December 2005   » Meet the Master! » MECP Events at The 2006 International CES » Industry Feature Story: iPod iNtegration » Podcasts » MECP On-The-Job » Upcoming Industry Events » Industry Links » MECP Merchandise of the Month

On the Move - Winter 2005 Issue

WELCOME to the first issue of On the Move, the official newsletter of CEA’s Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP).  If you’ve received this newsletter it means you are already qualified at one or more of the MECP levels or you have contacted us because you’re thinking about qualifying.  On the Move will come directly to your inbox every quarter, so remember to let us know if you change your e-mail. 

We plan to bring you news of updates and changes to the MECP program as well as industry news, upcoming industry events and most importantly, real-life stories of MECP installers, the places they work, the projects they’ve worked on, and the challenges they’ve faced and hopefully overcome. Of course we need your input, too, and as a little incentive I’ll be sending an MECP license plate cover as a “thank you” to anyone who submits an article that is published in On the Move.  Please try to send some (digital) photos with your article because a picture is worth a thousand words.  If you have a technical question, send that to me as well and we’ll challenge one of our experts to provide the answer.  Similarly, if you have overcome a technical challenge, send it to us so that you can share your knowledge with others. 

Last, but not least, I’d like to congratulate you for taking the necessary steps to raise your career to the next level through MECP certification and by raising the standard of the industry and the quality of workmanship and knowledge customers can expect.  I look forward to receiving your photos, articles and questions.

Sharon Means
Specialist, MECP

Meet the Master!

Featuring: Gene Hew-len
Owner of Emergency Vehicle Installation Inc.
Bremerton, Washington
MECP Master Installer since 2000 

On the Move (OTM) would like to thank Gene for providing this insight into his business, professional path and success.

OTM:   How long have you been in the business?
Gene: Since 1994. I started my company, Audio Express in Bremerton, WA, as a sole proprietor and then in 2004 changed the name to Emergency Vehicle Installation Inc. (EVI) to better reflect our type of business. I incorporated the company to prepare for future growth.  At first, I was the only full time employee but by a little over a year later, we have 40 employees. EVI started out by outfitting vehicles with both lighting and communications equipment for local law enforcement police departments in Washington state. EVI sells, installs, and maintains, the emergency equipment in law enforcement vehicles, provides LoJack Corporation with installation operations in Washington and Oregon, as well as, providing nationwide GPS installation services for Trimble Mobile Solutions.

OTM: When did you first get your MECP Master Certification?
Gene: I received my Master Certification in 2000.

OTM: Do you feel it’s important for installers to go beyond the basic certification?
Gene: Definitely! Anyone can read a book and take a test to pass, but to be able to apply the knowledge learned and use it in your daily work environment, as well as excelling in that position, takes a lot more than just reading.  You really do have to love and care about what you are doing, in order to succeed in the mobile electronics installation industry.

OTM: How has your Master Certification benefited…

• You personally?

Gene: It has helped me to be more conscious of my own, and my company’s, work. It sets a higher standard of expectation and responsibility.

• You, as an employer?

Gene: Because there are fewer master installers it’s like the difference between going to a doctor’s office and having the doctors assistant work on you versus actually having the doctor working on you.  As master installers, we are the doctors of installation.  Don't get me wrong, just because we are masters, it doesn't mean we are finished learning, it just means we are committed to learning even more.

• Your business?

Gene: As the ME industry gets more complex and in a wider range of vehicles, the integration process becomes more in-depth, and the possibility of damages even greater, while at the same time, the cost customers are willing to pay for an install is getting lower.  Five years ago, a basic deck install cost about $45, now installers are doing these basic installs for $25 or less just to keep the business.  Master installers don't need to fight for customers, the customers will find them.  

• The industry?

Gene: I feel that my certification helps by raising the bar for installation services.

• Your customers?

Gene: Customers look for installers who are going to take care of their installation needs.  The cost is not as important as the quality and reliability of the service provided.  Initially customers might be influenced by advertising by a certain store or installation company but once the customer finds a reputable installer who cares about their needs, usually the customer will follow the installer, regardless of where they work.

OTM: I understand you have helped others become certified?  
Gene:  Yes, and not because of the certificate hanging on the wall, but because it tells me that the person is willing to study and learn what it takes to excel as an installer.  Because I own my own company, I want to employ only professional installers who really love what they do.  I enjoy helping installers to excel, because it also gives me the opportunity to search for installers that have a desire to work hard and provide the highest level of customer service they can.

OTM: I know you recently started your own business, what part does MECP certification play in that?
Gene: MECP plays a very big part in my company, in such that it is a requirement that an installer is certified in order to work for my company.  Having customers know that the work is being performed by an elite team of master installers gives our customers peace of mind.  Most of our installers are advanced or master certified.

OTM: How does having certified installers affect your customer satisfaction rating?
Gene: The installation industry is all about customer service and providing the customer with a very enjoyable and pleasant experience.  If your customers are happy and pleased with the services provided, their referral of other customers show.  Having certified installers and by myself being a master installer, I have a very high standard and expectation of what I believe customer service is.

