How we do?

SERVICES OVERVIEW
Over the years, we have learned that each infrastructure project is unique. As a result, we have developed a phased approach to infrastructure projects that meets your objectives, maximizes your resources, and saves you time and money.

Our methodology has been successfully implemented for high profile clients in a broad spectrum of industries throughout the Turkey, Middle East, Asia and Globally. Acting as your client advocate, we take full ownership of your project and provide the leadership, management, and technical skills necessary for the successful design and construction of technology physical infrastructure projects.
Phased Methodology
TOPUZDAG s methodology differentiates itself from standard legacy methods of consulting. Because each project has different objectives and each client has unique resources, we have found that a phased approach is most efficient and cost-effective.
Phase One: 
Needs Assessment 
Define Audio needs
(Identify existing Audio equipment and analyze if this equipment can be re-used)
Create design input on any existing or new furniture to be used as part of Audio scope
Define corporate Audio Standards
Establish equipment and service requirements  
Design & Planning
Pathways for Audio cabling
Audio Electrical Requirements (including mounting heights)
Seismic Requirements for Audio Racks and/or Ceiling Mounted Equipment
Budget for Audio Cabling, Systems and Equipment
Cost Savings Options and Value Engineering
Timeline Development and Scheduling
Audio Equipment Schedule  
Phase Two: 
Project Management
Single Point of Contact
Project Plan and Milestones
Manage Audio
Develop Bid Reference Audio Package
Requests for Proposal (RFP)
Bid Management and Contract Negotiation
Update Audio Package to For Construction
Provide Leadership and Extensive coordination with IT and Facilities Department, Architect, General Contractor, Cabling Contractors, Audio Contractor, Security Contractor, and Other Trades Involved in the Project.
Contract Administration
Contract Reconciliation and Cost Control
Compliance with Timelines
We show the contractors the exact rack positions for each equipments.
Audio Cut-Over Support
Audio Equipment Relocation Management
Managing Testing of Audio Systems
Participate in Client Training on Audio Systems
Vendor Contract Reconciliation
Create As-Built Drawings
Deliverables
Audio Installation Project Plan, Schedule, and Implementation Plan
Audio Installation and Equipment RFP
Close-Out Binder, Warranties, Service Agreements and Contacts List
Bid Reference Audio Drawings
For Construction Drawings
Audio Equipment Schedule
Bidders Matrix
Cost Tracking
Audio Training
As-Built Drawings
Audio Budgets
 

Why we do?

Introduction
Media (such as Audio, video, and multimedia) are playing an increasingly important role in exhibit, themed, and architectural environments. From Houses of worship and Mosques to conference centers and great buildings, sophisticated audio systems are more and more prevalent. These technologies are changing so rapidly that one year often represents one or two generations of products!
Further, these are no longer separate systems. There is often need to integrate the various media technologies into a seamless unit, and interactivity is becoming a common requirement.
Often, vendors and manufacturers will offer technical consulting services whereby they will design an audio system for you ? often at little or no apparent charge. These designs, of course, always incorporate only products they sell. Under these circumstances, the vendor or manufacturer has a clear conflict of interest. We contend that your interests are better served by hiring an independent Audio design consultant to design and specify a system to give you the best possible results, the greatest flexibility, and the best value for your money.
Audio consulting is typically provided by:
An independent Audio Design Consultant,
or an installation contractor,
or an agent of a hardware manufacturer, vendor, or systems contractor/integrator.
There are very important differences between the first option and the last two ? you should consider your choice carefully: An independent design consultant has no ties or allegiances to any manufacturer or contractor.
They are employed by you, and the advice they give is entirely in your best interest. Any vendor, manufacturer, installer, or contractor that also provides consulting services has a clear conflict of interest. Salespeople as Technical Consultants Anyone who sells a product, is paid to sell that particular product that is how they earn their living. Would you really think that a salesperson will recommend products they do not sell? Which of two apparently similar items in a vendor?s stable of products do you think a salesperson is most likely to recommend ? the best product or the product with the highest commission (usually the most profitable product) Calling a salesman by a different name such as a "sales engineer" or "sales consultant" does not change their function or goals ? they are ultimately driven by the profit motive. Whenever a vendor or manufacturer offers ?free? technical consulting, consider the possibility that these services may not really be free (i.e.: the cost is buried elsewhere). Remember the old axiom, you never get something for nothing.? Worse still, consider the vendor that charges you a fee to design a system on which they will also receive the sales or installation profits ? talk about a win-win situation for the contractor. The bottom line is that whoever designs your system will be paid for this service, and they will be paid by you - one way or another. You should ensure that you (and only you) are paying the design consultant, thus ensuring that their design is driven by your best interests.

