Headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California, CSI Electrical Contractors has been a leader in highly technical and innovative electrical design and construction since 1990. Their team of consultants, engineers, project managers, tradespeople, and professionals deliver the best solutions to customers’ greatest electrical engineering and construction needs. With the resources and expertise to handle any commercial, industrial, or one-of-a-kind challenge in aerospace, education, healthcare, biotech, pharmaceutical, entertainment, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, and more, CSI services include electrical construction, technology solutions, and alternative energy, where CSI is regarded as a premier provider of energy development, installation, and maintenance.
THE CHALLENGE:
Replace outdated projection system
Upgrade conference room for VIP customers
The CSI Solar Group conference room had been causing headaches for years. Along with an aging projector system, the original installed equipment never quite worked as intended. More than one AV company failed to find a solution, and the patience (and money) to chase a fix ran out. Things changed when the company began working with larger customers on bigger projects.
“Our business in Solar took off, and we began getting bigger projects and more customers,” said David Pelayo, CSI director of HR and technology. “The budget for this division increased, and our new AV partner Avidex finally figured out the problem.”
At that point, said Pelayo, the team decided to change up the technology entirely. With a bigger budget to work with, and huge solar farm companies looking to partner with them, the decision was made to install a large LED screen as the room’s visual focal point.
“We wanted to create a conference room that reflected the size and scope of the business,” said Pelayo. “Avidex presented us with options and LED displays in the 86-inch to 98-inch size range were the sweet spot in terms of price.”
THE SOLUTION:
ViewSonic 135-inch Direct View LED display
Among the brands under consideration, the team gravitated toward the ViewSonic® CDE9830 98-inch commercial display. Not only did it offer everything needed to easily support content sharing and collaboration, they were familiar with the brand.
“We began purchasing ViewSonic monitors for our employees about two years ago,” said Guy Coria, CSI director of IT. “The price of our existing brand had gone up, and the quality had declined. The other brand we looked at didn’t perform to our standards. The ViewSonic desktop monitors did.”
Employees have been very satisfied with the ViewSonic monitors, said Coria, adding that feedback on the color and clarity had been particularly positive.
“Because we knew ViewSonic is a great brand in terms of quality, performance and price, we reached out to them to look at their large conference room displays,” said Ruben Estrada, CSI network administrator. “When we got to the ViewSonic showroom and saw the Direct View LED display, we all fell in love with it and didn’t want to consider anything else.”
It wasn’t just bigger, added Pelayo, the ViewSonic 135” Direct View LED display was ideal for creating a high-impact space for the Solar Group to hold its most important customer meetings. It further provided an all-in-one solution with easier front-of-screen maintenance, along with outstanding color and detail.
RESULTS:
The sleek display provides an upscale, modern look
Content is crisp and clear, including spreadsheets and CAD drawings
Feedback from users has been universally positive
At over a year since the ViewSonic Direct View LED display was installed, the team has heard nothing but positive feedback from the Solar Group users.
“Given the type of work we do, detail is critical. The ViewSonic Direct View LED display delivers the crystal-clear images our engineers need to showcase project plans and spreadsheets to customers,” said Coria. “The brightness and color are also outstanding. We haven’t heard anything negative about the screen. Everything they throw at it presents well.”
As is typical with AV installations, there were a few bumps along the way. A few parts were delayed, pushing back the initial timeframe; a panel was installed upside down; and the color matrix required adjusting.
“We’re very meticulous, and we asked to have the color coordination adjusted,” said Pelayo. “The ViewSonic tech team came in and dialed it in really well. They were terrific to work with.”
All in all, the installation process went smoothly, the team agreed, including righting the upside-down panel.
“We used the vacuum tool to remove and re-insert panels,” said Pelayo. “We were nervous at first about damaging them, but they’re actually very durable and resilient. It was easy to do.”
Looking back over the experience, the CSI technical and IT team concluded that ViewSonic lived up to its brand reputation, both in product quality and customer experience.
“Our ViewSonic rep, Steve Rodriguez, is a great guy and worked with us closely to ensure that our needs were met,” said Pelayo. “Whether it’s desktop monitors or big-screen conference room displays, the ViewSonic products we’ve tested and used are top-notch.”
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.
