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Ensuring Pros and Their Customers Are Delighted
You may have noticed that software updates from SnapAV and Control4 have been coming out a lot faster and more regularly these days. To those who have noticed and sent us messages thanking us, well, we'd like to say thank you right back. We couldn't do it without continued feedback from pros like you.
I�d like to share some of what is driving this progress and talk to you about our development philosophy here at SnapAV + Control4, but would first like to talk to you about our motivation.
As CEO John Heyman said in his COVID-19 update video last week, you are the center of our entire business model and the reason for everything we do�when you succeed, we succeed, because we are partners.?
It is this focus on you, the pro, that is our greatest motivation�delivering products and services that make a difference and improve your ability to build profitable businesses that deliver incredible customer experiences.
Smarter Development Practices Deliver Smart Solutions
In the last two years our team has been constantly updating our development process to bring you new features faster and to strengthen our products.?We've adopted the Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery practice, a pipeline of processes and mechanisms that more effectively bridges our development and operations teams and makes code development and deployment more agile.
Each quarter I run a review with our teams where I ask, �show me the broken windows you�ve fixed this quarter.� The idea being no product is perfect, and all products contain at least a few annoying defects that can and should be fixed easily. Without a mechanism that focus the teams on those defects, other priorities take over and they linger. We started small, asking each team to try to fix just three a quarter and slowly increased this expectation, then by the end of 2019 we we�re able to fix 300! Some of these fixes are in code. Some are in documentation. Some are in packaging. But collectively, they add up higher quality products across the board, and a better experience for you. Happily, at ISE in Amsterdam this year I had several of you tell me you�ve noticed our products getting better. This made me realize it the mechanism was working and now, in 2020, we�re well on our way to doubling the number of broken windows we fixed last year!
In fact, Todd Puma and Mark Feinberg referred to one of the mechanisms for new process in their review, epically titled "Mark and Todd's Excellent OvrC Adventure."
"Through the feedback link in the OvrC app or website, we're able to see progress updates for our bug reports and feature requests. And the developers have been on top of things... This feedback mechanism allows all users to provide feedback, vote on other�s feedback, and see what the team has replied to. This dedication to constant improvement and a more focused development team means we will all see a better and better OvrC experience as time goes on. We will benefit from being able to better serve our clients (and hopefully provide more reason for them to subscribe to our support plans) and our clients will have better support experiences because we will be able to more for them, faster, and with fewer service calls." - Todd Puma & Mark Feinberg, integrators and bloggers for Residential Systems
The new OvrC, with its built-in feedback function, best exemplifies this and it has had positive impact on our development process. In the seven weeks since launch we�ve already released three OvrC updates that provided big fixes and recommendations requested by pros like you!
On that note, I�d like to add: Pros are problem solvers and as a result you don�t always tell us about the little, annoying things you encounter with our products. So, this is my plea to all�do not be shy about telling us what bugs you! Constant dealer feedback is critical, which is why we�re continually improving the way our team captures feedback from you. ?
Continuous Improvement Across the Board:
OvrC, Control4 OS 3, and the Neeo Remote
The new OvrC has been added to over 10,000 projects, reached 15,000+ users, and is used 325 times every minute to configure, monitor, and manage devices. Feedback has been incredibly positive, and we love hearing the many ways OvrC has helped you and your business ?� and the OvrC experience continues to improve! Since its launch just seven weeks ago, OvrC has been updated three times. These updates have included with over 100 bugs and added support for newly released, OvrC enabled devices.
New products supported in OvrC:
Bugs squashed:
While updates to OvrC in the web browser are automatic, please make sure you update your iOS and Android mobile apps in order to benefit from these new releases.
Smart Home OS 3 was specifically designed to enrich your business by providing a robust platform for automation that is beautiful and simple for homeowners to use. Since its launch we've made some major updates, some of which you may not be aware of. It is not the same platform you were introduced to last year, so please take some time to explore our recent OS 3 releases:
The Neeo Remote has been an incredible success, dealers love shipping it directly to customers and letting the automatic setup and updates make their jobs easier. For customers who are looking for a streamlined remote experience that gives them access to their Favorite home automation scenes and streaming services, the Neeo Remote is a sure bet�and it's always getting better. Control4 Smart Home Pros can see all the Neeo release notes here, but these are the highlights of what has been added or improved:
Our Sincere Thanks
I cannot emphasize enough, none of this would be possible without your support and the feedback and participation we get from all our pros. Thank you again for being such incredible partners in our joint endeavor to deliver amazing experiences to home and business owners across the world.??
