Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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General
Who is AutoPatch?Founded in 1989, AutoPatch manufactures high performance audio, video, and digital signal switching and routing equipment and accessories. Systems are available in both standard and custom configurations. The company is headquartered in Cheney, Washington, located just outside Spokane.
In what type of installations are AutoPatch products found?
With products currently installed in thousands of installations worldwide, AutoPatch is a trusted cornerstone in a variety of installations including hotel, entertainment, commercial, residential, military and medical applications.
Why did AMX acquire AutoPatch?
- AMX is committed to best-in-breed partnerships with manufacturers such as AutoPatch whose products are used in the majority of installations where AMX control systems are also used. By combining the advanced capabilities and product lines of two industry leaders, we are providing customers with greater flexibility, more options for their installations, and easier integration.
- Overall customer satisfaction with AMX solutions is increased by now having a single point of programming and support for systems that integrate AutoPatch products.
- Integrators can choose to represent the entire AMX family of products, or only specific product lines; they will not be required to represent the entire AMX family.
- AutoPatch products will continue to operate with a variety of manufacturers’ control systems
- AMX control systems will continue to operate with a variety of manufacturers’ switchers and routers
- Customers can continue to buy AutoPatch switchers, regardless of whether a control system is needed.
- AutoPatch’s employee knowledge base, talent and experience in the areas of product design, implementation and support of intelligent switching platforms will move AMX to the forefront of this very critical area for overall systems operation.
How does this acquisition affect AMX partners?
AMX values our relationships with all of our InConcert manufacturer partners, and we will continue working with them to develop modules for future products, including those that may compete with our AutoPatch solutions; just as we do today for our Endeleo and RADIA product lines.
What is the dollar value of the deal?
AMX is a privately-held company and does not disclose the financial details of acquisitions.
Employee Communication
Will there be changes to AutoPatch’s management team as a result of the merger of XN (AutoPatch) and AMX?Al Hale, the founder and President of AutoPatch, is retiring from his day-to-day responsibilities to concentrate on XN Avionics. XN Avionics is a business that Al started which focuses its attention on the refurbishment of airplanes. Al will now be able to spend time on his life-long love of flying. Al will continue to consult with AMX for the next two years and is interested in staying in touch with AutoPatch employees.
Phil Hale is now stepping down to be able to concentrate on his other business interests. Phil has a long-standing relationship with AMX through CentricAV, AMX’s Manufacturing Rep in the Northwest. Al and Phil’s leadership has led to the successful completion and integration of AutoPatch into AMX.
Chris Hale will continue to work with AMX and help transition the AutoPatch manufacturing operations for a new and broader generation of products within the AMX family. In this new role, Chris will be helping us rapidly prepare the outstanding people and resources in Cheney for future growth.
Who will manage the AutoPatch Group after the acquisition?
AutoPatch will become an integrated part of AMX. Steve Anderson, Scott Dhaenens and David Passey will become the management team for the AutoPatch Group worldwide. Steve Anderson will be the on-site General Manager reporting to Robert Noble. Scott Dhaenens will continue to run Sales and Marketing, which will be called the AutoPatch Market Development Group. David Passey will continue to be responsible for Research & Development. Chris Hale and the operations group will report into the AMX operations team under Harold Hickey.
Will there be layoffs after the acquisition?
AMX is excited about the people who make up AutoPatch. The goal of the acquisition is to grow this group aggressively over the coming years. With this there will be increased investments in R&D and operations. Although we cannot guarantee future employment or predict business requirements with certainty, no positions have been identified for layoffs at this time.
Will current AMX employees or new hires take over existing jobs at AutoPatch?
AutoPatch employees join the AMX family. We expect that AutoPatch employees will see new and expanded career opportunities, not less. AutoPatch employees are now AMX employees and we are all members of the same family.
Where will AutoPatch employees work after the acquisition?
As part of the acquisition, AMX has leased the current AutoPatch building for the next five years, with the option to renew for another five years. We see room for expansion within the current environment and are not looking to move the headquarters of the AutoPatch Group.
Sales & Support Operations
Who is my AutoPatch sales representative in the U.S.?All of the current AMX direct sales and manufacturer’s sales representatives will begin selling AutoPatch products as of December 4, 2006. A list of sales representative contact information by territory can be found on the AMX Website at http://www.amx.com/contactamx/. Customer Service, Tech Support and other relevant company contact information can also be found at this link.
Who is my AutoPatch sales representative internationally?
A number of AMX’s dealers and distributors currently offer the AutoPatch product line. We expect to see new distribution to be established in new territories and we will be evaluating the entire sales channel over the next few weeks. For information about a dealer or distributor near you please contact the International Sales Management Team at + 1-469-624-7400 or on the AMX Website at http://www.amx.com/contactamx/.
Who is my sales rep if I am a dealer who already carries both the AMX and AutoPatch product lines?
AutoPatch dealers who are already AMX dealers will experience no change in process or sales contacts and will continue to have access to both lines.
If I am a AutoPatch dealer, but not an AMX dealer, will I automatically become an AMX dealer? Who is my new sales representative?
