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Apple® iPads have been hailed as one of the best investments any K-12 school or college can make for its students. Like any investment, however, iPads come with inherent risk. They can break easily, scratch, dent, or otherwise be damaged to the point of becoming a $500 brick, and cash-strapped students, K-12 schools and colleges simply can’t take the chance of incurring extra expenses due to breakage.
That’s why Northwest Kansas Technical College (Northwest Tech) realized they needed to offer each student the best protective case for their devices, and decided on the Trident Kraken A.M.S. case, according to Northwest Tech Director of Technology Brad Bergsma. He said the school first allowed students to buy their own cases and then began providing a case for each student the next year, but none of them were the perfect fit for the students’ needs.
“Northwest Tech is a hands-on technical college where students are treated as if they are working a real job.” Bergsma said, “We incorporated iPads as a learning tool as soon as they were introduced back in 2010, and have since seen our enrollment grow year after year. We quickly found that students will purchase cheaper protective cases to save money, but after several instances of damaged devices, we decided that the school needed to provide every student with a strong, resilient protective case as well. We tried Otterbox cases but the students didn’t like how difficult they were to remove, so we tested the Trident Kraken A.M.S. case and have since purchased nearly 300 of them for the new Fall 2013 students.”
All across the campus students use their iPads to access the school’s iTunes U content and Learning Management System, research new ways to complete tasks online, collaborate with teachers and other students, and to document their projects and ensure things get put back together the right way with the iSight camera. With constant use comes constant abuse, as students are often working in dirty, dusty, and even oily environments, as well as the inevitable drops and dings that happen in an environment where automotive repair and construction skills are being honed and tested.
“There is an alignment app for the automotive students that speeds up their adjustments, but they need to take the iPad underneath the vehicle with them, so it’s a dirty, oily environment where it’s likely the device would get scratched or dropped,” Bergsma said. “And the cosmetology students use an app that allows them to schedule appointments, track and maintain customer info and look up new designs and info in class. If it weren’t for the Kraken A.M.S. cases, these students would have hair and cosmetic products all over their iPads in about 30 seconds, just like the automotive students would have oil and dirt. It’s a necessity to protect the iPads, and the Kraken cases are the best way we’ve found to do so.”
Erin Luzzi, VP of Marketing at Trident Case®, noted that, “For punishing environments like those at Northwest Tech in Goodland, Kansas, where students learn in on-site automotive garages and cosmetology salons low-quality cases would result in more than a few headaches and unexpected costs for students. Our Kraken A.M.S. cases offer unbeatable protection for the most punishing environments and are used in real world environments like construction sites and hospitals, so they were the ideal solution to protect this school’s investment.”
The Kraken cases are certified by U.S. military standards to protect mobile devices against rain, dust, drops and vibration. They each have a permanent screen protector that protects the device’s screen from scratches and dirt, as well as an attachment port on the rear of the case that can be locked into more than two dozen mounts from Trident and Arkon.
Trident Case offers six series of protective carrying solutions providing one, two, or three layers of protection: Kraken A.M.S. Series®, Aegis Series®, Cyclops Series®, Perseus A.M.S. Series®, Electra Series® and Apollo Series®. Every series supports a broad range of devices from manufacturers including Apple®, Samsung®, HTC®, Motorola®, and more. All Trident cases use bio-enhanced plastic based products that are degradable, compostable, and recyclable. Over the past two years, Trident Case has invested in the infrastructure and resources necessary to manufacture its tough cases, with style, in the United States of America.
Furthering its commitment to provide the best cases for all of today’s most popular mobile devices, Trident Case®, a California-based manufacturer of tough and stylish mobile device cases, today announced that it has partnered with Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology solutions provider, to design and manufacture several series of protective cases for a variety of Huawei devices. According to Trident Vice President of Marketing Erin Luzzi, Trident is proud to be one of only two officially authorized manufacturers of cases for Huawei devices.
“Huawei is going to play an increasingly large role in the smartphone market in 2014 and beyond,” Luzzi said, “and Trident Case will be there every step of the way providing the ultimate combination of style and protection. Our specially designed cases meet Huawei’s rigorous standards for performance, function and style, and allow the company to offer an exclusive line of accessories that work perfectly with their smartphones.”
Since mid-August the company has produced cases for more than half a dozen Huawei devices available from U.S. providers such as T-Mobile, MetroPCS and others. Each case will include Trident’s bio-enhanced plastic that is degradable and compostable, and over time the line will become part of Trident’s “Made In The USA” program.
