Mark Twain is best known as an American author, but he was also a very skillful riverboat pilot who navigated the waters of the Midwest before the Civil War. He earned his license by serving an apprenticeship, a practice still common today in many trades.
Twain, whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, placed extremely high value on training. In fact, he once said: "Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education."
Here at URC, training is everything. We offer live sessions in cities across the country, live webinars seven times a week, on-demand 24/7 courses via URC University and regular seminars hosted by our certified dealers. We also conduct professional training at trade shows, including next month's CEDIA EXPO in Indianapolis. Check out our complete CEDIA EXPO training schedule and visit www.cedia.net/expo to register.
Attend any URC training and you'll earn CEDIA CEU Credits. This is not limited to just the training we do at CEDIA EXPO. It applies to ALL of our training.
And if you've ever attended one of our CEDIA EXPO training sessions, you already know there's a very good chance you'll leave with a great door prize. (Hint: See us in Booth 3240, where we're giving away some of your favorite swag.)
This month's issue of Control the Universe is devoted to training. We hope you find the articles helpful. Drop us a note at editor@universalremote.com and let us know what you like or dislike about our newsletter.
Enjoy the rest of your summer. We can't wait to see you at CEDIA!
- Your friends at URC
URC Announces New Remote for Subscription Broadcast Channel
The Phazr-5 UR5L9000L-RF offers dependable "no more pointing" remote control technology to multichannel operators and their subscribers.
Combined with the MRF-250C RF base station, this five-device IR/RF remote control allows users to control equipment through walls and cabinet doors without aiming directly at electronics, at a range of up to 100 feet. It's built to Tru2way/OCAP specifications and is designed to operate most digital, IPTV and DTA set-top boxes.
The remote's keypad is fully backlit, and the button clusters are tactically placed to provide ultimate comfort for subscribers. It features DVR and On Demand capability, as well as a highly robust code library for use with an endless collection of North American AV devices. And just in case users can't find a code in the onboard library, the Phazr-5 UR5L9000L-RF can learn it from another remote control. This is one future-proof remote.
It also boasts the industry's simplest and quickest programming methods. Even its four custom-programmable macros can be configured effortlessly.
URC offers unmatched quality consistency from ISO 9001 certified facilities, dedicated client representatives, onsite and web-based training, and exceptional customer service.
Evaluation samples are available to industry members at no charge. To contact a URC sales rep, subscription broadcast industry members should visit www.universalremote.com, click on "Dealer Locator," then click on "Subscription Broadcast."
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URC Network Series Controllers Now Work with HAI Control Systems
Integration has been finalized between HAI's Omni and Lumina Family control systems and URC's Network Series remote controls.
This URC Complete Control Connectivity Partnership allows installers to deploy elegant two-way control modules with HAI home control products. Dealers now can provide homeowners the ability to use a single URC remote control for security settings, HAI Lighting Control, HAI Omnistat2 thermostats, and other subsystems like pumps and water heaters. Security features include arming and disarming, panic buttons, zone status and an event log of the system.
"The ability to increase interface options for our end-users is significant," explained HAI Director of Technical Services Scott Dudoussat. "Providing total control of a home with an easy-to-use familiar device from a well-recognized company like URC is a huge plus for our dealers."
"At URC, our goal is to provide our dealers with maximum flexibility and versatility," said Doug Cole, URC senior vice president and general manager. "This new integration provides installers the ability to pair our industry-leading controllers and interfaces with HAI's highly regarded home control systems."
The contest, run by Residential Systems magazine, honors the best products, based on their industrial design, from manufacturers exhibiting at CEDIA EXPO 2011.
"This year's Resi Awards finalists demonstrate, once again, that innovation and elegant design need not be sacrificed during challenging economic times," stated Residential Systems editorial director Jeremy Glowacki.
The winners for each category will be announced during a 5 p.m. CEDIA EXPO reception, on Wednesday, September 7, in Room 205 of the Indiana Convention Center.
We're hoping to bring home the big prize this year. If we do, we'll let you know!
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URC Product of the Month: The SNP-1 Streaming Network Player
What's the most exciting thing about the SNP-1 Streaming Network Player? With so many great features, it's hard to decide.
On-Screen GUI Provides Metadata and Control Environment
The SNP-1 can be controlled in full two-way fashion by any URC Total Control remote or touch screen when used with an MRX-10 Advanced Network System Controller. Via its IR input, the SNP-1 is also compatible with traditional URC IR/RF remote-plus-base-station combinations for one-way control.
