Valley View Agri-Systems Personalizes Office With Custom Table, Lighting Fixture, and ELAN g! System

Logos are one of the most important advertising tools that exist, helping us recognize and remember world famous brands regardless of language or location. Valley View Agri-Systems, a leader in grain storage and material handling solutions, took their logo to heart when redesigning their Arkansas office to impress visitors and potential clients. Using the logo throughout their design and incorporating an intelligent control system made by ELAN, the company created a meeting and working space truly unique to their brand.

In a new conference room dubbed “the war room,” a custom-designed conference table and lighting fixture in the shape of their logo accentuate the space and reinforce the idea that Valley View Agri-Systems is in control of the meeting environment. That control is further highlighted by the advanced ELAN g! control system, which allows meeting leaders to easily manage and use the war room’s audio and video systems from an iPad docked on the conference table or an ELAN HR2 handheld remote.

According to installer Ryan Heringer, owner of Jonesboro, Arkansas-based Sound Concepts, the consolidated control of A/V in the conference room and eight separate offices gives the Valley View staff another means of impressing potential clients and visitors.

“With a few taps they can pull up presentations and videos without any complications, every time,” Heringer said. “Anyone who has frequented board rooms for presentations using technology can likely tell you how frustrating it is when things don’t work perfectly, or that it is a nuisance for someone to require advanced knowledge to simply operate the TV and audio system. What we are able to provide through the ELAN g! system is a dead-simple interface that turns everything on and presents the video options and computer connections in a truly easy format so even a first-time user can dive into operating it with ease.”

In addition to the requirement that the system be basically foolproof, keeping everything hidden was a top priority. Using in-ceiling adjustable direction speakers and the wireless ELAN g! system, the only things visible in the room are an iPad for control and the TVs on the walls. Infrared signaling and IP connectivity allows for all the processing equipment, video players and amplifiers to remain behind the scenes in a rack located in small closet in the war room.

The war room consists of a 14-seat conference table in the shape of Valley View’s bulging-rectangle logo, situated directly beneath a matching lighting fixture designed in precisely the same shape. Beyond the head of the table is a wall-mounted 80” Sharp 1080p TV, with two 65” Samsung 1080p adjustable-angle TVs flanking the table’s long sides, providing easy presentation and video viewing for every person in the room. Eight in-ceiling speakers provide clear audio without cluttering the room.

Outside the conference room the integration extends into eight offices, each featuring a wall-mounted 40” Samsung TV and a single in-ceiling speaker. An ELAN S1616A amplifier/multi-room audio controller provides power for all 16 speakers throughout the conference room and offices, and can send separate signals to each room. This way the war room conference does not affect a smaller office meeting, while everything runs through the same reliable system. The equipment rack includes nine cable boxes, one for each separate room, in addition to two Apple TVs and an Integra Blu-ray player with access to Netflix and Vudu. A Binary 16x16 HDMI matrix switch routes all video from the equipment closet to the 11 TVs.

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Stampede Introduces Neurona Line of Networking Solutions at CEDIA 2014

The new Neurona AX501 ConnectedLife Adapter with AC-Passthrough converts any power outlet in the home into an Ethernet port that can be used to create a whole-home communications network.

Following up on its worldwide debut at InfoComm 2014 in June, Stampede Presentation Products, Inc. today introduced leading network solutions provider Neurona to the custom installation industry at CEDIA 2014 in Denver in Booth #1164.  Stampede is the exclusive United States distributor of the Neurona AX501 ConnectedLife Adapter, which features Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.’s, a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, Powerline™ technology.

According to Stampede President and COO Kevin Kelly, the Neurona AX501 is the very first adapter with built-in Powerline technology.  “The Neurona AX501 leverages the reliability of power line technology to ensure that each home is equipped with high-fidelity broadband,” Kelly explained today. “Powerline solutions use a home’s existing electrical system to share broadband, essentially turning an outlet into a connection point. Powerline solutions deliver fast and reliable Internet connection between devices. By plugging a Powerline adapter into an Internet router, and a second adapter near a TV, gaming system, computer or set-top box, you easily deliver Internet connectivity to these devices.”

