Because of its unique internal architecture, the MX-3000 must be programmed with its standalone editor.
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URC’s Scott Srolis Chats with Dealerscope about Our New Network Keypad Solution
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Tell Us What You Think; You Might Win a Free URC T-shirt
Here’s some extra motivation to tell us what you think about Control the Universe, URC’s monthly newsletter. We’ll draw 10 respondents at random and send each a URC T-shirt. For legal purposes, this offer is available to U.S. residents only.
So please send your thoughts to editor@universalremote.com. Not only will your feedback help us make this newsletter even better, but you might even receive a new URC tee to sport this summer!
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Daemion Nelson & Robert Bourne
URC Team Members of the Month
Daemion Nelson, URC IT Manager
Robert Bourne, URC Web Administrator
Our URC Team Members of the Month for June are two of our IT department’s stars: Daemion Nelson and Robert Bourne.
Daemion began working at URC in March 2004 as a Customer Service Representative for our newly launched line of retail products; he was soon promoted to Customer Service Representative for our custom professional products. Within six months, Daemion was named the team leader for the department. In 2006, Daemion was promoted to his current position of Information Technology Manager, achieving a goal he had set prior to joining URC.
“After graduating with a B.S in Computer Science in 2002, I ran my own Web development firm while working as a retail manager at Lord and Taylor,” says Daemion. “I then joined URC with the intention of leading the IT Department. I remember telling this to my boss during the interview, and he said, “That’s quite ambitious; let’s get you into customer service first".
Daemion is most proud of how his IT team manages URC’s day-to-day issues. “With several facilities and remote users dispersed all over the country, we’ve maintained the full confidence of our executive management team,” he explains.
A typical day for Daemion can involve everything from managing the URC server farm and delivering numerous core IT services to fixing paper jams, restarting locked Citrix sessions, rebuilding PCs, and meeting with potential solutions partners. “I love the freedom I get to make decisions I deem in the best interest of the company,” says Daemion. “I love the fact that I report directly to our senior vice president and to our CEO, and I love the fact that both of these gentlemen are always willing to listen to my recommendations and act on them. It is a very positive sign when executive management has a good relationship with its IT leaders, especially in today's market, where technology drives business. Gone are the days with IT was a cost center; today, IT has become an enabler. Just try doing business without email for a day and you'll agree!”
Daemion is husband to wife Paula and father to three beautiful children, Jonathan (six), Elizabeth (four) and Joel (three months). He and Paula are highly involved in their local church, Oneness Rehoboth Apostolic Church, Inc (UPCI), where Daemion currently serves as director of public relations. He is currently enrolled in a Biblical Theology Program, with hopes of becoming a minister in the near future. “My spiritual life has really kept me focused,” says Daemion. “I say this because I am ultimately working for God, and the thought that one day I will have to give an account to God for all my deeds is very sobering. So I work my absolute hardest at everything I do, asking God to give me the strength when mine fails.”
Robert started at URC in 2005 as an entry-level technical support specialist. He became URC’s Web site administrator in 2008. A typical day for Robert involves a wide variety of tasks, including monitoring the URC Control Room Forums, creating lower-level web pages, troubleshooting computer-related issues for on-site and remotely located employees, reviewing and approving requests for user accounts, and keeping on top of IT security.
“What I like most about working at URC is the family atmosphere,” says Robert. “Each person’s personality just brings a different flavor to working at URC. There’s never a dull moment!”
Robert is a graduate of St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. Married for two years to his beautiful wife Keturah, his hobbies include basketball, soccer and reading. His favorite drink? “A tall glass of cold iced tea,” he says.
Robert works with Daemion outside of URC as well, serving as assistant director for outreach events and public relations at Oneness Rehoboth Apostolic Church. “My passion is to help people understand the full knowledge about Jesus Christ,” says Robert. “My personal desire is to not just a have a surface relationship with Christ but to understand the breadth, the height and the profundity which is wrapped up in Jesus Christ.”
URC thanks Daemion and Robert for all they do to keep URC’s employees and customers connected and productive!
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Your Peers
Justin McLaughlin
Owner, McLaughlin's Satellite & Home Theater
Justin McLaughlin is owner of McLaughlin's Satellite & Home Theater in Highland, Ill., and a proud URC dealer. Here, he shares some compelling thoughts on remote control salesmanship. Take it away, Justin!
Have you ever asked a customer: “Can you guess which part of every home theater is most important?”
