ihiji, a Provider of Cloud-Based NMaaS Platforms for Remote Monitoring and Support of IP-Enabled Devices, Joins the Austin Technology Incubator May 14
This is a re-posting of a blog written by Kristen Frazee for the Austin Technology Incubator.
The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), a not-for-profit unit of the IC2 Institute of The University of Texas at Austin, welcomes ihiji to its IT portfolio as a full member company. ihiji, (ī hē΄jē), is a provider of cloud-based Network Management as a Service (NMaaS) platforms for remote monitoring and support of IP-enabled devices, and has been a part of ATI’s Landing Pad Program since 2010.
The Landing Pad Program supports early stage technology companies by leveraging ATI’s network and community insight to accelerate that company’s acculturation into the Austin business ecosystem. ihiji founders, Stuart Rench, President; Michael Maniscalco, Vice President of Technology; and, David Rench, Vice President of Finance, started a residential design-build home automation company with the idea that home electronic systems could be simplified using better engineering and application of technology. In 2010, after building a successful integration firm in West Palm Beach, Florida, they sold their company to focus solely on ihiji invision, a cutting-edge network management solution, and moved to Austin to be part of ATI. In 2011, the company hired Seth Rubenstein as Director of Sales and Business Development. In 2012, ihiji completed development of a more scalable, flexible and secure architecture and decided to apply the platform into other bigger markets, such as IT markets focused on IT Value Added Resellers (VAR) and corporate IT departments who manage a large number of branch locations. Ready to go on the fundraising circuit, ihiji decided the timing was right to move into full membership at ATI to take advantage of its additional benefits, such as deeper engagement with ATI directors and further access to ATI’s established network of peers, mentors, businesses, and investors.
“Not only is Texas a great state for businesses, but Austin is on the rise, has a wonderful tech community and is also very livable. The structure of ATI was a good fit for our company and the Landing Pad Program helped us easily relocate from out of state and not miss a beat,” said Stuart Rench, President of ihiji; adding that “ATI staff has been great. They’re there when you need them for ideas, thoughts, reviews and introductions. We’re also able to take advantage of multiple directors depending on our challenge, which is nice because they each have their own perspectives and areas of expertise.”
ihiji’s new NMaaS platform is based on the same cloud-based architecture as its award-winning remote monitoring and support solution, ihiji invision, and lowers its clients’ capital and operating expenditures, increases productivity, and improves profit margins by minimizing equipment and network outages.
“ihiji is a classic example of a services business successfully morphing into a scalable product company providing enterprise software solutions. ihiji fits perfectly into the sweet spot of Austin’s tech ecosystem and ATI’s IT portfolio. In working with the ihiji team as they transitioned from the Landing Pad Program to a full member company, the team continually impresses with their vision and discipline as they have shifted gears and moved into the next phase of their growth strategy,” said Kyle Cox, ATI IT/Wireless Director.
ihiji’s NMaaS platform is in private beta, and the company is seeking participants from the Small to Medium Businesses (SMB) and/or IT Value Added Resellers (VAR) channels. To learn visit http://itbeta.ihiji.com/, email itbeta@ihiji.com, or call 512.538.0520 ext. 2003.
Contact:
Laura Beck for ATI
laurabeckcahoon@gmail.com
512-786-1098
Residential Systems: Service Contracts vs. Warranties: The Difference and Why it Matters Apr 14
This article appears in the April 2012 issue of Residential Systems Magazine and was written by Michael Maniscalco is ihiji co-founder and vice president of technical operations. He is also the instructor for the CEDIA University course, Service Contracts with Teeth: How to Create and Sell Service Contracts to Build Your Business.
In my experience teaching system integrators how to structure and realize the benefits of service contracts for CEDIA University, one topic that typically receives a lot of attention is the difference between service contracts and extended warranties, and how manufacturer policies ultimately affect service contract offerings.
