TechLink Services Named to Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies for the 4th Year in a Row

We are thrilled to announce that TechLink Services has once again been named to the Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing US companies. This marks the 4th consecutive year that we have been included in the prestigious list, and it is an honor to be listed alongside other industry leaders like Sandler Partners and our sister company, Broad Sky Networks.

 

“Being able to achieve significant year-over-year growth for 4 years in a row isn’t easy,” said Mike Mudd, CEO of TechLink Services. “I’m especially proud of the strong leadership and dedicated employees that have made this possible again in 2018. For TechLink, growth isn’t just about a number on a revenue sheet. It’s about the strategic intent that we put into everything that we do for our customers and technician network. It’s truly a group effort to keep the momentum going strong.” TechLink leaders point to two specific drivers of growth over the past year.

Increased Adoption of Digital Signage Solutions

Digital signage is becoming more mainstream with businesses in the retail, automotive, restaurant industries, as well as other consumer-based sectors. Improved adoption rates have presented a higher demand for qualified technicians to manage the installation of large-scale deployments, often at multiple locations across the country. Our nationwide network of highly-trained technicians gives us the ability to serve this market no matter where a customer is located. We expect this trend to continue over the next few years. In fact, Orbis Research estimates that the Digital Signage Market size will grow from USD 20.74 Billion in 2017 to USD 31.62 Billion by 2023.

Integration of Blue Ridge Solutions, Now TechLink Solutions

Last year, we acquired Blue Ridge Solutions, a North Carolina custom software development firm. Since the acquisition, we have worked on merging the two organizations together, uniting processes, personnel, and marketing power. Now officially branded as TechLink Solutions, the acquisition allows us to expand further into the manufacturing and high-tech sectors, offering custom software solutions, mobile application development, and web portal design to clients across the country.

 

We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to our customers, partners, technicians, and employees for placing their trust in TechLink Services. Without you, we would not have been able to achieve the successes we’ve seen over the past few years!

 

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region and other criteria, visit https://www.inc.com/inc5000/list/2018.

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Self-Service Kiosks Aren’t Just For Quick-Service Restaurants!

Just like the drive-thru window revolutionized the Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR) industry in the 1960s, self-service kiosk technology is poised to do the same in the late 2000s. Restaurants like Panera, McDonald’s, and many others are turning to self-service kiosks in record numbers. QSR’s see digital ordering capabilities a critical differentiator that saves customers’ time, adds convenience and increases menu-customization options. These restaurants are also finding the self-service ordering model also helps free up employees to focus on other customer needs that contribute to higher-quality customer experiences. Not only that, whether it’s a touch-screen tablet or innovative self-service kiosk, younger buyers are even more comfortable with the digital technology. According to AdAge, millennials and Generation Z (ages 2-19) will change how customer service is defined dramatically in the coming years. Those groups are digital natives and exceptionally technologically savvy. Think about it: Generation Z-ers have never known a time before Google! And, they expect to be able to self-serve, while also receiving assistance anywhere along their personalized customer journey. (Source: AdAge). By digitizing their businesses now, companies are striving to build strong connections with this younger demographic and their next-generation of customers.

For those reasons, the adoption of self-service kiosks is also expanding way beyond our favorite fast food locations. Today you can see these digital technologies being leveraged everywhere from the supermarket checkout line at Whole Foods or Kroger, to the airport counter, to gas stations, as well as other areas such as hospitality, government and retail, and banking. Let’s explore how some of these other industries are utilizing self-service kiosks and how they are changing their business models in exciting ways.

