Background
KASTA Technologies is a leading Australian provider of smart home automation solutions for residential developments, hotels, aged care facilities, and commercial spaces. For an install at a new residential building on the Sunshine Coast, it partnered with Smart Home Programming & Automation, a system integrator that specializes in audio-visual and control systems design and commissioning.
Goals
Smart Home Programming & Automation was tasked with doing integration with KASTA and Kramer for 18 apartments in a new high-end apartment building in Maroochydore, a town and suburb in the Sunshine Coast area of Queensland, Australia. The goal was to provide residents with full control over varied smart home devices, including lighting, fans, blinds, TVs, and speakers from a single point.
Solution
To carry out this project, each apartment was fitted out with a Kramer KT-107 WiFi and hardwired touchscreen panel, and an SL-240C compact master/space controller, which communicates with a KASTA Plexy Gateway to control everything on the premises.
“I’ve been using Kramer Control for the last seven years in lots of different applications, from pubs and clubs to boardrooms, hotels, and throughout homes,” says David Bowdler, Owner of Smart Home Programming & Automation. “I feel Kramer is better than the competition because of its flexibility and the ability it gives you to customize it, to look and feel exactly how you want it. Plus, it’s also got the added bonus of giving you the ability to create and add and edit drivers where some of the other systems don’t allow that.”
Value
The integration between KASTA and Kramer was seamless. “We fitted out 18 apartments throughout the building complete with KASTA and also integrated with Kramer,” notes Justin Bull, QLD Business Development Manager at KASTA Technologies. In addition to being great for the installer, according to Justin this also proved beneficial to the end user.
“As the master control solution for each apartment, Kramer has its own touchscreen solution. So, a portable benchtop touchscreen was installed in each apartment, and the users also have the option to use their iPads and mobile devices as well,” he continues.
Kramer portable master controller, which is a simple touchscreen, can be used by residents to control all the devices throughout the apartment, including lights, blinds, fans, TVs, music, and more. “This becomes a central control solution, integrating all the technologies into one simple app and platform, instead of having multiple apps to control your TV or your music and your lighting,” Justin further explains.
For KASTA-equipped smart homes, Kramer is consistently Justin’s top choice. “Kramer provides a one-stop control solution, and it’s been exciting working with them,” he concludes. “They’re a brand that I’ve worked with for many years, on many different projects in the commercial and residential sector.”
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.