To start, let us first define and clarify the differences between a service contract and an extended warranty.
Dealers that sell electronics, appliances, automobiles, and many other products typically offer extended warranties. They act like an insurance policy and serve to extend the manufacturer’s warranty coverage of the product, providing repair or replacement, often at little or no additional cost.
Regardless of any brief description, a certainty remains that the value of these warranties continues to wane. As consumers have become savvier and technically adept, and the prices of consumer electronics have continued to fall, the perceived value of electronics and their associated warranties has dropped significantly. Furthermore, as technology evolves at a feverish pace, products (especially electronics) often become obsolete before the extended warranty expires. Consumers are keen to these limitations, and dealers themselves have been stung by warranty companies that either do not pay or make the reimbursement process entirely too cumbersome to be effective.
Protection for You and Your Client
As opposed to extended warranties, service contracts protect the customer and the dealer, and legitimately have a place in every installation. Unlike warranties, service contracts can provide dealers a compelling bottom-line enhancement, delivering a steady stream of healthy, recurring revenue that can easily offset declining equipment margins. These serve as customer maintenance agreements and can be similar in many ways to what comes with the purchase of an automobile.
I like to use Lexus as an example. With Lexus, customers pay a premium for their vehicle, and in return, they receive white-glove service that includes preventative maintenance, some prepaid labor hours, discounts, and other valueadded services or amenities. In our world, service contracts are similarly designed to protect a client’s investment by extending the life of the equipment purchased, and operating at its optimal level. What’s more, service contracts provide a means for dealers to establish an ongoing relationship with their clients after the installation. This enables a positive customer experience from the start, and provides many opportunities for future upgrades.
Unfortunately, service contracts are often misunderstood. This is primarily because dealers are unclear as to how a manufacturer’s equipment warranty fits into the service contract picture, and it requires a change in the way that service departments are structured and services are rendered. The upside potential, however, is huge.
Today, dealers typically provide a one-year warranty on installations. This is usually just an extension of the manufacturer’s warranty, with labor also warranted for the same one-year period. The problem with this antiquated model is that manufacturers typically do not cover troubleshooting, repair, or replacement of defective products that are still under warranty (placing the cost entirely on the dealer).
As a dealer, how many times have you been called out to a site to resolve a defective product or do a firmware upgrade? How many times have you been fully (or even partially) reimbursed for the entire cost of that type of service?
The fact of the matter is that the benefits rarely, if ever, outweigh the costs. This model is broken and outdated. To make matters worse, it is costing you and your organization valuable time, money, and resources.
It is a given that the systems we install are complex. They also require a specialist to properly sell, maintain, and support each of the components involved. In a sense, we are no different from Lexus or other car dealerships. Yet, those dealers are still compensated by manufacturers for time spent servicing vehicles, whereas electronic systems integrators typically are not.
Changing Your Business Model
To rectify our current structure, dealers must evolve their standard practices and revise their business models. Service activities must be covered. Some suggestions for this would be to include labor in the initial warranty or to cover workmanship only– charging for time spent on troubleshooting, repair, or replacement services. One could also reduce the new installation warranty on labor to 90 days, then extend it under a service contract, or allow the customer to pay as they go. Regardless, dealers should be tying all of these options back to a service contract, which they and their customer understand and agree to upfront.
Putting all of this into practice is not a difficult exercise. My advice is to start with a very basic service contract package that does not include an extended equipment warranty. This will keep both your costs and the consumer price at a reasonable level. You can then add a few value-added services (e.g., firmware updates or annual inspections) that your customers will appreciate. At a minimum, your service contract should cover these value-added services, and then, let it evolve to include additional options or services provided.
It might be overwhelming to consider overhauling your organization. However, I urge you to consider the cost-benefit analysis regarding warranty versus service work provided to your customers. In most cases, the upside potential for customers and dealers alike is significant, and well worth the effort. Service contracts not only work, they protect and provide. It is that simple.
