An Interesting Year
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This time last year, when we started this newsletter, we
were all navigating into a mysterious economic fog after the great market collapse
of 2008. For some folks, this recession
has been brutal. How many big names have disappeared, like Tweeter and Circuit
City, and even Pontiac and Saturn? Then
there was the Wall Street "makeover" including the sale of Merrill Lynch and
the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers on the same fateful September day. For others, like Wal-Mart and McDonald's, the
recession has been an opportunity.
In the AV world, we
have seen video teleconferencing do well, as cost-cutting corporations moved to
curtail travel budgets - well enough for Tandberg's shareholders to clamor for
a higher share price purchasing premium! But many commercial AV budgets were slashed or
disappeared altogether. We saw the
bottom fall out of custom residential, as new home starts stopped, and big bucks
"discretionary spending" evaporated. The
AV competitive climate changed, and every company seemed to be fighting for
every dollar - margins be damned - just to keep the doors open and payroll met.
A year later, there
is plenty of good news in the economy. Housing inventory is down, the Dow is up, and Wall Street traders are
making money again. People are no longer panicked over their 401Ks, though they
might not be too confident in their retirement planning just yet. There is optimism in the AV market. Spirits
have been high at the recent events I have attended. But there is realism too. The InfoComm October 2009 Economic Snapshot
Survey indicates that demand has not lived up to previous optimistic
projections, and AV providers continue cost-cutting measures and rely more on
outsourcing to meet spiking demand.
So, as I asked this time last year in our inaugural newsletter,
what's new at PepperDash? We are a
little leaner, with 23 people across Boston, New York and Reston, VA. Our newest office is picking up momentum, and
we are doing more work for the federal government and companies that cater to
it. While we continue work as an
outsourced programming resource, our work load has shifted somewhat towards
larger, more complex projects. We are also investing heavily in energy
management and smart building control research and development. One thing has not changed, however: our Partnership Service Commitment to be a valuable partner, to complete every
project, and to provide the finest solutions.
We started this newsletter as a way of improving
communication in tough economic times. We
hope you have found this past year of PepperDash News helpful and interesting,
and that your upcoming new year is a prosperous one.
Thanks for reading!
-Howard
As always, I welcome your comments and perspectives.
hnunes@pepperdash.com
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| PepperDash Profile: Sarah Norton
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 Title: User Interface Graphic Designer
Tell us about your job:I make things look pretty. What aspect of your job interests you the most?
Almost every day I face a unique design challenge that I
haven't seen before. Coming up with new graphic
solutions that are attractive as well as functional does not allow time for
boredom.
How is designing for touch panels different from other kinds of graphic design?
In the end, each interface needs to be intuitive enough for
any typical user to work. So much
of the design process is spent in preparation.
A strategy must be devised that will result in the most efficient use of
space, colors, and layout that will work for multiple scenarios. Each screen needs to be aesthetically
pleasing and allow interaction with the touch panel to be simple, and hopefully
fun.
What's the most high tech gadget that you own?
I would suppose my TV. I treated myself to a Samsung 40-Inch 1080p LCD not too long ago,
although my blender has an obnoxious amount of settings.
How does AV personally affect you?
I pretty much listen to Pandora or my iPod
nonstop (probably making myself deaf in the process). I feel like it's necessary for me to be
listening to music in order to get anything accomplished. Silence is too much of a distraction.
3 Songs currently on your playlist:
M. Ward - Chinese Translation
The Discovery - Osaka Loop Line
The Bird & The Bee - Preparedness
Best Advice:
Although it's not always possible, having as much
information up front is key when tackling interface design. Sometimes adding or changing "just one thing"
means reworking everything else.
You can reach Sarah by email: snorton@pepperdash.com. |
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Quick Contacts
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Quotes and change requests:
Myles O'Brien, Sales Engineer
mobrien@pepperdash.com | 617.206.9814
Project scheduling:
Christina Friskey, Project Coordinator
cfriskey@pepperdash.com | 617.206.9805
Not sure? info@pepperdash.com | 800.377.9112
Visit PepperDash at www.pepperdash.com
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© 2008 Pepperdash Technology Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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Recent Newsletters
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Did you miss a recent edition of PepperDash News?
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Trivia Contest
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According to the Oct. 2009 InfoComm Economic Snapshot
Survey, which vertical market holds the most promise for 2010?
A) Healthcare
B) Corporate Offices
C) Education - Higher Ed
D) Gov't/Military
Click here and enter to win a collection of our favorite hot sauces, a PepperDash mug, and a $50 donation to your favorite charity.
One winner will be randomly selected from the correct answers to this month's Trivia Contest.
Congratulations
Stephen Podgurski!
Stephen won last month's trivia contest. A donation has been made in his name
to MSPCA and he has been sent a box full of hot-sauce
goodness.
Last month's answer: Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End is the most expensive film to produce.
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