Indoor & Outdoor Audio Solutions, Smart Boards and Integrated Control Systems Captured Visitors’ Attention

The big attention grabber this year was the SunBrite All-Weather, Outdoor TV, situated in a water feature with water cascading down the front and sides of the screen.  Whether hanging on a porch wall, poolside or integrated into an outdoor seating area, the SunBrite All-Weather Outdoor TV is a great addition to anyone’s backyard entertainment area.

The Soundcast portable outdoor speaker, Niles planter box speaker and Bose landscape speaker also captured visitors’ attention with their stylish looks, range and sound clarity.  The portability of the Soundcast allows you bring the music of the party anywhere—in the yard, on the boat, poolside or along the beach.  The Bose and Niles speakers earned high marks from visitors who wanted to enjoy their music outdoors in a way that completely integrated into their landscape design.

SMART OFFICES highlighted the many ways we can make technology work for your home or business.  Web design; hardware/software sales & support; customized software development; networking and on-site service and support captured the interest of corporate representatives visiting this year’s show.

Those contemplating home improvement projects were able to experience the SMART HOMES advantage through our featured Control 4 Demo.  Visitors were able to use a tablet to simulate the simplicity of home automation control.  With a swipe and a tap on the screen, users saw how lighting, shades, security, home theater, whole house audio, heating and cooling can be managed on-site or remotely and integrated into their own home.

The Smart Interactive Display Board was a huge hit with both kids and adults.  Teachers are using them in their classrooms to enhance student learning.  Kids visiting the booth enjoyed drawing on the board and seeing their artwork displayed on a neighboring screen in real time.  Business owners were intrigued by the enhanced meeting capabilities the boards provide.

Even if you missed the show, you can still visit us on Facebook to see pictures from the booth at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smart-Homes-and-Smart-Offices/110950228950135?ref=hl. See something you like?  Call us today at (517) 381-5171 for more information!

SHSO to feature the latest in home & office technology, hold contest to win an Apple TV

We cordially invite you to the 17th Annual Lansing Home and Garden Show from Thursday, March 14 to Sunday, March 17, where “hundreds of the finest businesses will fill the MSU Pavilion with products, exhibits, features, gardens, and ideas that will inspire you to make your dreams a reality.”

Come visit us at Booth No. 2256.  We’ll be featuring the latest products, software, and services for your home and business. If you’re interested in indoor or outdoor audio solutions, home theater systems, security, hardware and software maintenance services for your home or business then stop by at the show.  Use our online coupon below to receive $2 off one regular weekday adult admission.

Would you “Like” a new Apple TV?  Then you should visit us at our booth during the show or visit us on Facebook. Simply fill out a short survey and “Like” us at the end for a chance to win!  We’ll announce the winner the week of the 18th.  Check back frequently March 14-17 for contest updates!

For a complete listing of exhibitors, show hours and general information, please visit www.LansingHomeShow.com.  To learn more about Smart Homes Smart Offices, our FaceBook contest or the products and solutions featured this year, please call us at (517) 381-5171.

Smart Homes Smart Offices builds its reputation as Mid-Michigan’s preferred technology provider.

Smart Homes Smart Offices was recently featured in Capital Gains Media’s Innovation and Job News.  In an interview with writer, Veronica Gracia-Wing, President, John Gilluly highlighted the many products and services that the company offers.

Gracia-Wing wrote, “Smart Homes specializes in a variety of home automation systems, including Lighting Control, Audio and Video Control, HVAC Control, Security System Control, plus the Ultimate Home Theater experience. Whereas the Smart Office, the technology and business consulting division, offers a wide variety of software and hardware solutions and network installations (from large, corporate Wide Area Network with advanced security to simple in-home networks for sharing internet connection or files and printers between home computers)”.

In addition, Gilluly credited the foundation of integrity, respect and continual learning that has nurtured the company’s growth and success.  He also expressed his gratitude to the Greater Lansing area for its support.