  •    Healthcare- Healthcare kiosks span the gamut from appointment check-in centers to those kiosks with personal information related to medications, referrals, pharmacy reminders or instructions for scheduling a follow-up appointment. Many sophisticated healthcare kiosks also offer privacy screens, biometric identification or cameras, and scanners for insurance cards and payments.  In-clinic kiosks help to streamline and enhance the patient’s experience and improve critical workflows that ensure HIPAA compliance. Self-assessment kiosks and those that offer screenings like weight and blood pressure, help individuals and encourage repeat visits. Interactive kiosks also have the unique ability to deliver targeted messages about brands that are personally relevant, according to assessment results. Other digital booths are more information such as ones outside pharmacies that provide details about new generic drugs available, or those that offer health and wellness and nutritional information. Informational kiosks may even be located at community centers like the YMCA or local gym.
  •    Retail- The user interface improved dramatically over the years and now include everything from touch-screens to next-generation technologies like gesture-based interactions and augmented reality (AR) applications. These advancements are keeping visitors in the store longer and allowing customers to explore the breadth of what the store has to offer. They also sync more customer data with loyalty-building programs, enabling more targeted and personalized promotional. Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, for example, now offers its customers free phone charging stations. Because these kiosks require shoppers to enter their phone number, they double as a customer acquisition tool, where the store can send a targeted text message to shoppers within 30 minutes of removing their phones. Taking the digital kiosk even further, the company also introduced a Memory Mirror application that acts as a full-sized fashion mirror, giving shoppers the ability to record a video of themselves in an outfit, and download or share it instantly via social media. (Source: Retail Dive) By linking in-person digital experiences with other marketing programs like email, loyalty programs, and mobile-based efforts, retail-based kiosks are changing how companies connect with their best customers.
  •    Hospitality- While most of us are very familiar and comfortable with booking hotels online, fewer hotels offer the same convenience and flexibility for their check-in and check-out processes.  However, recent studies show, there’s a significant opportunity in this area. According to JD Power & Associates, today only 4% of check-ins and 1% of check-outs today occur through mobile apps, but when it is used, it is associated with higher guest satisfaction. (Source: J.D. Power & Associates). For hotels with frequent international guests, kiosks also level the playing field, giving guests multiple language options. While digital self-service applications and kiosks don’t replace hospitality staff members, they free up staff to attend to other guest needs, overall enhancing the level of customer service.

Leading companies today are finding innovative ways to turn what was once transactional encounters (i.e., ordering food or checking into a hotel room or doctor’s office) into personalized and interactive digital experiences that are unique and interesting, as well as efficient. Today more than ever, consumers form strong attachments to brands that can offer these types of engagement. Talk to TechLink today about how self-service kiosks may fit into your overall customer service strategy and how we can help your business, select, design, and deploy innovative digital technology that can save money, enhance customer support, and transform your business.

 

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Paving the Way for Integration, Automation and Better Service with APIs

Forbes called 2017 the year of the API economy for its ability to support new business models. Not only that, a recent report by Deloitte tells us that APIs are critical because they empower businesses to focus on the efficient and secure exchange of data, instead of getting hung up on the delivery methods. APIs or (Application Programming Interfaces) are defined as a set of definitions, protocols, and tools for building application software. APIs set methods for communication between various software components. This includes real-time integration between on-premise, legacy systems, and cloud platforms and apps. Looking ahead, most believe APIs will continue to be the method of choice for powering the free exchange of data for applications which is needed to support the digital economy. The Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and artificial intelligence all rely on APIs. Scott Buchholz, Federal Chief Technology Officer at Deloitte, explains.

“While we’ve seen a rise in using [APIs] to exchange data between enterprises and between organizations, we’re actually starting to see a rise in people using them within their organizations. “That’s where a lot of the power of APIs is being unlocked.”(Source: Deloitte).

Today APIs are being built and leveraged to simplify and accelerate the integration process, removing the need for complex and manual coding efforts to get systems, applications or platforms to exchange information and to ‘talk’ to each other. When done right, APIs can significantly shrink deployment windows and improve automation and collaboration between partners, vendors, and customers.

Building integration ‘fast lanes’

That’s why TechLink has focused heavily on expanding its integration capabilities through APIs. TechLink has introduced APIs that connect its in-house CRM app, SIMPL, and its technician-centered app MOBI into providers’ systems. These APIs provide an ‘integration fast lane’ that includes a pre-built set of instructions for linking systems together. For those providers considering an installation partner to help create a real competitive advantage, look for those that deliver superior customer support and more efficient ways of doing business.

