D-Tools i3 Partner News in April 2026

D-Tools i3 Partners realize the importance of bringing you their product information and have chosen to support the D-Tools user community by joining the program and making their product data directly available through D-Tools software. Read on for the latest supplier company news and product updates.

As smart home and building automation projects become more advanced, integrating HVAC systems, especially inverter units, remains a key challenge. These systems rely on manufacturer-specific communication protocols, which are not directly compatible with many third-party control platforms. As a result, integration is often limited or implemented through simplified control approaches that reduce system performance and efficiency.
 
Aidoo Pro Wi-Fi by Airzone addresses this challenge by enabling control and integration of HVAC systems through multiple connectivity options. By communicating directly with the HVAC indoor unit using manufacturer protocols, it allows systems to operate as intended while making control accessible through the Airzone Cloud app, voice control platforms, and integration environments. Aidoo Pro Wi-Fi supports integration via local and cloud APIs, home automation and BMS drivers  as well as BACnet (MS/TP and IP) and Modbus RTU.

In addition to HVAC control, Aidoo Pro Wi-Fi includes features such as digital inputs for sensors, and auxiliary relay outputs, along with real-time diagnostics. This combination enables a consistent approach to HVAC integration across residential and light commercial projects, supporting both performance and interoperability.

Ashly AQM408: Big-System Speaker Processing in a 1RU 4x8 box.

The AQM408 delivers the AquaControl™ DSP experience in a streamlined 4×8 platform designed for speaker processing and zone distribution. Use it to handle tuning, routing, and protection tasks while keeping control simple through an intuitive browser-based interface. With remote Ethernet access and a capable DSP toolbox, the AQM408 helps you deploy great-sounding systems quickly.

For more information on Ashly, please visit tmppro.com/ashly.

Wichita State Students Get Hands-On Experience Working With AtlasIED’s IPX Endpoints

Wichita State University is a public research university located in Wichita, Kansas, serving approximately 18,000 students. Innovation is a core tenet of the university, which is why 10 years ago it launched a major academic and student life initiative, dubbed the "Innovation Campus." The plan included public/private partnerships with domestic and international companies that would collaborate with the students and faculty on research projects and product development through a technology transfer system.

Central to the Innovation Campus is the Project Innovation Hub, which fosters an experiential learning and innovation mindset, promoting interdisciplinary collaborations across all Colleges and within the WSU community. From Freshman year through graduation, they provide a dynamic space for students, researchers, and industry professionals to ideate, create, and explore together. This initiative brings together a diverse group of students from various disciplines, including biomedical, aerospace, computer science, and electrical engineering, under the guidance of faculty and industry mentors.

Read More: https://www.atlasied.com/wsu-wichita-state-university

CAD Audio WX1800: Wireless Performance Made Simple

The CAD Audio WX1800 Wireless Microphone System delivers professional sound and reliable performance for live events, worship, and presentations. Operating in the UHF band (550–590 MHz), it offers 100 selectable channels, true diversity reception, and auto-scan with IR sync for quick setup. Choose from handheld or bodypack options with headset, lavalier, or instrument mics. Key features include 394 ft range, 10-hour battery life, and rugged metal construction. With support for up to 20 systems, the WX1800 ensures clear, drop-free audio at an accessible price point—starting at $249.99. Learn more at cadaudio.com.

For more information on CAD Audio, please visit tmppro.com/cad.

Coastal Source’s 1000 Series Bollards Elevate Outdoor Audio Experience

The next-generation1000 Series Bollards build on the legacy of Coastal Source’s iconic 10.0 Bollards, producing dramatic upgrades in power handling, tonal precision, and environmental resilience. Designed to perform in all weather conditions, the 1000 Series speakers are housed in sealed elliptical enclosures constructed from Coastal Source’s color-through rotomold composite.

“This is more than just a speaker—it’s an innovative, unmatched sound system built to create immersive outdoor audio experiences that bring people together,” says Franco D’Ascanio, CEO of Coastal Source.

