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Dealerscope Cover Shows Los Straitjackets Invading the URC CEDIA Booth!
To say that Los Straitjackets were a hit at URC's annual CEDIA EXPO party would be the understatement of the year. Over one thousand people passed through the door at STATS to enjoy free food and drink, great conversation and an amazing outdoor rooftop performance by the legendary cult favorite, which bills itself as "America's Instrumental Rock & Roll Combo."
Earlier that day, Los Straitjackets rushed the CEDIA EXPO show floor and descended on URC's booth, wearing their trademark Mexican wrestling masks and ready to rumble. Jeff O'Heir, editor-in-chief of Dealerscope magazine and a huge fan of the band, decided that a shot of Los Straitjackets manhandling several of our new Total Control products would make a killer cover for his October issue. And so it was!
Thanks again to Jeff for the great photo... and for coming to our party and rocking out to the band! It was our pleasure to host Jeff and everyone who came to our annual bash. We're looking forward to seeing you all again next year in Indianapolis! Who knows what we'll come up with for next year's party...
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Want a break from reading? Go watch our CEDIA EXPO 2010 videos!
Did you miss us at CEDIA EXPO? If you did stop by (and thank you for visiting!), would you like to refresh your memory on what was going on in our booth? We shot a ton of video at our booth in Atlanta that you can watch any time at our YouTube page! Here are some links to the individual videos:
There will be much more video to come, so be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel today!
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URC Founder and CEO Presents at Time Warner Cable Supplier Diversity Fair
On October 13 in Charlotte, N.C., URC CEO and Founder Chang K. Park spoke at the Time Warner Cable (TWC) Supplier Diversity Fair.
Two months before, TWC named URC, a longtime participant in its Supplier Diversity program, its primary vendor for customer remote controls.
TWC, which purchases more than $200 million a year in supplies and services from certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), is actively recruiting minority and women-owned vendors to participate in its Supplier Diversity program. Mr. Park was asked to share his thoughts on working with TWC through the program, and on the challenges faced by minority-owned businesses.
"If someone were to ask me what contributed the most to the growth of our company, I would attribute our success to our employees - people in our company with diverse backgrounds," Mr. Park told the assembly of approximately 70 minority business owners.
URC's track record for responsive customer service and its ability to supply specialty remote controls, such as devices with larger numbers for people with poor eyesight, were key factors in TWC's decision to expand its relationship with URC. All told, URC now supplies 80 percent of TWC's customer remote controls. The contract, which runs through 2011, more than doubles URC's business with TWC, the nation's second largest provider of cable and broadband services.
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URC's Commercial Division Chief Answers YOUR Questions
URC isn't the only organization that sees growth and opportunity available in the commercial integration space. So do the publishers of CE Pro and Electronic House, who are launching Commercial Integrator magazine and www.commercialintegrator.com in January.
In conjunction with the launch, Commercial Integrator editor-in-chief Tom LeBlanc has asked our own Jamie Finnegan, national sales manager for URC's commercial division, to take questions from the commercial integration community.
Obviously, Jamie is available to URC dealers on a continuous basis, but Commercial Integrator is giving you a chance to hold Jamie's feet to the fire in a public forum. We encourage our commercial dealers to participate in this interview. Click here to post your question for Jamie!
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We've Released 366 - That's Three Hundred Sixty-Six - New 2-Way Modules! Live Update Your CCP Today!
URC VP of Technology Eric Johnson and URC's Product Development Team didn't take much time to smell the roses after our historic Total Control rollout at CEDIA EXPO. Quite the contrary: We've just released 366 additional 2-way modules, bringing our total of 2-way modules to a staggering 840!
To take advantage of these new modules, every URC installer should live update CCP on their laptops as soon as possible.
Obviously, we don't have the space to describe all 366 of the new modules, but here are some highlights:
Update to PCiTunes and MACiTunes modules. Apple released an update to iTunes which broke connection to URC's 2-Way modules. The new updated modules enable users to upgrade to iTunes 10.2.22.
