Product Manager (October 2018 - June 2021)
DVIGear develops professional audiovisual solutions including fiber optic extenders and AV-over-IP technology for enterprise and broadcast applications. During my tenure, I led complete product development across all product lines while driving adoption of emerging SDVoE technology.
The Startup Reality
DVIGear was a small company trying to compete in the professional AV space against much larger players like Crestron and Extron. Our advantage had to come from innovation and agility, not resources or market presence.
When I joined, the company faced several challenges:
DisplayNet Control Server ran on Windows desktop OS, creating reliability and licensing issues
Limited presence in emerging AV-over-IP market
Minimal software development structure or quality control
Small team wearing multiple hats across hardware and software development
Strategic Initiatives
1. Platform Modernization: Windows to Linux Migration
THE TECHNICAL PROBLEM
Our DisplayNet AV-over-IP products ran on Windows 10 Pro - a desktop OS being used as a server platform. This created multiple issues:
Windows updates would restart systems mid-operation, disrupting AV control
Windows Server licenses were expensive for our price-sensitive market
Desktop OS couldn't efficiently utilize server-class hardware
Customers questioned stability for mission-critical AV applications
MY SOLUTION
I architected a complete migration to embedded Linux, which required:
Chose Ubuntu Server as base, customized for AV workloads
Migrated DisplayNet software stack to Linux environment
Extensive compatibility testing across different hardware configurations
RESULTS
Removed Windows Server licensing requirements
Eliminated forced reboots and system instability
Mini server variant opened new market segments
Lower costs and higher reliability improved market position
2. SDVoE Technology Leadership
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE) represented the future of professional AV - replacing proprietary AV matrices with standard Ethernet infrastructure. As an early-stage technology, there was opportunity for a small company to influence standards and gain market presence.
MY APPROACH
TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Several features we developed became part of the broader SDVoE specification, giving DVIGear influence disproportionate to our size in the industry standards process.
EVANGELISM EXAMPLES
Examples of my technical evangelism work for SDVoE and DVIGear's DisplayNet platform:
Software-Defined Multi-Viewer Technical Presentation
Technical deep-dive explaining SDVoE's programmable video processor, custom canvas capabilities, and real-world implementations including mixed-resolution monitoring and KVM dual-display solutions.
Industry Article: AV Meets IT
Strategic interview discussing AV-over-IP performance expectations, positioning SDVoE's uncompressed approach against traditional compressed systems, and addressing market education opportunities in the emerging technology space.
MARKET IMPACT
In emerging AV-over-IP market
Through technical expertise and education
Through early innovation and feedback
As innovation leader despite resource constraints
3. Development Process Infrastructure
THE PROCESS PROBLEM
DVIGear had grown organically without formal software development processes. This created issues with:
No systematic testing before releases
No tracking of code changes or version control discipline
Ad-hoc release processes created customer confusion
Lack of documentation and standards
MY SOLUTION
Implemented lightweight but effective development infrastructure:
Established Git workflows and branching strategies
Created testing checklists and validation procedures
Standardized release notes and customer communication
Required technical documentation for new features
RESULTS
Through systematic testing
With more reliable releases
Through better change management
Through reduced debugging and rework
Cross-Functional Leadership
Beyond product management, I wore many hats at DVIGear:
Technical Sales & Customer Engagement
- •Primary technical resource for complex customer deployments
- •Led product demonstrations at major trade shows (ISE, InfoComm)
- •Conducted remote and on-site technical training sessions
- •Served as escalation point for challenging technical questions
Marketing & Content
- •Created technical documentation and white papers
- •Developed trade show booth concepts and presentations
- •Produced video content for SDVoE Alliance and customer education
- •Designed marketing materials and product labeling
Hardware Development
- •Specified mechanical requirements for enclosures and rack-mount kits
- •Coordinated with external manufacturers for custom hardware development
- •Managed small-scale CAD work and 3D printing for prototypes
Market Challenges & Strategic Lessons
Industry Reality Check
The professional AV market proved challenging for small innovators. Success required not just good technology, but:
- Sales channel relationshipsthat took years to develop
- Integration partner networksthat preferred established vendors
- Price competitionfrom larger players with volume advantages
Strategic Insights
- Innovation alone isn't enoughDistribution and relationships matter as much as technology
- Early adoption has costsBeing first to market with new technology requires customer education and patience
- Resource allocation mattersSmall teams need to be very strategic about where they invest effort
Technical Learning
- Platform decisions have long-term consequencesThe Linux migration paid dividends for years
- Standards participation requires sustained commitmentInfluencing industry direction takes time and consistency
- Customer feedback drives innovationBest features came from solving real customer problems