CCS Ranked 6th In The Nation

As posted on AVNetwork.com

There were 7.5 million pounds of thrust that catapulted the historic Saturn V rocket from the ground at the Kennedy Space Center, bound for lunar orbit in July 1969. That enormous level of force didn’t just open a whole new frontier of human exploration, it was also responsible for the first American space station. Saturn V was launched 13 times in its working lifetime—a duration of just six years.

The number of monumental feats achieved by NASA in a very short time span is astonishing. It serves as a good reminder of how quickly things can evolve, even if in our quest to achieve lofty goals we sometimes lament the limitations of 24-hour days.

The best part of each year drawing to a close is that we get to zero in on the growth of the AV industry and dole out fresh results concerning which integrators are driving that progress. We call that the Top 50 Systems Integrators, of course. This industry exclusive is a coveted position for those firms generating top revenue in commercial AV installations for the year, and for others, it remains an inspiring achievement to work toward. For the many people working in some other capacity of the industry, the Top 50 is looked upon as an informational tool.

Over the years, we’ve worked to add value to the Top 50 list, so it’s not simply about name dropping and revenue ranks. This year, in addition to our annual commentary assessing areas of business growth and challenges, we’ve also noted which of the Top 50 most successful integrators are participating in AV-iQ. To further illustrate the successful strategies of these firms, we’ve also provided a snapshot of the projects that helped to thrust them ahead this year.

1. AVI-SPL
2. Whitlock
3. Diversified Systems
4. AVI Systems
5. Technical Innovation
6. CCS Presentation Systems
7. HB Communications
8. Ford Audio-Video
9. Electrosonic
10. SKC Communications

Click here for the full list.

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Project Spotlight: Iowa Communications Network

Project Spotlight: Iowa Communications Network

The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) is the country’s premier distance learning and state government broadband carrier network, committed to providing Iowa strong broadband solutions for the education, government, and healthcare sectors of Iowa.

The ICN makes it possible for Iowans, physically separated by location, to interact in an efficient, creative, and cost-effective manner. ICN provides high-speed flexible broadband Internet, data, video conferencing, and voice (phone) services to authorized users, under Code of Iowa, which includes: K-12 schools, higher education, hospitals and clinics, state and federal government, National Guard armories, and libraries.

CCS Presentation Systems installed two video walls, the first being a (8) screen 2 high by 4 wide video wall with 55” Christie screens and the second video wall being a 2 high by 2 wide video wall with 55” Christie screens. ICN is using the two walls to keep track of internet outages and hackers throughout the state of Iowa.

CCS Gives Back

CCS has partnered with the Tim Tebow Foundation and Zoom, a web based video conferencing service, to help provide a live stream video call from Tim Tebow and Erik Dellenback to over 200 churches around the world who are preparing to host Night to Shine.

Night to Shine, one of seven major initiatives of the Tim Tebow Foundation, is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 16 and older.

Every guest of Night to Shine will enter this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a cheering crowd and friendly paparazzi. Once inside, guests will receive the royal treatment including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining stations, corsages and boutonnieres, a karaoke room and, of course, dancing! The highlight of the night will come when every one of the Night to Shine guests is crowned as a king or queen of the prom.

As sponsors of the worldwide movement of Night to Shine, the Tim Tebow Foundation provides each host church with financial support, a detailed instruction manual, a prom kit complete with decorations and gifts for the guests, and individualized staff guidance.

More information on Night to Shine can be found on their website: https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/index.php/stand-with-night-to-shine/

More philanthropy fun from CCS locations across the nation:

CCS donated to the fundraiser – Fr. Bissonnette Invitational (FBI) golf outing

Town of Hudson – CCS donated an Epson 1705 projector to the Hudson Senior Center. This will allow presentations and movies to be shown on a large projection screen, which was much needed in the Center.

CCS donated to Veterans Count. learn more

CCS made a donation to the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (NCASAA).

CCS donated to national programs that help students who are dealing with homelessness, food insecurity, domestic violence and poverty.

CCS New England adopted a military family who is struggling financially and gave them a holiday meal and gifts.

Thank you to our clients for making us aware of these organizations and their need for support. Contact your local CCS location to help us stay on track with more giving and philanthropy fun in 2016!

Project Spotlight: Talking Stick Resort

The Talking Stick Resort & Casino installation is the largest SVSi N3000 system in the United States. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, it has 46 inputs and 101 outputs with displays that range from 42 inches to 103 inches.

CCS installed more than 1,000 speakers in 38 different zones throughout the Talking Stick Resort property. But figuring out volume levels in different parts of the casino and resort was difficult. Automated level-sensing and preprogramming the audio system (a Peavey Electronics MediaMatrix-based system with Altinex audio switching) wasn’t doing the trick, as sound levels kept fluctuating dramatically throughout the day. Then CCS learned that Talking Stick kept detailed records of visitors’ traffic patterns throughout the property.

