SAGE Technology Solutions, Inc

SAGE Advice for Sound Decisions

    Good morning!   

    Over the past few months, we rolled out our new Deals page (www.sagetechs.com/deals). We know that technology is still growing. To help your school or university get tomorrow's teaching solutions—even though you have to stretch today's budget—we've listed six classroom technology bundles exclusive to SAGE. They'll last until the end of the year, so if there's an upgrade (like document cameras or classroom response systems) that you've been meaning to eventually implement, now may be the best time to do it! Need a free demo? Just call 717-653-6641 or email info@sagetechs.com.

    This is the biggest eNews in months, so I'll let you start reading! Thanks for your time.

    Ryan Cutting
    Sales Manager

In this issue:

Education Stimulation: Fall classroom technology bundles
Consulting legend reviews VBrick's video transcoder market
Job Opening: Service & Support Administrative Assistant
Meru Networks "Cash for Clunkers" promo
Extron unveils TouchLink panels
Spotlight: "Zero problems" at PA Department of Health
Students record simulated healthcare
Hear success stories from ShoreTel customers
Two new high-SPL microphones from Audio Technica

PS: Educators! We're on www.eschoolmall.com, an online K-12 and government purchasing solution.
If you already post on this site, please remember to send bids to SAGE.

    You've waited long enough for groundbreaking classroom technology. Get started with a few limited-time package deals—only from SAGE. And if you're purchasing off of state contracts, you can save even more! Need short-throw options, professional installation, volume discounts or custom substitutions? Talk to us today. We'll help.

See the exclusive bundles

Read more about SAGE Classroom Technology

Download the bundle summary

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    Consulting firm Frost & Sullivan performed a comprehensive analysis of the video transcoder market and noted, among other things, that VBrick rules the niche with about a quarter of the market share. But there's a lot more to be learned from this report than just VBrick's dominance over the enterprise segment.

   "The technology developed by VBrick is very different from that of traditional media and entertainment delivery," the report reads. "It is most often used as an integrated asset in disparate communication initiatives in education, corporate, government and retail. An enterprise-wide business video strategy may include live video webcasting, video on-demand, and digital signage and syndication capabilities all functioning transparently on an organization's existing IT infrastructure. For all of these applications, enterprises need to effectively create or acquire multimedia content, then manage and distribute those assets through a single platform. Live interaction with the audience is optimal. Every customer needs an efficient underlying system to tie them together."

    We've included a few other great VBrick stories here: a briefcase-sized satellite truck substitute, a control room that monitors live underwater video from distant oil rigs, and an inexpensive service that lets governments send emergency video broadcasts to hundreds of media outlets. Even if we haven't convinced you that VBrick's transcoders can have a massive positive effect on your institution, these short articles are more than interesting enough to read for fun.

Read the Frost & Sullivan report: "An introduction to the World Enterprise Video Transcoders Market"

Read more about VBrick Enterprise IP Video Solutions

Read more about video transcoders in integrated A/V systems

Read more about video transcoders in classrooms

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    SAGE seeks a part-time or full-time Administrative and Office Assistant. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, scheduling, invoicing, filing, faxing, word processing and data entry. The Assistant will work with multiple teams, answer phones and perform customer service and other duties as required or assigned. The Assistant will work closely with customers on the phone and with technicians in the office to coordinate field activities.

    The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Two to three years experience preferred.  The Assistant must be able to manage simultaneous tasks, have familiarity with standard business documentation (to assist with reports, agendas and meeting notes), and demonstrate planning and organizational skills to ensure that tasks are completed on or before their due dates. The Assistant must be proficient with Windows computers (and documents, databases, spreadsheets and tables) and software including MS Word, Excel and Outlook.

    Interested candidates should forward their resume to jobs@sagetechs.com or fax it to 717-653-6651.

Read more about the employees at SAGE

Read more about jobs at SAGE

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    Is your wireless network guzzling cash, power and management time while exhausting users with slow speeds and dropped links? If so, Meru Networks can help, just as it has already helped thousands of organizations worldwide upgrade to the all-wireless edge.

    This 802.11n stimulus package won't just replace your old and inefficient access points with new, state-of-the-art models based on Wireless LAN Virtualization – Meru's industry-leading technology, which makes wireless as good as wired. For each legacy access point that SAGE replaces with a new Meru 802.11n access point purchased under this program, Meru will pay you $200. That's $200 more than the market value of your legacy access point.