This article appears in the April 2012 issue of Residential Systems Magazine and was written by Michael Maniscalco is ihiji co-founder and vice president of technical operations. He is also the instructor for the CEDIA University course, Service Contracts with Teeth: How to Create and Sell Service Contracts to Build Your Business.
Custom Retailer IPIQ : The Internet of Things Apr 13
Improve the collective knowledge of the industry by educating yourself
This article recently appeared in Custom Retailer Magazine in April 2012 and was written by Michael Maniscalco, VP of Technology for ihiji.
One can’t help but notice the growth of network-connected systems influencing our industry. A popular example is the Nest Thermostat. While it is an innovative new product that many consider to be a DIY solution, it is also one that a surprising number of integrators are embracing.
Consumers are taking notice, and just yesterday an entrepreneur in Austin came to me asking, “Hey Mike , have you heard of these new temperature sensors from IBM that they use in data centers to allow them to monitor the temperature of individual servers and the environment around them? They’re only a few dollars a piece and I think they’d be great for home brewing. What are your thoughts?”
Now, that’s something I can really appreciate because I not only love a good craft beer, but also because much of my time is spent researching ways that sensors and intelligent equipment affects our industry and our lives, now and in the future.
The technology we’re talking about here is pretty incredible. Five years ago, a thermostat that could be adjusted easily and remotely without having an expensive control system didn’t exist, and an expansive home network was considered cutting edge. Then came networked control processors, and within a year, networked touch panels were abundant.
Next, we saw media servers, networked TVs, Blu-ray players, and now, even your steak can be Wi-Fi-enabled with an iPhone app. Funny as that last example may seem, it was mentioned at a recent CEDIA Discovery Advisory Group meeting as a means to illustrate the abundance of connected devices in the consumer electronics world.
The Technology Pavilion at CEDIA shows us what is coming, and at last year’s event, there was an entire home full of connected appliances and technologies that are clearly going to become ours to install, maintain and support. The Pavilion provides us all a glimpse at new sources of business opportunities and revenues. Based on what was shown in September, it is clear that connectivity will continue to accelerate and drive our businesses. You probably get where I’m going with this. The Internet and these network-enabled devices are taking over everything. They’ll be tracking you and you’ll be tracking down your connected keys from your shiny new iPhone app. to you though?
What Does It All Mean?
It means that it is time to take networking seriously, as this knowledge is now a baseline requirement at every stage of a project, including design, engineering, pre-wire, trim, final and into service. Each member of your technical staff, including your technicians and engineers, must have the proper training. Without it, you endanger the quality of the delivered product and ultimately jeopardize the client experience. Therefore, it is critical that technicians have the right training and tools to troubleshoot and repair the potential problems they will encounter in the field, doing the job right from the start.
Thanks to Custom Retailer Magazine for permission to use this article.
HomeToys: Proactive AV and Home Automation Monitoring Apr 10
This article recently appeared in HomeToys eMagazine in April 2012.
Break fix is perhaps the worst service model a custom installer can employ. An inexpensive pro-active monitoring system can be an installer’s best friend.
ihiji, a company based in Austin, TX produces a product, named “invision”, which could easily be described as a custom installer’s best friend. ihiji invision, which launched in 2009, is a cloud-based remote monitoring and support solution that is typically sold by integrators to end-users as part of an annual service agreement. With reducing margins and increasing costs, it’s more important than ever to reduce operating costs while maintaining (or, better yet, improving) customer service. The system allows custom integrators to receive alerts for equipment malfunctions, diagnose issues, and repair problems remotely, making it easier than ever to manage their customers’ installations and maintain the most reliable systems possible.
Parallel Universes
Picture this. You installed a $100K AV and Home Automation system in a client’s house. It’s his wife’s birthday and he has a big party planned: a great opportunity to show off his new toys. He turns on the projector…nothing. Not only are his guests disappointed, but he’s embarrassed and neither you nor the manufacturer (or both) are being particularly highly spoken of at this juncture.