The reaction is always the same: People guess every component from the speakers to the TV, but nobody ever guesses the remote. It may well be that, because every consumer electronics doorstop comes with a “free” remote, the prevailing perception is that remotes have no value. It’s our job to change that perception, educate the customer, and make the customer realize the true importance of the remote.
My fellow gear-heads in the business often have a hard time accepting this concept. (I used to refer to my brethren as “geeks,” but some big company recently monopolized that word.) The reason it’s so hard to accept is because we gear-heads love gear! That’s why we’re in the business, right?
But guess what 90 percent of customers get excited about? They get excited by the experience, not the hardware. Both the happiness and satisfaction level of the customer are directly related to the ability to effectively operate the system consistently and easily. If the system is easy to use, then not only will they use it and be happy, but they’ll also show it off to friends and neighbors. Each system then becomes a demo room for your company, and each customer becomes a salesperson—but you have to make sure that the remote is simple to use and bulletproof.
That’s the value proposition for us, but what about the value for the customer? Building value is the most important part of the sales process. Build enough value in advance, and the close is done even before you get to it. The most important part of the system, the remote control, should easily justify a significant part of the total dollar amount budgeted for system. So how do you build value for something that starts out at zero in the customer’s mind, and successfully make the customer consider it the most important part of the system? Here’s a technique that I really love.
It’s not always possible, but I always try to create opportunities to present a proposal in person, directly to the customer. That way, I can take as much time as necessary to build as much value as I need. Here’s the key: If I’m selling to a couple, I’m careful to pick a time when the wife is available. Why do I need the lady of the house present? Because more often than not, what I’m selling is more of a “media room” system in a current living room or family room setting. If the system is a strictly “man cave” situation that she’ll never use, the customer usually makes that clear beforehand. Either way, I’ve found that customers appreciate my request that they’re both present. Married 13 years myself, I just think it’s good manners.
I come prepared with my laptop case filled with five or six of the bulkiest, most button ridden remotes I can find. In a separate section, I’ll have the fully charged and fully programmed URC remote that I want them to buy—base station too, if I’m pitching an MX-980 or above. Ideally, I would have visited them previously and made mental notes about their current system operation. Invariably, they’re using at least two or three remotes to control their current setup. I use that as ammunition later.
My script sounds something like this:
Me: I’m really excited to earn your business and tell you all about the system that I’ve designed for your family today, but before we get into that, can you guess what the most important part of any home theater system is?
Customers: Ummm...the speakers?
Me: That’s a great answer. Indeed the speakers are very important, and we’ll be talking about some great speakers in a few minutes. But the most important part of the system is actually the “user interface.” (I actually use air quotes here.) It’s your ability to USE the system easily, effectively, reliably, and SIMPLY. In other words, the remote control is the most important part!
Customers: Ooohhhhh...
Me: I see that you currently have four remotes on the coffee table. (Directed at the lady of the house.) That’s inconvenient and complicated, isn’t it?
Customers: You bet!
Me: Well, obviously with this new and more elaborate, updated system, you’re going to get even MORE remotes!
(At this point I reach for the pile of remotes in my bag. I start taking them out one at a time, using as much jargon as possible, and put them into the hands of the lady. I also speed up a bit for dramatic effect.)
Me: You’ll need this one for your Audio Video Receiver, you’ll need this one for your HD-DVR, you’ll need this one for your networked Blu-ray player, you’ll need this one for your new HDTV... or is it this one? Oh, and you’ll need this one for your lighting control...
(Now, as this occurs, the customers usually start laughing. She’s thinking about all of the times she’s been frustrated by their current setup, and he’s thinking about all of the times he got angry phone calls from home while he’s at work because she “can’t make this damn thing work!” At last, I slow way down, change my tone of voice, and slowly unveil the URC unit.)
Me: Ooooorrrrrr... you can have this one simple and reliable remote that is not only easy to use, but is REALLY easy to use!
(I always place the remote in the lady’s hand first!)
Me: With a professionally programmed custom remote, you get the benefit of “One Touch Automation.” (Don’t say “Macro” you gear-head!) If you want to watch Satellite, you push this ONE BUTTON. If you want to watch Blu-ray, you push this ONE BUTTON. If you want to turn the system off, you push this ONE BUTTON. You can handle pushing one button, can’t ya?
Lady customer: Sure!
