Easy. Simple to use. Push button with confidence. These words echoed throughout the team at St. Alexius Medical Center when reviewing objectives for a new training center. Tasked with creating a whole new building near the Bismarck, ND campus that is home to the 306−bed hospital, the group required a presentation system that could be used daily for education. The users would range from professional presenters and trainers to senior citizens and serve the communities in an around central and western North Dakota, South Dakota and eastern Montana.
“The system was to be part of a multi−functional facility, and our paramount challenge was simplicity,” said Jeff Beauchamp, director of biomedical services at St. Alexius Medical Center.
Local audio/video designer and installer Dakota Sound Systems worked with St. Alexius design technicians Justin Wilson and Rob Hoffman to assess the challenges of a new technology center. Together, the team created a design that features a training room that can be divided into four rooms, each seating up to 40 people. The rooms work together in pairs, with equipment shared between them. Each room has a projector with a projection screen and a custom podium where the presentation can be controlled with a Kramer RC−74DL master room controller. The panel has 12 programmable buttons that can be color−coded in groups of three, back−lit and labeled for easy source identification. The equipment rack includes a Kramer Electronics VP−725N Proscale® presentation digital scaler/switcher with 21 inputs that manages several sources including a Blu−Ray DVD player, digital tuner and VCR. The system also uses a Kramer Electronics (model #) 4x4 HDMI Matrix switcher and a multiple sets of Kramer PT−571 and PT−572+ twisted pair transmitter/receivers. The system allows the option of sending the same content to both screens or presenting differing content on each screen.
“The presenter simply presses the ‘on’ button on the control panel and the system automatically lowers the projection screen, turns on the projector and switches to the desired source,” said Jay Griffin, vice president and co−owner of Dakota Sound Systems. “The Kramer product had the compatibility and the ease of use we needed for this project. In addition, the Kramer technology support group was always available by phone to work out any bumps,” he said. Likewise, Dakota Sound Systems extended that technology support to the team at St. Alexius, training and supporting them at any time.
Officials at St. Alexius note that they met their objectives with Kramer Electronics products in the system. “We wanted to be able to push one button and have the system work. We reached that goal,” Beauchamp said. “In addition, we are comfortable that we’ve set the stage for expansion by selecting Kramer Electronics products. We are poised for the future, yet still have a simple, easy−to−use system that meets our needs now,” he concluded.
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.
