Patrick Murray interviews Fred Loucks about...

• How management will replace control in AV integration...
• How hardware manufacturers can modernize their business by moving to a subscription model and why they should...
• How to make the software delivery process as simple as installing hardware.

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Fred Loucks, CTO of Level 3 Audiovisual, takes us on his white-whale journey to answer one question: How do you get visibility of audiovisual systems at scale?

We learn some cool new phrases like "Automated remediation" and "Signatures of common issues" while digging deep into...

• Program Management from designing, deploying and updating with a focus on administration.
• How programming let him rollout 3000 Zoom Rooms in two weekends with a one-man team.
• The real costs of downtime and disruptions including productivity loss, embarrassment and loss of confidence.
• How collecting data adds value by answering questions - it starts with monitoring.
• Why there is resistance to AV monitoring tools.
• Wrangling the chaos of API's and protocols to create a data model.
• Why to avoid devices that are not observable.
• A day in the life of a support NOC technician.
• Defining a service status for AV systems in order to present an SLA.
• Why monitoring is incomplete without remote access, documentation and domain knowledge.
• The challenges of creating an AV NOC including deep integration with customer networks and staffing. 
• Thinking about management instead of control. 

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AJ Thompson is Vice President of Cloud Driven Solutions and provides a range of services including SaaS platforms, Consulting, and App Development

Interview Highlights

• AJ was previously on the podcast in Episode 35
• Cloud Driven Solutions offers a meeting and agenda management application that integrates with AV systems
• Scaling was the biggest challenge when going to market
• Expects an open source AV control system is inevitable

Mentioned In This Episode

AMX, Crestron, QSys, BrightSign

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Wes Hatchett is CEO of ControlEnvy. ControlEnvy is an open-source software based control system.

Wes and the ControlEnvy team were one of the first podcast interviews in Epsiode 6. 

Interview Highlights

• Can run on Android.
• Has a setup configuration interface that includes troubleshooting and debug tools.
• Chose to focus on Android because it continues to outpace even laptops in processing power.
• Sample application: Google Pixel 4a installed in a rack connected via WiFi.
• A Mac Mini can also be used when a hard-wired appliance is required.
• The system is driven by states stored in a local data store.
• Paths are used to access components in the data store through logic macros.
• Shifting from completely custom programming projects to a product based model allows for better update management. Old systems benefit from feature updates instead of standing still.

Mentioned In This Episode

Lutron, Sonos, Biamp, Google Pixel 4a, Apple Mac Mini

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Stephen Von Takach

CIO at PlaceOS

placeos.com

PlaceOS ties together drivers into systems by running functions on a scalable cluster of computing resources. Similar to how AWS Lambda works.

• Constraints allow creativity to blossom.
• Drivers can exist in multiple systems. Logic is system specific.
• Built on Crystal-lang, similar to ruby, but type-checked. https://crystal-lang.org
• PlaceOS started in AV integration but, because they can integrate with anything, it has evolved to focus on workplace experiences. Streamlining your day, from when a persons enters a building until they leave.
• User actions generate data that give insight into utilization and enable features like contact tracing and gamification.
• "Once you are integrated into every system, the experiences are only limited by your imagination."
• Digital twin - modelling real world systems in the digital realm.
• Mitigating risk through partnering with IT.
• Most stake-holder resistance concerns network security, GDPR conformance and data ownership.
• Conference room automation is evolving to eliminate the need for a touchpanel control interface.
• Open source removes vendor dependency and helps educate. It also helps create a cooperative driver development ecosystem.
• Clients are looking for a wholistic solution. A single workplace app (as opposed to multiple apps with separate functionality) drives usage and discovery of what the workplace is capable of.
• Gamification can be used to drive a behaviour, like using spaces in off-peak hours, by offering an incentive, like free coffee and gift cards.

Mentioned in this episode:

AMX, Cisco, Microsoft Teams, Project Connected Home over IP, Google, Apple, Zigbee, 

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Anton Karsten helps me understand:

• How web browsers work
• Some history of HTML and browsers
• The problem with frameworks
• Choosing frameworks
• Single Page Apps vs Server-Driven Architecture
• Using Javascript for AV Control and Automation
• Advantages of Typescript
• Organizing Project Teams
• Dealing With Different Devices
• How Large Companies Set User Experience Standards
• HTML, CSS, Javascript, Angular, Vue, React, PHP, Saas, Webpack

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• Why I stopped podcasting
• Focusing on complex systems
• The effect of software tools on AV projects
• What developers need to succeed
• How tech managers are forcing change

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Highlights From This Episode…

• A great way to learn AV is to start on the end user/technology owner side.
• High Speed Internet at home was the spark for growth in AV.
• Keep a portfolio of your work and recommendations to present at job interviews.
• Study personal branding to improve your social media effectiveness.
• Social media is about building relationships by sharing information.

Mentioned In This Episode…

• Altcomm
• New York Giants 
• William Paterson University
• Picturetel
• Polycom
• RCM Technologies Staffing
• Schering Plough Pharmaceuticals
• Merck
• Novartis
• Barco
• Starin
• Twitter
• Joel Colm Twitter book
• AV Help Desk
• Paul Konikowski 

Contact Chris

Twitter

Instagram

Rebels & Flux

LinkedIn

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Highlights From This Episode…

• AV focuses on the creative side of technology. That’s what separates us from IT; We help people tell their story and communicate ideas.

• We can improve our offerings by looking at every step of the delivery and use lifecycles. A short training after the install isn’t enough.

• System thinking includes considering every “user” in the supply and use chain. A company’s intentions are communicated at all of these touch-points.

• To be scalable, standards are required.

• Best practices and oversight increase reliability and improve the overall experience. Consider a Quality Of Service Manager position as a go to reference who helps everyone implement your guidelines. 

• Look into Advance Supply Chains to increase sustainability and avoid "bone piles” of unused equipment.

• AV is everywhere. It is still a specialty, but is becoming more of an expected and critical piece of building infrastructure.

• Mobility and remote working catalysed the boom in huddle rooms to give mobile workers a touchpoint in the office (instead of a fixed desk).

• Spend time considering where you fit in a Smart building and smart world. Survival is not about being the smartest or the biggest, it is about being adaptable.

• Consider the application, vertical market, and venue. 
• Does the application get it done?
• What vertical markets will have strong activity?
• Venue specialists can be successful but need to be able to interconnect. 

• Be disciplined in what you do. Use software and agile project management to avoid waste and move adeptly.

• Customer success = how much they love you in the end.

• Map your workflow. Ask question like, “What are we going to do when we meet the curmudgeon?”.

• Consider on-demand training because people don’t want information until they need it. The days of the lunch and learn are ending.  

Mentioned In This Episode…

• Paul Konikowski
• AVIXA
• David Fitzgerald
• Barco
• Zoom
• MCSI
• Dante
• QSys
• Book: Draw To Win
• Bobby Schwartz
• Malissa Dillman 

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Highlights From This Episode…

• Handle change orders by presenting the facts and explaining why there is a cost associated with the request.
• Create new business by introducing yourself to customers already working with someone in case they need an alternative someday.
• How to do a good site survey is an important part of AV sales training.
• Sales teams need to respect engineering teams.
• The information Sales gives to engineering determines the success of a project.
• Don’t engineer without a budget.
• Say Cat X or structured cabling when speaking with IT (don’t say CAT5).
• For AV to become truly software-defined, devices need to commission themselves. 

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