Calling 2016 “a year of transition,” NAPCO Media announced yesterday that it has printed its last Technology Integrator (TI) magazine – deciding to withdraw from print media and reinvent itself into an online-only property. The move has been rumored for weeks, and in an online post yesterday attributed to the “TI Staff”, the company made the news official.
Brands
iRule & OnControls Acquired by Kramer Electronics
iRule’s CEO Ben-Gal Talks to Strata-gee About Acquisition
Kramer Electronics, a maker of hardware-centric control solutions for the commercial audio/visual market, has acquired Detroit, MI-based iRule, a fast rising provider of software-based home control and automation solutions – including their OnControls residential line – in a private transaction that closed last Friday, December 23rd. The terms of the deal, including valuation, were not disclosed, but iRule co-founder and CEO Itai Ben-Gal told us this deal was the logical conclusion to a now multi-year relationship between the companies.
See more on this iRule acquisition by Kramer… [Read more…] about iRule & OnControls Acquired by Kramer Electronics
Want an Amazon Echo? Sorry…All Sold Out for Christmas
We’ve been reporting lately on the growing popularity of voice control. Driven largely by the introduction of Amazon’s Echo in 2014, which featured a dramatic improvement in performance over previous hands free systems like Siri, voice control has been picking up momentum with consumers and attracting new competitors like Google with its Home model, and soon Microsoft with Cortana.
But news services are reporting that Amazon has sold out of the Echo right in the heart of the holidays. Not good…
Amazon running out of Echo shows the difficulty in predicting inventory needs… [Read more…] about Want an Amazon Echo? Sorry…All Sold Out for Christmas
Power Move: Sharp to Terminate LCD Panel Supply to Samsung
‘Samsung Scrambling to Find New Sources’ – Looks to LG
The media in Japan positively exploded this week with the shocking news that Sharp has notified Samsung it will no longer supply the world’s top seller of LCD TVs with the panels they need for their sets. Samsung was Sharp’s largest customer, but in a shocking power move, after negotiations broke down – Sharp said no deal.
Could this be a sign of a new Sharp, now that it’s part of Foxconn? [Read more…] about Power Move: Sharp to Terminate LCD Panel Supply to Samsung
Core Brands Moved Under Control of Nortek’s SCS Group
In a reorganization at Nortek, Core Brands, previously a freestanding, underperforming segment of the company, has been moved under the control of Nortek’s Security and Control Solutions Group, it was announced internally this week. With this change, Core Brands President Joe Roberts will now report to SCS Group’s President Michael O’Neal.
See more on this change with Core Brands inside of Nortek… [Read more…] about Core Brands Moved Under Control of Nortek’s SCS Group
SnapAV Continues Buying Spree, Acquires Autonomic
‘If You Can Solve a Problem, You Can Sell Some Stuff’
SnapAV announced Wednesday that it has acquired Autonomic, a leading music server solutions provider. This is SnapAV’s latest in a string of acquisitions, as the company continues to seek solutions that will fulfill the needs of their extensive national network of custom integrators.
See what SnapAV’s President told us about this deal… [Read more…] about SnapAV Continues Buying Spree, Acquires Autonomic
Readers Pick Our Top Ten Stories of 2016
As the end of the year rapidly approaches, it’s a great time to look back on 2016 to remember the big stories of the year. Some of these stories were ultimately eclipsed by subsequent ones – and some of them will continue to resonate through 2017 and beyond.
See which stories our readers picked as the Top Ten of 2016…
Startup TRXio Joins HTSA to Drive Growth
Startup software provider TRXio announced this week that it has joined Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) and fully participated in the organization’s Fall Conference last month in Chicago. The move is seen as another step on the road to greater awareness and acceptance of the company’s prime offering – inventory tracking software.
See more on TRXio and this new association with HTSA… [Read more…] about Startup TRXio Joins HTSA to Drive Growth
CT Lab Launches CEMBLY- New Mag & Website
New Concept Mag Blends Technologists, Architects, Interior Designers & Builders
CT Lab, which is associated with NAPCO Media, publisher of Dealerscope and Technology Integrator, announced today that it is launching a new magazine and website call CEMBLY. CEMBLY, which the company describes as “an ambitious project,” is largely a business-to-business magazine that will target home technology professionals, interior designers, architects, builders, and building designers. The idea is to blend technology, with design, with dramatic home installations.
See more on CEMBLY… [Read more…] about CT Lab Launches CEMBLY- New Mag & Website
Onkyo Internally Announces Major Sales Structure Reorganization
BREAKING NEWS
Four Major Brands to be Consolidated into Two Divisions
In a national conference call with sales reps yesterday, Onkyo announced a major restructuring of their sales organization. This overhaul involves consolidating their four major brands – Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, and Pioneer Elite – into two newly-created divisions.