The Huawei cases by Trident fall under three new series: the $39.99 MSRP Nestled Series, the $34.95 MSRP Happy Stripes Series and the $19.95 MSRP Precision Series. The Nestled Series provides tough protection and improved grip with a polycarbonate shell, a protective silicone sleeve, a self-applicable screen protector and a belt clip/holster; the Happy Stripes Series offers a unique colorful twist on rugged protection and includes a polycarbonate shell, a protective silicone sleeve, a self-applicable screen protector and modern-styled prints; the Precision Series protects devices with minimal bulk and consists of a polycarbonate shell with an overbuilt edge for extra drop protection, plus a self-applicable screen protector.
Trident Case currently offers six full series of protective carrying solutions providing one, two, or three layers of protection: Kraken AMS Series®, Aegis Series®, Cyclops Series®, Perseus AMS Series®, Electra Series® and Apollo Series®. Every series supports a broad range of devices from manufacturers including Apple®, Samsung®, HTC®, Motorola®, and more. All Trident cases use bio-enhanced plastic based products that are degradable, compostable, and recyclable. Over the past two years, Trident Case has invested in the infrastructure and resources necessary to manufacture its tough cases, with style, in the United States of America.
Consumer confidence is high, new home sales surged 8.3 percent in May and new home prices have climbed month over month in 2013, so it’s clear the housing market is recovering. Builders need to find ways to stand out and capitalize on this market growth, and one way to do so is to offer things that others don’t even consider, like total home control. Award-winning builders Jim Blansfield of Danbury, Connecticut-based Blansfield Builders, Inc. and Josh Wynne of Sarasota, Florida-based Josh Wynne Construction have both partnered with local integrators and found huge success using the ELAN® g! Entertainment and Control System to help close new home sales.
“I’m a believer in ‘the new normal’ way of thinking,” Blansfield said, “and with the affordable and expandable control solutions made possible by ELAN g!, home control is the new normal! In the past two years, I’ve closed several new homes by demoing the g! system for prospective clients. I have a g! system in my own home, so I’m the first person to say how easy it is to use, and my clients are consistently impressed that I include technology in my designs and recommendations, because many other builders minimize the importance of home technologies.”
Since partnering with the Danbury integration firm Structured Home Solutions, Blansfield has built 13 homes that include ELAN g! systems of varying size and complexity. Whether the new buyers were looking for enhanced security, HVAC scheduling, lighting, irrigation and pool controls, or super simple whole-home audio and video systems, every client received a custom solution tailored to their specific needs. From a business perspective, Blansfield knows that his knowledge, appreciation and passion for technology place him in an entirely different category from other builders.
“Any builders who resist change and aren’t prepared to talk to clients about integrated home control solutions will hurt themselves in the long run,” he said. “I even push remodel clients to install the ELAN g! system because it adds so much value to the home, and brings it into the 21st century more so than new countertops or an updated bathroom could ever do.”
Josh Wynne has had similar success integrating advanced home technologies with the ELAN g! system, and has teamed up with Sarasota integrator SmartHouse Integration to offer his new clients the best that modern home technology has to offer. Wynne is building four new LEED Platinum certified homes in 2013, each featuring the ELAN g! system to control core subsystems such as AV, HVAC, security, lighting, window shades, irrigation, garage doors, pool controls and surveillance cameras.
According to Wynne, “I’ve strived to make a basic home automation package standard for every new home I build. When smartphones came on the market a lot more people started to see how easily these advanced systems could integrate into their homes and help them live more simply and comfortably, and I’ve used that culture movement to benefit my business. Most of my projects are relatively big budget, around the $1 million mark, but there’s absolutely no reason that a $250,000 home shouldn’t include a multi-room audio system, an integrated HVAC or lighting system that saves money and energy, or a security and surveillance system that can be accessed remotely from any smartphone or tablet.
Both builders agree that determining the buyers’ interests is key to selling advanced home control solutions, whether they love music and want multi-room audio or desire heightened peace of mind and would benefit from a mobile-accessible security and surveillance system. From there it’s a small leap to demo the entire ELAN g! system and highlight all the trappings that easy-to-use home control offers. Another thing they agree on is the need to use a reliable, qualified integrator to make the homeowner’s technological dreams a practical reality. That’s why they’ve each partnered with a top integration firm in their respective regions, and worked together to craft custom solutions that make every home the perfect living environment for the owners.
International custom electronics integrator Jim Beaumont of HomeTech Europe has installed hundreds, if not thousands of different products throughout his career, and he’s never seen anything quite as unique as the Niles Cynema Soundfield in-wall soundbar from Core Brands. As the first of its kind, the Cynema Soundfield naturally has some ‘wow’ factor to it, but according to Beaumont it’s the practical application of a high-quality soundbar that virtually disappears that’s making it fly off the shelves.