Upgrades to modules for Integra .2 AVRs and Onkyo AVRs ending in 8. New additions include Pandora, Rhapsody, Internet Radio and more, as well as Now Playing with Lists.
Our MX-5000, MX-6000 and KP-4000 are now able to browse Internet Music and Network Music from Onkyo and Integra. You can see the song that is currently playing, and then browse for more content on the remote/keypad. [Please keep in mind that the Integra and Onkyo AVRs can only be controlled 2-Way from Zone 1. Zone 2 and above are not supported.]
Browsing |
Now Playing |
Upgrades to modules for Integra .1 AVRs and Onkyo AVRs ending in 7. New additions include Pandora, Rhapsody, Internet Radio and more, as well as Now Playing with Lists.
The Integra and Onkyo Now Playing module for the MX-6000, MX-5000 and KP-4000 now provides 2-Way status with Album, Artist and Song playing metadata (and Cover Art when the service provides it) from Pandora, V-tuner, Sirius, Rhapsody, iPod and the Server.
Browse on TV
Each of the Now Playing modules now has an onscreen television interface which is controlled via the remote's hard buttons. After selecting a module, use the remote's navigational buttons to make a selection.
New 2-Way Module for Denon AVRs with Sirius Satellite Receivers. Provide full 2-Way browsing of all Sirius channels with Sirius channel artwork and end user-set Favorite channels!
Update to 2-Way Energy Monitoring via The Energy Detective (T.E.D). We've resolved some issues with incorrect graphics and date/time issues.
2-Way Status, AM/FM HD Radio, Sirius with Per Zone Volume Pop Up for 2011 Yamaha AVRs (RX-A1000, 2000 and 3000). In addition, we've released Yamaha RX-V867 multi-zone modules for Status, AM/FM HD Radio and per-zone Volume Pop Up.
Update to 2-Way Network Thermostat. Proliphix NT Series connection speed was improved.
Sufficiently tantalized? Want to see what else is new? Live update CCP now!
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URC Team Member of the Month
Jim Novak, URC Senior Product Manager
At CEDIA EXPO 2010, URC unveiled its largest-ever set of new products: URC Total Control. URC Senior Product Manager Jim Novak played a huge part in that rollout.
Jim joined URC in June 2007, immediately becoming part of the core product development team that has now fully transformed URC from a remote control vendor to a whole house control company. Jim calls his contribution to Total Control his proudest accomplishment at URC.
"Every product in the line is state-of-the-art, and further ingrains URC as a leader in the home control/home automation business," says Jim. "We've gone way beyond just controlling the home theater; now we can control virtually every subsystem in a smart home. The entire Total Control line has propelled URC to a new level."
Jim is especially excited about enabling URC dealers and end users to tap into the cloud for enhanced entertainment. "I really like our integration of the cloud-based music services, like Rhapsody, Pandora, Internet radio and Sirius/XM, in our SNP-1 Streaming Network Player," he says, adding that Pandora is his favorite. "And what state-of-the-art control system would be complete without Internet programming? I think URC installers will love being able to connect to a URC Total Control System from their office or their homes to make changes to their programming when, say, their client's cable or satellite company remaps their channels. There's no need to roll a truck for these minor changes any longer."
The breadth and depth of the Total Control line, however, is the product of lots of long days and nights at URC, when the finish line of the CEDIA EXPO 2010 product launch was far off in the distance. And because more cool stuff is in the works, Jim's typical day going forward is going to look a lot like his typical days over the last three-plus years. "I've gotta have that 'Cup of Joe' to start the day," says Jim. "I'm a real coffee enthusiast!" Next it's onto emails and voicemails, and then Jim checks on the URC Control Room forums "to see if anything interesting is happening in the field."
