When a technology integrator finds a solution that just works, they stick with it. That’s the case with NGSI, a Chicago-based integration firm that has been partnering with Just Add Power for nearly 15 years. The relationship — rooted in reliability, innovation and hands-on support — continues to elevate NGSI’s work in commercial AV, particularly in the hospitality market.
Eddie Hildreth, founder and CEO of NGSI, shares insight into the company, its longstanding partnership with Just Add Power and how their collaboration drives client satisfaction and operational efficiency.
A Foundation in Hospitality
NGSI — short for N Genius Solutions, Inc. — was founded in 2006 and began with a dual focus on residential and commercial projects. Within its first three years, the company pivoted to focus solely on commercial work and carved out a niche in the hospitality industry. Today, NGSI delivers full-service low-voltage solutions for sports bars, restaurants, hotels, fine-dining venues, event spaces and office buildings.
“We’re a one-stop shop for many low-voltage systems,” Eddie says. “That includes commercial audio, video distribution, lighting, software and programming — and we back it all with design, installation and ongoing maintenance.”
This comprehensive approach has earned NGSI a loyal client base; it is also what led the company to discover Just Add Power at a pivotal moment in the evolution of video distribution.
NGSI, Just Add Power Anticipate the Move to IP
Back in the late 2000s, NGSI was already implementing complex component video switching systems — up to 87 outputs/displays, in some cases. But Eddie and his team could see the writing on the wall: Video was moving to IP.
“When Just Add Power released their first powered AV-over-IP devices, it caught our attention,” he says. “Component video just wasn’t the future — too many wires, too much cost and it had limits on resolution. We were ready for a smarter solution.”
Enter Just Add Power’s Jeff Terzo, who sent NGSI a trial kit in 2011. The kit, which NGSI trialed for about four months, included a 4×4 IP system housed in a Pelican case. “We installed our first Just Add Power system in a four-story bar with 17 inputs and 29 TVs,” Eddie recalls. “It was a success, and that’s when we knew — IP video switching was the future, and Just Add Power was how we’d get there.”
Built to Scale, Proven to Perform
Since that first install, NGSI has evaluated nearly every major AVoIP brand on the market, but the road always leads back to Just Add Power. “They were the first to market with a scalable AVoIP solution; most of the others came years later,” Eddie notes. “It’s extremely reliable. It just works.”
One key differentiator? The absence of a centralized processor. Many competing systems rely on a “brain” to manage endpoints, but Just Add Power doesn’t. “That’s one less failure point, and it saves the client money,” Eddie explains. “With Just Add Power, the quality of the system is in the programming, not [in] an additional piece of hardware.”
And when Eddie says the system “just works,” he means it. The ability to send direct manual commands to each IP device gives integrators like NGSI a level of control and flexibility that’s hard to match.
Streamlined Installs, Better Margins
NGSI developed a proprietary GUI that integrates seamlessly with Just Add Power’s hardware. Image courtesy of NGSI.
NGSI developed a proprietary GUI that integrates seamlessly with Just Add Power’s hardware. Combined with the consistent architecture of the product line, this helps reduce R&D costs, shorten install times and lower programming complexity.
“Because their platform has remained stable for over 14 years, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time,” Eddie states. “That saves us time and money — and makes it easier to deliver for our clients.”
And Just Add Power’s reliability? The company is practically legendary. “In our commercial installs, we can’t afford failures — especially in a packed bar or club,” Eddie adds. “With Just Add Power, service calls are rare. And when something does go wrong, their tech support is among the best we’ve ever worked with.”
Just Add Power Gives NGSI Support That Goes the Distance
When asked about his experience with Just Add Power’s support team, Eddie points to an install in which his team mistakenly ordered an Ethernet switch that wasn’t on Just Add Power’s approved list. Rather than putting the project on hold for weeks, the vendor’s support team spent hours on the phone helping NGSI configure the switch remotely — getting the client online without delay.
“That kind of support is what keeps us coming back,” Eddie enthuses. “We’ve had the opposite experience with other brands.” He continues, “I won’t name names, but one system promised everything and delivered a subpar experience. It took weeks to get the right help. We had to rewrite the programming ourselves to get it working.”
The takeaway? “We wouldn’t even accept a free product from that manufacturer,” Eddie declares. “This was a clear reminder of why we only use Just Add Power.”
Just Add Power Helps NGSI Deliver on Client Expectations
With Just Add Power’s scalable architecture, NGSI can create advanced, easy-to-use systems that match the specific needs of each of their clients and installations. Whether it’s driving a massive LED wall or supporting DJ integrations, the hardware and software work together seamlessly.
“We’re in the middle of a project that features a 20×11.5-foot LED wall,” Eddie shares. “With Just Add Power and our interface, we can move content anywhere on the display. DJs can plug in and run their own visuals in real time. It’s limitless!”
That kind of innovation wins clients, and it keeps them coming back. And when last-minute surprises arise, Just Add Power is there, literally overnight. “I’ve had jobs where we needed extra equipment shipped same day to a remote site,” Eddie recalls. “They made it happen, without gouging us on shipping costs.” He adds, “That’s rare,” reflecting how deeply impressed he is.
Built to Last, Ready for What’s Next
Amid an ever-evolving AV landscape, Eddie sees no reason to change course.
“We only use Just Add Power,” he declares. “No other brand offers the combination of quality, price and support. There’s no main processor, which reduces cost. The reliability is unmatched. And their newer MaxColor products? Best picture we’ve ever seen on IP devices.”
With a staff that has been together for nearly two decades, NGSI has a strong sense of what works and what doesn’t. “If it’s worked well for 14 years, why change it?” Eddie asks rhetorically.
Advice for Fellow Integrators
For other integrators evaluating AVoIP platforms, Eddie has straightforward advice: Know your tools inside and out.
“You can’t truly understand a product until you use it every day,” he concludes. “That’s why we’ve tested almost everything out there. But, at the end of the day, Just Add Power delivers on every front — quality, reliability [and] support.”
And for NGSI, that’s the trifecta.