  1.   Greater automation and simplified integration- TechLink’s API-centric strategy allows for simplified integration into suppliers’ ordering systems, applications, and other platforms. When suppliers’ ordering systems can talk directly with TechLink’s MOBI application and customer portal, barriers between disparate enterprise systems are erased and real-time communication and collaboration is possible.
  2.   Eliminating data entry- With TechLink’s API software, installers no longer have to manually collect and retype customer data at each project site. Instead, technicians have instant access to the customer order through an integration with the supplier’s system. And once on site, using TechLink’s MOBI portal installers can look up relevant order information, making notes and changes on the fly. This integration results in greater automation, fewer trips to customer sites, accurate project tracking, and ultimately faster installation.
  3.   Delivering a more seamless customer experience– By linking supplier systems with TechLink applications, customers receive a higher-level of service, compared to conventional providers. For example, recently TechLink was able to deliver a multi-site SD-WAN project for a national retailer customer−which included upgrading 4000 customer sites across the country. TechLink and the supplier have successfully met 4-hour SLA requirements with help from more efficient data and information exchange.

If your organization would like to learn more about how APIs can help your organization deliver more efficient and high-value services, contact us! TechLink has a skilled team of professional installers and experienced project managers with extensive web and mobile software development experience ready to chat. Give us a call!

 

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5G: The Mobile Industry’s Collaborative Efforts Could Yield Big Gains for IoT

Like all “next-gen” network technology, 5G has been much touted as the next big thing in wireless technology speed. In fact, industry experts expect it to be about 10x faster than 4G. To put this in perspective, the 5G network would give users enough bandwidth speed to stream 8K videos in 30 seconds, a task that would take around 6 minutes on the existing 4G network.

In addition to faster speeds, the 5G networks will virtually eliminate lag time between devices and servers, which is incredible news for the IoT industry where machine-to-machine communication demands uninterrupted communications between sensors, devices, machines, and data centers. The ability to connect new and more devices positions 5G to generate up to $12 trillion in goods and services.

However, making 5G a reality for IoT will require the mobile industry to work together, ensuring seamless interoperability for supporting a massive range of services and devices. But it’s not just about the network. Communications capabilities and processing power will need to be disseminated across networks and mobile devices in order to empower connected devices to handle heavy computation and rich content. This means that while wireless leaders AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are busy developing and testing 5G technology, equipment companies like Nokia and Ericsson are simultaneously working on the backbone and equipment to support the new network.

The Realities and Timelines

The international wireless consortium 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has approved technology standards for the next-gen network. Meanwhile, wireless providers are making announcements regarding the first US cities that will see 5G in the upcoming years. So far, we’ve seen the following cities mentioned:

  • Atlanta (Sprint, AT&T)
  • Chicago (Sprint)
  • Dallas (T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T)
  • Houston (Sprint)
  • Las Vegas (T-Mobile)
  • Los Angeles (T-Mobile, Sprint)
  • New York (T-Mobile)
  • Sacramento (Verizon)
  • Waco (AT&T)
  • Washington D.C. (Sprint)

While each provider is approaching 5G technology in different ways, one thing is clear – the next-gen 5G network is perfectly positioned to take IoT innovation to the next level.

 

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Higher Education Gets an A+ with Digital Signage Deployments

If you take a look around a college campus today, you’d be hard-pressed to find a student walking around without a smartphone, tablet, or some wearable device. With students being more tech-savvy than ever before, higher education has no choice but to interact with their audience in a more modern, technological manner. The days of disseminating information via traditional methods are going the way of the dinosaur, and universities that want to attract potential students must adapt or lose tuition dollars to more technology-driven campuses. Innovative colleges and universities are embracing digital signage as a dynamic way to get essential and time-sensitive, critical information in the hands of students, visitors, faculty, and other university employees. Not only does digital signage give universities a modern, attention-grabbing way to communicate with their audience, but staff members and administrators can manage the communications networks for a more efficient method of distribution.

Spreading safety messages and emergency announcements.