Designed with You in Mind
A Total Control SNP-1can be installed anywhere on the network—and can be programmed off-site through an MRX-10—which all adds up to more convenience for you, the professional custom integrator.
Versatile, Flexible and Compatible
The rack-mountable SNP-1 outputs 44kHz streams of digital audio to DMS-1200 and DMS-100 amplifiers. Analog outputs for third-party amplifiers are also included. The SNP-1 can stream music from network-attached compatible PCs, Macs and network storage devices, satellite radio, and Internet-based services such as Rhapsody and Pandora. The system also delivers perfect synchronization between adjoining rooms, and enables users to link rooms for party scenarios, as well as access any zone or source anywhere in the home.
Highest Audio Quality with No Additional Compression
The SNP-1's audio streams deliver original-quality audio to any area of the house. The system does not compress original audio files, nor does it convert them to MP3.
Use a MAC Filtering Switch
URC recommends using an MFS-8 MAC filtering network switch (or MFSPOE-8 MAC filtering network switch with Power over Ethernet) to prevent multiple audio streams from consuming excessive amounts of network bandwidth. The smart PoE ports on the MFSPOE-8 support devices like keypads and cameras, but also are compatible with non-PoE devices.
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URC Team Member of the Month: Bill Baker
Bill Baker, URC Vice President, National Accounts, Subscription Broadcast Group
Bill Baker is indirectly responsible for Snooki.
But more on that later.
Bill joined URC in April 2001 as our vice president, national accounts, for our Subscription Broadcast group, and he's excelled in the role ever since. Bill is in charge of getting URC's subscription broadcast remotes into as many pay-TV subscribers' hands as possible.
His proudest accomplishment has been "growing URC's cable business from virtually zero to where we are today."
Bill's workday is hectic but always productive. For example, when we interviewed Bill, he replied, "This week I'm on the West Coast at a cable show. Last week I was in North Carolina meeting with Time Warner Cable Corporate. Next week, I'll be in my office fielding calls and emails from current customers and working to find some new prospects. The following week, I'll be on Long Island to meet with Cablevision. I really don't have many 'typical' days."
The most challenging part of his job, Bill says, is "keeping up with the changes in technology, and making sure we meet the expectations of our customers." He says cable operators are looking to simplify technology for their subscribers. "Because of the increasing complexity of the technology and the competition, the cable providers are looking for a less complex, user-friendly remote that will operate across multiple platforms, such as RF and IP," says Bill.
Bill is proud of the products URC has produced for the cable market, and he enjoys working with "the excellent people" at URC.
Bill had a notable career in the cable industry even before he joined URC. He helped launch MTV in 1981—"wow, that dates me," he jokes—and had a hand in launching several regional sports networks. He also developed a bandwidth management tool to give cable internet providers control over their networks.
A graduate of The Ohio State University, Bill enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, and stays active by playing tennis and fly fishing.
URC thanks Bill for his decade-plus of service, and looks forward to continued success in the subscription broadcast market under his leadership.
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Breaking News: Beware the Wire Monster!
We also have plenty more videos on the installers-only URC Control Room site. Not a URC Control Room member yet? Shame on you! Click here to join.
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Hank's Tip of the Month
By Hank Eisengrein
URC Regional Training Manager, East
I just passed a milestone at URC: 10 years of dedicated service to the cause of promoting custom-programmed remote control systems.
We've seen a lot change since I first started with URC all the way back in 2001.
Gone are the days of Eric Johnson and me crisscrossing North America to give out MX-700 Dual Remote Systems at live training meetings. URC has developed a world-class training department that provides many facets of education for you, our loyal URC dealer.
There are many available options for you today when seeking URC training.
URC’s expanded training staff conducts live regional training meetings every month, and of course we pride ourselves on our extensive trade show training classes such as those offered at the annual CEDIA EXPO. This year is no exception. Make sure to plan ahead, as these classes fill up fast. I’m looking forward to teaching my annual “Tips and Tricks” on Friday, September 9, at 4:00 pm in Training Rooms 107 and 108.
Sign up for URC University and enjoy a constant source of training. Once enrolled, search all of the options listed under the Course Catalog tab; URC has developed many 24/7/365 on-demand training classes, with most including a video presentation. Start with the basics of remote programming and Complete Control one-way remote systems, then move up to our two-way Network Series and, finally, our newest offering: the exciting Total Control system. Every model features a class, and there are also complimentary classes on specific topics such as home networking. You can find classes for technical training as well as classes geared for sales, and there are quizzes for key topics that you can complete after taking the class. I strongly recommend that every member of your company sign up for URC University.