From there, he says, each day is different. He could be involved in any number of product development projects, and sometimes even trade show planning. But always, always, it's about the products. Jim is a key figure in the product development meetings led by his boss, URC Vice President of Technology Eric Johnson. The rest of the time, Jim's involved in product brainstorming, as well as developing product feature sets (must-haves and nice-to-haves), form factors, user interfaces, software, diagrams, manuals and testing, as well as assisting URC's tech support department when product issues in the field arise.
"All that, before lunch. Eat lunch and repeat! Only kidding," Jim jokes.
Jim grew up in Chicago, where his family still lives, and where he attended UICC (University of Illinois Chicago Circle Campus). He started his career in the Windy City too, with United Audio Centers. "We were the best mid-fi retailer in town," Jim recalls. "As we grew, custom installation became part of the business. That's when I got exposed to designing and installing home theaters and whole house music systems that would be easy to use and reliable. Quite a challenge back then: Not many discrete IR codes! Tweeter eventually bought UAC, so I had the chance to work for Jeff Stone. Back then, times were good and I had a blast running the Chicago Region Custom Installation division for Tweeter."
After years of service on Niles Audio's dealer council (working with our Eric Johnson, who was with Niles at the time), former Niles President Frank Sterns convinced Jim to join his company. "That was my first exposure to manufacturing," says Jim. "It was quite a different world from retail." Jim was part of the product development team that developed the Niles ICS product line, but after Niles was bought by Linear, Jim began to scout for greener pastures. He saw Eric Johnson, who had since joined URC, at an ISE show in Amsterdam and, says Jim, "The rest is history."
When asked what he likes most about working at URC, Jim doesn't hesitate. "First and foremost, I love our product development team! Eric has taught me a ton. The other members of the team are awesome too. We challenge each other, and we have a few battles, but in the end we get it done."
Jim raves about URC's leadership, too. "I've worked at a few companies in my day, but I've never worked for a better management team," he says. "Mr. Park, Doug Cole, Lars Granoe, Jon Sienkiewicz, Eric Johnson and Mitch Klein... Each member of the team brings unique experience and perspective. Combine them all and you really have a winning team."
Adds Jim, "I LOVE THIS STUFF! It's easy to work at something you truly have a passion for."
Jim also loves the outdoors; he's a devoted cyclist (he completed a 75-mile ride this fall with the Westchester Cycle Club), and he also enjoys hiking, skiing and fishing. Like many URC employees, Jim has a passion for music; he plays electric and acoustic guitar for the worship team at Ridgeway Alliance Church.
CEDIA EXPO 2010 was an historic event for URC, and we couldn't have done it without Jim's knowledge, talent and hard work. Thanks Jim... We can't wait to see what you and our product development team come up with next!
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Product of the Month: 2-Way Modules
URC now offers 840 2-way modules in our database that enable you to leverage the hottest cutting-edge services and components out there. Some examples:
- A particular fan favorite is our Apple TV module, which allows end users to switch between browsing Apple TV menus on a TV screen and on the remote control itself. The Apple TV module even allows you to stream music wirelessly via an Apple AirPort Express, simply by plugging the AirPort Express into the audio inputs of an AV system.
- Subscription music junkies, we've got you covered. Sirius/XM, Rhapsody, Pandora and tons of internet-based and other network music is controllable via our 2-way modules through many popular brand multi-zone AVRs, like Integra, Onkyo, Yamaha and Denon. We also offer modules for standalone internet music players like the Logitech Squeezebox, NetStreams systems and our own new SNP-1 Streaming Network Player (due out early 2011).
- Speaking of multi-zone AVRs, we also offer modules that allow users to monitor volume status, zone status and zone tuner status for numerous models of B&K, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo and Integra receivers.
- Our 2-way module for the TED 5000 energy monitoring system allows users to view their real-time energy usage costs per hour, day or month on one of our Wi-Fi-enabled remotes or keypads. TED 5000 delivers a wealth of additional energy monitoring data as well.
- Lastly, let's not forget our own proprietary URC modules for our PSX-2 Personal Server, which allow users to browse artist and song info, including cover art, right from any iPod or iPhone.