The Neurona AX501 enables multiple devices to connect to each other through a mutual network. By leveraging Powerline technology, the Neurona AX501 utilizes the home’s existing electronic wiring infrastructure to create a robust, whole-home communications network.

“The use of Powerline technology provides reliable coverage over considerable distances, resulting in the ideal combination of ease and efficiency,” Kelly said. “In addition, the Neurona AX501 is embedded with an advanced noise filter to offer a quick, seamless connection with no interruption.”

The Neurona AX501 enhances connectivity performance by leveraging all three of the home’s electrical wires: line, neutral and ground. This improves the overall performance by up to 50 percent when compared to the standard HomePlug adapter, which only utilizes line and neutral wires.

“The Neurona AX501 relies on the existing electrical wiring in a home so that users can share files, printers and Internet connections between multiple devices,” Kelly said. “It is so easy to set up and use. In fact, so easy that Neurona’s AX501 will connect with any HomePlug-AV compliant device right out of the box allowing the user to extend their network as needed.”

The AX501 operates on the HomePlug AV specification standard and is equipped with 128-bit AES security encryption. With a PHY rate of 500Mbps over Powerline and 10/100 Mbps over Ethernet, the AX501 is compatible with AC 100V to 240C 2-prong or 3-prong electrical outlets, depending on prong. Standing at 93mm x 56 mm x 40mm, the AX501 operates at a frequency band of 2MHz to 68MHz with an AC Wire distance of up to 300 meters.

Stampede Shows Custom Installation Integrators How to Stay Ahead of the Herd at CEDIA 2014

Industry-leading distributor of ProAV solutions showcases innovative high value added systems for digital signage, unified communications, AV/IT, and presentations that take dealers out of the trap of commodity pricing.

Challenging custom installation dealers and integrators to see that ‘the profits are always to be found in the details,’ Stampede Presentation Products, Inc. is using its CEDIA 2014 exhibit to showcase a number of specific system solutions that add value and profit for custom installation dealers looking to beat the trap of commodity pricing when designing systems for their ProAV customers. 

“Stampede always rides ahead of the herd when it comes to pointing the way to the future for our CI dealers just as we do for our ProAV dealers,” Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly said today.  “Our corporate vision is to be the best at creating value for our partners and just one more way we are providing our customers with integrated system solutions that add value to their end-users and profits to their business.  We believe this is the new model for our industry — an industry that is being reinvented by the commercial reality of the Internet of Things.  And this couldn’t come at a better time for an industry looking for a path forward out of the woods of commodity pricing.”

According to Kelly, Stampede’s CEDIA 2014 exhibit program will reinforce this commitment by showcasing real world solutions in channels like corporate, healthcare, education, house of worship, and digital signage.  “In each instance we will show customers how to stay ahead of the herd in their local markets by adding profitable connectivity tools, software, accessories, and new devices that didn’t exist five years ago.  These are the areas that add profit to the system configuration and sale.”

The message is taking hold throughout Stampede’s organization, Kelly stressed, and it’s bringing a number of manufacturers into the Stampede portfolio. At the show Stampede will be exhibiting products from DJI, EPSON, Walkera, HP, LG Electronics, Lumens, Mustang, Neurona, Samsung, Sharp, SONY, Vaddio, VDO360, Vision, Xpand, and Wyrestorm.

“If there is one message we want our manufacturers and dealers to take away from CEDIA 2014 it is that Stampede is always ahead of the herd when it comes to providing intelligently designed, profitable solutions that work for our manufacturers, our dealers, and, most importantly of all, the end user customers we all ultimately are in business to serve.”

Stampede to Celebrate Year of Record-Breaking Growth at InfoComm 2014

New lines, new dealers, and new market opportunities fuel growth for the industry-leading distributor of ProAV solutions. 

Paced by the addition of a number of new manufacturers to its vendor portfolio, along with a substantial growth in the number of dealers in its network, Stampede Presentation Products, Inc. plans to celebrate a record-setting year of growth next month at INFOCOMM 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The new manufacturers who have appointed Stampede to serve as a distribution partner include Samsung-Techwin, Parametric, ASK Proxima, Cenique, Circle Technology, We Present, Demo Pad, DISE, Samsung Galaxy Professional Tablets, SAPPHIRE media players, Surf Communications, Videotel, Whoosh! Screen Shine, and NTW among many others.  According to Kelly, these manufacturers are electing to work with Stampede because of the depth of its market knowledge and the strength of its dealer network, which has grown 25 percent in the last year to 11,500 dealers.

