Talk to custom home technology professionals throughout the country and one common philosophy emerges: Taking over a project can be more trouble than it’s worth. Unless, of course, you’re talking to ACS.

Project takeovers happen when the original firm is either unable to complete the work, or maybe even goes out of business mid-build. This can be frustrating for the client (to say the least), but it can also be treacherous territory for a company that jumps in to complete the job. Since the takeover firm didn’t order the components, they don’t hold the original warranties. Without being involved in the initial pre-wire or technical design, the new integrator is starting from scratch while the client anticipates the project is close to finished. It’s easy to see why integrators hesitate getting involved. Thankfully, ACS has a solution at the ready.

Due to a variety of circumstances, ACS takes over an average of 2-3 projects a month. Why, when so many view the act of completing another professional’s work a thankless job at best? Maybe it’s because, after nearly 40 years of custom electronic design and integration, ACS has the process and the people to make it right for those in need of expert assistance.

Ex: Last year, ACS lost a bid to work on a home. These things happen and there are never any hard feelings. However, after many months of planning and progress, the integrator who won the bid was no longer able to work on the build. Worried about what would become of the investment they’d made so far, the client reconnected with ACS to see if we could help.

As is the procedure, we completed a full investigation of the project. To everyone’s relief, ACS determined that the only issue unresolved was the HVAC. We provided a quote for the completion, the new client readily agreed, and ACS was able to complete the work they required to get their system working.

In our last blog edition, we discussed the challenges we faced, as well as the solutions we provided for a project that was recently given the “Biggest, Baddest Home” Integration Award at the CEDIA Expo ’13 in Denver. The most important part of the story, of course, is the results…

Overall this is an incredible, must-see project. Everyone who has stepped foot in this amazing home leaves with their jaw dragging on the floor. 

Firstly, the dedicated A/V room saves a tremendous amount of time when an issue arises. In most cases the problem is resolved within minutes. Also, ACS is monitoring the CCTV Cameras on the Crestron touch panels and iPads. From the touch panels or any TV in the home you can select your own source so that all recordings are easily accessible. As a result, the children, staff, and home owners are able to easily use the system.

The indoor pool’s 25' barreled ceiling utilizes Sonnex amplifiers and the room sounds incredible. In addition there are 3 large outdoor zones (the main Great Lawn able to hit 94db without clipping). Over 60 outdoor speakers were installed in coordination with the landscape designer, GC, electrician and landscaper.

Home Theater – the theater features a high-end Meridian 4k projector, full surround sound with multiple subwoofers and high-end audiophile speakers. Viewers can sit in the custom leather seating or in the balcony area to enjoy the featured presentation. 8 zones of lighting in this room (including a star burst ceiling) are controlled by our system.

It's our experience here at ACS that the most successful projects are engineered and documented well in advance of actual construction. Early documentation of your audio/video distribution, home automation, network, lighting, motorized shades, and security needs in the design phase ensures accurate coordination between your architect, interior designer, builder and all subcontractors involved. Initial plans specify all the build requirements your team of professionals need to know.

Before you begin a project, whether partnering with ACS or working with another integrator, it will help to be familiar with the documentation involved.

Prewire Drawing Set

“Prewire” refers to the installation of cables and wires during a new home’s construction, including the AC electrical wiring and low voltage, home systems cabling. Remember, many wireless devices still use proprietary communication protocols, making them incompatible with other manufacturer’s products. Also, prewiring is a permanent upgrade to your home, increasing its value at sale time.

When you decide to upgrade your home or business technology, selecting the right contractor is one of the most important decisions you will have to face. It’s a choice that remains with you long after the instillation portion of the project is finished. That said, with every company telling you that they are the best option for your job, what does ACS bring to the table that separates us from the competition? So happy you asked!

Everywhere You Need Us to Be
ACS has offices in the three largest residential and commercial regions in the United States (Metro NY, Los Angeles and South Florida) and has been delivering cutting-edge technology to these high-end markets for nearly 40 years.
No matter where you are or where you need the work performed, ACS has the history, experience, and focus to give you the results that will keep you coming back.

Qualified and Prepared
At ACS, we focus on having the best-trained installers in the industry. We have over 100 knowledgeable and reliable employees nationwide, with every job receiving its own project manager and a visit from a member of our executive team. This attention to detail can take more time than many of our competitors are willing to offer during the initial phases, but we’ve found that a higher percentage of customers (95%) are happy with the initial version of their plans as a result of this more meticulous process.
 
Recognized for Excellence
CE Pro Magazine rated ACS on of their Top 3 companies 7 years in a row, as well as the #1 Installer in the Country. We’ve won awards for Best Home Theaters, Best Technical Design for Media Rooms, and were featured in Robb Report magazine as one of the best integrators in the business. Every job receives our distinctive “white glove” treatment, and the accolades we receive year-after-year simply validate our commitment to best-in-class service.
“This expert firm consistently delivers cutting-edge technology—and is frequently called upon to give a command performance in a celebrity's home. Industry professionals and clients both agree that Audio Command Systems (ACS) is one of the premier designers and installers in the country.”
– The Franklin Report

Working for You is Our Privilege
ACS invests in the most elite staff and their continued education for one simple reason: Because we want to be the best integrator in the U.S.A.! We actively demonstrate our customer-service integrity so each and every client becomes a partner in the life of their technology, anxious to revisit our process when the next challenge presents itself. Our solutions are never “cookie cutter,” and that alone can make all the difference in the world.