Offer expires December 24, 2009

See the Meru's Cash for Clunkers plan

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    At InfoComm '09, Extron introduced TouchLink, the first fully configuration-based touchpanel control system with the power to handle the control needs of single-display rooms, dual-display rooms, divisible rooms, multi-image systems, and videoconference suites. Extron pioneered configurable A/V control systems with the MediaLink family of push-button controllers. Now, with TouchLink, Extron revolutionizes system design, installation, and maintenance of touchpanel systems.

    SAGE spent an afternoon with TouchLink templates to consider its potential for boardrooms, courthouses, universities and other large-group instruction applications. We were delighted by the ability to tweak and refine the interface either for everyday applications or power-meeting executive settings. The wall mount, cable cubby and tabletop units can support full motion video and have custom-backlit buttons, and can even be linked to activity sensors and autodimmers. LED lighting on the cable-cubby interior is a great touch.

Read more about TouchLink configurable touchpanel control systems

Read more about Extron Electronics

Read more about SAGE Audio/Visual solutions

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    We often receive enthusiastic feedback from our customers, but rarely as glowing as this. Mr. Nowak at the Pennsylvania Department of Health had only good things to say about one of our recent installations:

    We were very impressed with the professionalism shown by Sage Technology staff during the installation of equipment at the Kline Plaza Training Center, and our initial testing last week showed that the racks of equipment not only look very good, they perform even better. Even though we gave you a difficult and changing schedule, we found no compromises in the equipment, installation, programming or functionality of the room. Although Sage was given the difficult task of integrating new components into our existing room equipment, we found everything working seamlessly. The additional functionality that's available now is way beyond what was available with the old system.

    We spent several days extensively testing the system and our punch list is relatively small considering the complexity of the system. Although we tried, at no point were we able to "break" the system. The workmanship is excellent and close inspection of the all wiring and components revealed zero problems.

    As the main users of the system, Crystal, Tim and Michelle are very impressed with the touch-panel programming that defined complicated video and audio switching into pressing two buttons. Among our touch-panel-controlled rooms, this is one of the most complicated for audio/video routing but the simplest to operate.

    The work performed by Mark, Adam, Paul, Chris, Joe, Jere, Mark and others involved in this project was excellent. Everyone at Sage Technology was professional, courteous, responsive, and dedicated to ensuring that this system would be a quality problem-free system. Please thank everyone for their efforts.

    Lenny Nowak
    PA Department of Health
    Bureau of Information Technology

Read more about the employees at SAGE

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    Vaddio, the leading manufacturer and OEM distributor of specialty PTZ cameras and high-end camera control systems, supplied Australian-based Vizcom Technologies with 15 Model 70 PTZ robotic camera systems for recording and documenting medical simulation in the Health and Wellness Building at Edith Cowan University (ECU). Three simulation suites house "human being simulators" that emulate the symptoms of real, real people. Used in conjunction with sophisticated software, these mannequins provide compelling simulations of human beings suffering illness, disease, or injury.

    Aside from the advantages of the medical simulation, the whole virtual environment is recorded and documented with student responses. Simulations can be streamed to a lecture theater for student and teach observation or archived for later use. Real-time DVD recording is available for anyone who wants to create a take-home disc. Even though this particular installation is on the other side of the world, SAGE and Vaddio can bring these video solutions to your university or teaching facility.

Read about Students record simulated healthcare with Vaddio PTZ cameras

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    Institutions of all types are under constant pressure to cut costs and raise efficiency, but still require technologies that connect people and provide for collaborative environments. A ShoreTel phone system presents a reliable solution that can be implemented across multiple sites while remaining easy to use, web-based, and centrally managed.

    With multiple buildings and campuses spread across a regional area, a single centrally-managed solution just makes sense, and delivers all the reliability of a traditional phone system. An affordable ShoreTel installation can help your organization stay connected, even in the face of major changes.

    To learn more about how ShoreTel phone systems can simplify businesses, government and educational institutions, feel free to watch and read some of their success stories.

Read the ShoreTel Education success stories

See more ShoreTel videos

Read more about SAGE ShoreTel-powered VoIP/Telephony solutions

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    With a capsule diameter not much bigger than the head of a pin, the new BP896 MicroPoint lavalier virtually disappears in props or clothing. The high-SPL successor to Audio-Technica’s first-generation MicroSet, the inconspicuous BP892 MicroSet headworn is designed for forget-you’re-wearing-it comfort.

    Smooth frequency response and high sound pressure level capability give new microphones intelligible, natural sound—the ultimate in low-profile, high-performance audio for stage and television talent, lecturers and houses of worship.

Read more about BP896 MicroPoint

Read more about BP892 MicroSet

Read more about Audio Technica

Read more about SAGE Audio/Visual solutions

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