Wes Hatchett is CEO of ControlEnvy. ControlEnvy is an open-source software based control system.Wes and the ControlEnvy team were one of the first podcast interviews in Epsiode 6. Interview HighlightsCan run on Android.Has a setup configuration interface that includes troubleshooting and debug tools.Chose to focus on Android because it continues to outpace even laptops in processing power.Sample application: Google Pixel 4a installed in a rack connected via WiFi.A Mac Mini can also be used when a hard-wired appliance is required.The system is driven by states stored in a local data store.Paths are used to access components in the data store through logic macros.Shifting from completely custom programming projects to a product based model allows for better update management. Old systems benefit from feature updates instead of standing still.Mentioned In This EpisodeLutron, Sonos, Biamp, Google Pixel 4a, Apple Mac Mini See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Software Defined Survival

Episode 47: Wes Hatchett on Implementing Software-Based Control Systems

Stephen Von TakachCIO at PlaceOSplaceos.comPlaceOS ties together drivers into systems by running functions on a scalable cluster of computing resources. Similar to how AWS Lambda works.Constraints allow creativity to blossom.Drivers can exist in multiple systems. Logic is system specific.Built on Crystal-lang, similar to ruby, but type-checked. https://crystal-lang.orgPlaceOS started in AV integration but, because they can integrate with anything, it has evolved to focus on workplace experiences. Streamlining your day, from when a persons enters a building until they leave.User actions generate data that give insight into utilization and enable features like contact tracing and gamification."Once you are integrated into every system, the experiences are only limited by your imagination."Digital twin - modelling real world systems in the digital realm.Mitigating risk through partnering with IT.Most stake-holder resistance concerns network security, GDPR conformance and data ownership.Conference room automation is evolving to eliminate the need for a touchpanel control interface.Open source removes vendor dependency and helps educate. It also helps create a cooperative driver development ecosystem.Clients are looking for a wholistic solution. A single workplace app (as opposed to multiple apps with separate functionality) drives usage and discovery of what the workplace is capable of.Gamification can be used to drive a behaviour, like using spaces in off-peak hours, by offering an incentive, like free coffee and gift cards.Mentioned in this episode:AMX, Cisco, Microsoft Teams, Project Connected Home over IP, Google, Apple, Zigbee,  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Stephen Von Takach on Integrating Workplace Experiences, Gamification, Data-Driven Features and Open Source Software

USC tasked Joe Way, Director of Learning Environments, to create the single best IT Department in all of academia. Joe tells about what it was like to achieve that vision. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 45: Joe Way On Simplifying Everything with Software & Customer-Centric Design

Anton Karsten helps me understand:How web browsers workSome history of HTML and browsersThe problem with frameworksChoosing frameworksSingle Page Apps vs Server-Driven ArchitectureUsing Javascript for AV Control and AutomationAdvantages of TypescriptOrganizing Project TeamsDealing With Different DevicesHow Large Companies Set User Experience StandardsHTML, CSS, Javascript, Angular, Vue, React, PHP, Saas, Webpack See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 44: Anton Karsten On Choosing Web Technologies For AV/IT

A conversation with Steve Greenblatt of Control Concepts about:Why I stopped podcastingFocusing on complex systemsThe effect of software tools on AV projectsWhat developers need to succeedHow tech managers are forcing change See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 43: Steve Greenblatt On How Tech Managers Are Creating Change

Highlights From This Episode…A great way to learn AV is to start on the end user/technology owner side.High Speed Internet at home was the spark for growth in AV.Keep a portfolio of your work and recommendations to present at job interviews.Study personal branding to improve your social media effectiveness.Social media is about building relationships by sharing information. Mentioned In This Episode…AltcommNew York Giants William Paterson UniversityPicturetelPolycomRCM Technologies StaffingSchering Plough PharmaceuticalsMerckNovartisBarcoStarinTwitterJoel Colm Twitter bookAV Help DeskPaul Konikowski Contact ChrisTwitterInstagramRebels & Flux LinkedIn See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 42: Chris Neto On Personal Branding & Being Mistaken For A Twitter Bot