The Design Process
Technical design is a creative and dynamic process that should parallel the other design aspects of your project. Your Audio design consultant should become involved early in the project preferably at the conceptual stage. As part of your design team, this consultant will provide guidance on the practicality of various technical solutions and media technologies, present you with options and working budgets, and suggest alternative approaches. If your concept depends on cutting-edge hardware, advice on the risks inherent in early adoption of these particular technologies will be provided.

Your consultant will continue to work with your team to refine the agreed-upon design towards a clear definition
of the scope and quality of the finished audio-visual systems ? ensuring that they integrate with the other aspects
of your project. The consultant will research the best technologies and products to apply to your specific situation. At this point, the Audio budgets will generally be refined and finalised.

The design consultant will also provide electrical power and conduit needs to your electrical engineer, and specify heating loads and special ventilation requirements to your mechanical engineer. Your consultant will then prepare the working drawings and technical specifications needed to obtain competitive bids and to instruct the contractor. Alternatively, your consultant will prepare a stand-alone bid package for your audio-visual and media systems as a separate contract. In addition, they can help you pre-qualify bidders and evaluate bids.

Relying on a contractor or manufacturer to design your systems is not a good idea. Vendors and contractors make their profit by selling and installing equipment. Unfortunately, the equipment they are authorised to sell may not be the best choice for your particular application. Even amongst the brands that a vendor sells, there will
be those that are more profitable than others. It is only natural for a salesperson to try to talk you into the most profitable option, rather than the best option. The bottom line is that contractors, vendors, and manufacturers have a clear conflict of interest. In fact, no one should design or specify systems that they will supply or install. Who will monitor and accept their work Who will hold up payment until deficiencies are corrected?

The Installation Phase
Retaining your design consultant?s services during the installation phase protects your design investment. Contractors will sometimes cut corners, and without a technical project representative looking out for your interests, the installed system may not be what was designed. Without an Audio consultant, how can you be sure that the installation meets the specifications and performs as it should? Without your consultant reviewing the contractor?s work, how will you know if there are deficiencies this needs to be known before the contractor is paid.
During the construction phase, your audio  consultant can help develop an installation schedule to which the Audio contractor will commit. The consultant will periodically review the site work to ensure that the equipment is being installed to best professional practice and required standards, that the cabling and equipment meet the required safety standards and approvals, and to identify any potential schedule conflicts or slippages. Your consultant will review applications for payment by the Audio contractor, and advise you whether or not to pay the amounts claimed. Once the Audio contractor claims Substantial Completion, your consultant will review the installation, perform acceptance testing, and prepare a deficiency report. Your consultant will continue to monitor the ?wind down? of the installation; supervise commissioning; review the project record drawings and required documentation; and review the warranty certificates. Your consultant will not issue a final certificate of payment to the Audio contractor until all contractual obligations have been met. This approach is all too often the only way that system documentation and staff training are ever completed.

The Cost
A poorly implemented media system will hamper communication and presentation, rather than enhance them. The audio design consultant?s services increase the value of your project by developing a design that is tailored to your project?s present and future needs, and by monitoring the quality and workmanship of everything from equipment selection to final installation. The fees charged represent a surprisingly small percentage of the overall project budget. A common pitfall is to not include the Audio consultant?s fees in the global project budget from the beginning ? later in the project, when this oversight is recognized, there is seldom enough money available for a proper design. The solution: include the consultant s fees in your project budget from the beginning.

Summary
To be effective, the technical requirements of today?s construction and themed environments dictate that you routinely incorporate an independent Audio design consultant into your design team at the start of the project. Your consultant will work with your team to develop the technical solutions required to realize your concepts ?with as little compromise as possible. The audio consultant will prepare the technical drawings and specifications, co-ordinate these with the rest of the bid package, and help evaluate bids. During the installation, your Audio consultant will act as your on-site technical representative to ensure that the work is being performed as specified, to professional standards, and that all deficiencies are corrected before the Audio contractor is paid.

Ahmad Tekin TOPUZDAG provide a total solution to the audio visual, presentation, and media design aspects of your projects. We are completely independent of any audio-visual manufacturer, Audio equipment vendor, or Audio contractor. As consultants, we design and specify video, presentation, multimedia, audio systems. Our audio visual design projects have included: exhibits, expositions, ports, Mosques, museums, TV - radio stations, malls, conference facilities, sports arenas, and institutions. Our principal has over 20 years of audio design and consulting experience.