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DES helps NECA Service Network provide ongoing education DES joined Great Service Forums' Fred Sargent and Leticia Fedora for a webcast and podcast series that provides ongoing education to NECA Service Network members. Dec 6, 2018 PITTSBURGH — Dagostino Electronic Services’ Bob Dagostino and Heather Pelat joined Fred Sargent and Leticia Fedora of Great Service Forums for the recording of two webcasts and a podcast that will be shared with members of the newly created NECA Service Network . Powered by Great Service Forums , the NECA Service Network brings together leading electrical contracting firms from across the U.S. offering members exclusive access to educational resources to share with their employees. Electrical service managers have access to two 20-minute webcasts each month while two 10-minute podcasts are sent to service electricians. The topics of the webcasts and podcasts vary but are uniquely designed to provide professional instruction to service management teams. For his webcast, Dagostino, who founded DES in 1973, focused on the importance of knowledge as it pertains to customer relationships. “Knowledge is power,” Dagostino stated. “Knowing more about your customer than they do and knowing how your company fits into your customer’s overall goals can only benefit and give you a competitive edge.” Pelat, who manages social media and content for DES, discussed how electrical contractors can leverage social media to grow their businesses while giving customers a behind-the-scenes look at some of their company’s core values. In addition to the webcast and podcast, NECA Service Network subscribers have access to exclusive special events and national conventions to engage with subject matter experts, delving deeply into best practices and new discoveries related to service and maintenance. Read more and sign up at NECANet.org . Now Read These! South Fayette Fourth-Graders Design Smart City! READ

Dagostino Electronic Services honored among top workplaces in Pittsburgh for 2013 Dagostino Electronic Services, Inc. is truly honored to be recognized as a top workplace in Pittsburgh for 2013. Sep 26, 2013 PITTSBURGH — Dagostino Electronic Services, Inc. is truly honored to be recognized as a top workplace in the Pittsburgh area. We were mentioned among 85 companies with a workforce between 50 and 149 employees. We’re proud of this recognition mostly because the ranking directly reflected the opinions and feelings of our employees. ​ At Dagostino Electronic Services, Inc., we’re a passionate company. Passionate to provide top of the line technology integrations for businesses both large and small. The passion we have for serving our customers has trickled down into our internal operations as well. We’re a company that has followed our leadership in having passion for what we do, because we all love what we do. ​ Last night’s event, and the following publicity in today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for DES, was a culmination of the working culture our leadership strives to cultivate each and every day. This recognition serves as a motivator for DES to continue to strive to get better serving our customers, representing our community and fulfilling the desires of those we work with. Read more here . Now Read These! Designing for Technology Seminar at Heinz Field READ A Sweeping Security Transformation for Bellwood-Antis School District READ How About a Career in STEM? DES High School Booth Goes Virtual READ

We're All in the Same Boat! After a two-year hiatus, the DES Annual Party is back! Over 75 guests cruised up and down the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers on the Gateway Clipper. Oct 25, 2021 After a two-year hiatus, the DES Annual Party is back! Over 75 guests enjoyed a blustery day on the Gateway Clipper cruisin' up and down the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers. In keeping with the Fall theme, the tables were decked with seasonal orange and gold potted plants, while the buffet menu featured classic fare including rosemary roasted pork, honey carrots and pumpkin pie. The annual party brings both office staff and field techs together for a companiable event, and makes us feel that we are one big workplace family! Show More Now Read These! Building Strategies: How to Combine Sustainability & Technology to Reduce Facility Overheads READ "I Turned My Height Into Data!" READ DES Duo Nabs 3rd Place in Fortinet Security Challenge READ