Picture the alternative. It’s a few days before the party; you call the client and tell him there’s a fault with a component. You’ve power cycled it, but it still seems to be problematic. From its on-board diagnostics, you’ve narrowed it down to a few possible things. You call him, roll a truck and fix the problem. Everything goes great at his wife’s party. You’re his hero for averting disaster and you’ve got referrals from him for three guests at his party.
Break-Fix is Broken
Break fix is perhaps the worst service model a custom installer can employ. Let’s face it, you haven’t got a bunch of techs and parts sitting around just waiting for something to break, so what happens? You get a call “my so-and-so isn’t working. I paid a fortune for this system. I need someone here today”. You’ve no idea what the problem is. The client is upset and not that willing to help at this stage. You pull a tech off another job and roll a truck to try and fix the problem. After a few hours of wasted time, turns out something just needed power cycling. Now you’ve incurred the cost of an unnecessary truck roll and you’re behind schedule on the job you pulled the tech off.
Being proactive, is not only good for business, it’s good for the bottom line. If you know your client’s projector bulb is on its last legs, you can call the client, tell them, order the part and schedule a visit for the following week when someone’s working in the same neighborhood. Given this, any tool that lets you be more proactive is certainly a boon.
Enter ihiji
The invision system comprises a single appliance and a cloud-based monitoring tool. There are two versions of the appliance: the INV-APP-1000 and newer INV-APP-500 (shown below). Both are Linux based (small footprint and robust) solid state (no moving parts) appliances. The former can monitor and unlimited number of devices, whereas the latter can monitor 50.
The service department has a dashboard (as well as notifications) that shows the status of all your clients’ connected devices and any warnings in yellow and failures in red.
From the dashboard, which also runs on a Smartphone, a user can drill down to a system map and see the state of all devices:
Any node can be double-clicked to obtain node-specific information.
The system also tracks historical activity, which can be a real asset when trying to solve intermittent faults.
What can be Managed?
In a nutshell, anything connected via IP or Zigbee. Devices connected to a Home Automation system, such as Crestron, Control4, AMX, etc. can also be managed indirectly. For example a non-IP projector can report its bulb status to a Crestron system, which in turn reports that to ihiji.
Now you may be thinking that many of these components already have some kind of management/notification, so why would you need invision? The key is that invision functions as a universal portal to report on all equipment: it saves the need to have to connect to a bunch of different systems.
Two of ihiji’s real strong points are very tight Control4 integration and power management systems integration. The latter allows all major systems to be monitored and rebooted via the cloud. APC recently signed a contract with ihiji to sell and support their appliances.
About ihiji
Two of the original founders of the company, Stuart Rench and Michael Maniscalco, are both graduates of Georgia Tech who, with third co-founder David Rench, ran and sold a successful integration firm. Coming from an integration background gives the company a unique insight into product requirements and the life of the custom installer. To that end, they have created an extensive training and education package (including a boilerplate service contract) to help dealers learn how to sell service.
Currently, ihiji has several hundred dealers. Interested parties can find out more here.
Proof of the Pudding
I spoke to Jonathan Stovall from Bethesda Systems, who started using ihiji in January 2012. So far, he has installed about 20 appliances and expects to install a total of 100-150 this year. Jonathan said he has tried much more expensive systems, but none are as good as ihiji. When there is an alert on the dashboards, his service department (on-call 24/7) is notified by e-mail and text message. Being able to access the dashboard allows them to see what the issue is and take the appropriate course of action instantly.
He commented that the notifications from ihiji are much clearer than the native data he would get from various systems, as ihiji is “translating” them to something more meaningful. Even though they’ve only been using the system for a few months, it’s paying dividends: there have been several occasions where detecting the problem and remotely power cycling the equipment has prevented truck rolls. When truck rolls are required, know-before-you-go is always a great advantage.