Take advantage of our free live webinars using your computer and telephone. In addition to proven product classes, we are introducing a series of new topics that are sure to help grow your knowledge base for URC products.
Yet another source of training is available right inside of your PC. Every URC product has a detailed manual. Inside your CCP software, select the HELP tab and look to the far left for the Tech Guides option. It opens PDF files for all models featured in your CCP software. There are additional technical resources too, such as how to use the KP-4000 with a crossover cable, for download without an active network. Our new Total Control software program, URC Accelerator, also has documents under the HELP tab and User Guides for you. You can also find copies of every URC manual on the URC Control Room, as well as training examples on the URC Tool Box.
So whatever training format you prefer, URC has a professional solution for your needs:
Regional live training events (check with your local URC sales rep and your local distributor for exact dates and times)
Online 24/7/365 on-demand classes through URC University
An extensive schedule of free live webinars (check with us for a customized one-time webinar scheduled just for your company)
Tech guides and user manuals inside your PC
I've seen many changes in my 10 years working at URC, since the days of the SL-9000 and MX-500 remote controls. We are all very proud of the world-class training that is offered by URC.
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Be Social
By Cindy Davis
Principal and Founder, customCEsocial
The dog days of summer are here, and CEDIA EXPO is coming up. With the big show on the way, now is a great time to re-examine your social media program. As you do, here are some tips that can help make your social media time more effective.
Use URL shorteners. Sign up for a bit.ly account. It's a URL shortener that turns a very long URL of any page on the web into a short URL that's unique to your account, and which you can copy-and-paste into your Facebook or Twitter posts, or even emails. Through your bit.ly account, you can track how many people clicked on your post. It's very easy and intuitive to use.
Show them how it's done. From my several years as the editor of Electronic House magazine, I know that many people want to see how things are put together, and the process of an installation. I watch Norm Abram in his New Yankee Workshop make amazing furniture because I'm interested in how it is made, but I'm not about to do it myself.
When on a job, ask the homeowner if you can take pictures and/or videos as you install the project to post on your company web site and on Facebook. Some will be excited to share and others will want their privacy. If they don't want their home, location or names pictured or mentioned, respect their wishes. Homeowners might be more willing to let you do this if the images and text are not specific to their location. Either way, be sure to get their written permission to show any part of the home. It would be a great bonus if your client is excited to share the progress and is on Facebook as well. Send them a "Friend Request," so they can add their comments and share the excitement with their friends.
Whether you shoot video or still pictures from a client's home, your own home or showroom, I would recommend creating unique content. Keep it simple by focusing on specific aspects of an installation. Create a 2.5-minute edited video of an in-ceiling speaker installation, for example. Demo how your customized media center works, or the different lighting scenes you can set up in a family room (nothing is better on video than showing the power of lighting control). Show how you can consolidate five, 10, 15 and more remotes down to one smart remote, and so on.
All of these content ideas are a great "soft sell" for your company while adding the value of imparting helpful information. Just be careful not to make it into a marketing piece as this is sure to make some people tune you out.
Incentivize... but play by the rules. Generate interest by creating some incentive offers for your Facebook followers. I have it on good authority that a company such as URC would be willing to provide you with a small number of remotes to give away for promotional purposes. Before you venture into this arena, know that Facebook has many rules about giveaways, and those rules can be a moving target. Don't even think of calling it a "sweepstakes." All of the entries need to be done off of the Facebook site (which, by the way, is a great way to drive traffic to your company web page). Check the rules before you start with any giveaway or contest.
Think quality, not quantity. Run, don't walk, if anyone tells you that for $500 they will get you a ton of "Likes, Fans, Followers and BFFs." It's not about the number of BFFs you have. As my mom always told me, "It is about the company you keep." She also warned me that life is just not that easy.
Cindy Davis, the principal and founder of customCEsocial, can help you directly to improve your presentation to customers online. Contact her for practical advice on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or email. You can also reach her at 617-281-0736. Find Cindy's previous Be Social columns here, here,here, here and here.
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Tech Tips
By Joe Salvatore
URC Technical Support Manager
The URC MX-6000 Network Color Touch Screen controller offers the distinctive ability to allow you calibrate its LCD screen to match the sensitivity of any particular user's touch. The procedure is very easy to do, but pay attention to a couple of specific things when calibrating. After all, you don't want a service call from your client saying, "Hey, can you come help me dislodge my finger from the LCD screen of my MX-6000?" because you never saved the calibration session correctly.
Follow these steps for a successful calibration session:
From the main setup menu (pressing and holding the OK and MUTE hard buttons will get you here), press the calibration button.
