CLARITY MATRIX LCD VIDEO WALL IS ESSENTIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOL
Clayco, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer in commercial design and construction. The nearly 30 year-old company – with active or completed projects in 43 states and three countries – has earned its industry-leading reputation as a result of its unique service model. Clayco is one of a very few companies of its type to provide customers with fully integrated real estate, architecture, design, engineering, financing and logistics capabilities. This model results in the highest-quality solutions, delivered on time, on budget and beyond customers' expectations.
Clayco sees technology as a key enabler to its success and has put visualization and project management technology – including Planar's Clarity™ Matrix LCD Video Wall System - to work in the nerve center of its office in the historic Jewelry Building on Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago. Here, using Clarity Matrix, Clayco is able to visualize every one of its projects, engage in collaborative project management with all involved parties in real time and make decisions necessary to address customers' interests and requirements, solve problems and take any actions to keep projects moving forward to every constituent's satisfaction.
"Our goal is to ensure that a customer's vision is understood by all, at every step of the process, and Planar's Clarity Matrix Video Wall is the communications tool that makes that possible; it is an essential tool in our business," says Kevin McKenna, Senior Vice President and Partner, Clayco, Inc.
Quality, aesthetics and design were key to decision for Clarity Matrix
Clayco turned to Barrett's Technology Solutions, Inc. for comprehensive technology implementation in the new Jewelry Building space, and specifically, to source and install the video wall in the nerve center, which Clayco calls its Think Tank. Barrett selected Clarity Matrix LX46 model, installing nine of them in a 3 x 3 configuration on a wall of the approximately 2,000 square foot room.
"The decision for Clarity Matrix was based on quality and aesthetics of the solution," says John Wettlauffer, System Designer for Barrett's Technology Solutions, which has been providing system design and installation services to commercial and residential clients since 1966. "Clarity Matrix is the only video wall we would use on a project such as this. Features such as an ultra-slim profile, 450-nit brightness and 4500:1 contrast ratio, make it second to none in the video wall market, Wettlauffer adds."
Clarity Matrix is a total, out-of-the-box solution
Wettlauffer and his technicians installed the Clarity Matrix video wall at Clayco in late 2012, taking full advantage of a Planar distinction: the availability of Clarity Matrix as a complete package. "What we received on a single pallet was literally everything needed to get this video wall installed and operational. As a result, the installation took about half the time other systems require," he says.
Clarity Matrix installs on Planar's EasyAxis™ Mounting System, a solution that allows for a total mounting depth of less than four inches, makes precise panel-to-panel alignment quick and simple, and creates a finished video wall with a tiled bezel width of just 6.7 mm. EasyAxis also facilitates the remote installation of power supplies, controller and other components. "This is a great design because it keeps , heat-generating components that could shorten panel life away from the Clarity Matrix display," Wettlauffer says. Further, the off-board electronics design speeds and simplifies service. "If we need to replace a power supply, for example, it's much easier to do it in the remote rack room than on the wall – even though we can get easy access to any display without having to shut the entire video wall down. It's a big time and money saver for us and for Clayco."
Visualization keeps all project personnel on same page
In operation, Clayco's Think Tank wall is an ideal project management tool. Clarity Matrix supports video conferencing and simultaneously accommodates feeds from jobsite cameras, the company's computer-based project database, cable TV and more.
"We can conference in everyone involved on a project, pull up a jobsite webcam feed and display the scope of work, project drawings and other data. This allows us to make design changes or address issues in real time—it's clear and bright visualization that keeps everyone on the same page, speeds decision-making and keeps jobs on track," says Clayco's McKenna.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