While they’re examining the awesome URC unit I’ve just handed them, I gather up all of the other remotes, put them back into my bag, and say something like: “Now we can get rid of all of this junk.” It’s also at this point that I actually repeat the entire schpeel about how the remote control is the most important part of the system because it allows them to effectively, reliably and easily control their new components. I let her keep the remote in her hand as we move on with the rest of my presentation.
As far as I’m concerned, if I do my job of building value effectively, it won’t matter how much the remote control and programming costs. It’s in her hand, it’s hers, and she’s not letting go of it. I’ve actually received referrals based on this sales approach alone!
I have a relatively small and young company, but selling URC products has increased my revenue and customer satisfaction levels significantly. I sell control first, and I encourage you to do the same! Happy selling!
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Your Business
By Glenn Gentilin
URC Regional Product Specialist
Business owners often ask me how much training they should really be taking. As a former custom A/V company owner, current CEDIA SME and Instructor, and trainer for a major CE company, I can see all sides of this issue. You, on the other hand, want to know how to balance taking time off for training with getting work done so you can get paid.
Here are my three basic rules for training:
Make sure your staff is well-trained on the products you sell and install. Both your sales staff and your installation staff should know all about the features, capabilities and applications of the equipment they’re spec-ing and hooking up. Owners should know at least as much as staff does.
I’m often asked, “What if I train my employees and they leave?” The correct question is: “What if I don’t train them and they stay?” What’s potentially more damaging at an install site: knowledgeable techs who can intelligently talk to clients but who may leave your company, or installers who just hook things up the way they did last time, regardless of specific issues at a given location?
All jobs are different. Jobsite realities are unique. Clients want to change things on the fly. Your techs should be able to explain why they can’t cut in speakers above the window or install the amplifiers sideways in a tight cabinet, even when the customer insists. A well-educated employee can save you headaches and costly system repairs.
What if you spend a lot of money training your techs and they leave to work for competitors, or start their own businesses? The reality is, that’s going to happen. But the risk of losing an employee is far less than the risk of having under-trained installation techs representing your business in the field.
Get as much product training as you can. Start with manufacturers like us. Talk to your factory reps to see when classes are being offered in your region (often they’re at a hotel or a regional distributor) and arrange for at least part of your staff to attend. Industry trade shows generally offer free manufacturer training, too.
At URC, we’ve long regarded training as key to our sales, and we’ve been very aggressive about educating our dealers on our product features, applications and programming techniques. This view, held from the highest levels of our company, has led to the URC training department being recognized as the best in the industry. Remember too that URC University classes are available online 24/7. You and your employees can logon whenever you choose and learn how to program our products.
After your staff knows about the product lines you carry, follow this up with general and specific A/V knowledge. Industry trade organizations like CEDIA and CEA offer classes on audio, video, proper surround sound setup, distributed music, RF, business strategy and much, much more. Have novice employees take basic install classes, and have seasoned techs take advanced classes over time.
At this point, you may wonder just how much training you should take yourself. Answer: Take at least as much as your staff does, and more if possible. Here’s why:
- How can you rate the quality of the training your employees are getting if you don’t attend yourself? If not, you clearly run the risk of sending your staff to useless classes.
- You need to have as much knowledge as your crew does. If someone is absent for awhile, or leaves for another company, your business won’t grind to a halt. Time after time, I’ve heard about businesses that couldn’t complete a job (or jobs) because the one guy who knew about installing a particular system, or the person who programmed the remotes, was either out or quit. You need to be able to step in, if and when needed.
It’s also wise to understand the products you don’t sell. Know what the industry has to offer. This knowledge can’t hurt you, but a lack of it can. Don’t underestimate the power of knowledge in this brave new world. Due to the abundance of information available on the internet, our customer base is much better-educated on our products than it used to be. When a potential client starts asking you about a particular piece of equipment, you really should know more about it than he or she does. You should give the client tangible reasons why the system you’re presenting is superior. This knowledge of products you don’t handle also creates a level of trust with the client.
Learn about running a business. Best practices for running a business are keys to success in this new economic reality. Take a few basic business and programming courses at your local community college.
It’s time to start thinking outside the box, and the best way to learn what’s out there is through education. It may be comfortable to do more or less the same thing week after week, but in order to grow your business, you need to embrace new profit channels. Become the network guy for your customers; add lighting control to your jobs; profitably sell audio and video into commercial businesses. But never assume that you’ll figure it out as you go. Learn from those who have made the mistakes and can show you how to avoid them.
