Bedrock Learning, the preferred connected home and light commercial training provider, has announced a partnership with BlueVolt, a leading provider of online Learning Management Systems (LMS) for the manufacturing, construction and service industries, to provide a complete assortment of online training resources to individuals and businesses within the custom installation industry.

Thanks to this partnership between two of the recognized authorities in industry-specific training, members of the custom installation channel now have an abundance of resources—no matter what their training needs may be.  Together, Bedrock Learning and BlueVolt can help individuals and businesses with a number of initiatives including:

• Increasing their reach with best-in-class training;
• Launching a customized, branded online training university;
• Converting live training content into cost-effective, easy-to-use online training courses;
• Updating LMS to the latest technology platforms and developing rewards programs.

“In today’s economic climate, many companies have been forced to limit budgets to remain profitable and one area that has seen universal cutbacks has been training,” said Helen Heneveld, president of Bedrock Learning. “In a time when dealers and individuals are seeking assistance in maintaining their business, training should instead be a major focus. We understand the challenge companies and individuals are facing in trying to fill that void, which is why we are thrilled to partner with BlueVolt to provide, maintain and enhance online training offerings and services for businesses of any size.”

“Whether it’s one of the largest manufacturers in the industry looking to develop a robust online training platform or a small start-up seeking resources for basic product training, BlueVolt and Bedrock Learning have the industry’s training needs covered,” said Sharon Dunigan, national account manager at BlueVolt.

Bedrock Learning and BlueVolt will provide attendees to their joint booth (#3500) at CEDIA Expo 2012, held Sept. 6-8 in Indianapolis, Ind., with an exclusive opportunity to learn more about how this partnership can benefit their business.

For more information on Bedrock Learning and BlueVolt, visit http://www.bedrocklearning.com and http://www.bluevolt.com, respectively.

About Bedrock Learning

Bedrock Learning solves your training needs with online curriculum for the connected technologies industry. Developed by industry experts, courses deliver the principles of technology systems. Educational institutions use Bedrock Learning training to prepare students for 21^st century careers. Current installers, salespeople, customer support personnel and other professionals learn, while quizzes/final tests provide knowledge verification. For over 20 years, companies have come to rely on Bedrock Learning because of student success and their ability to help drive business performance.

About BlueVolt

Portland, Oregon-based BlueVolt is the leading provider of online Learning Management Systems (LMS) for the manufacturing, construction and service industries. BlueVolt’s LMS for the extended enterprise delivers easy-to-use training across an entire company and its suppliers, sales channel, associations and customers. The LMS delivers affordable training, verifies knowledge and reports results all in one place. BlueVolt’s unique approach to online training encourages learning with its proven reward program that is valuable to those offering and participating in learning. As of July 2012, BlueVolt has delivered over 1,360,000 courses to over 223,000 registered users. BlueVolt has won a Gold Excellence in Technology award from Brandon Hall, a Learning Leader award from Bersin & Associates for Vendor Innovation in Learning and Talent Management and also was named to theTrainingIndustry.com Learning Portal Companies Watch List for its innovative approach to learning.

Media Contact: Brianna Bachrach | brianna@bedrocklearning.com | 616.355.1418

Explore the possibilities and put them in motion!

Click below or visit http://youtu.be/s9BUefUQn-I

Originally posted by: The Innovation Movement

Helen Heneveld is the Founder of Bedrock Learning, a training provider for home technology installers, sales, customer support and other connected technology professionals.

Innovation brings creativity, opportunity and excitement.

With all the technology becoming available in the world, I saw there was going to be a shortage of qualified installers. Bedrock Learning was founded to fill a technology void with a comprehensive training solution. Traditional training methods didn’t work because they had to be off the job site or out of the office, and travel is expensive. With online training, you can learn anywhere and anytime, and on any device.

Voices of Innovation

One of the challenges we had to overcome was to shift the mindset about what training is. Yes, you could travel around the country and reach 20 to 30 people in each city through training shows and tours, but how do you reach thousands?

Bedrock Learning’s online training is different in that it’s interactive. We make it fun, we make it simple and we make it quick. The younger generation has grown up with technology. The world has gone global, and we can now connect anywhere at any time. So we embraced technology — and leverage it to deliver our services.

But more challenges remain, especially for small businesses like Bedrock Learning. Unfortunately, our voice isn’t heard. That’s why I got involved with CEA — so my voice will be heard and to seize the opportunity to reach those in the government that can make a difference. From a political standpoint, we need to recognize the lifeblood of America is small business and figure out how to give us the support we need to make things happen.

