Explore the possibilities and put them in motion!

Click below or visit http://youtu.be/s9BUefUQn-I

Sit back and enjoy – Listen to Biz Dev VP at Global Cache, Robin Ford

“Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline” at CEA Industry Forum

(Hour 1 at 28:40)

HAI (Home Automation, Inc.), leading manufacturer of integrated automation and security products since 1985, announced that the 2012 HAI Product Catalog is now available.  The catalog is available in three formats: hard-copy print, electronic PDF, and online Flash.  It will also be included on HAI’s upcoming 2012 Automation Simplified CD.

The Product Guide features products currently shipping and products scheduled to be introduced in 2012, including all-new Promo Kits, the ZigBee Gateway, the Bluetooth Remote Input Module, and the Temperature Display/Control.

To make it easier to find specific products, the catalog is divided into the following general categories:  Safety, Energy Management, Entertainment, and Convenient Interfaces, with color-coded tabs.  Also included is information on HAI’s history, industry participation and research, training and dealer support programs, warranty and technical support, wiring requirements and diagrams, as well as marketing and supporting documentation.

HAI Dealers and Distributors may now order free hard copies as well as CD’s via the online support websites.  HAI will ship the documents when they become available within the next few weeks.

HAI products are available through a worldwide network of Distributors and installing Dealers in over 80 countries.  For more information on HAI, please visit www.homeauto.com or email sales@homeauto.com.

About HAI (www.homeauto.com):  HAI (Home Automation, Inc.) is a privately held manufacturer of integrated automation and security products for residential and commercial use based in New Orleans, LA. Incorporated in 1985, HAI has developed a full line of award-winning automation products, including home control systems, programmable communicating thermostats, smart light switches, Whole Home Audio systems, video surveillance equipment, access control products, Touchscreen interfaces, and software that allows access and control of an automation system over the Internet.  All products are sold through HAI’s worldwide network of Distribution Partners and installed by trained dealers in over 80 countries.

HAI is a Bedrock Learning Partner. Visit the HAI website for more information.

Originally posted by: The Innovation Movement

Helen Heneveld is the Founder of Bedrock Learning, a training provider for home technology installers, sales, customer support and other connected technology professionals.

Innovation brings creativity, opportunity and excitement.

With all the technology becoming available in the world, I saw there was going to be a shortage of qualified installers. Bedrock Learning was founded to fill a technology void with a comprehensive training solution. Traditional training methods didn’t work because they had to be off the job site or out of the office, and travel is expensive. With online training, you can learn anywhere and anytime, and on any device.

Voices of Innovation

One of the challenges we had to overcome was to shift the mindset about what training is. Yes, you could travel around the country and reach 20 to 30 people in each city through training shows and tours, but how do you reach thousands?

Bedrock Learning’s online training is different in that it’s interactive. We make it fun, we make it simple and we make it quick. The younger generation has grown up with technology. The world has gone global, and we can now connect anywhere at any time. So we embraced technology — and leverage it to deliver our services.

But more challenges remain, especially for small businesses like Bedrock Learning. Unfortunately, our voice isn’t heard. That’s why I got involved with CEA — so my voice will be heard and to seize the opportunity to reach those in the government that can make a difference. From a political standpoint, we need to recognize the lifeblood of America is small business and figure out how to give us the support we need to make things happen.

Do you think innovation should be a priority? Pledge your commitment to innovation and show support for the polices that ensure it by signing the Declaration of Innovation now: http://on.fb.me/mj4Obh

Follow these steps to make sure you reap all the possible benefits when taking a course remotely.

By: Helen Heneveld

Posted on CEPro

View the related slideshow by CEPro

Learning has changed in the 21st century. Long gone are the days of being forced to take days out of the office – and take on travel expenses – to attend industry and manufacturer training.

Now you have the benefit of accessing online training at your convenience. Online training leverages the latest technologies and is a cost-effective tool for companies looking to equip staff members with the most up-to-date installation and troubleshooting techniques, product information and refreshing basic knowledge.

There is no bias with online training; it is available to all – technicians, integrators, sales personnel, managers, and others. Students learn at their own pace and verify their knowledge through tests and Certificates of Completion.

Get started now and improve yourself with online training. It’s easy, fun and puts you in control of your schedule and learning. Your time is valuable and you want to get the most out of it. Work hard, learn much and give yourself more time to enjoy, all while enhancing your career.

To get the best ROI on online training, follow these six simple guidelines.

1. Take Online Training Seriously

Managing and accessing digital media can be daunting. It’s like keeping track of 25 first graders, and we all know how they listen and follow the rules! So how do you remember all the different login information and yet keep things secure?

