THE CHALLENGE
On board the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, Orbis’s Volunteer Faculty (medical professionals) and clinical staff travel worldwide to share their knowledge and expertise with local eye care teams. Orbis requires the most effective and reliable technology solutions to provide the best training opportunities to eye care professionals in communities around the world that need it most. To ensure training participants are able to build their skills to provide quality care to patients in their own communities, Orbis is dedicated to keeping the plane in prime condition and updating the equipment on the aircraft when necessary. The latest maintenance check prompted the Orbis team to explore upgrading the Crestron equipment on board.
THE SOLUTION
While removing modules on the aircraft for regularly scheduled maintenance, the Orbis team decided it was the perfect opportunity to refurbish and upgrade the plane’s AV systems. With the donation of Crestron technology, and the help of ControlWorks Consulting, the Orbis team began to upgrade the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. Crestron technology and innovation have continued to permeate training activities on board the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. With Crestron technology, the aircraft’s team can focus on its goal to train eye care professionals in areas with the greatest need.
THE TECHNOLOGY
Unique factors such as weight were a consideration in this project since cutting even a few pounds could result in fuel savings. The compact size and light weight of the Digital Graphics Engines combined with the LED backlighting on the touch screens made Crestron an easy choice. The many Crestron Digital Graphics Engines combined with the large format Crestron touch screens allow for hybrid use as digital signage when tours are being given.
The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital is powered up in the morning and powered off at the end of each day, so resilience and time-to-ready are more sensitive concerns than in other projects routed by DigitalMedia™ technology. The Crestron control system and DigitalMedia content distribution provide an integrated system that allows the focus to remain on education, with the technology being a tool rather than a distraction. DigitalMedia gives the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital the ability to accept and route a variety of video formats – such as SDI, HDMI®, DVI, HDBaseT®, and even legacy analog video formats - in a single self-contained chassis, without the need for outboard converters and adapters.
Crestron AirMedia® wireless technology is integrated into the 46-seat classroom, operating room, and recovery area for further ease when it comes to sharing content. Crestron AirMedia has reduced stress and friction for presenters onsite. Having this technology on the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital allows surgeons and training participants to communicate more efficiently, enhancing learning opportunities.
RESULTS
The need to function reliably anywhere on the planet, including lesstechnologically developed locations, is not part of the scope for a typical AV/Control project, but Crestron solutions help the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital achieve this task. Having the first ever Mobile Simulation Training Center outfitted for an aircraft, Orbis needed to integrate the best technology Crestron has to offer - and the technology has delivered.
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.