Adding that information to the system allowed them to predict what the sound pressure level needs would be anywhere on the property at any time. And if a little tweaking is necessary, CCS installed several AMX touch-panel controls so that employees can fine-tune audio levels as necessary.

Measurable results included the reduced footprint of the video distribution system, allowing for the removal of three racks, freeing up space in the head end. Installing new displays and moving existing displays has been made easier and more cost effective by using standard Cat-6 cabling. New displays can now be up and connected to the distribution system in hours instead of weeks.

InfoComm Connections

InfoComm Connections is a pro-AV technology regional trade show all about connecting AV professionals like you to some of the top companies in the industry.

We offer technology managers and in-house AV pros two full days of the high caliber InfoComm University courses you’d find at the annual InfoComm June show, plus focused education sessions on unified communications and collaboration.

Click here more for information

CCS New Staff Additions

Jessica Moretti joins CCS California as Account Executive

Jessica is a 15 year AV industry sales veteran with a track record of outstanding success and high levels of customer retention. Jessica has grown up in the AV business, accepting her first job out of college with a large, regional, system integrator. Jessica has built a loyal and established account base by focusing on value beyond the initial sale. Jessica believes that “teaching is selling” and goes out of her way to educate clients and keep them abreast of the ever changing AV market. She is also extremely passionate about an elevated level of service and prides herself on being responsive and proactive. She also strongly believes in a positive company culture and is thrilled to be aligned with CCS! When she’s not selling AV, Jessica enjoys spending her time with her husband, Mike and her 5 year old son, Marcus.  They are an active family that loves traveling, entertaining, camping, and boating. They reside in Newberg, Oregon in the heart of the Willamette Valley – Oregon’s wine country.

Hemal

Though terrible at it, she also loves to perform stand-up comedy from time to time, is in the Boise State University Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, and is a volunteer “Big Sister” in the Big Brother/Big Sister program.  Overall, Jessica loves to lead and inspire people, be a friend and advisor to her clients, and a fun, engaged, team player. She is grateful to be working at CCS and is looking forward to a fruitful 2016. Jessica wants everyone to know that her patio is always open to visitors. She would be delighted to have any of you come by for a big glass of Pinot Noir and a good laugh.

Contact Jessica at jmoretti@ccsproav.com

Hemal

Hemal Sheth joins CCS California as Inside Sales Representative

For over 10 years, Hemal Sheth has been in sales and business development. His past experience includes roles at Verizon Wireless and SaaS Solutions for Endicia. In his free time he’s an avid bike rider, tennis player and sports fan. He’s quick to claim the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Carolina Panthers and considers himself a dedicated fan. Another interesting detail about Hemal is he is a certified 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do! On any given weekend you can find him spending time with his wife and family, watching movies and sports and staying healthy by going for walks. In February 2016, they will celebrate their 3rd wedding anniversary. Welcome to the team Hemal!

Contact Hemal at hsheth@ccsproav.com

Claudette tellier

Claudette Tellier joins CCS New England as Administrative Assistant

Claudette has joined CCS New England as a part-time Administrative Assistant. Claudette will be involved with Purchasing and Invoicing, ETA Tracker, as well as other A/P and A/R functions. She has a background in IT programming for Peerless and Main Street America Insurance Companies. She has a degree from Franklin Pierce University in Computer Science and Management and will be a great asset to our team! Welcome, Claudette!

Contact Claudette at ctellier@ccsprojects.com

Achieve Your New Year Goals With A New Approach

If you’re a time-savvy organization (and have at least one goal or resolution this year), you’ve probably already begun the initiatives that will help you achieve that goal. But how will you communicate progress throughout the year? Still packing into that old board room with a stained dry-erase and crackling telecom? Even small updates like a quality telecom or a projector and screen to display dashboard results is proven to increase morale, energy, involvement and retention.

“Changes confronting organizations and the associated changes in organizational forms have made organizational communication increasingly important to overall organizational functioning. For example:

  • Work is more complex and requires greater coordination and interaction among workers
  • The pace of work is faster
  • Workers are more distributed
  • Simultaneous, distributed work processes are more common
  • Knowledge and innovation are more critical to an organization’s competitive advantage
  • Communication technologies and networks are increasingly essential to an organization’s structure and strategy.“– Historical Trends and the Increasing Importance of Organizational Communication, United States Department of the Air Force

Do your new year goals include cost reduction and efficiency improvements? What company doesn’t have those goals in mind, right? Toshiba, a well known information systems manufacturer was feeling the pressure (and costs) associated with long overdue internal conversion to more robust telecommunications systems. Their case study was written on the challenge, solution and result of telecommunications systems implemented in their world wide offices – initially launched as a solution to rising inter-office travel costs, it has become a necessity they can’t effectively function without.

Read Toshiba’s story here

CCS Presentation Systems can help you upgrade your communications systems to prepare for the new year so that each and every goal you set for your organization can be clearly communicated to the entire team, clients, industry partners and more. Contact CCS to get systems in place that will support your new year goals!