Conclusion
For a low signup fee (contact ihiji for pricing), which includes three appliances, custom installers can offer their clients an unparalleled level of service while simultaneously reducing operating costs. Typically, ihiji appliances are sold as part of a comprehensive service agreement and can generate more additional profit with each sale.
Thanks to HomeToys eMagazine for permission to use this article.
ihiji invision Cloud-Based Remote Monitoring and Support System Features APC Power Management Functionality; INV-APP-500 Network Appliance Now Available Through APC Apr 4
Cloud-Based Remote Monitoring and Support Solution for Power Conditioning Products Enhances AV Systems’ Performance, Protects Equipment, and Conserves Energy
Austin, TX – April 3, 2012 - ihiji announces today that APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, has begun shipping the ihiji invision INV-APP-500 network appliance as part of a reseller agreement that was formed last year. Furthermore, APC’s lineup of IP-enabled power conditioning products are now certified as ihiji invision Ready™, providing APC dealers an innovative combination of best-in-class power and surge protection plus simple and cost effective cloud-based remote power management solutions.
Under the new partnership, APC is offering a wide range of products that are compatible with the ihiji invision remote monitoring and support system. APC Smart-UPS®, Rack PDUs, S20BLK, and the new G50NETB power conditioner contain the functionality for near plug and play operation with ihiji invision and have been certified as ihiji invision Ready. APC dealers who use and trust these products will benefit from the ability to remotely monitor and control APC devices through ihiji’s cloud-based portal. Integrators also have the added benefit and convenience of purchasing ihiji’s INV-APP-500 network appliance through either ihiji or APC. By utilizing these solutions, integrators will benefit from proactive systems management, reduced service department costs, and increased system reliability. End-users can benefit from improved systems performance, lower energy costs, and reduced service calls.
“With the growing sophistication of electronics, many end-users want to protect their investments while also managing electronics systems and IP-enabled devices remotely,” said Dave Johnson, Senior Vice President, Home and Business Networks, at APC by Schneider Electric. “Our partnership with ihiji, along with deployment of our new IP-enabled power conditioners, provides a best-in-class solution that optimizes performance of equipment, protects sensitive components, and provides convenient remote access.”
The award-winning ihiji invision system is a comprehensive and convenient cloud-based system that enables proactive 24/7 remote network monitoring and management. The system is unique in that it facilitates remote monitoring and support of many IP-enabled products from a convenient and centralized invision hosted web portal. The simplified user interface includes drag and drop assignment of individual devices to outlets and power products, enabling one-click reboots of IP-enabled APC power devices from any web browser or mobile device without the need for complex network configuration or specialized software. Real-time, two-way communication provides critical detail that enables integrators to quickly troubleshoot and administer tier-one support of power devices, networking equipment, control systems, and consumer electronics.
“The ihiji invision system allows APC dealers to quickly configure both monitoring and remote support of connected power devices without unnecessary effort or expense. The low-cost invision appliance is simply plugged into the network, and all other configuration is done conveniently through our cloud-based web interface,” said Michael Maniscalco, ihiji vice president of technical operations.
Convenience is a common and recurring theme with regard to the ihiji invision solution. “Manufacturer-specific solutions can add complexity to an integrator’s toolbox because of the number of utilities requiring specialized training and software. To reduce or even eliminate this, ihiji invision brings much of the everyday functionality under one umbrella – from centralized management to reboots and reporting. Integrators have had the ability to remotely power-cycle outlets using APC for some time, but it has historically required physical or complex remote-access to the site. Now, ihiji invision streamlines the entire process by eliminating the need for advanced network equipment or administration,” Maniscalco added.