Leveraging technology developed for the company’s flagship 12.0 Line Source Bollard, the new series features a weatherized ribbon tweeter, acoustic suspension technology to produce tight bass, smooth vocals, and maximum environmental endurance. Both the flat and elliptical design options offer a slim aesthetic while enabling a strong acoustic footprint.

With six customizable modules and multiple mounting options including hardscape, landscape, and partially buried configurations, the 1000 Series provides integrators with flexibility to tailor systems. Coastal Source’s Uni-Connect™ cabling system—designed to simplify the process of connecting outdoor lighting and audio components, reducing installation time and the potential for connection failures—integrates with the company’s patented Plug+Play™ ecosystem of cables, amplifiers, and speakers, making installation fast and scalable.

Engineered to withstand harsh coastal environments and other outdoor challenges no matter the geography, the 1000 Series Bollards empower dealers to elevate their outdoor projects and offer clients unforgettable entertainment experiences. With its unique blend of performance, protection, and aesthetic design, the 1000 Series sets a new benchmark in the outdoor audio category.

Lighting is an easy upgrade to any project with DMF

Lighting is often the missing piece in an AV project and DMF makes it the easiest add-on you'll ever pitch. If your client already has 6" recessed cans, you're already halfway there.

Retrofit Trims

Using a simple adapter, you can replace old, underperforming recessed lights and instantly upgrade to the powerful Artafex 4 module paired with our modern, architectural trims. It’s a seamless swap that brings better light, better design, and a more luxurious feel to any room. No major renovation.

Conversion Kits

For a more design-forward transformation that feels like a full renovation without the dust, our conversion kits offer a true breakthrough. Convert existing 6" recessed housings to a 4" fixture and a wide variety of 4" trims. Or for the most dramatic transformation possible, convert an existing 6" housing to a modern 2" fixture.

Both options are ideal for remodels: clients get 1% dimming, warm dim options, increased energy efficiency, and compatibility with home automation systems, and a high-end aesthetic without touching a single inch of ceiling. That means faster installs, happier clients, and more margin for you.

Retrofits also make a natural value-add for any AV project. Quoting a home theater or whole-home system? A lighting upgrade practically sells itself — easy to spec, straightforward to install, and the kind of immediate visual impact clients remember.

Captures, converts, routes and distributes audio/video to a video wall

This 9-port video wall controller splits a 4K/30 Hz video signal into various video wall modes to create one large 1080p image. Ideal for video wall applications in retail settings, concert venues, restaurants, bars, hotels, offices, houses of worship and other applications where large, visually appealing displays are needed, this video wall controller works with older 1080p displays to save you the expense of upgrading your legacy televisions and monitors.

Creates up to 13 different video wall configurations

The video wall controller features one 4K/30 Hz HDMI input and nine 1080p/60 Hz HDMI outputs to create 13 unique video wall splicing modes to be stretched either horizontally or vertically: 3x3, 2x4, 2x3, 4x2, 3x2, 2x2, 1x2, 2x1, 1x3, 3x1, 1x4, 4x1 and 1x1. You can set display modes via front-panel buttons, RS-232 commands or the included IR remote.

Plug-and-play operation for quick setup and immediate use

It works right out of the box with no software or Wi-Fi required. Mounting hardware is included for installing the unit on a wall or other flat surface. The external power supply comes with four international plug adapters to ensure an AC connection anywhere.

Eaton’s Tripp Lite series B119-1X9-VW 1x9 Video Wall Controller

• Sends video to 9 different displays in 13 different video wall configurations

• Ideal for music venues, bars, restaurants, hotels and other digital signage applications

• Set display modes using push-buttons, RS-232 commands or the included remote

• Works right out of the package for quick setup and immediate use

• Includes mounting hardware for wall installation

See the B119-1X9-VW at TrippLite.Eaton.com.

Explore Eaton’s full line of Pro AV solutions.

Hall Research is introducing a new brand structure designed to bring greater clarity and alignment to its growing portfolio of AV solutions. As the company continues to expand, its technologies are being organized into more defined categories based on application and user environment. This shift is intended to simplify how AV and IT professionals navigate solutions, making it easier to identify the right products for specific use cases, from healthcare to enterprise collaboration and beyond.