Do you think innovation should be a priority? Pledge your commitment to innovation and show support for the polices that ensure it by signing the Declaration of Innovation now: http://on.fb.me/mj4Obh

Follow these steps to make sure you reap all the possible benefits when taking a course remotely.

By: Helen Heneveld

Posted on CEPro

View the related slideshow by CEPro

Learning has changed in the 21st century. Long gone are the days of being forced to take days out of the office – and take on travel expenses – to attend industry and manufacturer training.

Now you have the benefit of accessing online training at your convenience. Online training leverages the latest technologies and is a cost-effective tool for companies looking to equip staff members with the most up-to-date installation and troubleshooting techniques, product information and refreshing basic knowledge.

There is no bias with online training; it is available to all – technicians, integrators, sales personnel, managers, and others. Students learn at their own pace and verify their knowledge through tests and Certificates of Completion.

Get started now and improve yourself with online training. It’s easy, fun and puts you in control of your schedule and learning. Your time is valuable and you want to get the most out of it. Work hard, learn much and give yourself more time to enjoy, all while enhancing your career.

To get the best ROI on online training, follow these six simple guidelines.

1. Take Online Training Seriously

The Latest Happenings in the World for Home and Commercial Automation Markets

A 2011 CEDIA Event Recap

The 2011 CEDIA Expo brought a number of trends to the forefront in the connected technologies industry. Numerous great products were displayed by both newcomers and veterans of the show. Our top 12 take-aways include:

1. IP Networks are Ubiquitous

More and more devices and accessories communicate via IP networking. Most mid and high-end audio and video products have IP connectivity, either wired or wireless. Soon anything with a plug or a battery will be connected either to a local network or the Internet. Check your new toaster; it may have an Ethernet connector on it!

2. The Industry is “Real”

New businesses often spring up because of the founder’s passion, and the custom A/V industry certainly has its roots in musicians looking to make a living. Pressed into learning business to stay around, they did, but things have changed. Today’s players are first and foremost focused on business and making money and passion is second, if at all. Those with business acumen will survive and thrive.

3. Home Control is Heating Up

If you’re utilizing tablets, smart phones and other 3rd party devices as a control interface to have total home control then you’re in the game, and the home control game is taking off! While several new vendors and startups launched new products and concepts at CEDIA, some existing vendors closed up shop and have ceased operation. Could it be because this must-have technology for control (tablets significantly reducing the interface cost), wasn’t apparent in their business plan or systems?

4. Apps are Everywhere – Imagine That

With virtually every product that has a plug connecting to the Internet, the question is how do you control that product? Of course, the answer is the custom written application for your favorite smart phone or tablet. Many manufacturers are providing, or will provide applications to operate or configure their products. This is great news for people who can write applications, especially on multiple platforms. These folks are needed and we only see demand going one way, and that’s up.

5. Digital Signage is HOT

The stage is set for an industry that will experience very rapid growth in the next 5 years. New content boxes are becoming easy to program, simple to control and less expensive. The progressive installation companies will want a share of this business. The days of having people on staff in a supermarket to make paper signs, or post them, are coming to an end.

6. Wireless Solutions Abound

Are there fewer wires in your future? Products featuring wireless distribution of audio, video, control, and HD video are prevalent. Wireless HD is gaining traction with the goal of replacing all HDMI cables over the next several years. These new advanced formats that adapt to interference and other signal problems may become mainstream.

7. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is gaining exposure and popularity in many technologies, so it is not surprising to see it finding its way into the CEDIA/Connected Technologies market. Various companies offered new products or accessories using the cloud for storage and/or program creation. For example, one company showed a control technology built completely on the cloud that generates a custom application for execution on a smart phone or tablet.

8. Lighting Control

With the continuing growth in energy awareness, affordability and high aesthetic appeal, lighting control, including shades and blinds continues to enjoy rapid growth development. New LED fixtures and various LED lamp modules with color temperatures similar to incandescent lamps will continue to replace standard filament lamps using much less energy for the same lumen output. Prices are significantly higher for these technologies, but should decrease over time.

9. Bigger and Better Pictures

It’s always been easy to make a big picture with a projector, but a big, clear picture is another thing. Both projectors and flat screens continue to get bigger, clearer, brighter, thinner, and less expensive, combine this with 4K technology and you truly have the ultimate home cinema experience.

10. The 3-D Evolution

Still a little reluctant to fully take off – Will this be the year? Much advancement has taken place in the last year; demos at CEDIA were (mostly) very well done. Active 3-D glasses seemed to produce the best experience, but advancements with passive glasses continue. Did you check out the glasses free 3-D? Still in its infancy though, it can really only be seen in hand-held gaming consoles.