Cheers!
Charlie Kindel?
Chief Product and Technology Officer, SnapAV
P.S. You can always email me directly at [email protected]. I may not be able to answer every question, but I promise to read whatever you write. If you pass on a bug or something about one of our products that you find annoying, you can have confidence I�ll get it to the right team to add to their list of broken windows! Also, feel free to follow my tech rants on Twitter, at @ckindel.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/433778073
Watch this short video for important details on recentproduct launches, or click the links below to see the featured productsdirectly.
We�re excited to introduce the all-new Episode 100-watt Mini Subwoofer Amplifier. With its compact design, this amp is small enough to mount almost anywhere for immersive bass in every room. Better yet, it works perfectly with Episode's 8� Architectural Sub for a complete bass solution that's easily hidden. The Mini Sub Amp joins our 300- and 500-watt sub amps to provide powerful bass in rooms of every size. And for easy integration, pair with an Episode Dynamic Amp using its dedicated subwoofer output per zone to easily add a sub to every room. Learn more.
https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/wpejlsqojq
Andrew Wilson with Paragon Systems Integration and AaronZumbusch with Technology Design Associates, both Service Managers, discuss howthey�ve utilized the new OvrC in their daily business to better serve theircustomers.
We�re excited to release the all-new SunBrite Pro 2 outdoor television, one of the brightest and most durable TVs in the industry. Made for direct-sunlight commercial and residential applications, the Pro 2 features TruVisionPro, the most advanced anti-glare technology in the industry, providing a clear HD picture in the absolute brightest environments. It has a sleek edge-to-edge tempered glass display that�s impact-resistant, a powder-coated exterior that guards against the elements, and an internal heating and cooling system that regulates running temperature, making it perfect for sports venues, outdoor patios, amusement parks, bars and restaurants, pool areas, and any other high-traffic active environment. And for the ultimate viewing experience, the Pro 2 delivers 4K Ultra HD with HDR in SunBrite�s brightest TV screen ever for stunningly vivid detail that beats standard displays. Learn more.
Bring smart power and flexibility to your next install with the new WattBox 800 Series IP Power Conditioner with 12 Individually Controlled & Metered Outlets. The WattBox 800 Series 12-Outlet delivers individual outlet metering, smart outlet placement, and flexible mounting options.�With its�unique�design and strategically placed outlets, you can install the WB-800-IPVM-12 at virtually any angle to maximize outlet space and create an aesthetic, organized rack. Plus, individually controlled and metered outlets and the power of OvrC remote management allow you to solve issues without the hassle of a service call. Learn more.
https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/kfgi75yyzc
Watch this short video podcast to hear from Victor Gurel from Custom Electronics, Inc., as he joins the OvrC team to talk about the benefits of remote management. Whether you've been using remote management for years or are just getting started, check out this video for advice on how to grow your business and support your customers with OvrC.
You may have noticed the serious out-of-stock situation withPioneer products on our website.
Pioneer is currently experiencing a global product shortagedue to business decisions made at the beginning of 2020 that have beencompounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing some factories to shut down.However, these factories have resumed production.
As we work closely with Pioneer to get you the products youneed, you should see a rebound in product availability in approximately onemonth.
If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service Team and they will be happy to help.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/421146681
Watch this short video for important details on recentproduct launches, or click the links below to see the featured productsdirectly.
https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/cvnrchdp15
Watch this shortvideo podcast of the team discussing the new OvrC updates!
5:12 � How dealers impacted the new OvrC
5:59 � How to submit feature requests
7:33 � How extensive was beta testing?
7:59 � The biggest change to OvrC
9:20 � About thefull-featured mobile app
12:27 � What network productsshould I use with OvrC?
14:37 � What happens toBakPak and Ihiji users?
15:48 � Early Access Beta forOvrC on Pakedge
17:24 � No dealer leftbehind!
18:20 � More deviceinformation, faster
23:11 � Why we�re excited forthe future