Alongside this structural update, Hall Research is rolling out refreshed product branding across its portfolio. Products are being reclassified and visually aligned with their respective categories, creating a more consistent and intuitive experience throughout the specification and deployment process. With updated labeling and packaging and clearer documentation, these changes are designed to reduce friction for system designers and integrators working across multiple product types and project requirements.

Importantly, while the branding is evolving, the performance and reliability of Hall Research products remain unchanged. This transition enhances usability, helping streamline product selection, improve documentation clarity, and support more efficient system design workflows. By aligning its portfolio with how projects are actually planned and executed, Hall Research is creating a stronger foundation for both current deployments and future innovation.

A Professional Integrated Entry Solution

When it comes to modern home technology, not all door entry solutions are created equal. While many consumer-grade doorbells prioritize convenience, professionally designed homes require something more reliable, more flexible, and more integrated. That’s where the Dinger Pro Door Station comes in.

Designed specifically for structured wiring environments and integrated residential installations, the Dinger Pro Door Station is built with reliability at its core. Its Power over Ethernet (PoE) architecture delivers both power and network connectivity through a single cable, eliminating the instability often associated with Wi-Fi-based devices and ensuring consistent performance where it matters most.

But this isn’t just about stable connectivity; it’s about seamless integration. Unlike typical consumer doorbells that operate in isolation, the Dinger Pro Door Station is designed to function as part of a larger surveillance and communication ecosystem. With SIP communication support, it becomes a true intercom solution, capable of routing calls to mobile devices, in-home control panels, SIP-enabled phones, or monitoring software. Whether it’s a single-entry residence or a multi-entry property, communication remains fluid and adaptable.

The integrated 2MP camera is purposefully optimized for video intercom use, delivering clear, real-time visuals while maintaining efficient bandwidth usage. The result is smooth, responsive two-way communication without sacrificing image clarity at typical door distances.

LEARN MORE

Now part of the IC Home lineup as a hybrid entry solution, the Dinger Pro Door Station bridges the gap between convenience and professional-grade performance. While it’s visible within the IC Home ecosystem, it retains its Max Series/Intercom architecture and part number, ensuring it continues to operate as a robust, integrated system component.

For projects that extend into home automation, the Door Station also integrates with Josh.ai, allowing homeowners to view live video, communicate with visitors, and manage entry points using voice commands or touch panels. It’s a seamless extension into a more connected home experience.

At its core, the Dinger Pro Door Station is more than just an entry device; it’s a flexible, reliable solution designed to meet the demands of modern integrated living.

UPGRADE TO PROFESSIONAL ENTRY

Vantage is proud to introduce exciting new solutions that expand control possibilities and elevate the lighting experience - available through Design Center 4.11.

What’s New:

New Vantage Controls App

Vantage introduces a modern, redesigned app, created with a modern interface and refreshed app store icon. The Vantage Controls App is available to download on the Apple and Google Play App Stores.

Draper Intelliflex I/O Integration

Effortlessly control Draper At Home shades with native Vantage integration - no drivers, no hubs, and instant device discovery.

DMX DALI-II Gateway

Experience the newest Vantage digital control gateway, delivering unified support for both DALI 2 and DMX in a single device (DMX DALI GW II)

Read Full Press Release Here

New: Turn Sight into Insight with Searchlight AI

Searchlight AI takes video surveillance to the next level by combining video with POS, ATM, and IoT data to enable proactive loss prevention and operational efficiency. Accessible across PC, web, and mobile platforms, it delivers actionable insights that enhance security, improve customer experiences, and drive profitability, all within a flexible, scalable cloud-based solution.

Searchlight AI has already delivered measurable results—helping one retail customer identify nearly $1 million in employee fraud in just 30 days—demonstrating its ability to quickly uncover costly issues and drive significant savings.

With the introduction of Searchlight AI, generative AI capabilities are seamlessly integrated into the platform. Users can interact with their data using natural language, eliminating the need to navigate dashboards or manually build reports. By simply asking questions, users receive instant, relevant answers.