Contemplating an upgrade or preparing for a new build out? Call us today from anywhere in (or even outside) the U.S., and give ACS an opportunity to demonstrate all we can do on your behalf.

You may have noticed some not-so-subtle changes to the ACS online presence. We are in the midst of an exciting expansion to further promote our national reputation as a factory-authorized and trained dealer and installer of the finest A/V, Lighting Control, Motorized Shading, Network and Home Automation equipment anywhere on the web. Part of that development includes this new blog presence.

We’re going to be using this space to announce important ACS company news, spotlight preferred manufacturers and components, and generally keep in touch. If you have a need for custom electronics design and integration, whether for your home or business, this is going to be an excellent resource for you.

ACS has an expansive array of services, including:

• Automated Shading
• Home Theater Design
• High End Audio
• Lighting Control
• Managed Home Networking
• Integrated Living Solutions and much, much more!

With offices in the New York Metro region, Los Angeles and South Florida, ACS is among the largest residential Audio/Video, Lighting Control and Home Automation companies in the country. Anyone anywhere, from Maine to Washington, who’s looking for technology solutions that respond to their lifestyle while maintaining their home’s architecture and interior design, should give us a call! We’re here to build lifelong relationships with our customers and look forward to demonstrating our expertise.

Audio Command is a leading provider of complete turnkey solutions for audio/visual integration, including Security & Surveillance options. We take pride in offering cost-effective, user-friendly security services to ^the New York area that directly address your needs. 

You install a security and surveillance system so you don’t have to worry about your property, possessions and loved ones. But the greatest peace of mind comes when you don’t have to worry about the operation of your system either. That’s why ACS offers home security.

Audio Command designs, installs and provides ongoing support for all your security needs, including camera systems with integrated access control, CCTV integration, entry systems support, remote system monitoring and more.

Video Surveillance

We provide centrally managed Closed Circuit Television Systems as well as Internet Protocol Camera Systems so that you can monitor various points from anywhere in the globe from a computer or smartphone. With cameras in and around your home or office you can monitor your residence while at work, or your business while on vacation … or the nursery while in the other room!

At ACS, we’re committed to providing the level of professional service that makes a home or business owner a client for life. For example, we were given the opportunity to work with a particular client again after proving our abilities on their previous home, which ACS integrated more than a decade ago. Even after so much time had passed, our relationship included a comfort and confidence that was invaluable with all the unique challenges and requests which were brought to the new project.

The Challenges: The new home is 42,000 sq ft in beautiful Greenwich, CT. There were considerable differences in the two projects. At the first home we integrated for the client, our racks were shoe-horned into a small room along with the alarm vendor, pool controls, thermostats, and an existing (and not very-well designed) infrastructure. While in the previous home the client perceived that, when a piece of electronic equipment wasn’t working, a simple “power cycle” could fix the problem 99% of the time. He requested that we design the system so that anyone could easily access the backs of all the equipment. (In the previous home this was not possible due to equipment being housed inside custom cabinetry).

Additional challenges included:

•  Ensuring multiple people could use the control system in a home this large

•  Client requested the large V15 touch panel to be utilized as a TV monitor in a number of areas

Last time, we discussed the importance of finalizing your audio and component choices before making any commitment to building a home theatre. This time we focus on the finishing touches.

(6 of 10) The Components

As the home automation industry continues to evolve with product advancements and integration technologies, ACS is here to bring our expertise to you! (And when we say “here,” we mean with offices in New York, California and Florida, with experience in every state in between.) We want our blog to be your expert resource for products and services that will have the most impact on your projects and, for this edition, we want to present the advantages of working with an authorized Crestron Dealer.

Proudly Representing Crestron Everywhere
The new home automation systems are sometimes called “Smart Home” systems or “Integrated Systems.” Whatever the title, they are all referring to intuitive control of your home's subsystems, including audio/video, lighting, security, CCTV, motorized shades & drapes, pool/spa and more. Besides a consistent system-to-system look and feel which makes controlling your home easier, combining these subsystems into a unified control interface, such as a touch panel, also greatly eliminates wall clutter. Thermostats are hidden in closets or a mechanical room and backup security keypads and pool/spa controllers can likewise be hidden.

ACS is an authorized Crestron dealer and installer serving Metro NY (with a location in Westbury and offices in Manhattan), Southern California (from their Los Angeles location), South Florida (in Boca Raton, serving the Palm Beach, Broward & Miami/Dade counties) and anywhere else we’re needed. Our skilled engineers and technicians have Crestron certifications and are experts in installing and servicing Crestron home automation solutions, which means we can offer you Total Home Technology.

What is “Total Home Technology?”
Total Home Technology from Crestron streamlines and simplifies all the technology in your home, offering the ultimate lifestyle of comfort and convenience. Total control is always at your fingertips, whether from a user-friendly touch panel, remote or a customized keypad.

Crestron's Total Home Technology Solutions offer integrated lighting control and automation. Create the perfect mood for every event, be it movie night or a backyard dance party, with the touch of a button. Traveling? The lights can execute pre-programmed scenes so it appears as if someone is home.