For the complete story, please see Smart Homes/Smart Offices continues hiring as automation systems business grows: http://www.capitalgainsmedia.com/innovationnews/SHSO0705.aspx.

New Office to Serve as Living, Working Showroom

We are pleased to announce that effective Monday, January 21, 2013, Smart Homes, Inc. / Smart Offices will relocate to its new home at 4650 Moore Street, Okemos, MI 48864.  Although our location will change, our phone, fax, website and email will remain the same.

For those of you who have already experienced the Smart Homes / Smart Offices advantage, you know first-hand how our products and services can be integrated seamlessly into your home and office.  We are very excited about this new location as it will serve not only as our main office, but as a living, working showroom as well.

In the spring we’ll host an open house event, where you can personally see and experience our smart living solutions. Our friendly staff looks forward to providing you a guided tour of our new facility. Until then, be sure to visit our Facebook page frequently for pictures and updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smart-Homes-Smart-Offices/110950228950135.

In our Smart Times holiday newsletter, features a special message from our President, John Gilluly, articles on holiday lighting made easy with Control4 and how you can enjoy your favorite bowl games in comfort and style with a customized Crestron home theater system.  You’ll also meet the newest members of our Smart Homes / Smart Offices team and learn more about our soon-to-be new location and pending move in the New Year.

Smart Times December 2012 Newsletter

In our efforts to “go green” this holiday season, we decided to do an electronic version of our Christmas Card.  We also couldn’t resist sharing with you a quick glimpse of our soon-to-be new location pictured above.   Our Smart Homes family wishes you a season of cheer and a very happy New Year!

Peace,

John Gilluly, President

We have a lot to blog about…

…a growing team of highly-skilled professionals, a new office and showroom on the horizon, and exciting automation technology for the home and office.

Mark your calendars now for the 2013 Lansing Home & Garden Show, March 14-17.   Our Smart Homes / Smart Offices team will demonstrate the latest in home automation products and services. Be sure to look for additional communications as the date draws closer!

Thanks to our customers and partners, we’ve experienced tremendous growth this past year—resulting in our need to bring on new talent and expand our office space.   We are in the final stages of preparing to move into our new location, which will also serve as a living, working showroom, where our clients can personally experience the sophisticated elegance and ease of Smart Living.  We will be sending out updates to all stakeholders as our moving date draws closer.

Recently, we added several new members to our team, and we are very proud of the talents, experience, and professionalism that they bring to our Smart Homes / Smart Offices family.  Here’s a quick snapshot of the professionals now serving you:

Jasmyne A’Lynne, Administrative Assistant

As a part-time administrative assistant, Jasmyne A’Lynne brings added support to our team by directing calls, preparing documents and assisting with special projects as needed.  She’s the friendly voice you’ll hear on the line in the afternoons.

Jon Ezzo, Logistics Specialist / Client Liaison

Jon serves as a liaison between our engineering department and our clients–providing planning support to our project managers, and coordinating schedules between our customers and installation teams.  An MSU graduate with over 30 years experience in sports marketing, Jon brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in organizing events, resource management and customer service.

Tim Nolen, Lead Electrical Engineer

Tim joined our Smart Homes/Smart Offices family August 2012.  As our Lead Electrical Engineer, he is responsible for the oversight and installation of all electrical and cable-related needs associated with control systems projects.  Tim is a state-certified Journeyman and Master Electrician contractor.  In addition to his impressive credentials, Tim brings with him a deep commitment to providing customers with a single-source of contact to meet their automation installation needs.

Maria Ostrander, Marketing Specialist

Since 2000, Maria has worked in public relations and strategic communications, bringing with her a unique perspective, having served in both the public and private sectors. She’ll be working closely with our tech support team to assist clients in maximizing their online presence.  From industry benchmarking to analyzing your current tools, to developing a marketing plan and the content to support it—Maria can help.

So as you can see, we really do have a lot to “blog” about.  As we continue to expand, one thing remains constant; our commitment to being Mid-Michigan’s preferred residential and commercial automation installation and service provider.