Searchlight AI enables rapid search across transactions, alerts, and analytics from all locations in seconds. It helps identify unusual activity, uncover operational trends, and surface what matters most, while directly linking insights to corresponding video for fast verification and informed decision-making.

A key differentiator of Searchlight AI is how it approaches bias in generative AI models. While bias is a known challenge in GenAI systems, Searchlight AI operates in a fundamentally different paradigm than traditional content-generating tools. It does not attempt to “tell stories” based on data. Instead, it provides transparent, structured access to information while keeping full control in the hands of the user. The user defines how the analysis is performed, not the model.

This approach is intentional. Rather than replacing human judgment, Searchlight AI augments it—delivering structured, traceable insights that prioritize clarity, visibility, and control. To learn more about Searchlight AI, check out the product brochure or book a demo.

Design Better Collaboration Spaces with Neat Workspace Designer

Neat has introduced the Neat Workspace Designer, a powerful interactive configurator designed to eliminate the guesswork from collaboration and meeting room deployments. This tool moves beyond static spec sheets, providing a dynamic 3D environment to visualize how Neat devices will look and perform in real-world settings. Select from various room sizes, then instantly preview optimal device placement and configuration. 

A standout feature is its immersive perspective modeling. Neat partners can toggle between wide room views, group framing, and Neat Symmetry views to demonstrate exactly what remote participants will see. It also provides critical technical overlays for audio and video coverage, ensuring every person in the room is seen and heard perfectly before a single cable is run. 

Streamline your pre-sales planning and try Neat Workspace Designer today. 

Learn More

NETGEAR AV Academy: 16 Manufacturer Training Partners and Growing

AV over IP deployments succeed or fail at the network layer, and that means that integrators need fluency not just in switches and routing, but in the protocols and platforms running on top of them. The NETGEAR Academy was built to close that gap.

The Academy is a free online training platform designed for AV and broadcast professionals, offering courses covering IP networking fundamentals alongside the ecosystems integrators actually work with in the field. With 16 third-party manufacturer training partners now on board, including Dante, NDI, Q-SYS, SDVoE, Crestron, Sennheiser, Genelec, Lightware, Panasonic, PTZOptics, and Xyte AI, the NETGEAR Academy gives integrators a single destination to build competency across the full AV over IP stack.

Courses are self-paced and available at no cost. Whether you're new to IP-based AV or looking to sharpen your knowledge before a complex deployment, the Academy is structured to be useful at every level.

For D-Tools users managing multi-vendor AV over IP projects, the Academy's breadth of manufacturer content reflects the reality of modern system design: no two installs look the same, and knowing how the pieces interact makes the difference. Start learning at https://academy.netgear.com/

Severtson’s Broadway Series Thin Bezel Fixed Frame Projection Screen Solutions

Severtson now offers a white, perforated, and acoustically-transparent screen option for its Broadway Thin Bezel Series fixed frame projection screen solutions.

Now available with an acoustically transparent option in seven screen sizes ranging from 100- to 165-inches, Broadway is a complete collection of fixed frame projection screens that offer a sturdy extruded aluminum frame with a 3/8-inch visible border for a fully maximized viewing area. They are excellent solutions for any home theater, office, conference room, sports bar, or other venue needing a modern, high-performance projection screen. The Broadway Thin Bezel Series’ durable, aluminum frame offers the thinnest visible bezel that Severtson Screens can provide, offering a clean, sharp appearance that maximizes the viewable area. Each screen is manufactured to the same high standards as Severtson's large cinema screens installed in theaters worldwide.

Customers can choose from Severtson's perfectly tensioned screen materials that will take the viewing experience to the highest levels of performance available in the market today. Broadway’s appearance does not distract from the projected content, but instead quietly enhances the viewing experience with its perfectly tensioned viewing surface and precision-aligned black velvet frame. Broadway Thin Bezel Series material choices include Broadway White and Broadway Grey.

For more information, please visit www.severtsonscreens.com, call 480-610-5155, or email sales@severtsonscreens.com.

