Case Study #012005 Vista Presentation Solutions-
Notre Dame University

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Project Overview-

Vista Presentation Solutions, a division of Office Interiors, was hired to install integrated audio, video, and data systems in classrooms at the University of Notre Dame.

Predicament-

With a limited amount of time to complete the project, Vista Presentation Solutions needed to find a way to optimize their production schedule. Outsourcing the cable assemblies to a cable assembly manufacturer enabled Vista to streamline the installation time, in order to meet the accelerated timeline.

Solution-

AVCable was brought in to manage the design and build of 20 custom harnesses because of their extensive experience in cable assembly, and their ability to meet the accelerated turn-around requirements. With 35 years of combined experience in audio-visual systems infrastructure AVCable offered a level of quality and proficiency in the production of assemblies that was incomparable. 

As a result of AVCable’s buying power, their material costs were lower, allowing the company to pass these savings on to Vista .  In addition, most all of AVCable’s materials are in stock, giving the company the ability to provide clients such as Vista with a shorter lead-time than most other manufacturers.

Benefits-

Although the accelerated timeline was the primary driver for outsourcing to AVCable, by outsourcing the cable harness portion of the project, Vista was also able to realize significant savings in labor and material costs. Vista's personnel were freed up to concentrate on the rest of the installation enabling them meet Notre Dame’s deadline requirements. Finally, Notre Dame will benefit from reduced warranty and repair issues for many years to come, due to AVCable’s expertise in cable assembly manufacturing.

Cost Analysis-

If harnessed and terminated on site, Vista Presentation solutions would have spent over 5 hours per assembly. On the initial order alone Vista saved a total 100 hours of labor.  Including the cost of materials and labor, AVCable saved Vista Presentation Solutions approximately $224.20 per assembly.  (Savings based on AVCable’s cost of materials in addition to Vista ’s average hourly billing minus the cost of the finished assembly.)

Production Line & Testing-

To ensure accuracy, all harnesses were thoroughly tested using specific procedures at all steps in the process, from parts pulling to manufacturing to packaging.  After all materials were pulled they were cross-referenced to the initial order to confirm parts precision.  During assembly each component was compared to the appropriate drawing. Following assembly the harnesses were tested for continuity, inspected for physical faults and checked once more against the drawing. Finally, during the packaging process, the shipment was inspected once more to make certain it conformed to the line items detailed on the order.      

Project Details-

The specification from Vista Presentation Solutions required AVCable to design and build a series of custom assemblies that met the following requirements: 

End #1	End #2
Qty. Connector type 9 BNC female 4 ¼” TRS male 1 9 pin D-Sub male 5 RJ45 male 1 Edison male	Qty. Connector type 1 HD15 male 4 BNC male 3 Blunt cut end 1 D sub 9 female 5 RJ45 male 1 Edison female

• 120ft. miniature HD Low Loss Thin Profile Coax 75 Ohm Impedance & 3GHz Bandwidth 23AWG CMR Rated
• 96ft. Standard RG59 Coax 75 Ohm Impedance & 3GHz Bandwidth 20AWG CMR Rated
• 96ft. Single Pair Easy Strip Cable with Bonded Foil Shield 22AWG CMR Rated               
• 24ft. Four Shielded, low-capacitance, twisted-pairs under a single round jacket CMR Rated
• 159ft. CAT5E Unshielded Twisted Pair 100 Ohm Impedance & 360MHz Bandwidth 24 AWG CMR Rated

Click on image to view full size drawing

Vista Presentation Solutions-

Vista Presentation Solutions, a division of Office Interiors, focuses on audio-visual systems integration and custom design projects for the education, commercial, healthcare and government markets. The division's experienced technicians install systems in teaching and training facilities, classrooms, boardrooms, conference rooms, and other professional environments. Vista's staff, with a combined 67 years of experience in the AV industry, provide engineering, design, installation, programming and administrative services. Vista offers an array of services and products to customers, including presentation systems, video and audio conferencing, equipment sales, consulting, design, programming, training and sound masking systems, and represents various manufacturers including Crestron, NEC, Extron, JBL and Smart Technologies.

AVCable.com-

Systems contractors today are streamlining their installation process and eliminating complex signal distribution fieldwork by hiring AVCable to develop pre-assembled "plug-and-play" cabling networks. With AVCable's technical knowledge and expertise, the contractor is assured the product will be configured and tested to comply with their exacting specifications. The chief benefit of pre-assembled construction is that contractors need not assign specialized personnel to the installation site.

AVCable.com also provides a comprehensive line of bulk low-voltage wire, cable, and signal distribution products that meet the high quality standards of systems contractors in the commercial, residential and government markets. Their product line includes the most widely sought brands, such as Jensen, Kramer, Paladin and Gepco -- in stock for shipping within 24 hours. Knowledgeable personnel are available toll-free for no-cost solution development consultations, and to provide technical advice with unique installation requirements.

AVCable -- 877-229-3601, visit www.avcable.com, or fill out an online quote request

Summary-

Vista Presentation Solutions, a division of Office Interiors, faced with a large project to integrate a series of systems in classrooms at the University Of Notre Dame needed to complete their work on a tight deadline.  In order to integrate these systems a network of custom cabling was required. Confronted with a time consuming task, AVCable was brought in to manage the design and build of over 20 custom harnesses. 

The harnesses consisted of 20 lines of audio, video, and data cabling with a variety of terminations on either end at lengths over 20 feet.  Each harness was covered with a protective braided sleeve and utilized a braided stainless steel strain relief with two hanging points on either end.  If harnessed and terminated on site Vista Presentation solutions would have spent over 5 hours per assembly.  By outsourcing the work Vista saved over $4,000.00 in labor as well as cost of materials.