“When I heard about the Niles Cynema Soundfield I knew some of my clients would love it, but I didn’t think I’d sell 10 of them in the first month!” Beaumont said. “Niles recognized that homeowners want good sound to match their attractive wall-mounted TVs, but they also want it to be as unobtrusive as the TV itself. With TVs getting thinner and thinner, the TV manufacturers have run out of room for good speakers, and the only solution when your TV is an inch off the wall is to put the speakers into the wall itself.”
Beaumont says his clients and the designers he works with immediately see the value in a soundbar that can be painted over and literally disappear into the wall. For years, in-wall speakers have been the preferred solution of integrators and interior designers because they blend into the room, but they can be expensive and difficult to install in an existing room because of wiring and additional components such as amplifiers and AV receivers. The Cynema Soundfield solves this issue because it requires just two wires, one for audio signal and one for power, and it can be installed in less than an hour by a certified Niles installer, even if the TV is already hung on the wall.
“It’s easy to sell because it can be used in retrofits, new homes, board rooms and even retail locations like hotel lobbies, without anyone even knowing it’s there,” Beaumont continued. “Several of my clients were so excited when I showed it to them that they bought multiple units for multiple rooms. I think the market for this innovative premium sound solution could be huge, and I’m going to sell as many of them as I can.”
And it’s easy to complete the home theater experience with one of Niles’ small, powerful subwoofers and wireless kit, so the sub can go anywhere the homeowners want without running wires. The wireless kit hooks right up to the Cynema Soundfield’s amplifier, so there’s no separate amp or receiver necessary.
What makes the Cynema Soundfield so unique is its rail system; the only thing that gets cut into the wall is a thin metal rail that sits flush with the drywall, and then the three individual speakers and the amplifier simply lock into the rail. With such a fast installation time, models that match TVs of all sizes, plenty of power and fidelity (30W RMS per speaker, three speakers per soundbar) and the ability to paint the grill and make the speaker invisible, the Niles Cynema Soundfield is a hot item for electronics integrators and design-conscious homeowners everywhere.
The Cynema Soundfield includes inputs for optical audio, HDMI and analog audio, and can also be integrated into a multi-room audio system. It features autosense turn-on so that no separate remote is required, and it simply turns on whenever it receives an audio signal from either the TV or a connected multi-room audio system.
Following the successful market launch of DemoPad, the customizable software-based control solution, Stampede Presentation Products, Inc. today announced the launch of a web-based product training course, now available to integrators via Stampede University.
“Since its introduction at Infocomm 2013, DemoPad sales have been increasingly strong, and the need for a comprehensive and flexible online training solution is truly the next logical step forward in ensuring the success of the DemoPad control solution,” Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly said today. “As a strategic distributor of DemoPad, we’re very excited present this newly developed training program to our integrator partners. The implementation of this course further underscores our commitment to providing value-added, solutions-oriented benefits, such as in-depth training programs, to our partners.”
The newly developed eight-hour course, developed and instructed by industry expert Jonathan Brawn of Brawn Consulting, will introduce the DemoPad software and system design process. Enrollment in the course is $300, and open to all worldwide resellers. Upon successful completion, enrollees receive a certification certificate designating their eligibility to purchase an annual license.
According to Jonathan, “Brawn Consulting is proud to partner with DemoPad in the development of this training program, which is truly one of the best manufacturer trainings we have been able to produce thus far. Rarely does a manufacturer collaborate with us in such an extensive way to create a product that is an amazing resource for the systems integrators who will sell DemoPad into the market. Manufacturer support like this is truly key to a product’s long-term success.”
By focusing on software that allows installers to create their own custom GUIs for their company or for each client, DemoPad reduces the costs traditionally associated with custom control systems. With simple tools to create these GUIs for iOS and Android devices, DemoPad installers can easily, quickly and affordably implement impressive touch screen interfaces that offer integrated control of audiovisual equipment, lighting, HVAC, CCTV, gate automation, window blinds and access control.
Square 1 Bank, the premier banking partner to entrepreneurs and the venture capital community, announced today it has provided a credit facility to NanoLumens®, the rapidly growing Atlanta-based manufacturer and marketer of award-winning flexible and fixed LED displays. Proceeds from the facility will help fuel continued growth for the company.
“Square 1 Bank has a demonstrated record of success in helping entrepreneurs and their companies rapidly scale their business,” Nanolumens President and CEO Rick Cope noted. “The proceeds of this new credit facility will help us to better meet the rapidly growing demand for our solutions while we continue to develop a host of new products for both current and new markets. The strong and consistent support of our partners at Square 1 Bank is going to play an important role in our continued success.”
Peter Meath, co-founder and senior vice president in Square 1 Bank’s technology banking group added, “I was very impressed with the vision, experienced management team and long-term business plan of Nanolumens. Square 1 is excited to be a part of their continued success in the digital signage space.”