About ihiji
ihiji, a company focused on disruptive technologies, has created invision, a cloud based Network Management as a Service (NMaaS) platform for remote monitoring and maintenance of IP-enabled devices. ihiji has received numerous industry awards and repeated recognition for its innovative technology. Originally designed to efficiently maintain and service home networking and automation products, invision has evolved into a scalable and flexible web-based platform allowing for remote network monitoring, support, and documentation. ihiji creates a cohesive partnership with integrators and leading manufacturers to offer inspired solutions to complicated problems that increase both end-user satisfaction and system integrator profitability. Those interested can learn more by contacting the company at 512-538-0520 or by visiting www.ihiji.com.
About APC by Schneider Electric
APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in critical power and cooling services, provides industry leading hardware, software, and services designed to ensure availability and higher energy efficiency across the residential, business network, data center, and manufacturing environments. Backed by the strength, experience, and wide network of Schneider Electric’s Critical Power & Cooling Services, APC delivers well planned, flawlessly installed and maintained solutions throughout their lifecycle. Through its unparalleled commitment to innovation, APC delivers energy efficient solutions for critical technology and industrial applications.
www.apc.com
About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centers/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company’s 110,000 plus employees achieved sales of more than $26 billion in 2010, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations “Make the most of their energy.”
www.schneider-electric.com/us
ihiji Ships Category Changing, Low-Cost, and Energy Efficient Remote Network Monitoring Appliance Jan 31
ihiji Ships Category Changing, Low-Cost, and Energy Efficient Remote Network Monitoring Appliance
- At $200, the new INV-APP-500 is the industry’s lowest cost remote monitoring appliance
- Simple and easy to deploy – field installation takes only minutes
- New low cost service model starts at no annual fee
- Enables remote power management via the cloud for existing IP-based power products
- Cost efficient way to own a customer’s network – large or small
Austin, TX – January 31, 2012, – ihiji, creator of the award-winning cloud-based remote monitoring and support system invision, has begun shipping the new and much-anticipated INV-APP-500. This low-cost and energy-efficient remote monitoring hardware appliance is destined to be the industry standard for installations large and small.
The INV-APP-500 boasts a game-changing starting price of $200 and is sold as part of the ihiji invision solution. When implemented, dealers are able to further reduce remote servicing costs while simultaneously increasing system reliability, thereby earning recurring revenue and maximizing operating efficiencies. Furthermore, in contrast to competitive solutions, ihiji’s annual services have been greatly reduced, and the first monitoring tier is free. This enables dealers to deploy an appliance on virtually every installation. Therefore, authorized ihiji dealers are now able to offer both hardware and the first year of service for as low as $200, which is easily recouped by avoiding just one truck roll.
The end-user benefit is equally impressive. ihiji’s low-power appliance INV-APP-500 can deliver a remarkable $700 in annual energy cost savings per location, when compared with traditional in-home server scenarios.
“With the introduction of our new INV-APP-500 appliance, dealers are able to implement robust and reliable remote monitoring and support services for a fraction of the price,” according to ihiji VP of technical operations, Michael Maniscalco. “Our goal is to enable dealers to own their customers’ network and doing so requires remote management. With ihiji invision’s cloud-based architecture, all of the heavy lifting is done on our servers, meaning dealers do not sacrifice features or reliability with the new low-cost appliance. Utilizing cloud services, dealers can offer the most reliable monitoring and support solutions available while keeping the costs of entry and ongoing maintenance as low as possible. We believe this approach to the category is more than a trend. It’s an emerging industry standard.”
invision is the only cloud based monitoring solution built specifically for custom dealers and designed to simplify remote management. It also avoids the high costs and complexities associated with traditional IT-focused monitoring solutions. Developed and maintained entirely in-house by ihiji’s software engineering team, invision has been frequently lauded by dealers as being both the most robust and the most easy-to-use solution available, providing “profound benefits”.
To join the ihiji invision community, or to learn more about establishing business-stabilizing proactive recurring revenue streams and improved customer loyalty, please email info@ihiji.com or call (512) 538-0520.
