Our people and the services we provide define our firm. We take pride in delivering a first-class experience for our clients in Houston, Dallas, Helotes and broader Texas, and we work diligently to keep our staff trained and focused on always exceeding our clients’ expectations. Our role as technology advocate and video monitoring professional begins with initial client discovery meetings and always takes us through the long-term service and care of completed installations.
Consultation
With our extensive experience providing smart technology and integrated systems we are able to provide thoughtful discussion and valuable insight about what products and solutions work best to achieve a desired result for you. We advise on what brands and technologies are reliable and which play well with others. Get up to speed on the latest innovations and trends and have your questions answered. With our collaborative approach expect to get ideas and creative suggestions on how to incorporate technology to enhance your life at home or for a business. We can even let you know what to avoid or where to proceed with caution, which can save time, money and frustration.
Project Specification
We can apply our knowledge and expertise to documenting requirements for AV and integrated technology products, materials and services for a proposed project. We can work together with architects and engineers to assist in preparing contract documents and construction requirements. Our specifications describe the type and quality of every product required for the project including functionality, installation and finishing. Codes and standards are addressed where appropriate.
Design & Engineering
Comprehensive and thoughtful system design and engineering up front leads to the best balance of functionality, reliability and aesthetics in the end result. Avoid costly mistakes or change orders, having to do something twice, or tearing up walls once they’ve been closed. Careful attention is given to the numerous details involved with smart technology and integrated systems to ensure they are easy to use and deliver consistent performance and allow for future expansion or upgrades. Everything from wiring infrastructure, hardware location, control device placement, user interface design, power management and blending equipment with architectural elements and interiors is planned out in advance. We coordinate with architects, engineers, interior designers, general contractors, and affected sub-contractors.
System Documentation
A smoother construction process is achieved when the technology system design is documented in advance of actual construction. All parties involved in building your space benefit with clearly defined drawings for device location, pre-wire, technical power, schematics, rack elevation, lighting control, motorized window treatments, equipment space planning, video sightlines, requirements for video niches, and more. We coordinate with your entire design team including architects, engineers, designers, contractors, and consultant to reduce confusion and achieve a smooth and efficient project from start to finish.
As-Built documentation
At the completion of the project we will produce and provide a clear and concise final set of as-built drawings of the integrated technology system. This is critical because a constructed building almost never corresponds exactly to the original design drawings and becomes a valuable asset for any property. The documentation includes all changes that have been made to the original construction drawings, including notes, modifications, and any other pertinent information. Accurate as-built documents help with maintenance and future service calls saving time, money, and frustration down the road. Remodeling or upgrading later becomes significantly easier with exact conditions of how the system is implemented in space.
Project Management
A smart technology project takes effective planning, organizing, and allocating resources to make sure it’s completed on time and with the desired result at fit and finish. Additionally, procedures and protocols need to be met and unforeseen problems should be resolved quickly. Our dedicated project managers oversee all details and consistently communicate with the contractor, subcontractors and owner. Job sites are dynamic with many moving parts and having a solid, experienced person responsible to bring it altogether makes all the difference. Given the multi-faceted nature of integrating different sub-systems from audio/video, lighting control, climate, security, networking, etc., we take a proactive approach and over-communicate every step of the way.
Construction Administration
Throughout the construction phase of your project we closely supervise and provide related services to coordinate between the Owner, Design Team, Consultants, and Contractors. We deliver thorough administration reviewing contractor schedules, tracking construction records, advising on behalf of the owner, and ensuring appropriate parties complete work according to contract. If there are discrepancies we will advise and make recommendations for correction. We are there to monitor progress, construction techniques, materials, equipment, and personnel throughout the duration of the project. With the tremendous amount of variables involved when constructing a space, our services lead to a more successful and timely completion. A high level of attention is placed to review keep the sequence of operations running smoothly with all parties involved in building your space.
Implementation
Putting all the parts and pieces together for smart technology and integrated systems needs to be executed with skill, precision, and some finesse. As much as we value our manufacturer partners, different products and brands have nuances that require special know-how and experience to optimize installation and access all the needed functionality. Our trained technicians receive ongoing education and stay up to date on the latest standards and best practices. We take pride in executing your system design with quality craftsmanship so it functions as desired and is reliable.
Programming
If you may have a beautiful, high performance vehicle but can’t easily turn it on or drive it where you want to go, then it’s not as valuable. The same holds true with the user interface for your integrated technology system. Making sophisticated technology easy to use and simple for any user to get a high level of performance requires advanced work on the back end. Control systems continue to bring together more sub-systems from audio/video, media, lighting, shading, climate, etc.. It’s as if each is speaking a different language and we translate everything together so it speaks one language to you that’s easy to understand. Even if the equipment is properly selected and is robust, the programming effort will determine the intuitive operation. Our programmers balance the technical know-how with the human element so you won’t need a manual filled with lots of instructions whether you’re using a touch screen, keypad, remote, or smart device to control your system.
Commissioning
A quality assurance process for installed building systems prior to occupancy is best achieved with commissioning services. It’s our goal to make sure the final installed system meets owner requirements and the design intent as planned after the many variables within the construction process. Owners will experience reduced energy and operating costs and enhanced satisfaction and acceptance from users. Technologies, such as lighting control and building automation, have become increasingly more complex with integration, daylighting, occupancy sensors, security, and addressable components. Verifying functionality throughout design and construction phases has become more essential to make a project successful. Commissioning is required to meet certifications such as LEED or ASHRAE compliances. Existing facilities also have the option for retro-commissioning and re-commissioning.
System Monitoring
Peace of mind, scheduling maintenance, and optimizing system performance for functionality and energy savings is accomplished with monitoring services for your systems, security alarms and more. From a dashboard on a touch screen or a secure software application on a computer or smart device, real-time information is accessible to provide status of lighting, temperature, security, and more 24/7 whether you’re there or on the other side of the globe. IP devices and service provider accounts are effectively managed, including information and documents such as warranties and device manuals.
Maintenance & Support
Just as a vehicle needs regular maintenance and over time require service or replacement of parts, the same is true with smart technology and integrated systems. We provide continued tuning and system adjustments at set time intervals based on your unique solution to maximize performance levels. When something goes wrong, which is an inevitable truth about electronics, we will be there to fix it quickly. Plus the fact that constant innovation continues to advance electronic equipment means there may be new features and enhanced performance that you will want whether it’s for the video, music, security or control in your space. That’s why we take a proactive approach to communicating with you about the latest technology that is really important for you to consider and when updates to software and firmware are available. We’re here when you need us and are a trusted advisor you can count on.