With the numerous user names and passwords required to access and manage digital media, this information should be recorded for future use. Consider where and how media files are obtained, where files are stored, how content folders are organized, who will be accessing them and how the files will be used. Be sure to ask these questions and once answered, write down the information needed for future reference. Use a simple spreadsheet to record online accounts and folder access information including web sites, folder paths and names, logins and passwords.

Key tips to getting organized include:

1. Document digital media resources used and login information – Website, resource type, login, password
2. Separate digital media into folders and sub-folders and make sure they are shared on the directory.

The Latest Happenings in the World for Home and Commercial Automation Markets

A 2011 CEDIA Event Recap

The 2011 CEDIA Expo brought a number of trends to the forefront in the connected technologies industry. Numerous great products were displayed by both newcomers and veterans of the show. Our top 12 take-aways include:

1. IP Networks are Ubiquitous

More and more devices and accessories communicate via IP networking. Most mid and high-end audio and video products have IP connectivity, either wired or wireless. Soon anything with a plug or a battery will be connected either to a local network or the Internet. Check your new toaster; it may have an Ethernet connector on it!

2. The Industry is “Real”

New businesses often spring up because of the founder’s passion, and the custom A/V industry certainly has its roots in musicians looking to make a living. Pressed into learning business to stay around, they did, but things have changed. Today’s players are first and foremost focused on business and making money and passion is second, if at all. Those with business acumen will survive and thrive.

3. Home Control is Heating Up

If you’re utilizing tablets, smart phones and other 3rd party devices as a control interface to have total home control then you’re in the game, and the home control game is taking off! While several new vendors and startups launched new products and concepts at CEDIA, some existing vendors closed up shop and have ceased operation. Could it be because this must-have technology for control (tablets significantly reducing the interface cost), wasn’t apparent in their business plan or systems?

4. Apps are Everywhere – Imagine That

With virtually every product that has a plug connecting to the Internet, the question is how do you control that product? Of course, the answer is the custom written application for your favorite smart phone or tablet. Many manufacturers are providing, or will provide applications to operate or configure their products. This is great news for people who can write applications, especially on multiple platforms. These folks are needed and we only see demand going one way, and that’s up.

5. Digital Signage is HOT

The stage is set for an industry that will experience very rapid growth in the next 5 years. New content boxes are becoming easy to program, simple to control and less expensive. The progressive installation companies will want a share of this business. The days of having people on staff in a supermarket to make paper signs, or post them, are coming to an end.

6. Wireless Solutions Abound

Are there fewer wires in your future? Products featuring wireless distribution of audio, video, control, and HD video are prevalent. Wireless HD is gaining traction with the goal of replacing all HDMI cables over the next several years. These new advanced formats that adapt to interference and other signal problems may become mainstream.

7. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is gaining exposure and popularity in many technologies, so it is not surprising to see it finding its way into the CEDIA/Connected Technologies market. Various companies offered new products or accessories using the cloud for storage and/or program creation. For example, one company showed a control technology built completely on the cloud that generates a custom application for execution on a smart phone or tablet.

8. Lighting Control

With the continuing growth in energy awareness, affordability and high aesthetic appeal, lighting control, including shades and blinds continues to enjoy rapid growth development. New LED fixtures and various LED lamp modules with color temperatures similar to incandescent lamps will continue to replace standard filament lamps using much less energy for the same lumen output. Prices are significantly higher for these technologies, but should decrease over time.

9. Bigger and Better Pictures

It’s always been easy to make a big picture with a projector, but a big, clear picture is another thing. Both projectors and flat screens continue to get bigger, clearer, brighter, thinner, and less expensive, combine this with 4K technology and you truly have the ultimate home cinema experience.

10. The 3-D Evolution

Still a little reluctant to fully take off – Will this be the year? Much advancement has taken place in the last year; demos at CEDIA were (mostly) very well done. Active 3-D glasses seemed to produce the best experience, but advancements with passive glasses continue. Did you check out the glasses free 3-D? Still in its infancy though, it can really only be seen in hand-held gaming consoles.

11. 4K Revolution

The very technology apparent at the NAB show early this year, 4K Resolution, has found its way to the CEDIA dealer via projectors and flat screens from a number of prestigious vendors. Great looking pictures with 4K media, but the increased resolution cannot be enjoyed until a 4K Blu-ray hits the market, although whispers of such a device can be heard, nothing has been shown just yet.

12. The Big Ones are Jumping In

As the industry matures, and the market expands to the masses, large companies are taking note. Visiting the show were large manufacturers and utilities. Look for their increased involvement in the next year.