For over 10 years Smart Homes/Smart Offices has been happy to provide dynamic DNS services to our customers free of charge. As we look to the future and the needs of our clients, we have decided to move to an enterprise level dynamic DNS service.

This move is being undertaken to guaranty the safety, security, and high quality service our customers have come to expect from Smart Offices. As part of this transition, Smart Offices will no longer be able to offer these services free of charge.

Starting July 1, 2012, we will begin charging a yearly fee for the use of our dynamic DNS service. Not only will this fee enable Smart Offices to provide you with even better service, it also covers any setup or support costs related to the dynamic DNS service.

If you’d like to learn more about dynamic DNS services, get setup with dynamic DNS service, or are an existing customer with questions related to this change, feel free to contact us any time!

Smart Offices is excited to announce the launch of our Backup Services!  Smart Offices Backup Services is a safe, secure online backup solution for your home or business.

Our Backup Services provide an always-on, continuous, encrypted backup solution.  You can access your files on our backup server from any PC connected to the internet, and even many tablets and phones.  Backup Services even keeps copies of old and deleted files, allowing you to recover files you have accidentally saved over or deleted.

We can also perform a local backup of your system to be physically copied to our servers, getting your full backup online much more quickly.  Even better, in the event of a major failure Smart Offices can recover your data overnight to get you back up and running quickly!

Features include:

• Data is encrypted using a 448-bit key before it ever leaves your computer.
• Data stays encrypted on our server.
• Our server is located in a secure, monitored facility.
• Online access to your data.
• Recover deleted files.

Smart Offices’ professional support!

Contact us today for all the details!

Smart Offices can assist organizations that are seeking to become ISO 9001 certified.  We understand that adhering to the International Standard for Quality Management Systems will allow for increased customer satisfaction, higher profits and continual improvement.  Smart Offices has the solution to help you meet the ISO requirements and assist in the continual improvement of all your quality processes.

Why use our services for your internal auditing?

Internal audits are necessary before ISO certification, but many organizations cannot keep their internal auditing on schedule due to lack of knowledge, manpower and time. Your organization will benefit from outsourcing the maintenance of your ISO system to our auditing team.

• Smart Offices professionals have over thirty years of experience, over a wide range of businesses including manufacturing, service, medical, aerospace, pharmaceutical and non-profit.
• We create and maintain your internal audit schedule and keep you on time in order to meet your external audit schedule compliance.
• We provide complete professional audit reports that are easy to follow and understand.
• Smart Offices offers suggestions in order to increase your operational effectiveness.
• Our auditors are impartial to your process; therefore we provide objective advice and guidance based on opportunities for improvement, according to management and ISO standards.
• Outsourcing can be much more cost effective and efficient, giving you a higher return on your investment.
• External audit assessments run more smoothly, giving your employees more time to concentrate on other tasks and increase their productivity.

Internal Auditing Services Include:

Smart Offices takes a leadership role in developing, training and initial implementation of system policies, procedures, working instructions and associated forms to meet ISO-9001 Quality Systems requirements. We use the following strategy in order to implement a comprehensive yet simple system to reach ISO registration:

• Develop and maintain the internal audit program.
• Conduct Pre-assessment Audits.
• Assistance in creating work instructions if needed.
• Assistance in developing or updating process flow charts and procedures as required
• Complete written audit reports and follow up on results with individuals.
• Follow up on findings and non-conformities as needed
• Identifying opportunities for improvement with each audit.

Other Auditing Services:

Smart Offices offers other auditing services to assist you with improving your quality management process.  Not only do we offer internal auditing service, we also have the ability to provide gap analysis, on-site training, procedure writing and other consulting services.

• Selection, meeting and negotiations with the registering body and the auditors to be used.
• Pre-assessment audits as well as conducting internal audits.
• Audit training for your employees to conduct their own future internal audits.
• Business process improvement training.
• Managing corrective and preventive actions, and consulting on the planning and monitoring of improvement objectives.
• Six-Sigma implementation.
• We offer technology integration through SharePoint, MS Access and customized software solutions.