Tomei AV Consulting LLC's June 2015 newsletter
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Tomei AV Consulting
June 2015 newsletter
Graduation ceremonies are done and it seems like the higher ed AV support departments are ramped up to full speed with their summer installation projects. As busy as June is for everyone, we also have to find a way to cram in a trip to Orlando for the InfoComm Show. I'm really looking forward to the Show, with a packed schedule of classes, booth tours, dinners and parties. I'll see many of you in Orlando in a week.
Trade publication articles I wrote or contributed to, and Tomei AV Consulting mentions over the past month:
Sound & Communications "Getting Ahead in Higher Ed" I wrote an article that was published in the May 2015 issue of Sound & Communications magazine sharing some tips on how integrators and consultants can keep higher ed AV support staff happy. Based on my experience working on the end-user side of higher ed AV support, there are too many classroom AV systems designed and installed without any thought for the group of AV technicians that will need to repair and maintain these systems.
K-12 Tech Decisions "7 Tips for Using Interactive Displays in the Classroom" I was interviewed for this article about the pros and cons of installing interactive displays in K-12 classrooms. They aren't widely used in the higher ed world, but they're all over K-12 classrooms. Administrators need to focus on some key issues during the system design phase so that they get the most bang for their buck with interactive display installations.
Rental & Staging Systems "InfoComm for the First Time" I attended my first InfoComm Show in 2008, and Rental & Staging Systems Magazine asked me to write daily blog posts during the show. After the show was over, they summarized my blog posts as an article in the August 2008 print issue of the magazine. I was working at Harvard University at the time, and a big part of my job was supervising the live event AV support on campus, hence the rental & staging connection. I figured I would re-post my article for those of you attending for the first time (or even the show veterans). E-mail me if you have questions about how to make the best use of your time at the InfoComm Show.
Certifications
Extron XTP-E Certification I recently visited Extron's Virginia training center to complete the XTP-E (Systems Design Engineer) certification process. This certification focused on the design and implementation of enterprise-wide digital systems based on Extron XTP products. We studied Extron's XTP/DTP products, as well as general system design standards and best practices pertaining to digital video/audio signals, and control methods.
Podcast
AV Nation's EdTech podcast: episode 36
In this month's episode of the AVNation EdTech podcast, Tim, Greg, Ernie and I discuss network security for connected AV devices, end of fiscal year purchasing, and the Sound & Communications article I wrote discussing how integrators and consultants can keep higher ed AV support staff happy. We'll be recording an episode of the podcast live from the InfoComm Show floor in June, so make sure to stop by the AV Nation booth on 6/18 at 10am if you want to say hello.
Upcoming events
June 13-19: InfoComm Show 2015 I'll be making the trip down to Orlando for a week of training classes and walking the show floor. Let me know if you'll also be there.
June 15-17: UBTech Conference 2015 The UB Tech Conference is being held right down the street from the InfoComm Show in Orlando. I'll be attending to check out the latest higher ed technology trends and to visit the Extron crew.
EdTech podcast live from InfoComm
Attending the InfoComm Show in Orlando? Come and see us record the AVNation EdTech podcast live from the show floor.
Every month I join Tim Albright, Ernie Bailey and Greg Brown to record the AVNation EdTech podcast. We discuss the latest equipment trends and management topics pertaining to higher education audio visual system design, installation and support. Anyone who's involved with the higher ed AV world will benefit from listening to this monthly podcast.
We'll be recording the June episode of the podcast live from the InfoComm Show floor on June 18th (Thursday) at 10am. Make sure to stop by the AVNation booth (booth number 6667) to say hi while we're there. We'll be discussing the new equipment we experienced on the show floor, classes offered at the show, and the parties after the show floor closes. If you can't attend the show, give the recorded podcast a listen to catch up on what you missed. If you're looking to fill your InfoComm schedule, here's the full listing of all the AVNation related InfoComm activities.
I hope to see you in Orlando!
About Mike Tomei
I'm an independent audio visual consultant based in Central New York (Ithaca). I've worked in the AV industry for over a decade, working in AV design/support roles for Harvard University, Ithaca College, Walt Disney World, and as a freelance technician. I specialize in AV system design, installation project management, and AV management consulting for the higher education, K-12, corporate and commercial markets. I hold both the InfoComm CTS-D and CTS-I certifications, as well as the Crestron DMC-D and Extron XTP-E certifications. I'm a recurring guest on AV Nation's EdTech podcast, and I write for various AV trade publications.