About the Authors:

Helen M. Heneveld is President of Bedrock Learning a recognized provider of online training and educational materials for the technology installation industry. Contact her at helen@bedrocklearning.com.

Ron Borsenik, has 40 years of experience in both commercial and residential systems integration. He is the CTO/Senior Instructor at Bedrock Learning, Inc. Contact him at ron@bedrocklearning.com.

PDF of Article – http://www.bedrocklearning.com/pdf_files/articles/CEDIA_Recap2011.pdf

So you thought your new 1080p high definition TV was the best image available? Think again, Ultra High Definition is now available! The 2011 NAB convention featured the latest technology in the broadcast world. Most major manufacturers had several 4K UHD Cameras, recording and display systems either already on the market or being released shortly. In addition a few even had 8K systems (8 times the resolution of 1080 systems) on display.  Needless to say the quality of images was remarkable. We’ve seen 4K images before, but the quantity on display at the show premiered its readiness for primetime.

Want to experience 4K quality on your computer? Youtube now allows 4K videos.  Check out this video.

Select the resolution to original and be patient for the download to take place. Of course the actual resolution you see will be a function of your monitor resolution, graphics card and computer speed, and unless you have a very fast computer it most likely will play like a slide show but this will give you an idea of just how great the picture quality can be.

Hollywood is rapidly moving away from film and is shooting in 4K UHD, and editing completely in the digital domain. Prototype 3-D displays that use polarized glasses instead of powered active glasses were demonstrated and the additional resolution improved the 3D effect similar to the best theatrical performances.

So what are you waiting for – Jump on these latest and greatest high-def offerings!

Submitted by: Ron Borsenik, CTO, Bedrock Learning

Holland, Mich. – Bedrock Learning, the preferred connected home and commercial training provider, has released new and updated business support CDs, each featuring over 80 customizable forms and in-depth industry troubleshooting techniques.  The Business, Sales, Project Management and Troubleshooting CDs are designed to equip professional integrators with the ability to organize and streamline business processes without re-inventing the wheel and can be implemented immediately.

“Our new line-up of business support CDs covers all of the concepts needed for businesses to really refine their processes and increase profitability,” said Helen Heneveld, president of Bedrock Learning. “These materials make a major impact for any installation company, whether they are a seasoned veteran or new to the industry. With many of the key forms now in fillable PDF files, it is quick, easy and accurate to record information gathered. The Troubleshooting CD empowers technicians in the field with helpful tips and tricks, contributing to the bottom line.”

Bedrock Learning’s Sales CD includes over 80 updated forms related to customer relations and marketing, helping integrators fill the pipeline, close sales and increase client satisfaction. These sales management procedures, letters, marketing materials and documentation forms lead to increased sales. This CD, along with the Business and Project Management CDs, include forms in Microsoft Word^TM, Excel^TM, Visio^TM and fillable PDF files.

The Business CD with standardized forms is a broad and well-rounded collection of adaptable forms and other documents for getting any installation business on track and under control. With validated forms and procedures, the performance and profitability of an installation business improves immediately when using these flow charts, management forms, financial worksheets and human resource documents.

The Project Management CD with customizable forms takes integrators from the beginning to the end of a project, keeping them organized with administration forms, design worksheets, project documentation, installation forms, resource documents and flowcharts. These industry-proven forms and procedures streamline processes and increase accuracy, communication and company success.

With a fresh clean look and updated content, the Bedrock Learning Troubleshooting CD identifies specific problems and directs the integrator to successful solutions in numerous systems and performance categories including general wiring, ground loops, audio, computer networks, video, wireless, satellite, home control, home theater, media servers and telephone. Technicians substantially decrease hours of troubleshooting with these proven guidelines and techniques, saving the company time and money.

Bedrock Learning’s support CDs sell for $149 each, with discounts available when purchased in bundles. For additional information on these new and updated products, along with numerous other offerings from Bedrock Learning, visit www.bedrocklearning.com

About Bedrock Learning

Bedrock Learning solves your training needs with online curriculum for the connected technologies industry. Developed by industry experts, courses deliver the principles of technology systems: Structured Wiring, Multi-Room Audio, Home Theater, Lighting Control Networking, and Security and Access Control.  Online courses are convenient and available 24/7, allowing students to work at their own pace. Installers, salespeople, customer support and other professionals learn while quizzes/final tests provide knowledge verification. For over 20 years, companies have come to rely on Bedrock Learning because of student success and their ability to help drive business performance. Visit www.bedrocklearning.com or call 616.355.1418 to explore the possibilities.

Media Contact:

Brianna Bachrach | brianna@bedrocklearning.com | 646.688.7136

Printable PDF of Release