It’s challenging enough to integrate full automation in a home. But when the client has special needs, such a task can be even more intricate and challenging.

But when a disabled client—a paraplegic—desired the integration of such sophisticated electronics in his home, he chose the perfect integrator for the job: Lexington, Ky.-based Barney Miller’s.

“The client called Barney Miller’s and wanted a solution to control his electronics and not rely on his caretakers’ assistance for simple tasks such as audio/video operation, lighting adjustments, paging, climate control—even emergency texting to his caretakers,” recalled Barney Miller’s Electronic Systems Designer Douglas Hocker. “He chose Barney Miller’s because a friend had told him about a control solution from us that will work with an Apple Macbook.”

The client had a basic idea of what he wanted, but the Barney Miller’s team brought innovative concepts for the project to the table. “We introduced new ideas that would allow our client to page within the home or even text family or friends outside the home from his computer, “ Hocker said. “Also, he’d be able to monitor the front door with an outdoor CCTV camera.”

The client’s living situation certainly presented out-of-the-norm goals for the project. “Our client had a good idea of what he wanted based on the lack of traditional electronics not geared for disabled persons,” Hocker stated. “Barney Miller’s introduced several new ideas like paging, emergency texting, control of lighting, a ceiling fan and a personal fan bedside. We also introduced an iPhone App that would allow his family and in-home caretakers to have control over the system as well.”

The biggest challenge of the job, Hocker said, was “finding a solution that works in the Mac Environment.” But Barney Miller’s was up to the task.

“The MAC computer GUI has the biggest impact because our client can now control all of his electronics in his home theater, including lights, the ceiling fan, paging, emergency texting, the selection of his favorite music from his iPod, and front-door monitoring,” Hocker said.

Barney Miller’s was able to integrate all of this intricate technology without affecting the look of the client’s home. “All wiring is run within the walls and the electronics are housed in a professional equipment cabinet designed for electronics,” Hocker stated.

After the client approved Barney Miller’s proposal for the project, and the equipment was received, tested and programmed, the work was—amazingly—completed within a few days by technician/programmer Jorge Castro.

Barney Miller’s used new electronics from leading manufacturers including Crestron, Cisco, Monster Cable, Panamax Furman, Audio Authority and Sanus in the project—all to the customer’s complete satisfaction. “Our client can now make changes on his own, select favorite channels and control lighting at any time,” Hocker said. “He is now thrilled with his independence of using all of his electronics. His expectations have been successfully met by the simplicity of the system.”

Related: Apple Macbook, Barney Miller, CCTV, control, iPod, Jorge Castro, lighting, Mac Environment, Monster Cable, music, Panamax Furman, project

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