Using Technology to Design Technology Systems
This month’s “Tony Tech Talk” kicks off a three-part video and newsletter series that explores what you, as our client, can expect throughout our project process—from design to construction to final installation.
Good design is the foundation of a well-run project. A few years ago, a typical technology design consultation involved a meeting, a yellow notepad, and a lot of discussion. By the end of the meeting, we had a general direction, but no clear budget. We’d spend a great deal of time designing the system as requested, only to find out later that the price didn’t match expectations. This often led to multiple revisions and extended timelines just to reach an agreed-upon scope. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case.
To make things more efficient for everyone, we had a novel idea: use technology to design technology. Today, we’re proud of our streamlined client onboarding, design, and budgeting process.
It all starts with a questionnaire. We created a form where you rank your technology needs on a scale from 1 to 10—with 1 being “No thanks…” and 10 being “I’ve got to have it!”
You’ll also provide a floorplan. With just those two pieces of information, we create what we call the “Visual Quote.” This quote uses icons on your floorplan to represent the scope of work. A TV isn’t just a TV—it includes the mount, back box, cabling, and the labor to install it. These loaded icons allow both parties to have an informed conversation about the requested scope and the associated budget—all while viewing it visually on the floorplan. As items are added or removed, you’ll see the budget adjust in real time.
Our goal is to educate you while being completely transparent about the budget for each sub-system and scope of work. It’s an incredibly informative process, and clients regularly tell us how valuable this meeting is. We display it on our showroom TV, and people often leave fingerprints on the screen while pointing out and getting excited about the entertainment and lighting features going into their home.