11. 4K Revolution

The very technology apparent at the NAB show early this year, 4K Resolution, has found its way to the CEDIA dealer via projectors and flat screens from a number of prestigious vendors. Great looking pictures with 4K media, but the increased resolution cannot be enjoyed until a 4K Blu-ray hits the market, although whispers of such a device can be heard, nothing has been shown just yet.

12. The Big Ones are Jumping In

As the industry matures, and the market expands to the masses, large companies are taking note. Visiting the show were large manufacturers and utilities. Look for their increased involvement in the next year.

About the Authors:

Helen M. Heneveld is President of Bedrock Learning a recognized provider of online training and educational materials for the technology installation industry. Contact her at helen@bedrocklearning.com.

Ron Borsenik, has 40 years of experience in both commercial and residential systems integration. He is the CTO/Senior Instructor at Bedrock Learning, Inc. Contact him at ron@bedrocklearning.com.

PDF of Article – http://www.bedrocklearning.com/pdf_files/articles/CEDIA_Recap2011.pdf

Thank you rAVE Publications for this great video!

To learn more about the Bedrock Vortal visit www.bedrocklearning.com/vortal

Featured training modules for partners include IR learning and iTach WiFi tutorials

Indianapolis, IN and Jacksonville, OR, USA — September 8, 2011 — (CEDIA Booth #3962) Global Caché, the leading independent manufacturer of IP and WiFi connectivity products for the control and automation market, announced today the launch of its new online training portal. The new training portal, accessible at www.globalcache.com/training, is targeted at partners interested in both introductory and advanced company and product education.

The new Global Caché learning management system has several useful features for distributors, dealers/installers, and strategic alliance partners:

• No software to install or learn – start learning right away
• Self-paced, interactive learning environment
• Available anywhere, anytime
• Completely free to partners
• Certificate of Completion
• Product and company training modules

About Global Caché, Inc.

Global Caché is dedicated to producing state-of-the-art products that enable technology in homes and businesses. Our award-winning GC-100 Network Adapter provides the means for network-based automation and management software to access, control, and deliver services in a networked environment to diverse and previously unconnected devices and appliances. In addition, Global Caché provides an IR learner, winner of the prestigious CEPro Product of the Year award for IP-enabling, an IR blaster, sensors, receivers, and conversion cabling to connect previously unconnected systems to a network. Global Caché sells through distributors, VARs, and OEMs. For more information on Global Caché and our products and services or to place an order, visit online at www.globalcache.com and www.globalcache.com/facebook or call us at 541-899-4800.

Original Post on Global Cache Website – http://www.globalcache.com/press-releases/pr-trainin/

Holland, Mich. - Bedrock Learning, one of the leading connected home and commercial training providers, has been invited by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) to present attendees to the MEGA 2011 Fall Show with an informative educational session on the “Connected Home.” The MEGA 2011 Fall Show is a three-day conference, held August 25-28 in Nashville, Tenn., hosted by national buying group, MEGA Group USA. The event brings together retailers and resellers with many of the biggest suppliers in appliances, furniture, electronics, lawn and garden, and home specialty.

“We look forward to illustrating how attendees can capitalize on the growing demand for connectivity within a home system,” said Helen Heneveld, president of Bedrock Learning. “There is an ever-growing demand for services, products and installation of systems that utilize a home network for complete control and we’re proud to have been asked by the CEA to help demonstrate how attendees to the show can increase sales through that opportunity.”

The team at Bedrock Learning will educate attendees at the show on all aspects of the “Connected Home”; from electronics and appliances, to audio/video and lighting systems. The fast-paced session will demonstrate the opportunities the Connected Home offers retailers and resellers and help them identify easy and efficient steps for successful business growth through the category. Attendees will gain an understanding of how they can leverage the personal relationship they already have in place with customers and increase sales of other sub-systems.

The 20-minute Connected Home session will be presented at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 27^th and at 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 28^th at the CEA booth on the show floor. Seating will be limited so attendees are encouraged to show up on-time or reserve a seat in advance by contacting Bedrock Learning at 616-355-1418.

About Bedrock Learning

Bedrock Learning solves your training needs with online curriculum for the connected technologies industry. Developed by industry experts, courses deliver the principles of technology systems: Structured Wiring, Multi-Room Audio, Home Theater, Lighting Control, Networking, and Security and Access Control.  Online courses are convenient and available 24/7, allowing students to work at their own pace. Installers, salespeople, customer support and other professionals learn while quizzes/final tests provide knowledge verification. For over 20 years, companies have come to rely on Bedrock Learning because of student success and their ability to help drive business performance. Visit www.bedrocklearning.com or call 616.355.1418 to explore the possibilities.

Media Contact:

Brianna Bachrach | brianna@bedrocklearning.com | 616.355.1418

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