Residential Systems Magazine ihiji Editorial: “Selling Service Contracts with Teeth” Jan 6
The number-one complaint from integrators who are successfully selling service contracts has been that they waited too long to start selling them. As technology continues to evolve at a manic pace, it is up to you to find effective ways to service each of the components you install and integrate in order to ensure reliable performance. Service contracts provide not only the means to secure an ongoing relationship with your client, but they also proactively protect their investment.
Some of your clients will immediately embrace your service contract option, some will ask for changes, and others will pass altogether. This is normal and to be expected as one single package will rarely meet the needs of all clients. Learn from the feedback received during the sales process, and then tweak your offering accordingly.
At First, Start Small. A basic service contract is relatively simple to put together, and can include a simple checklist of items that can save you time and money while providing real value to your customers. Some examples for this could include services such as an annual twohour inspection and basic calibration, an hour of firmware upgrades, a VIP call in line, access to remote support and service, or a basic remote monitoring solution. Once established, you can gather feedback from clients and utilize it to build a more robust service contract over time.
Know Your Service Costs. Even a basic service contract structure requires a thorough understanding of associated service costs, which is a healthy exercise for any organization to go through. Once costs have been determined, you can establish the services you intend to offer, and calculate your desired margin and the prices you will need to charge for each service tier. It is not uncommon for an integrator’s base service contract program to be based on a fixed price while their higher-end contract is based on a percentage of the total system package price.
Create a Name for Your Contract. Not surprisingly, titles are important. Thus, many integrators have found that they have had greater adoption rates when calling the service or maintenance contract something similar to a “Preferred Client Care Program.” This provides the client with a sense of protection and security. Be careful, however, not to employ excessive fear tactics. Instead, simply illustrate the benefits and costs savings, and you will have far greater success.
Marketing, Training, and Roll Out. Finally, create compelling marketing material, train your sales staff, and roll out the program to your customers. Be sure to present these new services to your previous customers and those with whom you have not interacted with recently. Review the equipment they have, make suggestions for upgrades, and perhaps add remote monitoring and support that provides insight into the connected equipment’s health and status. Take advantage of the opportunity to show them something new, to assist them with any issues they may be experiencing, and create a new transaction. Show your customers that you care, and you may be pleasantly surprised by their reactions.
Michael Maniscalco (info@ihiji.com), ihiji co-founder and vice president of technical operations, served as one of the principal architects of invision, the company’s cloudbased real-time remote systems monitoring and support solution.
ihiji’s Director of Sales and Business Development Awarded Custom Retailer Magazine Young Turk Award Jan 5
ihiji Director of Sales and Business Development, Seth Rubenstein, was recently named to Custom Retailer Magazine’s annual Young Turks of Custom Electronics list. Seth is a prime example of fresh minds creating a “next generation” approach to the sale and implementation of commonly needed and often-overlooked software solutions.
Establishing a firm basis for his future success, Seth received his Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Black Studies, from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1994. He then went on to receive a Master of Education with Advanced Study in Counselor Education from Pennsylvania State University in 1997.
Prior to joining ihiji Seth served as Sales Director for D-Tools, where he managed the sale of software and services to more than 2500 accounts in North America alone. There, he implemented a recurring revenue model, effectively raised predictable cash flow, and achieved status as the top sales performer.
Since joining ihiji during the summer of 2011 as Director of Sales and Business Development, Seth has been instrumental in providing ESC’s the proper knowledge and education required to be successful in the Remote Monitoring and Support category.
Volunteering his time and energy for the betterment of our industry, Seth has held concurrent appointments for over five years, including a recent term as Chairman of CEDIA University’s College of Customer Relations, and as Vice-Chair of the highly impactful CEDIA Management Conference. In 2008, he was honored as CEDIA’s Manufacturer Volunteer of the Year and remains committed to initiatives that continuously raise the stature and prosperity of the entire ESC community.
