When successfully implementing AV systems, there’s more to it than meets the eye when it comes to actually getting the technology connected and working.
Sure, big HD monitors, touch screens, and video walls look fantastic once they’re fully installed, but there are a lot of behind-the-scenes technologies that play a huge role in enabling this high-tech hardware to fully function.
AV integrators rely on heavy-duty wiring, for example, to ensure their AV equipment is properly connected and fully functioning.
This is where companies like Windy City Wire play a huge role in the successful installation of AV technology.
A Growing Company Offering Innovative Solutions
Windy City Wire was founded 22 years ago with the mindset of bringing something “different” to the marketplace. The company gained recognition by offering a quality product backed with the right team to service the market. Starting in 1994 with a single location, they have grown seamlessly into the industry leader they are today.
“As we grew, every decision was based on feedback from our partners. We purchased an American-Made manufacturing company in 2007 allowing us control over the quality and consistency of the product shipped. In 2008, we created the patented RackPack Solution creating a safe and productive install. The RackPack Field Systems Solution was a different way of thinking and introducing this new methodology of attacking labor gave us the advantage needed,” says Dan Hughes, Chief Sales Officer at Windy City Wire.
“We strategically placed 17 stocking locations throughout the country, invested in additional manufacturing lines, and added to our great sales force.”
The RackPack Solution has indeed given Windy City Wire an advantage when working with integration partners and end-users.
Take, for example, Windy City Wire’s work at the University of Saint Joseph, located in West Hartford, Conn.
Upgrading the University of Saint Joseph’s Lourdes Hall
The University of Saint Joseph was looking to update a key building on campus, Lourdes Hall, home of its Physicians Assistant program. The project began in March of 2016, with construction beginning in May. The completion date was set
for November of 2016.
The space was to consist of a lab, two classrooms, two exam rooms, one conference room and a single digital signage location. Adtech Systems, the integrator hired for the project, aimed to construct the rooms in a way that would allow for simplified use by the end user, along with the capability for growth.
Being a partner of Adtech for three and a half years, Windy City Wire was entrusted to provide the wiring for the project. The wiring would be used to connect key technology components of the project, which consisted of, but were not limited to, the following:
- Two 42-inch SMART Kapp boards
- Commercial grade 48-inch LED monitors
- Six ceiling recessed speakers in the lab, two classrooms, and conference room
- A wall mounted control panel to allow for simple use of the system in the Lab and conference room
- A table top control panel installed at the teacher’s station for both classrooms and exam rooms
- A 4,200 lumen WUXGA projector that will display on a ceiling recessed electric screen with a viewing area of 65-inch H x 104-inch W x 123-inch diagonal (classroom #1)
- A 70-inch LED monitor that will be mounted behind the teacher’s station for the students on the left side of the room to view (classroom #1)
- A 32-inch LED monitor
- A 19-inch monitor
- A 55-inch LED monitor
- Document Cameras
Many of these technologies needed to be connected together in a system.
For example, audio for Classroom #1 would need to be played back through six ceiling recessed speakers, and sound would be provided from a laptop connection at the teaching station consisting of both HDMI and VGA connection and an owner furnished PC.
A wireless microphone would also be incorporated for lecture capture of the professor’s class. Sources audio and microphone audio from exam room #1 would also provide sound to classroom #1.
The table top control panel in classroom #1 would need to control display power (on/off), source selection, volume, and give users the option to view sources from exam room #1.
With all of the equipment and connections involved in the University of Saint Joseph’s install, not to mention that the building created a difficult work environment as it was constructed in 1946, Windy City Wire and Adtech had their work cut out for them.
“Any remodel is going to have its challenges, versus walking into a new space. So there was that challenge of taking something that’s already existing and retrofitting it to your needs,” says Andrew Levesque, facilities & engineering operations, University of Saint Joseph.
The technology that helped Adtech solve those challenges related to connectivity was Windy City Wire’s RackPack Solution.
“We used to use coils and spools, but they get tangled and you would spend a good portion of your day untangling them,” says Levesque.
“In a remodel, versus new construction, you don’t always get to choose where your chases are. These buildings weren’t built with additional wire in mind, so having to retrofit something and also maintain the aesthetic of the space, you can’t just
have conduits running everywhere, and sometimes you don’t put them in the best possible location for the guy who has to pull the wire. Sometimes you have to put them somewhere where it’s a little more challenging, so the Windy City solution
really helps with that challenge.”
Furthermore, Windy City Wire’s SmartWire offers other advantages.
“One of the features of SmartWire is our ‘Glide’ technology that allows reduction of friction while pulling through existing conduit by 70 percent. Our packaging and transportation devices have a small, yet efficient footprint allowing the technician to effectively maneuver in tighter spaces creating that productive environment needed in challenged settings,” says Bill Stang, Director of Pro AV.
With Windy City Wire’s RackPack solution, Adtech has overcome the wiring and installation challenges posed by Saint Joseph University’s 70 year old building.
Helping integrators overcome installation challenges through solutions like the RackPack is one of Windy City’s main focuses.
“Our goal is to remain relevant in our customers’ lives and the only way we accomplish this is by attacking labor costs and continuing to innovate. Our value starts at the time of order-entry through the completion of the install. When SmartWire is packaged into our patented RackPacks and used in conjunction with our transportation devices, it becomes the complete labor- attacking solution,” says Hughes.
“Integrators and electrical contractors are winning jobs by the overall cost of the project and our labor savings solution gives them that advantage from concept to completion. Our system plays perfectly into any working environment, whether it be a hospital, educational, or government setting. It looks professional; it’s safe to maneuver, and much easier on technicians.”
Beyond the educational sector, Windy City Wire has also played a major role in the success of AV installations in the Worship sector.
Connecting Northview Church’s New AVL System
Northview Church was in need of an Audio-Video-Lighting (AVL) facelift for its new campus located in Anderson, Ind. Northview uses networking to its advantage at all of its campuses and requires a large degree of remote management and operation.
Northview employed CCI Solutions to integrate a new AVL system and ensure that the system’s networking would be well coordinated with the enterprise networking of the church.
The complete systems would feature an L-Acoustics PA, a Yamaha CL sound console, Martin Audio, Ross video switching, Barco projection, Da-Lite screens, ETC control and dimming, Jands Console, and ChromaQ Inspire House Lights.
Knowing the systems would require a variety of different types of wire, CCI entrusted Windy City Wire to provide a single source distributor for the project’s wiring needs.
“The wide variety of product available, the multiple warehouses, packaging options, product quality and even some of the tools available for work on site are all part of the attraction,” says Todd Gathany, operations manager, systems integration for CCI Systems.
“Windy City has been great to work with to this point. They respond quickly to our requests and work to resolve issues quickly as well. They have worked hard to get us what we need, when we need it and at a price that keeps them in the game. In the competitive, fast paced installation world these are all important topics to us,” adds Gathany.
While delivering on customers’ wiring needs is a primary focus for Windy City Wire, the company looks to build lasting, trusting relationships with every partnership created.
“People have the mindset of wire beinga commodity but to us, wire is just part of our story,” says Stang. “The work environment today is about working smart and our focus is about safety and efficiencies in the field and creating a winning situation for both companies.”
“We don’t take our partnerships for granted. Our goals are to keep our messages simple, but most importantly, follow through on exactly what we discussed,” adds Hughes.