We just released 366 new 2-way modules! Check out the story in this month's newsletter for more info on those.
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Your Business
By Glenn Gentilin
URC Regional Product Specialist
The landscape of the custom A/V industry is forever changed. The days when the emphasis was on good quality two-channel sound, what we referred to as Hi-fi, are long gone.
Today, we must confront an entirely new reality. Consumers have far less expendable income. New construction projects remain at an historic low. The cost of equipment, especially display devices, has shrunk; often, the bracket and the labor to hang the TV are greater than the price of the TV itself. Yet flat panels continue to drive customers. Consumers' desire to enjoy really great sound has diminished in favor of portability and convenience; the iPod started this trend, and now internet sources are feeding it. Now that streaming video content is taking off, the trend has spilled over into the theater world as well. There are ads that show how watching a movie on your cell phone can be a great hi-def experience. Your cell phone!
With equipment prices dropping and interest in a truly superior A/V experience waning, how can you continue to make a profit on your jobs? The answer is in the extras: The little things you can add to each job to improve the quality of the system and make it easier for the customer to enjoy watching or listening to his or her equipment. Some suggestions to make your bill longer:
- Move to a premium interconnect wire line. With everything being run over HDMI these days, communicate how better wire will provide a better signal even through upgrades in equipment. Plus, over-wiring the house for control is an investment in the future. These concepts make sense to homeowners. Install a few runs of Cat-5e throughout the home and you'll more easily sell new products to the client at a later date.
- Add surge protectors to every job.
- Use high-quality network products.
- Offer service contracts for scheduled and emergency repairs. These three little things (Numbers 2 through 4), when applied to every job, will add up to a significant increase in your income.
- Provide a complete control solution. This is the easiest way to increase your bottom line. It ensures that the customer experience is pleasant, helps you garner referrals, and allows you to add equipment and programming labor to existing jobs, no matter how large or small.
- Add an RF base station to each system. With the electronics hidden behind cabinet doors, the only things customers need to see these days are the flat panel TV and the remote. But even in jobs where the gear is in plain sight, install an RF unit. Don't waste time teaching the customer to aim the remote at the TV or gear. Install an MRF-260 or MRF-350 instead; it will add profit to each job, plus labor. For the customer, it makes the system more stable, and usable even when children or pets are running around in front of the system.
- Add lighting control to each system. Spec dimmers on the original proposal, or just add a couple of lamp dimmers during the install and show the customer how they work during a Macro operation. Most rooms will have three, four or five lighting loads to be controlled. At $150 for each dimmer, plus installation labor, this should add about $800 to $1,200 to each job. If you only sell lighting into half of your systems, think about the amount of money this could add to your yearly sales total.
- Upsell your customer to a better remote control. Add features to the experience that will make it easier for clients to enjoy their investments. Think about how the client, and the rest of the family members, will use the system. You know how everything is hooked up, and how to navigate the Guides and Menus, but most of your customers won't. Make it pleasurable for every member of the household to operate the system. Instead of a text-based remote, propose a more profitable touch screen remote with a custom interface for each person in the house. Add personal pages for each household member, simple one-button system control for baby-sitters or Grandma, and custom graphics and messages to simplify operation. These great features tend to sell themselves. And don't forget to charge more for this advanced programming.
- With a graphic remote, add a page that shows your contact name and number. This not only puts your customers at ease (they'll know how to reach you if they need you), but it also allows them to easily refer you to friends and neighbors. A dealer once told me about a call he received from a person who had just bought a house with one of his systems in it. The remote had the dealer's name and number on it. The new homeowner, a major NBA star, added $250,000 in additional equipment, plus even more in referrals.
- Propose 2-way-enabled products. Go from an MX-980 to an MX-5000 to boost profit, and add more profit with advanced programming. Once customers see the day-to-day benefits of using the Internet features, 2-way feedback and home control options available on these units, they'll make the investment.
