Have you been to the mall lately and noticed the directory has been replaced by a new interactive digital display or gone in your kids school to find reminders scrolling by on digital signs in common areas? Digital signage is becoming not only popular, but the new standard in the industry. In fact, they are becoming so common that it's almost odd when businesses still use basic posters or signs. The types of businesses that can benefit from this technology are endless and the time digital signage can save employees and management is worth its weight in gold. They truly are the quickest way to display information and in today's fast paced society, every second counts. They can be used in many different locations, but here are just a few:

 The restaurant business can be very competitive and challenging. Not only are restaurants relying on their good food or happy hour specials, but they rely heavily on a great atmosphere for their guests as well as maintaining a sufficient staff.

As a restaurant owner, you want to wow your guests by having the most up-to-date T.V.’s and audio systems along with nice ambient lighting. Just imagine creating a fantastic atmosphere with one button. You could “Open” the restaurant by having this one button turn on all the T.V.’s to the selected channels you want, the temperature control would adjust for guests arriving, and the lighting and shades could adjust to the time of day you are opening up.

You could easily open your restaurant by one button and yet control everything on one simple and easy to use interface. This interface will help you manage your restaurant and be a little less stressful in those rush hour times. You can even be energy-saving mindful by having your restaurant automated.

What can easily be opened can also be easily “Closed”. As an owner, you can close the restaurant down by one button as well. Powering off all video, audio, and lights can be a breeze for you or your employees allowing them to focus more on the cleanliness and organization of the establishment.

Also as a restaurant owner, guests are always number one, but secondly you want your staff enjoying themselves and being satisfactory in their positon as well. Technology and automation can help them run their shift more smoothly. Not only just pressing one button to open or close, but quite a few restaurants are now incorporating touch pads for automating the floor plans and server’s shifts for guest sitting.

At iSS, we provide an extensive amount of services to homeowners. From security to automation and everything in between, those services can also be provided to any business owner and their establishment. As a business owner, one of the most important things should be the security of your property, and most importantly yourself and your employees.

The basics of commercial security should first and foremost be an adequate alarm system. For example, we suggest that the best security system for any commercial property would be a sufficient alarm system with alarms, motion sensors, and security cameras. With cameras in and around the establishment, as a business owner, you can remotely log into the video feeds from anywhere on your smart phone or tablet to check on the property.

Furthermore, a business establishment should have key codes/cards for employees and visitors, this way you could manage employee and visitor access. Such as where only management should have access to certain areas, or to check on who came in and out on a specific day.

Lastly, exterior lighting is another step in providing security to any business property. For instance, exterior lighting goes a long way to provide security for your business, but also the safety of you and your employees. By using motion sensors and light timers, they can offer more visibility in multiple directions and stop a potential burglar when lights suddenly flip on if they are snooping around.

If you are business owner, and feel that your business is not adequately equipped with the best security system, give us a call and we would be happy to help. Also, be looking for our blog next week about some of the other commercial services we provide!

In last week’s blog we talked about how commercial security could give a business owner peace of mind knowing their property and employees are safe and secure. This week we want to discuss how some automation can help with the daily office tasks in a business.

Commercial automation for a business can be a simple or complex system; it all depends on the business owner and what they want. For example, as a business owner, you could disarm your security system, unlock the door, and turn on the lights all by one touch of a button on your smartphone. Furthermore, you could even adjust the HVAC unit to the optimal temperature while you are in or out of the office. Not only can automation can help a business owner manage their office remotely from any smartphone or iPad, it can also help manage energy efficiency of the office, too.

For instance, shade and lighting control can tie into your automation system very easily, and help with energy savings. If you have an office with many floor to ceiling windows, shade control can help maintain the heat/cooling of the office without constantly turning the HVAC unit temperature up or down. Also, lighting control motion sensors can help with energy savings as well, but lighting control can go beyond just turning on or off a light.

While still being energy saving conscious, lighting control can help create ‘scenes’ for certain areas of your business office. For example, you showcase your company’s work on the wall; why not create an illuminating scene for when guests and potential clients come in. Make your work noticeable and eye catching.

Also, many office waiting areas are either too dim or too bright, creating a dungeon like area or a stark clean hospital welcome. Well, if you have a waiting area; why not create an inviting and warm welcoming scene with lighting control!

We have discussed commercial security, automation, and lighting control. This last blog is all about our commercial services with boardroom technology, digital signage, and networking.

A company's boardroom is a crucial component in any office. It gives clients a first impression of your establishment and serves as a common area for ideas and innovation to flow. If a company has an outdated boardroom, their capabilities become seriously limited. It is important to make sure your space is updated to accommodate today's technological demands and capabilities. We can help you provide to your employees and clients a great meeting space. From video conferencing, to a possible training area, all with easy use of your whole boardroom space with one remote. Every office deserves a great boardroom. 

Also, a lot of businesses these days are beginning to discover the many uses of digital display technology. Digital signage/video walls are a great way to get a particular message across - whether for advertising, selling or information display – chances are you want a solution that does a lot of the foot work for you. These high impact displays can certainly pack a visual punch, but equally, they serve as an effective business tool, and can strengthen a range of operations within your business.

Digital signage/video walls can be changed in a flash so you will always be able to bring announcements to your audience ASAP. Before, you would have to design poster displays, have them made, spend a decent amount of money, and have it displayed in enough time that it is still relevant. Digital display technology allows you to change your message instantly, and pass along news, events or sales at a moments notice.

Lastly, what is more frustrating than unreliable networking devices? Not much more. That is why we want to talk to you about the solution. iSS can take your business networking system and give you a professional system overhaul. No more wondering which cords goes for this and that device, and why things are often running slowly. If have your office has a questionable networking system, we can transform it into a seamless system. This upgrade can translate into improved coverage and speed giving you the freedom to use your devices where you want and when you want.