In 2017, we saw how natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey and the California wildfires created panic among those in their wake. For college campuses, the ability to quickly and efficiently alert students in the event of a campus emergency is paramount.

Digital signage offers strategically placed signs that can give detailed information to users on where to take cover, the severity of the situation, and other life-saving information. Even more, these systems often integrate with the organization’s additional mass messaging platforms like SMS and email notifications to help further disseminate information to on-campus students and facility.

Improve wayfinding for new students and visitors.

Navigating your way across large campuses, especially those like Berry College in Georgia that sprawls over 27,000 acres, can be quite a nightmare for new and prospective students, campus visitors, and emergency personnel. For example, the University of Oregon’s Campus GIS and Mapping Program uses digital signage to showcase interactive maps that highlight helpful information like current construction projects, fastest available routes, and the location of the nearest restroom.

Digital signage replaces the antiquated method of printing static campus maps that can easily be out-of-date within a matter of months. By moving the wayfinding from a piece of paper to a digital screen, users can search for their destination with the touch of a screen and in some cases push that information to a smartphone or wearable navigation app for even better user experiences.

Better promote campus activities and academic deadlines.

College isn’t just about the classroom. For many students, the activities that happen outside of the classroom are much more interesting than Dr. Brown’s Econ 301 class. From sporting events to art exhibits, Rush Week to lecture series, colleges have no shortage of extracurricular activities taking place both on and off campus. Digital signage not only gives the organizations responsible for promoting these events the opportunity to get event information out to students but also helps the university cut down on the brightly colored event flyers that litter the resident halls and classroom floors. But digital signage isn’t limited to the “social” events. Administration departments can leverage signage to help students meet deadlines for registration, tuition payments, class cancellation, and exam periods.

Campuses across the US are finding creative ways to leverage technology in digital signage to better engage with students and faculty. While many haven’t gone “all in,” we expect to see more adoption over the next few years as students demand a high-tech environment that supports their tech-savvy ways.

 

 

 

 

 

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TechLink Partner Spotlight: Broad Sky Networks

Broad Sky Networks Quick Facts:

  • Founded in 2003
  • Headquarters: Bend, OR
  • www.broadskynetworks.net
  • Partner with TechLink since 2008
  • 1,300 work orders with TechLink completed to date
  • Deployment of 4G/LTE and Satellite solutions with Cradlepoint devices

Q: Broad Sky Networks first partnered with TechLink in April of 2008. What have the last nine years been like as a TechLink partner?

A: Working with TechLink as an exclusive partner has enabled us to take our solution deployments nationwide with an installation footprint that would have been difficult – if not impossible –  without a reliable partner. A lot of other installation companies say they have nationwide coverage, but TechLink technicians truly go anywhere. Many times, our clients need solutions installed in remote locations and we have yet to find a place these technicians can’t go! It’s been great knowing that our installation service area is virtually limitless – something we were unable to find with other installation companies.

Q: How important is a partner like TechLink to Broad Sky’s go to market strategy?

A: Every one of our clients relies on the Internet for business connectivity applications like POS, SAP, CRM, and VoIP. Many of them battled the typical internet challenges like disparate carrier coverage and downtime issues.  Broad Sky deploys primary and backup 4G/LTE and Satellite solutions for business and government clients that can’t afford to be without that connectivity. Our business is to keep people operating in their business. TechLink’s business is to get people out there to make it happen.

Most importantly, it’s a symbiotic relationship with an exceptional focus on the client experience and end design installation. TechLink does just that. They continue to exceed client expectations and provide us with multi-faceted technicians that can do everything from CAT 5 terminations to large-scale IoT projects in digital signage and outdoor menu boards. Since we offer a multitude of different solutions for our clients, it’s imperative that we have access to the talents and skill sets that TechLink’s technicians provide. They have done a great job of finding and training technicians that can handle whatever we throw at them.

At the end of the day, partnering with TechLink gives us a huge competitive advantage over our competition. The integration into our API allows us to provide a much higher level of client and partner satisfaction, real-time communications with technicians, and faster field service deployments. That gives us an edge in the market – something our competitors aren’t doing today.