Bridging the Digital Divide in Allegheny County In response to COVID-19 lockdowns, DES partners with Allegheny County to design and install free public Wi-Fi networks. Dec 30, 2020 Scott Hemphill, CIO of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) had long-eyed digital accessibility as a cornerstone of social welfare. So, when COVID-19 jolted the economy to a standstill in March 2020, what had been an indefinite pursuit was now an active necessity. “When people are forced to stay home, the economic impacts disproportionately carry through to the most vulnerable populations,” Scott explained. “In-home internet services can be difficult for families to both get and maintain. “They certainly can’t afford home internet. We have seen people fall behind on their monthly payments, which affects their credit history, which then prevents them from getting future services. It becomes a vicious cycle.” Indeed, there is a growing awareness that digital accessibility is more than a commercial resource but a basic human right. Without the internet, it is increasingly difficult to conduct daily business, such as paying bills, applying to jobs, and now with the pandemic, having access to virtual healthcare. When schools shut down in-person education for the duration of the 2020 school year, children without internet access were the hardest hit. On a public welfare level, there are doubtlessly negative repercussions on these children’s academic growth and future career opportunities. That urgency was front-of-mind for Scott and his team at DHS as they appealed to Allegheny County leadership for help funding a Digital Divide initiative. "We are extremely grateful that Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and the Allegheny County Council chose to allocate CARES Act funding towards a mission as important as bridging the Digital Divide,” acknowledged Scott. “This effort wouldn't be possible without their leadership and foresight to set the table for our success." Accepting these funds, however, constrained DHS to a strict deadline to implement a solution that would be in use before the end of December 2020. Considering the resources that were readily available and could have the broadest impact, DHS quickly realized that their own connectivity was the most powerful commodity they could share with their neighboring communities. They would simply build off the Wi-Fi network inside their buildings and flip it outwards to the public spaces. Alongside digital access, DHS also spearheaded a program to distribute digital devices. Cementing the initiative was their partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Community Technology Help Desk, which offers free technology support to Pittsburgh residents. Simple on paper, creating a grid of outdoor Wi-Fi networks is complex. Coverage must be negotiated against environmental obstacles, such as trees or concrete pillars. There are challenges with pinpointing the right location to install the access points and to provide wired connectivity on the backend to make the wireless work. In addition, such a network must have robust cybersecurity but not require significant personnel to manage. “We knew we needed a partner with experience providing outdoor Wi-Fi,” commented Scott on the DES partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Once we dug into the details, we were convinced that DES had the expertise and bandwidth to get the job done.” Greg DiFiore, DES networking operations manager, agreed with the challenge, “At their largest location in North Versailles, we designed the outdoor coverage to span 88,000 sq. ft. We use past experience and mapping software to analyze the signal strength across the space and position the Fortinet AP’s to optimize connectivity.” In total, DES will have designed and installed over 15 outdoor Wi-Fi networks. Locations include the CYF East Regional Office in Penn Hills, the Kingsley Community Center in East Liberty, and the Mon Valley CYF whose office is part of a McKeesport retail strip mall. That network covers the entire parking lot, servicing a steady stream of shoppers. “We plotted out our locations on a heat map to identify areas of high need and locations where people are already visiting,” detailed Mehgan Hawk, DHS project manager. “We have also published an interactive community Wi-Fi map that shows the amenities at each location – restrooms and benches.” In addition to designing the network, installing the cabling – and in some cases, installing fiber optic cabling, DES also partnered with DHS in selecting an efficient platform to manage the network. All networks are protected by Fortinet firewalls and are visible on a single pane of glass. The operator can easily see traffic trends, cyber threats and push new policies to each location with a single click. Bridging the digital divide is a necessary process, but not a particularly difficult one for those companies wishing to do so, reflected Scott Hemphill. Partnering with DES simplified the process of choosing hardware and software and turned the installation work into a turnkey operation. At the very least, this pandemic has put a spotlight on digital equity and advanced the message of internet access as a human right. DES is proud to have a role in narrowing the digital divide. For more information on our full scope of network solutions , please contact us. Now Read These! 5G Scores in the Steel City READ FRIDAY15: Penetrating Smart Cities with Dimonoff READ Unified Security for Public Safety: Erie Water Works READ

Immersive Audiovisual Exhibit Enhanced with Efficient Lighting A lighting upgrade saves the Heinz History Center 80% in energy usage. Feb 21, 2023 Immersive audiovisual experiences can also be energy efficient experiences. Our AV team has serviced the Senator John Heinz History Center for over a decade. In this exhibit upgrade, DES converted the lighting of the sporting exhibit from 575W fixtures to 50W fixtures saving the museum a whopping 80% in energy usage. Plus HVAC costs! The room was significantly cooler after the switch. Plus labor costs! These new bulbs from will last 50x longer - just think of the time-savings in replacing bulbs. Plus another Fun Fact! LED lighting does not contain the harsh UV spectrum that fades artwork. Special thanks to Gormley Farrington for their coordination with this lighting project Now Read These! DES Tech + wtec smartengine = Smart Building Success READ Smart Lighting and DES' Vision for Seamless Building Integration READ FRIDAY15: Smart Buildings with Karpinski Engineering READ

