Randy Stearns Weighs in on iPad, 3D, Streaming Media

Randy Stearns, president of Engineered Environments, runs down a list of new technologies' impact on custom electronics:

iPad
There is no question that Stearns sees the iPad as the future interface.

"The iPad will change, and in some ways the iPhone has already changed, our industry as we know it," he says bluntly. "Firstly, the iPad resets the price tolerance for a touchpanel, now firmly set at $500. No one in their right mind will spend $2,000 to $8,000 or more for a touchpanel that is bulky and overweight, does less, and has worse graphics than the iPad."

More significantly, Stearns believes the iPhone and iPad, via the use of apps, will reduce the public's demand for integrated systems. He sees the devices having a similar effect as what to what the iPod and MP3 did to reset the public's expectations downward relative to sound quality… enabling them to choose mobility and ease-of-use over quality.

"Apple apps have changed the way people think about control. Systems integration in the home came about for two reasons: a desire to reduce the number of control devices on the wall, and the need to have a common operating environment to control everything in the house. Apple apps, while allowing consumers to use a common control device for many things in their work and personal life, provide a different operating environment (GUI) for each and every use.

"Save some common features like ‘swipe,' every app uses different layouts, graphics, button shapes and sizes, fonts, etc. All of a sudden it will be just fine for clients to have a folder on their iPad for Home Control with separate apps for audio, lighting, cameras, security, etc. - none of which will have a consistent look and feel."

Stearns believes this lowered expectation for integrated systems "is the world we live in now and we must adapt."

So, Engineered Environments' sales team leads off all its presentations with the iPad. "Whether in our showroom or in the field, we show how to control your home with the iPad and iPod Touch. We have transferred all of our sales materials onto the sales teams' iPads and use it to show product samples, installation photos, sample drawings, sample documents, pictures of our awards, reprints of feature articles, and more. We no longer drag around products or drawings," says Stearns.

Digital Streaming Media: "Clearly, the world of streaming content is here and here to stay. We have embraced it fully in our offering and only provide ‘old-fashioned sources' when requested," says Stearns.

IT/Networking: IT/networking has become a core competency for the company, "as it must be for all systems contractors now due to the fact that the industry is going to network attached devices as a standard," says Stearns. "Anyone not able to configure routers and WAPs, address port forwarding and the like is S.O.L. [a.k.a. … in big trouble]."

IP Security Cameras: Engineered Environments has "completely entrenched" itself into IP CCTV. Stearns says he is offering IP cameras to his prospective clients as a standard and he is upgrading existing clients "so long as they are willing to forego viewing [image] from their cameras on their legacy system's touchpanel."

Energy Management/Alternative Energy: While many integrators are turning whole hog toward alternative energy, Stearns' investigation into the category was not as optimistic, especially in the highly competitive Bay Area.

"We extensively researched alternative energy offerings (photovoltaics/solar in particular) a couple years ago and decided to ‘pass,'" says Stearns. "There simply aren't adequate margins in this sector to support our current infrastructure. We would've needed to completely change our business, or start a new one (as some in the industry did), to accommodate the PV pricing model. That said, we are actively offering advanced energy monitoring and management through products like Powerhouse Dynamics and IP-controlled power controllers (APC, PS Audio)."

3D: Like many integration companies, Engineered Environments is taking a wait-and-see approach. "We're not seeing a lot of demand for 3D yet, but we are installing a DPI 3D projector in our showroom. We'll see if it generates sales," says Stearns cautiously. Read: CE Pros Weigh in on 3D

Digital Home Healthcare: "Interested, but have not yet explored," says Stearns.

Commercial Digital Signage: Even though many integrators are embracing commercial markets, Engineered Environments is not. Stearns says it is too far afield from its current business model."