To sum up: Don't fight the wave. You'll lose clients if you push high-quality sound or video when they don't see the benefit. However, don't allow the job to shrink so small that you can't afford to roll the truck to install it. Instead, focus on value-added features, little things that add up over time. A few hundred extra dollars per client won't seem much to them when they see the benefits they'll derive. But over the course of a year, those few hundred extra dollars per job will mean a lot to your company.
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Hank's Absolutely Free Tip of the Month
By Hank Eisengrein
URC Regional Training Manager, East
Yesterday was Halloween, and I hope you and yours had a great one, filled with an abundance of tricks and treats. As we all work off those extra calories and stash the scary thrills and chills away for next year, allow me to share one more "trick" that will "treat" your customers!
The trick involves a new URC Total Control product that will prepare your clients for system expansion. Switch from using our venerable MRF-350 RF base station and, instead, start using the new MRX-1 Network Base Station in its place.
Why is this trick a good idea? The answer is that you'll treat your customer to the expanded power that the MRX-1 delivers.
You'll notice, of course, that the MRX-1 isn't an RF base station like the MRF-350 is. It doesn't come with an RF antenna in the box. However, simply add the optional RFX-250 (or RFX-250i 433MHz) antenna to the MRX-1 and the resulting package is the same as using an MRF-350.
The treat for your clients is that you'll be promoting one of my favorite "Hank" concepts: Future System Expansion. In a traditional one-way RF system, the MRX-1 will act just like the MRF-350, but its additional features will provide you and your clients an upgrade path to take advantage of the powerful features of our exciting new URC Total Control products, which we recently introduced at CEDIA EXPO 2010.
The MRX-1 acts as a secondary network base station in up to eight zones when used in a URC Total Control system. By using the MRX-1 in every job, you gain the ability to return to an installation and easily convert a one-way RF remote system to a two-way networked system that works with the newly expanded lineup of URC Total Control two-way remotes and in-wall keypads. You'll gain repeat business while showing your clients that you had the foresight to design their systems to expand at a future date.
Look at the rear panel of the MRX-1 and you'll see that the right side of the unit works just like the MRF-350 when you add the RFX-250 antenna. The left side of the MRX-1, however, offers powerful connections that make the MRX-1 upward-compatible with our new MRX-10 Advanced Network System Controller (which we refer to around here as Total Control's "Brain"). So, if you install an MRX-1 today, you'll have complete confidence that it can be integrated with a full-blown Total Control system in the future.
You'll also find that the MRX-1 has a "pink" port for IR emitter number six. This special output allows you to add our RFTX-1 RF transmitter for URC lighting control.
Move from the MRF-350 to the MRX-1 and you'll build future sales with your current client base. Break away from the everyday solution you use now to offer a higher level of control options in every system you install!
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Strictly Commercial
By Robert W. Durbin
URC Systems Integration Engineer, Commercial Division
When you have a chance to enhance your company's operations at no cost, you need to give it a close look.
This is especially true for residential dealers who are looking to move into commercial work. Most established commercial dealers already have AutoCAD. Most residential dealers don't. That's why I recommend Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks' free eDrawings Viewer software to the AutoCAD have-nots among you.
You can install this free tool on all of your company's laptops to communicate directly with design professionals. Even without owning AutoCAD, you can use eDrawings Viewer and a little ingenuity to "red line" or markup drawings and provide as-builts without needing the pro version of eDrawings, or any other software for that matter.
Using the screen snipping tool in Windows, or the grab tool on a Mac, you can take a picture of an AutoCAD drawing in the eDrawings Viewer software, and mark the picture up in any software you'd like (you can even use preview on a Mac), adding circles, redlines, even text. When you're done, you simply save it as a PDF or JPEG and email it to the architect, whose CAD staff can then include your mark ups or as-builts. It's quick, it's easy, and it's paper-free, which is something design professionals really like in today's LEED/green-focused world.