The more you know, the more valuable you are to your company, to your clients, and to the industry. And the more referrals and call backs you’ll generate.
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Hank's Absolutely Free Tip of the Month
By Hank Eisengrein
URC Regional Training Manager, East
Now that warm weather is here, let’s explore the concept of expanding your existing customers’ systems to include areas they wouldn’t normally consider.
You’ve already installed high-quality systems inside their homes featuring custom-programmed URC RF remotes. Now is the time to return to these customers and propose the idea of adding something new outside their homes, extending the systems they already have.
After all, you likely have access to high-quality outdoor, weatherproof speakers and even outdoor, weatherproof TVs. Use these products to enable your customers to take their entertainment outside.
For control, you can use a URC custom/professional remote such as the versatile KP-900 wireless RF keypad. The $299.95 retail KP-900 is the perfect choice for expanded system control. Just mount one by the back door and your customer can operate their outdoor entertainment system with ease.
Think of the places around a house where system expansion makes sense: out on the deck, by the BBQ grill in the yard, in the garden, around the hot tub or pool area. Some of your customers may have a tennis court; most will have a basketball hoop. All of these areas and more can be controlled by the KP-900. Keep in mind that all URC remotes are water-resistant, and you can buy an affordable weatherproof box from a company like Arlington Industries. They even make one that features a lock. They’re available from your local distributor for less than you think.
Don’t forget URC Lighting too. Your customer can control and operate outside lights, all from the easy-to-use KP-900.
The KP-900 is battery powered and has both IR and RF output, so there’s no need to run wires to operate the system. Its bright LCD screen features 255 different backlight colors that you can customize in the CCP software for a different zone, a different device, or even a different user. Its 255-device capability means you won’t run out of possible devices to control, now or in the future. The choice of white, black or our favorite color, light almond, makes matching the customer’s décor a snap.
If you already sold your customer an MX-900 remote in the past, you can quickly open that program file and create a new KP-900 quickly. If the outdoor concept won’t work for your customer, consider an area like the garage. If the customer uses the garage for hobbies or has a workbench, the idea of a garage system can be appealing. Propose adding speakers and even a mid-sized TV. And remember that the KP-900’s built-in magnets mean you can bypass the wall mounting bracket and just use a metal surface to mount it. That extra freezer or refrigerator can be the perfect place for mounting a KP-900.
Propose adding new areas of the home to the overall system in every project you sell, and you’ll create happier customers, make more money, and set yourself apart from the dealer that is only selling on price. With TV profits at an all-time low, you must be creative to make money on every system, and you must explore ways to expand outside of the typical areas of the home.
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Cable Conversation
By Bill Baker
URC Vice President, National Accounts
Once again this year, URC exhibited at The Cable Show, always a very productive event for our subscription broadcast division. This year’s event was a star-studded affair at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but while the celebrities on hand captured a lot of attention, the exhibitors—comprised of both content and technology companies—dazzled the show’s 13,000 attendees with their wares.
 The UR5-9000L
Our three newest products all provide compelling solutions for operators. Brand-new at the show was the UR2-DTA, which is specifically designed to operate Digital-to-Analog converter boxes. Many operators have rolled out these boxes as temporary solutions for reclaiming bandwidth, but typical OEM remote controls for these installations commonly only operate the converter box. The UR2-DTA is an efficient two-device remote that is specifically intended for use with both a Digital-to-Analog converter and a television set.
We also showed our UR5-9000L and UR3-SR4 remotes to Cable Show attendees for the first time. The UR5-9000L Series is a five-device remote control with a balanced feel that fits comfortably in the subscriber’s hand; the ergonomics of this device are stunning. Its intuitive button layout provides effortless navigation of on-screen menus. The UR3-SR4 Series is a three-device large-button remote that features die cut numeric keys for easy identification. Each is available in Upgradeable and Learning versions.
Our goal is to eliminate the commoditization of the set-top box remote control. After all, the remote control is the manifestation of a cable operator’s interaction with its subscribers. URC’s breadth and depth of knowledge in control systems is extremely beneficial to operators as they work to differentiate their services. And as set-top box technology continues to evolve, we are positioned to be the innovative control partner that operators increasingly will seek.
Of course, in many cases, custom installers like you will replace these remotes with products from our professional line. However, everything we learn on the professional side helps us on the subscription broadcast side. As a company, we understand better than anyone the rigorous household demands that can be placed on remote controls, and as a result, we are able to manufacture our products to meet the highest standards.