Q: How valuable has the SIMPL portal and MOBI app been in managing Broad Sky clients and solution deployment?

A: The systems that we have in-house are designed to track equipment, so for TechLink to tie into our API and give us a single-pane of glass for monitoring workforce systems, orders, and track specific data for each job is invaluable. The portal is extraordinarily comprehensive and provides us with the ability to see job details like technician arrival and departure times, milestones, and complete documentation. Our clients also have access to all of the job’s pictures and notes, which keeps our clients at ease and again gives them a great customer experience.

The mobile app was just the icing on the cake for the SIMPL portal. Before, they would have to go back to the office and compile all the data, which could take days, sometimes weeks. With MOBI, we can get instant access and real-time reporting which is a game changer for Broad Sky and our clients.

Q: It sounds like it’s been a great nine years. What’s next for the Broad Sky and TechLink partnership? Where do you see this headed as you move into the next few years?

A: We’re excited to see what’s next as technology continues to evolve. With the proliferation of IoT and M2M technologies and 5G on the horizon, we will need to be able to respond with innovative solutions and knowledgeable installation technicians to deploy those solutions. Fortunately, with TechLink as a partner, we have 100% confidence that they will be able to help deploy those solutions no matter where the technology takes us.

 

 

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TechLink Services LLC acquires Blue Ridge Solutions, Inc.

We are excited to announce our acquisition of Blue Ridge Solutions, a software company specializing in delivering full-cycle web and mobile software development services for SMBs, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between. In doing so, TechLink Services and Blue Ridge have fully integrated to become TechLink Solutions going forward.

Blue Ridge has been a major part of our success in growing the organization over the last few years. Dan Kellem, former owner of Blue Ridge and now CTO at TechLink, and his team played a significant role in our recent achievement of being named in “Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing US Companies” for the 3rd consecutive year. The integration into our SMPL portal and mobile application, Mobi, has empowered our nationwide team of installers to complete roll-outs more efficiently resulting in fewer return trips to sites and faster completion of installation projects.

“Integration of our portal and mobile applications with our clients’ CRM and ordering systems has become a necessity for large-scale national roll-outs,” stated Mike Mudd, CEO, and founder of TechLink. “By combining our respective company’s strengths we are able to rapidly deploy API’s and other technology products to our clients, creating economies of scale, and reduced operating costs for both our clients and TechLink”.

Kellem stated “It quickly became apparent that combining TechLink and Blue Ridge Solution’s resources into one organization was in the best interest of both our businesses and our customers. We are excited to be part of a larger organization and in my new role as CTO I will be able to focus on the technical strategy for our internal projects as well as more client facing opportunities”.

The integration of services for TechLink customers is already proving to be extremely valuable to service providers and their customers.

Blue Ridge Solutions’ rich development knowledge coupled with TechLink’s strong partnerships in the industry results in greater flexibility when it comes to developing deeper API connections with clients. This integration into the service provider’s CRM systems and order management applications is just one more way the company is strengthening relationships with customers.

“Our customers are looking for automation and integration,” said Ron Zippi, EVP of Business Development for TechLink, in a recent interview with the Digital Signage Federation. Zippi goes on to explain that the API software developed for customers is faster and more accurate than before, allowing them to integrate into software and streamline the data entry process.

About TechLink

Founded in 2007 by Mike Mudd and Carl Gittings, TechLink specializes in large-scale deployments of digital signage, networks, RF engineering, and VoIP. With a fully automated cloud-enabled dispatch system via SIMPL and a database of 4000+ professional IT technicians and Electricians armed with MOBI, TechLink’s mobile application, the company manages roll-out projects from a few locations to 10,000 on time and on a budget for its clients. This capability has resulted in TechLink being named to the Inc. 5000, a list of fastest growing companies for the last three years. TechLink has offices in Bend, OR, Lincoln, NE, and Asheville, NC.

