Best Buy has launched a corporate rebranding that is both sweeping in style and represents a shocking reversal of course, undoing much of its original mission that was created when founder Dick Schulze, President Brad Anderson and crew launched an entirely new store concept known as “Concept II.” Concept II was a reinvention of their formerly more traditional superstore design to a new warehouse style discount store designed to deliver the “Best Buy” on all things tech. This new branding change is to such a significant degree that even Advertising Age Magazine (AdAge) devoted significant space to an analysis of it.
Industry Trends
Should the U.S. Government Regulate Tech?
When it comes to politics in today’s world, it is an understatement to suggest that we live in divided times. Although our founding fathers imagined passionate (but healthy) debate leading to the best possible compromise solutions – today, it seems as though our representatives are more likely to throw a hand-grenade than an idea to the other side of the aisle. But recently, a new study has come out to suggest that an issue has arisen that has brought Americans together – and it spells trouble for the tech industry.
See what a survey suggests needs to happen to the tech industry… [Read more…] about Should the U.S. Government Regulate Tech?
Exciting New Study: We are in an Audio Resurgence!
We live in a time rich in options for ways to connect with and consume content. If I asked you to pick which source was the number one method that adults aged 18 and older use to consume content today, which would you choose: Smartphone? Tablet? PC? TV connected device? TV? AM/FM radio?
If you picked that last option, AM/FM radio, you would be correct! Fully 93% of all adults use an AM/FM radio to consume content on a weekly basis. Surprised? Hold on to your hat…that’s just one of the many surprising results in new research study from The Nielsen Company that says we are now in an audio resurgence.
See more on this surprising study on the resurgence of audio with today’s consumer… [Read more…] about Exciting New Study: We are in an Audio Resurgence!
LumaStream is a Star…An Energy Star, That Is
LumaStream announced today that they have achieved Energy Star certification on select models, a notable milestone for the young provider of low-voltage LED lighting solutions. The company says their 481-485 series architectural downlights used with the Trinity 12 450mA DMX power supply were thoroughly tested and awarded the Energy Star certification – a program that is popular with many energy-conscious consumers today.
See more on this LumaStream development… [Read more…] about LumaStream is a Star…An Energy Star, That Is
Consumers Deeply Worried IoT is Prone to Hacking
Survey Shows Concern about Smart Device Security is Global
New research from Irdeto, a digital platform security firm, shows that a wide majority of consumers around the world are deeply concerned about the security of IoT (Internet of Things) devices. While the rollout of IoT devices continues to balloon, consumers are telling researchers that they are worried these devices are prone to destructive hacking.
See more on this latest research… [Read more…] about Consumers Deeply Worried IoT is Prone to Hacking
Whoa CES! Power Outage Plunges Show into Darkness
A News Story and a Metaphor
CTA’s marketing message for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year was “Whoa!” While this is a reference to surprising innovations, it now appears that the biggest Whoa! to emerge from CES was a power blackout that hit the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon. Social media was buzzing and many show attendees posted images of the darkened halls with some of the biggest booths – Samsung, Panasonic – quite literally in the dark.
There really is nothing sadder-looking than a technology tradeshow…without power. Considering the coverage we’ve seen about CES in the general media this year, that blackout could be a metaphor about the declining power the show holds over the market these days.
See more on a darkened CES, the industry’s biggest tradeshow… [Read more…] about Whoa CES! Power Outage Plunges Show into Darkness
Strata-SERIES: RMR – Series Wrap-Up
One month ago, on December 6th, Strata-gee launched a series of articles on recurring monthly revenue (RMR) programs based on research conducted for a cover story in the December issue of Residential Systems Magazine. That Series, called Strata-SERIES: RMR, ran the entire month of December and into January with a total of five posts of content, plus an additional Series introduction and this Series wrap-up.
What did we learn about RMR? Much! Read on… [Read more…] about Strata-SERIES: RMR – Series Wrap-Up
Strata-SERIES: RMR – Smart Help for a Quick Start in RMR
[NOTE: This post is part of a series of articles on recurring monthly revenue programs we call Strata-SERIES: RMR. It will likely make more sense to you if you start by reading our Series Introduction here… and then our Topic Introduction and First Installment here…]
Because he had worked with an alarm company for the last twenty years, Matt Walin of Costa Mesa, CA-based Brilliant AV was very familiar with the concept of RMR programs as it related to central station security system monitoring. But as it specifically relates to residential AV and home automation solutions, it was about two years ago when they began exploring the process of offering their clients some form of a maintenance agreement covering their system installations.
Residential AV RMR, it turned out, was a horse of an entirely different color… [Read more…] about Strata-SERIES: RMR – Smart Help for a Quick Start in RMR
Control4 Acquires Ihiji Validating Importance of Remote Management
BREAKING NEWS
Control4 announced today that it has acquired remote system monitoring and management pioneer Ihiji of Austin, TX. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal sends a strong signal of the growing importance of remote installation monitoring and management systems for integrators moving forward.
See more on this new acquisition by Control4… [Read more…] about Control4 Acquires Ihiji Validating Importance of Remote Management
Strata-SERIES: RMR – Reducing Truck Rolls by 82%
[NOTE: This post is part of a series of articles on recurring monthly revenue programs we call Strata-SERIES: RMR Programs. It will likely make more sense to you if you start by reading our Series Introduction here… and then our Topic Introduction and First Installment here…]
In our last installment, we learned how Ben Lentz and the team at Cyber Technology Group launched an RMR program designed to help their clients understand that sophisticated technology systems require regular maintenance – just like their cars, their pools, and their landscaping. By getting clients on their Client Care Program, which includes regular “wellness visits,” Cyber Tech saw their upgrade sales increase during these visits.
Like Cyber Tech, Ron Wanless of Technology Design Associates (locations in Washington and Oregon) had a slightly different motive for pursuing a recurring monthly revenue program. Little did he know that it was a pursuit that would result in fundamental changes in how they service their clients and run their business.