We’ll keep you updated from time to time on what our division is up to. Thanks for reading, and thanks for being a URC dealer!
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Tech Tips
By Joe Salvatore
URC Technical Support Manager
Nothing can be more detrimental to an install than RF interference (RFI). Although it’s more prevalent in urban areas, RFI can rear its ugly head anywhere. In fact, in some rare cases, installation sites have been declared environmentally unsuitable for RF control solutions. In this article, we’ll unearth some possible causes of RFI, as well as explore some troubleshooting methods and potential solutions.
First, here’s a related anecdote. An installer once told me that the RFI was so strong on a particular install that he was certain it was due to supernatural activity. He became especially convinced of this when the homeowner mentioned that an elderly woman had passed away in the master bedroom years before. That very room, coincidentally (or not???) was the only room in the house unsuitable for RF control. We shared a laugh and began discussing the common known sources of RFI. Let’s do the same.
The most frequent causes of RFI are local AM, FM, and television broadcast transmissions. Other common offenders include Ham and CB transmitters, commercial transmissions from taxi and police stations, wireless phones, cell phones, microwave ovens, AC power wiring, and even home theater components themselves. RFI disturbances can fluctuate in intensity and duration, causing periods of total RF lockups for minutes at a time.
The installer’s goal is to identify and isolate these hindrances. URC is here to help you.
URC RF products give you the ability to test for RFI without using additional equipment, such as RF analyzers. Here’s how:
- First, power up all of the components in the system, in order to create the worst possible conditions for RFI to manifest.
- Next, set your MRF-260 or MRF-350 ID to 0, and observe the RF status indicator for at least two or three minutes. (Remember that ID 0 is an RF sniffer, not a valid RF address, so once you’re finished testing, always set your MRF unit back to any of the other IDs. If you’re using the MRF-350 or MSC-400, the status indicator will be located on the remote antenna module, which is otherwise referred to as the RFX-250.)
- Position the antenna in a place where there is minimal to absolutely no blinking on the status indicator. Remember: any flash of the status light informs you that RF interference is present.
- If you can’t find an ideal position near the equipment rack for the antenna, don’t fret. Depending on the environment, you can extend the RFX-250 up to 100 feet or so, which means you can run the antenna to an adjacent room, or even an attic if there is one. Use unshielded CAT5 cable, however; I always recommend using all eight conductors. Use four conductors for ground, all the stripes, one from each pair. Then choose two conductors for data and two for voltage.
Here are some additional tips for reliable RF:
- Plug the MRF unit’s power supply directly into a wall outlet, as opposed to a surge suppressor.
- Very important: Avoid placing any MRF receiver on top of a cable box or AV receiver. These types of gear often generate RF energy when they process outside transmissions.
- Never coil cables. Any wire leaving or entering equipment can act as a conductor for RFI. Instead, route them close to or along metal objects like equipment racks.
- Consider inserting a power line RF filter, or place ferrite clamshells over cabling as an extra precautionary measure.
Additionally, URC offers several products that directly address persistent RFI issues:
- Should you encounter an environment with heavy RFI, consider our i series products. These operate at 433 MHz, providing an alternative to our standard 418 MHz products. In an install with two separate zones, it’s always best to install one set of our standard RF gear and one i series configuration.
- For multi-dwelling units (MDUs), we offer a ZigBee product line. Multiple remotes can communicate to a ZigBee base station simultaneously, all while tuning out RFI entirely.
- For networked homes, try our Network Series line and avoid any potential RF interference altogether.
Unfortunately, URC doesn’t have any development plans in sight for paranormal-proof products, but we can refer you to a Manhattan firm called Ghostbusters that does great work.
For further support on this tech tip, please email us at techsupport@universalremote.com.
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Under the Hood
By Robert Durbin
URC Technical Training Manager
The situation: Your client has a problem with the system you installed, and wants immediate resolution. You sincerely want to help, but you’re not in the area and can’t visit the jobsite to troubleshoot firsthand. Over the telephone, your client is trying his or her best to explain the issues, but lacks the vocabulary and technical acumen to describe the problems in a meaningful way. If only you could see exactly what they were talking about.
The solution: An installed wireless network camera.