About Blue Ridge Solutions

Dan Kellem founded Blue Ridge in 2002 as a website development company. Since that time Blue Ridge has assisted many companies with web-development strategies that take advantage of the ever-changing technology landscape. Operating as a division of TechLink, Blue Ridge will continue to operate from its offices in Asheville, NC.

 

 

 

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TechLink Services Named in Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing US Companies for 3rd Consecutive Year

TechLink Services is excited to announce that we have been named to the Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing US Companies for the 3rd consecutive year. With a 3-year growth rate of 303%, TechLink Services nearly doubled revenue between 2015 and 2016.  Being included in the prestigious list alongside companies like Broadvoice, Sandler Partners, and Broad Sky Networks, is truly an honor for the entire TechLink team.

“Being listed for the 3rd consecutive year is an amazing achievement for the TechLink leadership and team members,” said Mike Mudd, CEO of TechLink Services. “Achieving the year-over-year growth needed to meet the Inc. 5000 list requirements is certainly not an easy task, but we are certainly pleased with the outcome.” TechLink leaders point to two specific drivers of growth in 2016.

Interactive Portal and Mobile Applications

With hundreds of technicians working in the field each day, the need for real-time communication and project management is critical for creating “first trip success” for our clients. The Mobi app, launched earlier last year, and our interactive portal, SIMPL, give customers visibility into the progress of each project in real time. The portal and mobile app’s feature-rich flexibility has been a game-changer for our technicians and our clients, resulting in fewer return trips to customer sites and faster completion of installation projects.

Personnel Training and Certification

In addition to giving technicians the tools they need to work more efficiently, we also directed resources toward improving the technical knowledge of our installers. Our recruitment and training division of TechLink focuses solely on technical and product specific training certifications and the development of videos for on-demand education. Additionally, we created teams of project managers to focus on industry-specific technologies for retail, healthcare, data communications, and digital signage. This laser focus on education, training, and certification ensures our installers maintain the highest level of technical and product knowledge, resulting in best-of-breed installation services.

Looking Ahead – Business and Partnership Development

“In 2016, we focused our resources on reinvesting in our technology and people.” Mudd continued. “I’m confident that our strategy for 2017 will only keep that momentum going and put TechLink back on the Inc 5000 list next year.”

TechLink recently completed the acquisition of Blue Ridge Solutions, a North Carolina website and application development firm. While the two companies are still working to integrate the brands, one thing is certain. The combination of Blue Ridge’s rich development knowledge and TechLink’s service provider partnerships results in greater flexibility and the power to focus on developing deeper API connections with clients. This integration into service provider’s CRM systems and order management is just one more way TechLink is strengthening relationships with its customers.

We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to our customers, partners, technicians, and employees for placing their trust in TechLink Services. Without you, we would not have been able to achieve the successes we’ve seen over the past few years!

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region and other criteria, visit https://www.inc.com/inc5000/list/2017.

 

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TechLink Services Moves Up Within the Inc. 5000 Ranks

TechLink Services has been named as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies, for the second year in a row. TechLink offers network installations.

(Newswire.net — September 2, 2016) Bend, Oregon — TechLink Services has been named as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest growing, privately held companies in the country for the second year in a row. The Inc. 5000 list is an annual award that recognizes innovation, entrepreneurial leadership, and continuous revenue growth for businesses in a broad variety of industries, from retail to technology.  Inclusion into such a rarefied group allows an innovative company like TechLink to highlight their services for businesses in need of network installations and deployment.

“It is an incredible honor for TechLink Services to be named to the Inc. 5000 list again,” said Mike Mudd, TechLink CEO. “To be recognized on a list that has given early exposure to the likes of Microsoft, Oracle, and Zappos to name a few, is a testament to both our hard work and company culture.  I am extremely confident that TechLink will rank even higher next year. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Headquartered in Bend, Oregon, with regional offices across the country, TechLink manages a variety of technical services which increase the efficiency of their clients’ operations as they provide installers, managers and technical assistance to businesses of all sizes. TechLink Services also offers SaaS and project management solutions.  “Our client portal, SIMPL, is an incredible tool that intuitively links our project management teams, technicians and clients together to get high volumes of work orders completed in a fast and trouble free manner at a very competitive rate,” said Carl Gittings, TechLink President. “Not only that, but we’ve set ourselves apart from the rest with the recent launch of our portal’s mobile application, MOBI.  It is packed with features that allow technicians to be dispatched faster and more efficiently, easily report work order status directly from the site, and facilitate communication from our project managers to the technicians working on site.”