For those AutoPatch dealers who are not AMX dealers, they will be contacted by their prospective regional AMX sales representatives to discuss establishment of a dealer relationship with AMX. Dealers can also go to http://www.amx.com/contactamx/ to find the sales rep in their territory.
Dealers can choose to represent the entire AMX family of products, or only specific product lines, such as AutoPatch; they will not be required to represent the entire AMX family.
Do AMX and AutoPatch have any of the same existing dealers?
Yes, many AutoPatch dealers are already AMX dealers.
What about Crestron Dealers who want to buy AutoPatch?
AutoPatch products will continue to operate with Crestron control systems. If the dealer chooses to carry only Crestron control systems, the dealer has the option of only representing AutoPatch switcher products.
Products
How will AutoPatch and its products be branded after the acquisition?The AutoPatch organization will be fully integrated into AMX and will no longer operate as a separate company. With the acquisition, AMX will have a new product family called “AutoPatch.” All of AutoPatch’s current products will now carry an AMX logo but will maintain their current brand model names.
What will be the product warranty policy for AutoPatch products?
AutoPatch’s current warranty policy will remain in place through the end of 2006 with all current installations being grandfathered under the current warranty. Moving forward, we will be transitioning the product portfolio to AMX’s standard warranty policy.
How will the products be priced?
AutoPatch’s current pricing structure will remain in place.
Will AMX sell all of the currently available AutoPatch products?
AMX will continue to offer all of the AutoPatch products sold today with the goal of implementing product lifecycle management procedures similar to AMX’s other product lines.
When will training be available on these products?
AMX will offer product overview training available during the week of December 4 and will integrate it into our existing classes. Look for AutoPatch OnDemand courses inside AMX University beginning January 2, 2007. Courses include Modula CatPro, Optima, and PrecisLT w/DSP. For more information, visit http://www.amx.com/training and click the Enter AMX University link.
What types of matrix switchers does AutoPatch offer?
Precis Series
The Precis Series is designed to incorporate the convenience of a fixed matrix switcher with the features, specifications and signal choices of our larger lines. Our LT models are designed for small to mid-range applications including home theater, boardrooms, sports bars, video conferencing, retail, security and portable command-control centers.
The new PrecisLT with DSP provides the ultimate solution for distributed audio. With robust features like a 10-band graphic equalizer, input gain, volume, tone, and balance control, the new PrecisLT with DSP provides for exact customization of each output to support the attributes of the room or zone. Now that's a matrix switcher with personality.
The Precis Series 6x2 CAT-5 model routes and converts six S-video + stereo inputs out to two CAT-5 outputs for distribution up to 1000 feet. Also available in 6x2 S-video + stereo all over S-video / RCA connectors. To counteract the common problem of S-video connectors pulling out, AutoPatch offers locking S-video cables.
The Precis HT is designed to route and distribute composite, component (including Y/Pb/Pr and HDTV), analog audio, and digital audio. The digital audio section supports both TosLink and S/PDIF and converts between them. All Precis HT models come standard with volume control.
1Y Series
The 1Y Series is a customizable system allowing for as many as four signal types, up to 16x16 per signal type in the same system. Applications include boardrooms, video arraignment systems, security applications, education and residential.
Optima Series
The Optima is designed with a platform base on which more than 15 signal types can be stacked. It can easily handle the signal diversity of an entire installation, replacing multiple small routers. Ideal for any mid range routing application including sports bars, meeting rooms, education and government facilities.
Modula Series
With Modula, simply build your system in increments of 4 inputs and/or outputs (up to 32x32) in each available signal type. Multiple signal types can be combined in the same enclosure (as space allows) or in the same system via linking enclosures. With routing boards built into the enclosure, I/O boards simply slide into place as needed to increase matrix size at the time of purchase, or in the field.
The Modula Skewed enclosures are the most cost-effective solution for systems with very uneven I/O requirements. With routing boards built into the enclosure, I/O boards simply slide into place as needed to increase matrix size at the time of purchase, or in the field. And, as with all Modula systems multiple signal types in various I/O ranges can be combined in the same system.
The Modula Series 4 is designed to route RGBHV over HD-15 connections. A single 4 rack unit enclosure can hold up to 32x32 RGBHV at 1/2 the cost of the traditional BNC model. For even more flexibility audio boards, and video boards using traditional BNC connectors, can be combined in the same enclosure (as space allows), or in the same system via linking enclosures.
The Modula CatPro can receive, route, and transmit uncompressed RGBHV + stereo over category cable without worrying about exact cable measurements or readjusting gain, peak, and skew when routing signal paths of various lengths.
8Y-3000 Series
The 8Y-3000 is a dependable, high-performance solution for large signal routing applications. It is a trusted cornerstone in many sports facilities, entertainment venues and mission critical command-control centers.
Epica Series
The Epica Series is the perfect solution for large scale, high-performance signal routing, or for smaller scale routing that requires large growth capability. The Epica-128 and Epica-256 are modular, allowing system designers to start as small as 16 inputs/outputs, and scale the system up to a full 256x256 per signal type. The Epica Series is a dependable high performance solution for mission critical applications.