Contribution to the company:
As a relatively new member of the team, Seth has focused his energies on increasing the industry’s awareness and adoption of the ihiji invision solution. Advocating and educating, he provides dealers the expertise to handle the transition from a reactive break-fix service model to a proactive and more efficient service approach.
Seth’s masterful relationship building skills and client-centric consultative sales approach enable him to provide extensive education and support to dealers, bolstering their knowledge base, and establishing a strong foundation of success for each firm in the Remote Monitoring and Support category.
Utilizing his extensive experience selling enterprise software solutions, Rubenstein interacts with and educates CEDIA dealers worldwide, working tirelessly to promote a positive and holistic development of the industry and Electronics Systems Contractors alike.
Contact Information
Seth Rubenstein phone: 512.538.0520
Seth Rubenstein e-mail: seth@ihiji.com
Click to see the entire 2012 Custom Retailer Magazine’s Young Turks edition.
ihiji Custom Retailer Article: “Our Converging World: Owning The Home Network” Dec 21
So, here I am… sitting at my desk, writing this on my laptop, connected to the world via a wireless network, using Google docs, listening to Internet radio, taking phone calls on a Voice over IP (VOIP) phone, and essentially living in a state of complete connectivity. Unbelievably, this level of connectivity (while perhaps excessive for some) will soon mimic that of your typical client. It is already happening and will quickly become the new normal.
You see, the home of the future is destined to be fully connected. We’re already seeing it happen with smart appliances, which are entering the mainstream market as we speak. Society will rely on this constant connectivity more and more, and companies just like yours will be necessary to maintain all of the pieces and parts that ultimately make up the home network. In case you are wondering, this spells nothing but opportunity. However, you, the electronics systems integrator, must ensure that your IPIQ is up to par so that you can properly manage your client’s needs, now and into the future.
CEDIA Announces 2012 – 2013 Leadership – ihiji’s Seth Rubenstein To Join Board of Directors Dec 20
For Immediate Release
December 13 , 2011
Media Contact:
Jamie Riley
CEDIA
317.328.4336 ext. 119
jriley@cedia.org
CEDIA Announces 2012 – 2013 Leadership
INDIANAPOLIS (December 13, 2011) — The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) has announced the 2012 volunteer Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The volunteer leadership will be responsible for guiding the association’s strategic initiatives for the 2012 – 2013 term. Two Directors were voted in by CEDIA members and one Director was appointed by the current Board of Directors. The term will run from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013.
Executive Committee
Chairman
Federico Bausone
Multisistemas BVC Sa de Cv
San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, Mexico
Vice Chairman
Larry Pexton
Triad Speakers ~FM~
Portland, OR
Secretary
Buzz Delano
Delano Associates
San Clemente, CA
Treasurer
Gordon van Zuiden
cyberManor
Los Gatos, CA
Immediate Past Chairman
Randy Stearns
Engineered Environments
Alameda, CA
Directors
Michael Creeden
M&R Digital Innovations, Inc.
Spring Grove, IL
Dennis Erskine
Erskine Group
Symrna,GA
Mark Hoffenberg *NEW
AudioVisions
Ladera Ranch, CA
Richard Millson *NEW
Millson Technologies, Inc.
Vancouver, BC
Seth Rubenstein *NEW
Ihiji, inc.
Symrna,GA
Peter Shipp
ZIO Group, LLC
Winter Park, FL
Bill Skaer
Eric Grundelman’s Cool AV ~FM~
Mesquite, TX
John Stiernberg
Stiernberg Consulting
Sherman Oaks, CA
Images of each board member are available for media purposes. Contact press@cedia.org for more information.
About CEDIA
CEDIA is an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more than 3,500 member companies worldwide. CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field. For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s website at www.cedia.org.
Follow @CEDIA on Twitter, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CEDIA.Region2, or join the CEDIA group on LinkedIn.
###