OTM: How do you display/advertise your MECP certification at your place of business and in any other advertising you do?
Gene: We are a very quiet company that does not advertise our services.  We have gained our clients by reputation and customer referral only.  Some of our clients include: Suquamish P.D., Port Gamble P.D. Poulsbo P.D., Bremerton P.D., Gig Harbor P.D., Gig Harbor Public Works, Lakewood P.D., Normandy Park P.D., Forks P.D., Sauk-Suattle P.D., we are also the installation operations contractor for LoJack in Washington and Oregon.  We have also become nationwide in the last 60 days, where we are a contractor for Trimble Mobile Solutions to provide installation services for their clients nationwide.  In 1996, I started with one client for four years which was Suquamish P.D. Most of our client list has grown in the last two years operating under Emergency Vehicle Installation Inc.

MECP Events at The 2006 International CES

2006 Hands-On Advanced Training Training Tent 1

All of the above sessions will be held at in the Central Plaza at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Cost:    $99  Single Session
            $129 Single Session (Includes MECP Test Voucher*)
            $299 Package Deal All Sessions (Includes MECP Test Voucher*)

* MECP exam can be taken with a proctor at a location of your choice or at one of the 1,000+ Prometric testing centers across the nation.

2006 MECP Installer Challenge Training Tent 2

We will be selecting the top five students from hands-on training (shown above) to help build the Installer Challenge Vehicle in Training Tent #2.  If you would like to take part in this training you will have to be picked from the classes in Training Tent #1.  There is no charge to take part in the Installer Challenge.

Location: Central Plaza, Las Vegas Convention Center

2006 MECP FREE Demos Training Tent 3

These will be free demos going on throughout the event.  This will not include hands-on training.

To find out more and to register, visit www.CESWeb.org.

Industry Feature Story: iPod iNtegration

By now many customers know that a wireless FM transmitter is the easiest way to connect a portable music device, like an iPod, to a headunit.  What many of them don’t know is that there are better options that will give them better sound quality than a transmitter or cassette adaptor.  A growing number of accessories manufacturers, as well as the vehicle manufacturers themselves, are producing factory headunit integration kits specifically for the iPod.  Of course an integration kit offers advantages beyond just better sound quality; many allow the headunit to control the portable player, display song information and even power and charge it.  An integration kit provides a clean installation and a much more satisfying user experience.  Here’s what you’ll need to know in order to design a solution:

Factory Headunit Integration:
Let’s face it, you’d love to upgrade them to an aftermarket headunit, but it may not always be an easy sell. With some new cars using the MOST fiber optic system, it may not even be possible.  So on to “Plan B.” There are hundreds of kits available for specific factory headunits applications. In many cases these kits will allow your customers to fully integrate the iPod with the audio system, including text readout and full use of factory audio controls.  Do your research so you know what year, make and model vehicles have kits available.  As you’ll see, there are many caveats for audio system compatibility, so read the fine print. 

Check out the following websites for a list of kits:

www.blitzsafe.com
www.densionusa.com
www.monstercable.com
www.peripheralelectronics.com
www.pac-audio.com
www.pie.net
www.wire-tunes.com

Aftermarket Headunit Integration:
This is a good opportunity to sell a new iPod-compatible headunit, or find a way to integrate with their existing aftermarket headunit.  Here is a list of mobile electronics manufacturers that provide direct iPod connectivity to their headunits:

www.alpine-usa.com
www.clarion.com
www.kenwood.com
www.pioneerelectronics.com

So what about the oPods, the “other Pods,” or non-Apple brand players, for which there are no integration kits?   To date there are very few mobile accessories for these MP3 players, and really no kits that allow direct integration with a headunit.   In these cases you could investigate an “aux in” kit for their specific headunit, or if all else fails you can simply recommend an FM modulator. 

Sales of MP3 players have not slowed, and you will likely see more and more customers who want to listen in the car.  Do your homework and be ready to sell a solution.  Whatever you do, don’t miss the opportunity to create a sale and make a new customer.

What successes have you had with iPod integration?  We’d love to profile your work in a future newsletter.  Email us at mecp@mecp.com.

Podcasts

For those of you who aren’t into buying music online or who have never clicked the “Podcast” tab in your favorite online music store, you may be wondering what one is. Simply put, they are audio programs with content from radio talk shows, TV, newspaper and magazines and even user-created content. By “subscribing” you get automatic updates every time you sync your player with your PC. Best of all, you can listen to podcasts on many different portable players and they are free on several online music sites. Now you know the deal and are ready to explain it to your customers as one more benefit of using their MP3 player in the car.

MECP On-The-Job

This issue’s featured school is The Ritop School for Mobile Electronics in Watertown, MA.

Our thanks to Ritop’s Director, Joe Boston for sending us these shots of his students working on their project cars:  a 1999 BMW and a 2003 Honda Station Wagon.

Students running audio cable.		Student installing hood pin switch.
Students locating alarm wires.		Wiring amplifiers in the trunk.

If you would like to submit photos and a story about a project(s) your school is working on or completed, please contact Sharon Means.

Upcoming Industry Events

International CES
Thursday, January 5 – Sunday, January 8, 2006
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

MERA KnowledgeFest 2006
Saturday, March 4 – Tuesday, March 7, 2006
Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky

20th Annual Spring Break Nationals
Friday, March 24 – Sunday, March 26, 2006
Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, Florida

Industry Links

ITSA
MERA
YourRideYourWay

MECP Merchandise of the Month

No MECP installer is complete without his MECP patch!  Order yours now at www.MECP.com.  Own a shop?  Make sure your whole team is certified and proudly wears the MECP patch so that your customers know they can expect the best.  Different versions of the patch are available for different levels of certification.