IF AI CAN’T HEAR YOU, IT CAN’T HELP YOU

Why audio quality determines AI meeting productivity
Clear, intelligible audio is becoming the backbone of the AI‑powered workplace. As organizations rely more on Copilot and other AI tools to summarize discussions, translate conversations, and accelerate decisions, the quality of the sound they feed these systems directly shapes the quality of the output. If microphones can’t capture natural speech, nuance, or emotional tone, AI agents can’t interpret intent or respond accurately. For IT leaders, AV integrators, and UC stakeholders, this makes audio not just a technical choice but a strategic one—one that influences productivity, inclusivity, and the effectiveness of every meeting.

High‑quality microphones and intelligent audio processing ensure every participant—remote or in-room—is heard clearly, enabling AI features like real-time translation and transcription to perform at their best. This isn’t just about supporting multicultural teams; it’s about unlocking new business opportunities by removing language barriers and reducing friction in global collaboration. Certified solutions designed for platforms like Microsoft Teams help organizations future‑proof their environments, reduce IT overhead, and create meeting spaces where ideas flow freely and decisions happen faster.

Future-ready companies are already embedding audio strategy into their IT roadmap—optimizing rooms for clarity, choosing certified hardware, and investing in software that enhances speech capture. These steps don’t just improve AI accuracy; they elevate the entire collaboration experience, from hybrid brainstorming sessions to large-scale town halls. The takeaway is simple: when sound is right, AI works right. Clear audio isn’t a luxury—it’s a business imperative.

Read The Blog

Meet the Refreshed SurgeX CONNECT

SurgeX CONNECT has been refreshed to deliver a more intuitive and easy‑to‑navigate cloud experience for AV integrators. The updated interface emphasizes site‑level and map views, allowing users to focus on specific spaces instead of viewing all devices at once, making system monitoring clearer and more manageable.

User management has also been enhanced with customizable user groups, enabling administrators to easily assign users to groups that automatically inherit defined permissions and access to specific units. This streamlines administration and ensures users have the right level of access, anytime, anywhere.

Compatible with SQUID, UPS Standalone, and PROTECT + CONNECT products, SurgeX CONNECT simplifies power management while maintaining a consistent experience across devices.

LYNN™ HyperDrop Compact Cable Splicing Enclosure

The LYNN HyperDrop PAS Mini IP68-rated patch and splicing enclosure is unique, small, and easy to install in a variety of environments, such as underground burial, pole mount, wall mount or wire suspension. The all-plastic housing is made from an ABS and poly-carbonate (PC) blend with UV inhibitors to ensure a long service life in a variety of conditions.
Additional features and specifications include it being ideal for splicing & coupling fiber, twisted pair & other low-voltage cables; IP68-rated for outdoor installation; easy-to-open design with water-tight latching; includes easy-to-see fiber splicing tray; included grommets accommodate a variety of cable sizes & constructions[ and compatible with fiber couplers, fiber splice connections, keystones & other barrel-style couplers.
For more information on the LYNN product line, please visit www.thinklynn.com.

LYNN™ L-LOCK Universal Dual-Locking Power Cables

The patented LYNN™ L-LOCK Universal Dual-Locking Power Cable Series is the easiest-to-install, most advanced dual-locking power cable available. It eliminates accidental disconnects by securely locking both cable ends to electronics and power equipment, regardless of make and manufacturer. The L-LOCK latch system locks and unlocks with a simple finger press that’s perfect for high-density installations…no clunky clips, brackets or additional hardware required. L-LOCK cables are an easy replacement for existing non-locking or single-locking power cables.
Additional L-LOCK Series features and specifications include being available in multiple connector configurations, colors, and lengths; ensure equipment uptime by securely locking into equipment ports; UL listed; RoHS compliant; limited lifetime warranty

L-LOCK product lines includes C14 to C13 (L-LOCK dual-locking system; available in black, blue & red; standard lengths: 2ft, 3ft, 4ft, 5ft, 6ft, 8ft & 10ft; 18AWG/10A; Ultra-flexible SVT jacket), and C20 to C19 (L-LOCK dual-locking system; available in black, blue & red; standard lengths: 2ft, 3ft, 4ft, 5ft, 6ft, 8ft & 10ft; 12AWG/20A; durable SJT jacket)

For more information on the LYNN product line, please visit www.thinklynn.com.