Smart security systems today Like most things, security in today's world is much more complex than putting up several cameras and crossing your fingers. Dec 18, 2012 One of the obvious ways to ensure your workplace or your organization is secure, is to place surveillance cameras throughout the area. But does that alone truly ensure your safety? Maybe. ​ But like most things, security in today’s world is much more complex than putting up several cameras and crossing your fingers. ​ You need a security system that you not only trust to function properly, but one that you trust to function intuitively. We found this video from one of our business partners Axis Communications that perfectly demonstrates a security system functioning properly and intuitively. At Dagostino Electronic Services, we have the security/surveillance technology available that meets both those necessary requirements. We have systems that run on a motion sensor basis; enabling both excellent surveillance and energy saving measures. We have systems that allow easy tracking functions to follow suspects in real-time. We have surveillance systems with easy-to-use features such as exporting capabilities, file downloads, and a 30-day history archive. ​ Our security surveillance technology can be fully integrated into your existing network, enabling a seamless transition into your workplace without wasting your valuable time and money. ​ Just putting up cameras may seem like the immediate answer. But that doesn’t ensure everything will be secure, at all times. What will ensure everything is secure is to call on a company that has a long history with working with this intuitive technology. You need a company that you can trust. Now Read These! New PCCD Grant Update: $100,000 Instant Funding for School Safety READ PCCD Grant Deadline: Plan for School Emergency Alerts Ahead of Alyssa’s Law READ Alyssa's Law: Strengthening Emergency Response in Pennsylvania Schools READ

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Live! Casino Technology Primed for Winning Action The newly opened Live! Casino in Westmoreland is a showstopper. The IT infrastructure is equally elaborate. Mar 4, 2021 The newly opened Live! Casino in Westmoreland is a showstopper. Over 750 slot machines and 30 table games line the casino floor; a dedicated FanDuel room plays livestream action for real-time betting; a four-lane bowling alley, ski-ball area, and a banquet room provides further entertainment. Hungry? Multiple bar areas, including food service by award-winning chef Guy Fieri, are primed to suit your palette. The network behind this 100,000 sq. ft. space of electrifying power is extraordinarily complex. DES was contracted to install the structured cabling and the Wi-Fi network. There is connectivity within every square foot of the casino. Here is a glimpse into the cabling infrastructure. First and foremost, the slot machines and table games: Each game has two separate networks that relays data to the casino itself and to the PA Gambling Control Board. Scoreboards, powered through Cat 6 cabling, create an interactive player experience for the bowling alley and ski-ball area. The FanDuel room is bandwidth-intensive due to its 8 livestream displays. DES installed 192 strands of single-mode fiber to support the streaming application. Fiber optics are also the backbone of the networked sound system since it can transmit sound across 600 ft. with virtually zero latency. Patrons at the casino can order menu items directly from tabletop iPads. Within a short while, they receive their delicious fare. This efficiency is made possible through a grid of 125 Bluetooth antennas located across the ceiling of the casino. When an order is placed, the patron’s location is relayed to Guy Fieri’s kitchen where food fulfillment is optimized according to order time and order location. For guests seated in the outdoor bar, a beer cart with point-of-sale connectivity, is well-stocked with beverages. The connected experience begins as the patron pull into the valet parking lot. The valet attendant inputs the patron’s vehicle details onto an outdoor computer station while the indoor concierge has access to the details. Security is uncompromising. Surveillance cabling connect 800 cameras to a centralized management system. Every door has a networked locking mechanism that can be controlled remotely. People counters, movement sensors and panic buttons are all part of the surveillance network. Now, step back and visualize the amount of cabling and complexity that makes this high-powered casino a live reality! DES was contracted through Clista Electric on this project. Mascaro Construction was the general contractor. Now Read These! 5G Scores in the Steel City READ Technology "Lives Well" at GNC READ WATCH: DES Techs Pull Fiber in Acrisure Stadium 5G Deployment READ