As more commercial projects begin to bleed over into residential and vice versa, AutoCAD is the vehicle of communication and an important tool. To play in this world, you don't need to own expensive software, and you don't need to take any software-specific training. Instead, use eDrawings to view, zoom and pan around an AutoCAD DWG file.
Check it out at www.edrawingsviewer.com!
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In the Classroom
By John Martin
URC Online Training Manager
The end of the year is approaching fast, and you know what that means: Between Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday, you'll be busy with new installations, upgrades and "get ready for the holidays" system tune-ups.
Hopefully, you've already reached out to everyone on your client list with an enticing offer. But as we all know from past experience, business may be slow until we approach the end of November. What will you be doing between now and then? Waiting for the phone to ring?
Now is the time, more than ever, to partake of URC's world-class training programs. Let us help you polish your skills during this slow period so you can handle your upcoming jobs quickly and efficiently.
We have a class in our mix that will fit your needs: live trainings (which could be coming to a town near you), online self-paced courseware at URC University, or our any of our live webinars (which take place six times each week). No matter if you're installing the simple-yet-robust MX-880 remote, the complex and sensational KP-4000 in-wall touch panel, or anything in between, URC can help you with programming training and applications planning.
Not certified yet? That's yet another good reason why now is the time to enroll in URC University and get certified, both Sales and Technical, for URC's network products. For all URC dealers, new and old, this is crucial: With all of the new gear we'll soon be shipping, now is not the time to procrastinate. Get certified now rather than later. Login at The URC Control Room and check out the certification program at URC University!
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Mitch's Musings
By Mitchell Klein
URC Director of Business Development
By now you're all familiar with our TIER department, the award-winning team that delivers Training, Information, & Educational Resources. Most of you have had the opportunity to attend one of our high-energy, fast-paced live trainings.
By now, too, you have also signed up for our online University, URC-U, and taken one or more of our convenient and thorough 24/7, self-paced courses.
You are also a member of the URC Control Room, our dealer-only website that provides you short videos, technical bulletins, manuals, product literature, images, software downloads and so much more.
You have also been the happy recipient of our monthly Live Webinar Training Schedule e-blasts.
With access to so many training and learning tools, you must be wondering, "Why would I want to sit in on a webinar?"
While we hold to the view that our live, in-person trainings are clearly the best and most effective way for you to learn about our products, we also realize that it's not always practical OR convenient to attend them. In response, we've spent hundreds of hours creating a very deep assortment of self-paced courses, available whenever you like as a new session or as a refresher course to review and access specific topics as needed.
Webinars, however, deliver a hybrid approach to the live versus self-paced dynamic. We offer at least three different webinar classes every week, each offered twice per day, and each no longer than one hour. Since these are delivered LIVE by one of our TIER trainers, you can interact with the presenter - ask questions, discuss specific applications and challenges you may be facing - and also interact with fellow dealers who are also taking the session.
So, with our webinars, while you may be covering similar material as found in a self-paced course, you enjoy many of the benefits of a live training, without the travel and without committing a half-day or more to learning about a key topic. This adds a level of personalization to your learning and, once you experience the convenience of a webinar, you'll be glad you did.
My suggestion is to always go live whenever you can, then use the self-paced courses as a reference for those times when you need a little refresher.
For your convenience, the webinar schedule is always posted on the URC-University landing page.
And remember, webinars are added to your URC-U transcript!
See you online. Soon!
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Tech Tips
By Joe Salvatore
URC Technical Support Manager
It's official: Microsoft now acknowledges all URC product drivers as Windows compliant. Our device drivers have passed all applicable reliability, stability and compatibility requirements.
This development will ensure an enhanced installer experience. Previously, when attempting to update a remote or upload an existing configuration from a remote, you may have been prompted to install or update device drivers manually. You may have encountered messages like "connection error" or "unable to connect," which in turn led you on an arduous journey through the depths of Device Manager.