What’s new with Ring? Everything.

Ring has reimagined its full product lineup, introducing all-new doorbells, indoor and outdoor cameras,sensors, commercial solutions, and a mobile security tower. The refresh delivers meaningful upgrades for both residential and commercial installations, with new features and tools built to improve the client experience and help dealers grow their business.

On the product side, Retinal 4K video is now available across the line, delivering sharper, more detailed footage clients can count on. PoE-ready products and adapters bring flexible, reliable power to a wider range of installations, cutting complexity and expanding what's possible on the job. Smart security features, including intelligent text descriptions in notifications, give clients a more connected and informative system from the moment it's installed.

The Ring Mobile Security Trailer brings 24/7 protection to sites that need coverage without permanent infrastructure. Featuring the Ring Elite 360° camera with Retinal 4K, a 12-foot collapsible mast, LED lighting, Two-Way Talk, and built-in LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, it deploys via trailer hitch, truck bed, or as a standalone unit. It's built for construction sites, parking lots, outdoor event venues, and shopping centers, giving dealers a powerful new option for commercial clients.

For dealers, Ring has built a suite of tools to support every stage of the business. The Ring Pro Portal puts training modules, product information, and Ring's webinar series in one place, keeping dealers current on everything Ring. The Ring Dealer Locator connects dealers with new opportunities from clients purchasing on Ring.com and Amazon.com, making it easier to grow your client base. A new dedicated installer role in the Ring app lets you set up and manage client systems faster, without requiring the client onsite.

Take a fresh look at Ring for your next job. Visit ring.com/dealer to explore the full lineup, access dealer resources, and get started today.

Allen & Heath’s Avantis V2.0 is a massive reimagining of the platform that essentially turns the console into a higher-tier machine. Key features include:

• Expanded Capacity: For dPack users, V2.0 unlocks a significant jump from 64 to 96 input channels, 42 to 56 mix buses, and 16 to 24 Dyn8 instances.

• Next-Gen Effects: It introduces RackUltra FX, a hardware/software suite (via an internal card) that brings dLive-class processing—like vocal tuning, harmonizers, and high-end reverbs—directly into 8 dedicated new FX engines.

• New "CompStortion" Plugin: A long-awaited DEEP emulation (for dPack) that combines classic hardware compression with tube-style distortion.

• Workflow & Integration: Adds "Smart Rotaries" for faster hardware control, expands wireless integration to include Shure SLX-D, and adds more flexible "Mix" saving to the Channel Library.

This update effectively closes the gap between the mid-tier Avantis and the flagship dLive for complex touring and festival setups. The RackUltra FX card is available both as a factory-fitted option on newly branded "Ultra" units and as a service center upgrade for existing owners.

For more information on Allen & Heath, please visit tmppro.com/allen-heath-recording.

The Lewitt MTP 5 is a dynamic live vocal microphone built to deliver clear, present vocals that cut through a mix without sounding harsh. Its tuned capsule adds a touch of brightness and detail, making it a strong fit for singers, speakers, and even occasional instrument use. The cardioid polar pattern keeps the focus on the source while helping reduce background noise and feedback, giving performers reliable gain before feedback in real-world stage environments.

MTP 5 is designed with durability and practicality in mind, featuring a rugged zinc die-cast body and full-metal grille built for regular gigging. Lewitt also engineered it to maintain a consistent sound even if the mic is cupped or handled differently during a performance. A switch version is available for added flexibility in talkback or emcee situations, and key specs include a dynamic moving-coil design, 280-ohm impedance, and a gold-plated 3-pin XLR connection. It comes complete with a mic clip, windscreen, and transport pouch, making it a dependable, ready-to-go option for any live and general-purpose scenario.

For more information on LEWITT, please visit tmppro.com/lewitt.

