Category Archives: Technology
Caring For Your Action Camera
Modern HD action cameras are designed to withstand some of the most extreme environments on earth, from dirt and dust to snow and water. However, despite their capabilities action cameras are not invincible and will require a degree of manual care and consideration in order to maximise their lifespan.
The vast majority of camera care comes down to simple common sense, from things as basic as dont take it under water without a case on to keep it clean. Much of the following advice may sound obvious, but it should not be overlooked.
Protect your camera from the elements
An action cameras job is to capture footage in situations that a standard video camera would not cope with. Be it tearing though the Sahara at 100mph, snowboarding in a blizzard or cycling through three feet of mud, there will be an action camera up to the job. However, such hostile environments bring with them a number of harmful elements.
Water – too much exposure to water can be extremely harmful to certain cameras, but apply the appropriate casing and water and video can become a match made in heaven. From watersports themselves, to cycling in heavy rain, its essential to apply a waterproof case to your camera. GoPro HD users may wish to use the GoPro HD Waterproof Housing and Drift owners could use the Drift Waterproof Case. So if you are planning on getting wet, be sure to invest in a suitable means of water protection for your action camera.
Shock – action by name and action by nature, action cameras would not be action cameras if they werent subject to a degree of physical strain. While a camera mounted in the relative safety of a car will not require protection, an action camera mounted on the handlebars of a MotoX bike will be subject to regular batterings. To protect an action camera from severe impact, invest in purpose built protective casing designed to take the punishment of off-road racing. GoPro users should look no further than the GoPro Race Case.
Dirt and dust – many extreme sports, such as mountain biking will carry a degree of exposure to dirt or dust which can cause damage to a cameras lens. If partaking in a particularly dirty sport, apply the same principles as above by using a protective case where necessary.
Keep it clean
When you have finished using your action camera take time to clean it, paying particular attention to the casing and the lens. First, carefully remove any shards of rock or sand that could scratch the lens. Then using a damp lens cloth remove any other dirt from the area. To clean the casing, carefully work a damp cloth across the body until all grime is removed.
Even if your camera isnt caked in mud, it still pays to wash it with clean water as salt water or dust sitting on the camera can cause damage over time. Also be sure to regularly clean any casing or holdalls that could contain dirt, dust or rocks.
Use a suitable mount
Be sure to use a mount that has been designed for the task at hand. For example, if going surfing, be sure to invest in a specific surf mount that will keep your camera fixed securely to your board. If you dont then you may find your camera at the bottom of the ocean. Likewise, if attaching a camera to the bars of a Superbike, use a mount that will withstand wind impact at high speeds.
Also, be sure to invest in mounts that are designed for your brand of action camera. For example, if using GoPro HD, use purpose built GoPro mounts rather than that of another brand.
Modern action cameras, such as the GoPro HD, Drift HD or Bullet HD are all designed to withstand the strains associated with action sports, but it doesnt hurt to apply an extra level of protection. Take good care of your action camera and you could still be using it in many, many years to come.
Wholesale Distributors Meeting 21st Century Challenges
Expanding Services Margin Upside
Product margins vary for Wholesale Distributors, based on products, territories, and their own efficiencies. But clearly, service margins are usually much higher. Along with outsourcing, manufacturers are also closing branch offices and service depots. Businesses don’t want the head count or the challenges associated with the resource management of diverse and remote facilities, logistics, and people.
That represents the upside for the wholesale distributor! Local market knowledge, the strength and weakness of the product catalog, and insight can be provided into the types of services that customers need. Today, many brand companies clearly know that their channel partners are the ‘sales and service arms’ of their companies. And many have put large investments in place, from sales training to product installation, repair training and certification.
For call centre management, this capability can also be leveraged to support clients’ businesses. Again, instead of making the WD just a cost centre to manage customer interactions, it can become another service and a source of revenue.
Manufacturing services are playing a great part in the distributor’s business model. From light ‘kitting’ and assembly to custom value-added-reseller (VAR) services, the proximity to customer markets, again, allows the WD to open discussion on these higher margin activities. Once the WD is in the ‘manufacturing game,’ customer-specific services such as configuration management, pre-loaded software and installation can all be done.
Diversity and Multi-channel
A big challenge for the WD is managing diverse methods for customer sales and self-service options, often called multi-channel. This is the ability to provide a ‘single face to the customer’ regardless of their preferred shopping methoddirect sales, web, catalog, phone or showroom. Often, established customers use multiple channels. This is a huge issue if the processes, system and business tools can’t identify this customer and assure that all the appropriate services and agreements are instantly known. Does the sales person in the showroom know that this customer is entitled to a 30% discount? Does the system know that this customer, when ordering on-line, has higher priority when allocating scarce product? Can the 3rdparty warehouse have access to all the proper labeling and shipping information?
Foundationally, today’s WDs should be old pros at this type of challenge. Right?
Added to this are the complexity and diversity of the services, priorities, pricing, and ‘deals’ unique to each customer. In addition to providing transparency in sales and fulfillment, the WD’s business accounting software and billing system has to be precise, productive and transparent to the customer. Too often WDs are filled with paper tracking down pricing complaints, dealing with charge-back and settlements with customers, with no audit trail of transactions and service add-ons. Making the sale, only to lose margins in poor paperwork and ‘give backs’ to customers, who clearly did not really earn those discounts, is an all too familiar story. Diversity can cost. But it doesn’t have to be that way.