Such a distinguished award, renowned for being a hallmark of entrepreneurial success, is sought-after by some of the biggest corporations because Inc. 5000 allows companies to gain national exposure in order to publicly celebrate their achievements. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2012. The award recipients must also be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent.   For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://www.inc.com.

About TechLink Services

About TechLink Services TechLink Services, The Professional Installers Network, offers a variety of services designed to increase efficiency, manage costs, and improve profitability. TechLink matches each individual project with expert professional installers, experienced managers, and up-to-the-minute technical help. Additionally, TechLink anchors enterprise business with a nationwide network capable of supporting largest scaled deployments and installations. With roots in VSAT/satellite installations, TechLink’s expertise has grown to 4G, digital signage/digital menu boards, VoIP telephone systems, and other commercial telecommunications applications. For more information about TechLink Services, visit the company website at www.techlinksvc.com.

TechLink Services

750 NW Charbonneau St.
Bend, Oregon 97703
United States
866-832-5755
[email protected]
http://www.techlinksvc.com
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Inside Out: Digital Signing

How Your Company Can Help with the Digital Signing Evolution.

Companies like TechLink can do many different types of functions for your business when it comes to digital signing. The systems that TechLink offer can run the gamut from helping to design, managing, execution, and follow-up after the project is in place. No matter how successful Techlink is, no matter how much planning and implementation they can offer, it is your company that can make or break the effort. Think of it as the inside out aspect of digital signing.

Each new product rollout relies on the information and access to it. You want your staff t be able to answer questions from customers and be able to speak with authority about how important the product or service will be to the end user. You give them tools, training, and often some enthusiastic speech about how this is the ‘future of the company’. I have one question: how is that approach working for you? Honestly?

If you are being honest, it probably is working with the acceptable limits of just okay. While companies like TechLink, the premiere digital sign installer in North America can help in almost every step of the way, no matter where the sign or screen is being installed, they cannot create advocates for the rollout without your help.

Here’s what you need to do.

TechLink partnership

How to make your TechLink project prosper: involve your staff

Talk up the project among supervisory staff first. Involving this group in some of the initial rollout meetings between you and companies like TechLink can help give them a certain amount of confidence that the new initiative will not be simply ‘sprung’ on them at completion. In this sort of inclusive type situation, they may have suggestions that could increase the overall return on your investment.

Talk up the progress of the project. In this phase, you want your supervisory staff know that the information you have is in front of their questions about the project’s progress. This will give them a sense that their input and participation is important. This will also help with the introduction of the signing to the real world. If your supervisors are well-respected among their group, they should have no problem generating the necessary enthusiasm among their direct charges.

This in-advance information, even if it is only piecemeal will create a feeling of inclusion and if it does not, you will have some valuable information on how they will eventually present it to customers. This will let you get ahead of the problem and address any issues. Of course, your project manager at TechLink can often help as well.

Talk about why you made this decision. A digital sign rollout will provide you with several ROI options. If it is supposed to act as information center, giving your customers knowledge for future purchases, then you will need to explain to your employees how you want the nurturing to take place, when, and how. If the signing is designed to get the customer to spend directly, such as with hotel kiosks or QSR applications, train your people on how to make the interface seem integral to the success of the company. If your supervisors have done a good job evangelacizing the program, the rollout should not be a shock. Rather it should be greatly anticipated.

Listen to the people – and the customers. In advance of any rollout, not all information is known. You have the best intentions of increasing the human value in the process of the rollout but may have missed a detail or two along the way. TechLink can iron out the details, work with your people, and complete the project in a timely manner. But some things will remain unknown until the digital signing is actually in place. Listen. And when you hear something, react. TechLink can help with those changes of direction.

 

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