Create a High-Fidelity and High-Energy Environment Outdoors with Theory

The ic6 Bollard landscape loudspeaker and iws12 Bollard landscape subwoofer bring Theory’s trademark sound outdoors.

Spring has sprung and so begins another season of outdoor entertaining. Theory has the ideal solution to your client’s outdoor audio needs. Meet the ic6 Bollard (6.5” bollard landscape loudspeaker) and iws12 Bollard (12” landscape subwoofer).

Simply install Theory’s popular ic6 in-ceiling loudspeaker into the elegant stainless steel and paintable ic6 Bollard housing, and the ic6 becomes a full-range landscape speaker offering 360-degrees of flawless, uniform, coverage. Need a solution to your large, distributed install? The ic6 includes a switch-selectable 70V/100v transformer that can be driven direct by Theory’s DLC loudspeaker controllers in Lo-Z or Hi-Z mode allowing you to install hundreds of ic6 Bollards without gobbling up expensive amp channels.

Theory is also known for deep, visceral bass from surprisingly compact enclosures. Install Theory’s iws12 12” long throw woofer with 4-inch voice coil into the iws12 Bollard housing and you get 1,400 Watts of truly astonishing high-energy low frequencies throughout the landscape.

Combined, the new ic6 Bollard and iws12 Bollard provide a high-fidelity and high-energy environment outdoors like you’ve never heard before. Learn Morehttps://www.theoryprofessional.com/products/landscape

Why Good Managers Fail at Innovation
In this edition of VITAL Business Tips, Matt Bernath explores how business owners can transform from operators to owners, freeing themselves from daily operations and creating space to innovate and grow.

True disruption cannot be scheduled or researched into existence because data only reflects markets that already exist. As seen with Honda’s accidental discovery of the American off-road motorcycle market, breakthrough opportunities often emerge from experimentation rather than rigid planning. While customer feedback is essential for "sustaining innovation"—the incremental improvement of current offerings—it is notoriously poor at predicting disruptive shifts. To capture these unexpected opportunities, businesses must move beyond traditional metrics and create a culture that values active listening and trial-and-error over-reliance on historical data.

To succeed, leaders must structurally separate new initiatives from existing operations. Assigning a project team to handle service calls using the same economics and success metrics is a recipe for failure. Instead, emerging ventures require their own dedicated staff, unique pricing models, and financial headroom. By building the capacity to experiment and the humility to learn from "stumble-upon" moments, organizations can ensure they have the strategic flexibility to pivot when the market inevitably shifts. Click here to view the full article. 

WAC Group launches the Outdoor X-Track Lighting System

WAC launches the Outdoor X-Track Lighting System, a new track solution designed to bring flexibility and precision to outdoor lighting. Built on a modular low-voltage platform, the system addresses the limitations of traditional fixed outdoor lighting by offering adaptable layouts and scalable performance. X-Track is perfect for creating a clean look for pergolas when mounted inside the slats, as well as illuminating porte cochères, infinity poolside lounges, outdoor kitchens, tiki bars, and covered patios and porches.

Sage Series ICS3FR

The Minimal Appearance ICS3FR “Full Range” in-ceiling solution is designed to provide architecture-friendly, high-resolution playback while matching 3″– 4″ recessed round and square lighting fixtures. The ICS3 Spiral Planar Magnetic Driver offers unmatched ultra-wide dispersion (120° Circular Coverage Angle -6dB) and can reproduce down to 40Hz (40Hz - 20kHz +/- 3dB; F10 is 30Hz -10dB where it stops making bass) using its 6.5” woofer.  (Optional Bass: SUB1 Minimal Appearance Subwoofer is available if additional bass is required).

The ICS3FR requires no additional EQ or PEQ, only a high-pass crossover at 35Hz-40Hz.    

The ICS3FR ships with all that is needed to do 3” Round/Square, 4” Round/Square, and hard and or gypsum mount.   Custom Options Available: Custom Colored Metal Grilles, and Custom Wood Grilles are both sold separately.  

For more information, please visits the ICS3FR’s Product Page on our Website at: https://www.wisdomaudio.com/product/sage-series-ics3fr/