DES Tech + wtec = smartengine Success wtec smartengine deployment at DES is testament to decades of tech innovation Sep 19, 2024 In the winter of 2014, Dagostino Electronic Services moved its headquarters into an abandoned Pittsburgh elementary school in the Hays district of town. The 27,000 ft. facility had been shuttered for thirty years. Its structure was still solid and DES President and Founder, Bob Dagostino, saw potential in the building. With a penchant for showcasing innovation, Dagostino decided to equip the newly renovated conference room with a Redwood lighting system. Redwood Systems had made headlines earlier in 2010 with their launch of the first network-based technology for LED lighting and building performance systems. This would be a natural pairing for DES. Now in its 50th year of business, DES was founded as a telecommunications integrator, steadily expanding its offerings to the full gamut of building connectivity and technology. Traditional vs. Networked Lighting Systems Incandescent and fluorescent lights sit on an alternating current (AC) electrical grid. Much has been written about their energy inefficiencies: over 90% of energy is wasted as heat, with only 10% being converted to visible light. LED lighting, however, innovated the ability to power lighting through direct current (DC). To adapt an LED fixture to an AC circuit, each fixture must be fitted with an AC-DC transformer to change the current. These transformers are not durable, cannot withstand multiple power spikes and are typically the first part of the fixture to fail. The full benefits of LED cannot be realized when you must also change the fixtures every couple of years. Redwood Systems understood that more must be done to create true energy efficiency and was the first to innovate a DC-only dedicated system for lighting. They placed the AC-DC transformer inside a managed networking closet—not at the light fixture—and used high-quality components. Not only would cost savings be realized, but also a dedicated low-voltage system could then pave the way for data communication and a networked-based lighting system. Case in point: the LED fixtures in our conference room have never been changed since they were installed over 10 years ago! From Redwood to wtec Redwood Systems founded in 2008 was acquired by CommScope in 2013, and by wtec in 2016 with key expertise and innovations continuing through wtec’s smartengine, a low voltage lighting and sensor technology that built upon Redwood’s innovative legacy. Once again, Bob Dagostino was ahead of the curve, and installed smartengine throughout several zones of DES’ building. Each fixture is equipped with a smartsensor that detects light levels, temperature, motion, tracks power consumption, and also has the ability to generate and detect beacons. Most rooms have a wall controller with a built-in air quality sensor with data being able to feed a building’s BMS in real-time. Occupants in each room can dim or control the lights manually, or alternatively our facility director controls global and individual settings through the smartmanager dashboard. The fixtures and switches run back to the smartengine via cat6 cable, installed by DES low-voltage technicians. The smartdirector and smartengines, which provide the power and data capabilities to the lighting system, are wall mounted in a data rack. Why we like wtec With the smartengine system up and running, we get granular visibility and control over our lighting system. We can do pretty much anything we desire that is lighting-related, plus we have visibility into the real-time and historical sensor data. Scheduling: Lights turn off after the workday ends. Daylight Harvesting: Our legacy school building was built with very tall windows. When the sunlight streams indoors at midday, the smartsensors trigger the fixtures to dim accordingly. Circadian Rhythm: We have the option to calibrate the lighting levels according to optimal lighting for human productivity. Scene Setting: We can control lights according to specific zones. Motion Detection: The sensors graph out motion events. Air Quality Monitoring: The air sensors detect air pressure, humidity, CO2 levels, temperature, and VOC levels. Power Consumption: We can see energy usage in real-time and see the consumption decrease when all optimized settings are in effect. Most of all, though, our operators really appreciate the dashboard. They can check in and ensure the lights are off over the weekend, and get alerts if there is an unusual activity that requires more investigation. Smart Lighting as the Gateway to Smart Buildings As an advanced technology integrator, we are never satisfied with single siloed systems. Since smartengine communicates with other systems using standard networking protocols, we are already planning broader integrations with other building systems. The possibilities of integrations are numerous: BMS and HVAC: the smartsensor can relay current temperatures and occupancy to the building management system and have the HVAC adjust accordingly. Physical Security: when motion is detected, the lights can turn on and the security cameras start recording at a higher frame rate, providing operators with clarity when it matters most. Window Shades: Lighting and electronic shades can work in concert with the daylight sensors for optimal automated lighting. We are excited to offer the smartengine lighting solution to our clients—and of course, we invite people to see it for themselves in our renovated school-building HQ. Now Read These! Smart Lighting and DES' Vision for Seamless Building Integration READ FRIDAY15: Smart Buildings with Karpinski Engineering READ FRIDAY15: Data-Driven Buildings with KODE Labs READ

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