Remember how Mom had eyes in the back of her head? When the situation calls for it, you can keep an eye on your customers’ equipment racks. Your client will be able to show you the problem, instead of trying to explain the problem. Imagine being able to see the problem, understand it and solve it (or at least suggest a workaround to tide the client over until you can get there). Imagine being fully prepared and having all of the material you need to restore the system on the first service call, thereby avoiding multiple trips and, most importantly, providing the most convenience possible for your customers.
Here’s a fictional example based on my personal experience. Let’s pretend that at the time his trouble occurred, my client John (his real made-up name) was located 80 miles away. John couldn’t watch TV, so he called me up.
“I’ve got no picture or sound when I try to watch TV, Robert. What’s happening?”
Instead of a lot of frustrating back-and-forth dialogue, I relied on my virtual troubleshooting tool. Knowing that John is prone to user error, I had installed a wireless networked camera. With my digital ally in place, I had John show me the problem instead of trying to describe it. I was able to troubleshoot the problem without leaving my shop. My customer was happy and I was even happier.
Here’s how a typical conversation might proceed: You ask the client to aim the camera at the components you suspect are causing the mischief. You have the client perform the same operations they’re trying to describe (e.g., play a DVD). Because you have “eyes” on the scene, you can detect what’s not going right.
I first used this solution a long time ago, in a galaxy far away, when the cameras were expensive and the client’s vacation home was a long drive. Today, most every home has a wireless network. And cameras cost less than your time is worth. Do the math: You may realize that it’s more sensible to leave a wireless camera on the jobsite during the client’s “learning period” (i.e., the first 30 to 60 days) in order to improve the customers’ experience. Or better yet, you can create a whole new revenue stream by including a camera as part of your extended service package for a small additional charge.
Sure, you can’t be everywhere at once. But use this simple technology, and you can come close.
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In the Classroom
By Laura Pfleger
Director of Certification, CEDIA
The CEDIA Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Program is a tool used to ensure that CEDIA Certified Professionals continue to develop their industry and/or technical knowledge base. A CEU is a numeric value placed on educational courses based on content and length of course. A CEDIA Certified Professional must earn 36 CEUs over a three-year period to renew his or her CEDIA Certification.
If you are a CEDIA Certified Professional, you know that you need CEUs to earn your certification renewal. What you may not know are the many ways you can earn CEUs.
CEUs can be earned by taking courses that are not taught by CEDIA. Because URC is an approved CEDIA CEU Provider, URC classes carry CEDIA CEUs, and thus can be a core component of your CEDIA Certification renewal.
It’s important to note, however, that it is the responsibility of the CEDIA Certified Professional to submit his or her completed URC courses to CEDIA for consideration towards their certification renewal. To do so, access the online CEU Petition Form. Here’s how:
- Log into your CEDIA student record.
- Click on the “Certification” tab at the top of the screen.
- Below your “Total CEUs to Date” you will see the link to the CEDIA Certified Professional CEU Petition Form. Select this link and complete the form.
- You will be required to upload an electronic copy of your class certificate of completion. CEDIA reserves the right to audit the CEU program by requesting that CEDIA Certified Professionals provide proof of training, so all CEDIA Certified Professionals should retain proof of class completion.
CEDIA encourages all Certified Professionals to take full advantage of classes offered by manufacturers such as URC. These classes will keep you abreast of new technologies and allow you to better serve your clients.
For questions about the CEDIA CEU Provider Program, please email certification@cedia.org.
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URC Tool Box
App of the Month |
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B&K Multi-Zone Templates
Nine CCP templates are now available for use with B&K Components multi-zone products. Included are six-zone, 12-zone and 18-zone configurations for B&K’s CT600.1 and CT600.3 multi-zone units, as well as 18-zone configurations for both units that include theater control. There’s also a file for the B&K AVR705 Home Theater Receiver. Each of these templates includes 2-way control and feedback for the B&K units using our Network Series products (MX-6000, MX-5000, KP-4000 and MRX-1). Each also includes all of our CCP-programmable remotes, from the MX-880 on up, in each and every zone. B&K has gone the extra distance by including a pdf manual with each template that explains exactly how it works and how to program the 2-way modules in CCP. You can start programming a B&K multi-zone system right away, and just take out what you don’t need. Kudos to B&K, and happy programming!
To access these and many more apps in the URC Tool Box, log on to the URC Control Room.
Haven’t checked out the Tool Box yet? What are you waiting for? Do it today! Just log onto the URC Control Room and click “URC Tool Box” on the left side of the home page.
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