About Square 1 Bank:
Square 1 Bank is a full service commercial bank dedicated exclusively to serving the financial needs of the venture capital community and entrepreneurs in all stages of growth and expansion. Square 1’s expertise, focus, and strong capital base provide flexible resources and unmatched support to meet our client’s needs. The bank offers tailored products and solutions aided by the latest in technological innovations. Square 1 has offices coast to coast in Austin, Boston, Denver, Durham, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Seattle, Silicon Valley and Washington, DC. For more information, visit square1bank.com.
The CREDC (Columbia River Economic Development Council), which works to advance the economic vitality of Clark County, Washington, through business growth and innovation, knows that the most effective way to expose prospective businesses to the region is to hit the road. Spending much of its time showing business owners impressive sites and landmarks throughout the region, the CREDC needed to find a way to present vital facts and figures while on-site, without bulky binders or distracting personal devices. When the organization incorporated Circle Technology’s portable presentation system into their business development tours, they quickly realized they had a perfect solution on their hands.
“Our work involves bringing clients serious about relocating to the region on site tours, and presenting the value proposition for doing business in Southwest Washington,” said Bonnie Moore, Vice President of Business Growth and Innovation at the CREDC. “We are able to use the Circle Technology system to conduct high-quality, high-tech presentations on the road, no matter where we are. Whether we’re showing a client potential building ideas at a dirt lot, or hosting a bus tour group of 30 people on a bus, the Circle Technology system allows everyone to get all of the information they need, when they need it, in an easy-to-read manner.”
The Columbia River Economic Development Council, which started taking advantage of the benefits of the Circle Technology solution nearly a year ago, uses a system configuration that features Circle Host Software, 10 Custom Circle Displays and Circle Display Stands, and Circle Carrying Cases, which keep the displays charged at all times, ensuring that even if a tour runs long, the displays won’t lose power.
“We had been looking for a way to get the most out of our site tours, and when the Circle Technology system was pitched to us, it just seemed like the perfect fit,” added Moore. “Steve Hix, the President of Circle Technology, is a respected community leader, so when he told us that he had the ultimate solution that would allow us to present information while on the go, we were eager to try it. As a result, the way we are able to offer our clients an even higher level of visibility, by conducting meetings and presentations wherever they need them to take place. The Circle Technology system enhanced the quality of our meetings by giving us the flexibility to conduct business on the road.”
Circle Technology’s portable presentation system offers an on-the-go solution that allows a presenter to screen share any presentation or content, via the Circle Host Software, from their PC directly to the Circle Displays in the hands of their audience. The crystal clear 1280x800 resolution Circle Displays allow presentations to be put directly into the hands of the audience, without bulky, printed presentations or the seemingly endless distractions that could be found on their own devices. The Circle Host Software is compatible with Windows® 7 and 8, making it possible for the software to be downloaded to any PC that uses Microsoft OS.
What’s more, the Circle Host Software makes it possible to present without any connection to the Internet, thus eliminating any worries about faulty connections. The software also allows for multiple Circle Displays to be connected at once, giving presenters the opportunity to put their presentation into the hands of a larger group of people at the same time. The software works on a self-contained, encrypted WPA2 password protected network, powered by the standard wireless capabilities embedded in today’s PC’s, allowing for a secure and private connection between the presenter’s PC and the audience’s Circle Displays. The network can be adjusted on the go without the hassle of having to generate and distribute new passwords and user names, making the task as easy as possible for the presenter. Real-time sharing and collaboration is an integral element of all presentations, and the Circle Host Software allows the presenter to control the flow of their presentation.
Circle Technology’s presentation system packages are available in a number of configurations all designed to meet a variety of presentation needs. For information on the best Circle Technology system package for your company’s needs, and to order Circle Technology’s presentation system, please call Stampede Presentation Products Inc., at 1-800-398-5652.
That’s why Northwest Kansas Technical College (Northwest Tech) realized they needed to offer each student the best protective case for their devices, and decided on the Trident Kraken A.M.S. case, according to Northwest Tech Director of Technology Brad Bergsma. He said the school first allowed students to buy their own cases and then began providing a case for each student the next year, but none of them were the perfect fit for the students’ needs.
“There is an alignment app for the automotive students that speeds up their adjustments, but they need to take the iPad underneath the vehicle with them, so it’s a dirty, oily environment where it’s likely the device would get scratched or dropped,” Bergsma said. “And the cosmetology students use an app that allows them to schedule appointments, track and maintain customer info and look up new designs and info in class. If it weren’t for the Kraken A.M.S. cases, these students would have hair and cosmetic products all over their iPads in about 30 seconds, just like the automotive students would have oil and dirt. It’s a necessity to protect the iPads, and the Kraken cases are the best way we’ve found to do so.” 
