How a Technology Firm Pivoted During Unprecedented Times

	Starlite CEO Dean Danowitz with new temperature scanning and facial recognition technology recently added to their inventory in response to changing needs amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Moorestown, New Jersey-based Starlite Productions International, Inc. is making the most of the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. The company -- a local tech firm providing commercial audiovisual and lighting solutions for the performing arts, casinos, universities, retail, houses of worship, and high-profile events -- has uncovered a new niche to help their client's transition to reopen their doors.

Starlite was spun out of a two-car garage in 1983, and today its 53,000-sq.-ft. corporate headquarters is home to a talented staff of account executives, creative designers, technical engineers, service technicians, fabricators, and other specialists, as well as one of the largest inventories on the East Coast of audiovisual, lighting, and control equipment.

The company has been recognized by numerous trade publications including INC. Magazine, Commercial Integrator, Live Design Magazine, Event Solutions, Philadelphia Business Journal, and the White House Communications Agency ... but, like many companies, the pandemic has affected the firm.

The company's Event Technology & Production department was forced to contend with cancellations of many of its scheduled live events and outdoor gatherings in the peak of its busy season.

"Starlite has several divisions, but our two largest verticals are 'systems integration' and 'event production and rental.' The integration group is nearly at capacity with high-profile permanent installations. However, since most live events -- think theater, concerts, corporate, and special events have come to a screeching halt, we knew we had to pivot and be agile. That's where the scanners come in," states Dean Danowitz: "faintly outside of our normal offerings -- but then again, we are a technology company, so not really."

In early 2020, Starlite introduced a novel addition to its technology offerings -- Dynamic Detection temperature scanners with facial recognition.

These unique and practicable devices allow a person to simply walk within three feet of the unit and within two seconds, it will capture the person's face and determine if their temperature is outside of a predetermined range.

The units can be used stand-alone and can be set up in minutes, or can be programmed to interface with your network. There are many options, including the ability to verify if a person is wearing a mask and the ability to provide connectivity with your card-access system so when the temperature is normal the gate will open.

Checking for masks and verifying temperatures can be cumbersome for organizations -- but these scanners are completely "non-touch" which reduces staffing and eliminates operator error.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established guidelines requiring standards of precision for temperature screening to ensure safety -- and, while these devices are not intended for medical-grade purposes, such as use in hospitals, they are very efficient at screenings.

Starlite also offers a higher-end thermal imaging unit that is capable of scanning large groups of up to 300 people per minute.

Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania installed units at all the main entrances, as well as their physical plant. Bob Meals, director of physical plant/co-director of security stated, "The scanners have made getting people into the building a whole lot easier and quicker."

Winslow Township in Southern New Jersey placed these scanners at each main entrance to the municipal complex, court/meeting room, police department, and senior center. "These scanners solve a basic need and have been a boon for Starlite and a logistical problem solver for our clients, including, municipalities, museums, offices, casinos, distribution centers, airports, retail stores, and other environments." Danowitz continues, "We feel good about this opportunity because it is reasonably priced and solves several challenges associated with COVID-19. The potential customer base for these products is wide ranging as these products apply to any business that wants to keep its staff and customers safe, and now that schools are readying for the start of classes, we can barely keep them in stock."