The calibration button brings up the prompt above. Choose "Yes."
Follow the directions on the LCD screen using your finger instead of the stylus. When pressing the screen, use medium pressure for each touch. You're teaching the LCD screen the average pressure to which it must adapt and respond.
The target moves around the LCD screen in a clockwise pattern. Be sure to finish the calibration session in its entirety. It takes a couple minutes to complete.
The last and most crucial step is when the LCD screen indicates that calibration settings have been measured. At this point, YOU MUST HIT THE "OK" BUTTON TO SAVE. Otherwise, the calibration settings will not be retained. You'd be surprised how often hitting the "OK" button to save is forgotten.
Every time I visit an account, I ask what's new with employee training.
The ones who complain about lack of business or the state of the economy are the same ones who answer "nothing is new" or "we just do the same old things."
The ones who constantly try new training ideas are the ones who are growing their businesses and weathering the tough times.
Recently I visited two major regional chains that had changed their compensation programs from hourly salary to commissioned sales. Both told me that not only was turnover down, but sales of accessories were up. In fact, the number of line items being rung per sale was up overall. When I inquired as to why this was happening, both told me it was the result of better training. The employees' attitudes became more receptive about training. Suddenly, the good salespeople wanted to know more about the products they were selling. Once they began receiving an incentive to sell more, they wanted all the tools they could get their hands on.
I remember hearing stories about Sears appliance salespeople of olden days who received commission only. I phoned my retired Uncle Aubrey, who spent many days on the Sears sales floor. He confirmed for me that he earned $1 per hour and commission (this was in the 1960s and 70s). Accessory sales earned higher commission than the actual washer or dryer did, and if he sold something from another department, he got paid less because he was taking a sale from somebody else (and he was supposed to stay in his area). Sales reps, he said, came around occasionally to train them on new items, but mostly it was the Sears area managers who did the training. They would hold meetings before the store opened (with coffee and donuts) and although they were basically rah-rah sessions, all of the salespeople were eager to learn about new items because it meant new things to sell. And they were encouraged to call customers and invite them to come in to see what was new.
Thinking about this, I realize that sometimes the old way was indeed the better way.
One retail chain reports it's paying its employees to receive training. Manufacturers are encouraged to supply materials via an exclusive intranet site. Employees can earn up to two hours of additional pay per month for using the site, as well as points towards prizes supplied by the manufacturers. It works because the manufacturer, dealer and employee all have a vested interest in the training.
Another chain uses video training so they can reach all of their stores. On a regular weekly schedule, vendors can broadcast a 20-minute presentation and 10-minute Q&A session. The employees are paid for their time, and the training is conducted during store hours. At the end of the session there are contests, and the vendor awards prizes. This is considered great training and a fun time for the employees, too.
Everything I hear from dealers, large and small, indicates that if employees do not know about the items they're selling, they are dead in the water. Consumers no longer feel obligated to buy where they first shop. They buy where they get answers and expertise.
Some of the things we sell are complicated to the average consumer. Salespeople must be able to explain products in "consumer-speak" and then handle the sale effortlessly, with nothing for the customer to do but hand over their credit card. If we don't train them to do just that, some other store will.
This remote template for the MX-5000/MRX-1 combination uses two-way RS-232 to enable multi-zone control. Zone select pages allow for specification of Zone 1/Zone 2 sources. Two-way RS-232 commands send the remote the exact status of the processor: Zone 1 on/off, Zone 2 on/off, Zone 1 source and Zone 2 source. Multi-zone volume control is enabled through a Punch-Thru Volume device. A Punch-Thru Navigation device controls more screens than just for a particular device. A lighting device allows for going "Back" to the previous page.
To access this app 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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URC Complete Control Partner of the Month: TED
The Energy Detective (TED) is an accurate home electricity monitor that provides real-time feedback on electricity usage. TED is the leader in home electricity management systems, due to its accuracy, affordability, ease-of-installation and comprehensive software.
URC now has two-way TED modules for the KP-4000, MX-6000 and MX-5000, and we're finishing one up for our Total Control products.
Energy monitoring is HOT! Leverage our TED modules today.
Our master distributor for EMEA, BMB Electronics, has announced new URC distributors for Italy and Egypt. Excel Music & Cinema is the new URC distributor in Italy. IntelliTECH is the new URC distributor in Egypt. We welcome Excel and IntelliTECH to the URC family, and we look forward to working together to bring our industry-leading control experiences to installers and end users in Italy and Egypt!
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Upcoming Events
Stay up-to-date with our training and events schedule for August. Click Here
