Grant's Perspective on ... How many AV technicians does it take to change a light bulb?????
Only
one, but first (tongue planted firmly in cheek)...
The tech takes twice as long to get there because the boardroom with the projector that needs the lamp changed is located in downtown Anycity, it's rush hour, and that is the only time the client had the room available for service. An extra
20 minutes.
The Tech can't find parking....streets are closed due to construction, parking lots are full ...... another
10 minutes.
Upon arrival the room in unavailable. Despite being booked at this time for this service call, someone saw the previous meeting ending and took over the room. The tech eventually hears, "They'll only be about 15 minutes. You can wait right?" Another
30 minutes.
Upon entry into the room the tech learns the projector can't be removed from its' mount as someone has decided to install security screws to keep other employees from removing the projector to take home to watch "the game". Another
15 minutes for the receptionist to call the person who knows who the person is, who has the tool required to remove the security screws. However that person learns the tool isn't stored where they thought it was - another
6 minutes.
Time to replace the projector lamp. But look in the lamp box, there is a notice from the manufacturer advising the firmware of the projector must be upgraded to accommodate the new energy efficient lamp they are now using. OK that's a good thing to be Green. So now, back to the truck to get the laptop so the tech can go to the manufacturers website and download the firmware -
10 minutes up & down the elevator, to & from the truck.
Time to download the new firmware but the Tech can't use the LAN in the boardroom due to security reasons and the wireless connection required a security key - the IT guy wasn't found anywhere -
15 minutes.
Finally the Tech saves some time due to being well prepared by having the special cable required to connect the laptop to the projector. Pass GO and collect $200.00! But then the tech checks both the work and home e-mail accounts and then Facebook to see what's new before shutting off the laptop. (The Tech feels justified as it's another day without lunch) Another
4 minutes.
The projector lamp is now in and the projector installed in the mount. The CEO pops in and thanks the tech for coming down on short notice and requests a system test to ensure the entire system is functioning for a meeting occurring first thing the next day. Understood - piece of mind is a good thing. The CEO goes to get the person who will be having that meeting, and their laptop. Another
10 minutes.
They realize they do not have an interconnect cable to connect their laptop to the input on the table. There isn't a cable in the room as it must have "walked off". The tech offers his own cable but he donated it to someone at another company who didn't have a cable and was about to start a meeting. Another
10 minutes to find someone who should have a cable. The only other employee now remaining in the office is the Marketing Guy (very strange indeed) - he uses an iMac desktop and therefore doesn't have a cable. One is eventually found in a closet. Another
5 minutes.
The thorough Tech checks the audio as well. No Audio. The laptop works and the control system reads 80% on the volume control. Back in the equipment rack the Tech discovers someone has re-routed some cables. The Tech wonders if the person who did this has ever gone under the hood of their car and re-routed various hoses and wires. What seemed like only 1 minute was actually another
10 minutes.
The system now works and therefore time to go. But first the Tech must listen to the story about how the guest speaker at the last AGM wore their lapel mic into the washroom and everyone heard "everything". Another
10 minutes Back at the ranch your manager wants to know why it took so much more time than what the service charge is for replacing a projector lamp. Another
10 minutes....
Total time to replace a lamp -
166 minutes!Coming soon, why did the Tech cross the road?
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