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URC Goes Commercial with Two Product Launches
New commercially-focused remote and base station address RF interference.
Universal Remote Control (URC) knows that "more than half" of its dealers diversify into commercial projects.
URC's research shows that dealers sometimes use its residential control products in commercial venues. Recognizing that demand, URC plans to launch two products in June specifically for the commercial market.
"Our customers are already installing our products in commercial applications," says Jon Sienkiewicz, URC's director of marketing. "We're just making it easier for them."
URC won't give details about the new products — a remote and a base station — but Sienkiewicz says the products are being designed with the requirements of commercial venues in mind.
One obstacle CE pros face installing control products in commercial environments is RF interference, Sienkiewicz says. Both the remote and base station will include "simulpress" technology that allows "two people to press a button at one time without causing any problems."
URC's commercial coming-out party will be marked by its exhibition at InfoComm '09 on June 17–19 in Orlando, Fla. URC will also show InfoComm attendees a beta version of an IP keypad designed for the commercial market. The keypad, according to Sienkiewicz, "will be a two-way IP, two-way RS-232 control."
He adds that the keypad is a logical fit for boardroom installations, a commercial venue that URC is targeting with its new products. URC also sees classrooms, MDUs, worship auditoriums, restaurants and sports bars as logical commercial venues for its products.
With the number of new-construction and retrofit residential projects declining, CE pros have been migrating to the commercial space. The 2008 CE Pro Readership Study shows 77 percent of integrators vying for commercial jobs, up a whopping 20 percent in just two years.
The same holds true for a manufacturer like URC that serves the residential integration industry. The roll-out of commercially-focused products shows that URC is aware that its dealer base is adapting to the market.
"We all know the housing market is slow, to be kind," says Sienkiewicz. "We're looking for other areas that are less affected by the recession."
URC is working on training modules to help its dealers adjust to working in commercial venues. Sienkiewicz says URC doesn't intend to break off a commercial division.
"We are a very lean and competent organization, which allows us to be very nimble," he says.
URC's research shows that dealers sometimes use its residential control products in commercial venues. Recognizing that demand, URC plans to launch two products in June specifically for the commercial market.
"Our customers are already installing our products in commercial applications," says Jon Sienkiewicz, URC's director of marketing. "We're just making it easier for them."
URC won't give details about the new products — a remote and a base station — but Sienkiewicz says the products are being designed with the requirements of commercial venues in mind.
One obstacle CE pros face installing control products in commercial environments is RF interference, Sienkiewicz says. Both the remote and base station will include "simulpress" technology that allows "two people to press a button at one time without causing any problems."
URC's commercial coming-out party will be marked by its exhibition at InfoComm '09 on June 17–19 in Orlando, Fla. URC will also show InfoComm attendees a beta version of an IP keypad designed for the commercial market. The keypad, according to Sienkiewicz, "will be a two-way IP, two-way RS-232 control."
He adds that the keypad is a logical fit for boardroom installations, a commercial venue that URC is targeting with its new products. URC also sees classrooms, MDUs, worship auditoriums, restaurants and sports bars as logical commercial venues for its products.
Why Go Commercial Now?
With the number of new-construction and retrofit residential projects declining, CE pros have been migrating to the commercial space. The 2008 CE Pro Readership Study shows 77 percent of integrators vying for commercial jobs, up a whopping 20 percent in just two years.
The same holds true for a manufacturer like URC that serves the residential integration industry. The roll-out of commercially-focused products shows that URC is aware that its dealer base is adapting to the market.
"We all know the housing market is slow, to be kind," says Sienkiewicz. "We're looking for other areas that are less affected by the recession."
URC is working on training modules to help its dealers adjust to working in commercial venues. Sienkiewicz says URC doesn't intend to break off a commercial division.
"We are a very lean and competent organization, which allows us to be very nimble," he says.
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About the Author
Tom LeBlanc, Senior Writer/Technology Editor, CE Pro
Tom has been covering consumer electronics for six years. Before that, he wrote for the sports department of the Boston Herald. Migrating to magazines, he was a staff editor for a golf publication and an outdoor sports publication. Now, as senior writer/technology editor of CE Pro magazine since 2003, he dabbles in all departments and offers expertise in marketing. Follow him on Twitter @leblanctom.
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