A rapidly changing industry is also playing to Stampede’s strengths, according to Kelly.  “The Age of Interactivity is now giving way to a new Age of Hyperactivity characterized by an always-fast, always-on Internet and, as a result, a new era of unprecedented opportunity is now unfolding — creating sales opportunities for dealers that were unimaginable a few short years ago.

“At a time when the traditional AV industry is maturing, a new personalized industry is rising up to take its place, one that is built upon the ideas of connecting, integrating, and sharing devices in entirely new eco-systems built around highly customized software applications,” Kelly explained.  “This shift is challenging our industry to stop using the terms ‘audio and video’ and start using the terms ‘see, hear and control’ in order to understand the business opportunities that this shift is creating.”

Stampede has taken a number of strategic steps to empower its 11,000 dealers to take advantage of this seismic shift by consumers and professionals to connect, integrate and share devices at work, school, government and home.  “Since last year’s InfoComm Show we added 20 new product lines and several new core platforms that traditional AV products can attach to,” Kelly said. 

Even more encouraging for dealers and integrators, Stampede’s sales are growing in all three of its primary product categories — displays, projectors, and unified communications, which is by far the fastest growing segment of the company’s business.

Kelly reaffirmed Stampede’s commitment to constantly add value to every system installation it is involved with.  “Value adds margin for our dealers,” Kelly told Vendor Summit attendees.  “And, thus far in 2014, Stampede is adding value at an unprecedented level that cannot be matched by any other distributor in the business today.  We can add this value on a consistent basis because we are focused exclusively on meeting the needs of the ProAV dealer community.  We are not distracted by other industries and market segments.  We devote 100 percent of our time and considerable resources to helping dealers grow their business.”  

Meeting the demands of growth, however, requires an expanding commitment to maintain face-to-face training, online learning, and readily available credit facilities to qualified dealers, “all of which Stampede is committed to providing,” Kelly added.  “Last year we increased our available monthly credit line by 28 percent, enabling us to serve as a bank to our dealer partners.  This year we are opening a new southwest regional office and adding to our field sales team network to increase the number of contacts we can have with dealers and their customers.”

Stampede's Big Book of AV Tour Concludes in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

 The Spring 2014 Stampede Big Book of AV (BBOAV) Tour, the ProAV industry’s biggest annual roadshow, makes its final stop at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina on May 15thto conclude a wildly successful tour of hands-on demos, presentations and training for AV professionals.

“The 2014 Big Book of AV Tour has been a terrific success,” Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly said today.  “And we are excited to conclude this year’s tour with InfoComm’s Regional Roundtables. For our attendees, interaction is vital to make face-to-face connections with industry colleagues and to share insights and opinions during open roundtable discussions. This interaction is exactly what we strive to achieve with the Big Book of AV Tour.”

In addition to the InfoComm Regional Roundtables, the Fort Lauderdale stop will feature a morning discussion with industry veteran Paul Dragos, who will also be unveiling Sony Video Conferencing, MediaPointe streaming, Automated Workflow process for content management and Radvision United Communications with a presentation entitled, “Sony Unified Communications and Video Conferencing Fundamentals for the ProAV Market.” In the afternoon, Jim Feldman, Change Management Expert at Shift Happens, will facilitate a stimulating discussion on managing and creating change by highlighting the benefits of linear problem solving.

As has been the case at each stop on the Spring 2014 tour, Fort Lauderdale attendees will learn how they can immediately begin profiting from the new era of The Internet of Things (IOT).  To further address the “Internet of Things” phenomenon, the Fort Lauderdale stop will feature a designated area for IOT manufacturers, identified by pop-up banners and stands.

Additionally, each session will earn attendees .5 CTS RU Credit. Stampede will be offering event incentives such as $500 Stampede credit, a $100 Restaurant.com gift card and a $50 gift card for attending the BBOAV Tour. Every attendee will also be entered into a drawing to win a 42” LG LCD HD television.