Highlights From This Episode…AV focuses on the creative side of technology. That’s what separates us from IT; We help people tell their story and communicate ideas.We can improve our offerings by looking at every step of the delivery and use lifecycles. A short training after the install isn’t enough.System thinking includes considering every “user” in the supply and use chain. A company’s intentions are communicated at all of these touch-points.To be scalable, standards are required.Best practices and oversight increase reliability and improve the overall experience. Consider a Quality Of Service Manager position as a go to reference who helps everyone implement your guidelines. Look into Advance Supply Chains to increase sustainability and avoid "bone piles” of unused equipment.AV is everywhere. It is still a specialty, but is becoming more of an expected and critical piece of building infrastructure.Mobility and remote working catalysed the boom in huddle rooms to give mobile workers a touchpoint in the office (instead of a fixed desk).Spend time considering where you fit in a Smart building and smart world. Survival is not about being the smartest or the biggest, it is about being adaptable.Consider the application, vertical market, and venue. Does the application get it done?What vertical markets will have strong activity?Venue specialists can be successful but need to be able to interconnect. Be disciplined in what you do. Use software and agile project management to avoid waste and move adeptly.Customer success = how much they love you in the end.Map your workflow. Ask question like, “What are we going to do when we meet the curmudgeon?”.Consider on-demand training because people don’t want information until they need it. The days of the lunch and learn are ending.  Mentioned In This Episode…Paul KonikowskiAVIXADavid FitzgeraldBarcoZoomMCSIDanteQSysBook: Draw To WinBobby SchwartzMalissa Dillman  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 41: Bill Mullin On Ecosystem Development & What Makes AV Special

Highlights From This Episode…Handle change orders by presenting the facts and explaining why there is a cost associated with the request.Create new business by introducing yourself to customers already working with someone in case they need an alternative someday.How to do a good site survey is an important part of AV sales training.Sales teams need to respect engineering teams.The information Sales gives to engineering determines the success of a project.Don’t engineer without a budget.Say Cat X or structured cabling when speaking with IT (don’t say CAT5).For AV to become truly software-defined, devices need to commission themselves.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 40: Michelle Loret On The #1 Priority In AV Sales

Highlights From This Episode…Bring up security early in the process. IT is often treated as an afterthought in AV.Assess the impact of each device being comprised. Consider access for each device. Who? How? Why? Least resource or least route?Consider if network connectivity is really needed for each device.Perform role-playing to get better perspective of what a malicious actor could do.Assess if users can accidentally cause a security breach, such as plugging in unkown USB sticks.VLAN headers can be spoofed and should not be considered a security mechanism.Close unused ports on all devices.Enable device logging and monitor the logs for suspicious activity.Consider messaging direction per device and disable a device’s ability to send or receive messages if not needed.Being able to demonstrate internal security practices may reduce liability should an incident arise. *This is not legal advice ?Create a culture of security awareness in your organisation through policies, training and compliance testing.Perform internal and possibly public code reviews. Track data check-in and check-outs.Mentioned In This Episode…Harvard Online Course: Cybersecurity: Managing Risk In The Information AgeZoom  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 39: Paul Konikowski on Investing in Cybersecurity & Culture

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Episode 38: David Anderson On Closing The Gap Between Consumer & Closed Platform Touchscreens

Highlights From This Episode…Knowledge of industry is a good indicator of potential success. Knowing the end customer and distribution channels is important.Knowing the market is not so important - that will be learned through the development process.The Business Canvas is a 9 step process that can help determine the initial features of an app should be.Creating functional prototypes that really represent the finished product (as opposed to wireframes) before writing any code, always exposes new requirements that are less expensive to implement in a prototype than finished code. Other benefits of the prototype includes having a clear description for the developers and a working demo to show potential customers.When planning a software product, make sure there is a budget for development of future versions based on user feedback from the initial version.Software products are never done because if you stop developing and marketing, customers and revenue will fall off.When choosing technologies, consider how data is stored and related, if scalability is important (it's probably not).  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 37: David Hirschfeld On Exposing Hidden Requirements & Software Product Lifecycles

Highlights From This Episode…2015 Open Internet Bill Protects Browser Based Internet Traffic, but excludes VPN's, Hardware Codecs and IoT DevicesRelying on the internet to provide a service introduces a 3rd party (the ISP). Contracts should consider reflecting this.CA requirement for no default passwords goes into effect January 1st, 2020. Mentioned In This Episode…TEECOM, Zoom, Barco Overture, Utelolgy, Extron, University Of California Merced, Santa Clara University  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 36: Josh Srago On The Legal Side Of Bandwidth & Default Passwords

I met AJ Thompson from the LearnAVProgramming.com website. He enrolled in a bunch of courses over the past few years and we recently exchanged some emails where he told me about some interesting solutions he is working on. He tells us about what it takes to move from traditional AV programming to modern software tools and more importantly - why you would want to.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 35: AJ Thompson On The Pains & Joys Of Learning Modern Programming

Software Defined Survival is a podcast that interviews the AV / IT Professionals that use software to reinvent themselves and the way they do business. We listen to their stories and ask for tactics and advice on how to survive and thrive in a software defined world.

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Software Defined Survival

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