No more! Now that our device drivers have been recognized as "Microsoft approved," they will install and update automatically once you connect the device to your Windows PC. You'll never again need to search for and manually update any "unknown device" drivers.
Before I bid you adieu for this month, I'd like to take the opportunity to mention a couple of additional and important compatibility/connectivity facts regarding some of our products that I hope you'll find helpful:
- The MX-950 is not suited for use on a Windows Vista or Windows 7 PC. However, there is still full product support for this remote. You simply must use a Windows XP machine to update one with program modifications.
- The MSC-400 should be programmed using a Windows XP or Windows Vista 32-bit system. It will not accept an information transfer from a Windows Vista 64-bit or Windows 7 OS-based system.
- MX-880 remote controls manufactured after September 2009 are HID (Human Interface Devices), which means they do not require a driver.
For further support on this tech tip, please email us at techsupport@universalremote.com.
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In the Trenches
By Braden Napier
URC Product Specialist, West Coast
When programming remote controls in your clients' home or office, it's important to focus on adding that final polish to the look and feel of the remote. Keep in mind that your client will be looking at the screens you're programming for years to come; the better it looks and feels, the better impression it will give the client about your business.
What do I mean by "polish"? Just some ideas off the top of my head: Edit text with capital letters. Move buttons around based on how much they'll be used. Place buttons in an easy to use format (for example, place "Page +" directly above "Page - "). Add custom graphics. Really, I could go on for days on this subject! Put yourself in the end user's shoes and the ideas will start flowing.
It's pretty clear that not all remote control programming is created equal. A customer will base his or her impression on the system you've integrated for them based on how well it works and how good it looks. Give your clients "Wow" remote control experiences, and their friends and family are more likely to call you to fulfill their automation needs.
All that polish won't help if the remote doesn't function properly, of course. So spend an extra 15 to 30 minutes to ensure that everything functions perfectly, as well as dazzles the client; it'll likely provide you a huge ROI in the long run. Think of all of those truck rolls you won't need to make.
Obviously, you don't want to spend too much time working all of this above-and-beyond magic, so create a "Template" file that houses all of the most common devices you program. For example, create a template for a Samsung Blu-Ray player that has been programmed with colored buttons for the Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue, the correct button placements, and the workaround Macro for a "Power On/Off Discrete Command." Then you can simply import these templates into future jobs. It's a huge time-saver that eliminates unnecessarily redundant programming.
Another time-saving tip: Check out the URC Toolbox on the URC Control Room, where there are a ton of files you can download (many for free) that will enhance the look and feel of your remotes. Tap into the expertise of your peers in the URC dealer community; it's another one of the benefits of being a URC dealer!
One final, simple tip that can provide significant ROI: On a page somewhere on the remote (my suggestion is to put it on the final Watch/Listen page), place the following text:
Professionally Programmed By:
(Your Name)
(Your Phone Number)
(Your E-Mail Address)
This will guarantee that your customer won't lose your contact information should he or she want to make changes or purchase a new remote. In my past experience as a URC dealer (until very recently, I was one of you!), I've had houseguests of my clients take my number down and call me to do their own homes.
Bottom line: That remote you're programming can also be a killer selling tool, as well as a terrific customer retention tool. Don't blow your chance to dazzle and delight your clients through a device they'll likely use more than any other in your installations. Good luck!
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URC Tool Box
App of the Month |
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Snake
Remember Snake, that addictive game on old Nokia phones? Well, the Snake has just slithered onto our MX-5000 Remote Control and MX-6000 Touch Screen, thanks to this re-creation from URC's own John Fischer! It's a fun add-on for the MX-5000 and MX-6000 that many of your clients may enjoy. And like many of the apps in our URC Tool Box, it's absolutely free!
The object of the game is to eat as many pieces of fruit as possible without running into yourself or into the wall. But watch out: the more fruit you eat, the larger of a snake you become! There are 10 levels to the game, each progressively more difficult.
To access Snake 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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