An Employee Reward to Keep Them Going

Agile Physical Therapy, a privately owned physical therapy company, recently hosted its 17th Annual Agile State of the Company at its headquarters in Palo Alto, Calf. The event brought together its 125-plus person team to celebrate the successes of the past year and highlight where the company is headed.  

Prior to the annual gathering, Agile worked with FUSION OF IDEAS to customize 30 Apple AirPods that would be presented to select employees during the special event. The company’s logo was printed on the charging case and bonded with UV so it does not scratch, chip or fade.  

“We were so excited when we received our AirPods because they looked absolutely amazing,” said Chris Reed, CFO at Agile Physical Therapy. “We wanted to give a special appreciation gift to our loyal employees who have been with the company for over five years. It was our way of thanking them for their hard work and dedication to Agile.”

Founded in 2002, Agile Physical Therapy has more than 125 employees, including over 60 board-certified clinical specialists in orthopedics, sports, hand therapy or pelvic health.  The organization has locations across California in Palo Alto, San Mateo, Los Altos, and Los Angeles.

Agile is one of the thousands of organizations that FUSION OF IDEAS has partnered with to create custom-branded gifts as part of their employee rewards program. For more information about our customization services, visit https://fusionofideas.com/branding.php

Employees gather at Agile Physical Therapy's "Agile State of the Company" event. Select employees were recognized with custom-branded Apple AirPods for their dedication to the company. Photo credit: Agility Physical Therapy
Employees gather at Agile Physical Therapy’s “Agile State of the Company” event. Select employees were recognized with custom-branded Apple AirPods for their dedication to the company. Photo source: Agility Physical Therapy

Laser Etching Your Company Devices

Laser technology has been around since the 1900s. Used in industries from healthcare to manufacturing, it is among the most versatile inventions of modern times because of its precision. 

While we are not experts in all things laser, we do know a thing or two about laser etching on mobile devices. By blending the technical process of laser etching with a creative eye, we have transformed countless mobile devices from something out of the box to extraordinary. 

What is Laser Etching?

Laser etching is a laser-guided method that creates a detailed and precise imprint onto a hard material. It works best on coated metals, anodized aluminum and hard plastics. The strength and heat of the laser are determined based on the material it is cutting.

Why Businesses Opt for Laser Etching on Company Devices

  • Security and Tracking Businesses use laser etching to secure company devices by imprinting an ID number or company logo to deter theft. Particularly for enterprises with a large number of remote employees, marking company devices allows for easier identification and tracking. 
  • Brand Recognition – Putting your company logo and name on customer-facing products is the best way to build brand recognition. Using a branded device for a business function or as a business gift, are easy ways to keep your brand visible in the marketplace.

Laser Etching vs. Laser Engraving

Laser engraving is a different technique from laser etching. The main difference between the two is the depth of the marking. While both offer a permanent solution, laser engraving is not suitable to use on mobile devices. Here’s why:

During the laser etching process, the top layer of your material is vaporized, producing little to no depth but rather, a high-contrast marking. The depth of the mark doesn’t go any deeper than 0.001 inches, which is why it’s ideal for thinner materials.

Laser engraving, on the other hand, vaporizes some of the base material with cone shape indentation. Engraving works well for harder materials like wood, rubber, and acrylic. If laser engraving is done on a fragile material, like the back of a mobile phone or tablet, it can disfigure the device, or worse, ruin it entirely.

The Results

Laser etch is a great way to outfit your devices with a detailed and permanent impression of your brand. Here are some examples:

Secure your company devices by adding your company logo or a custom design using laser etch.
Secure your company devices by adding your company logo or a custom design using laser etch.
Laser etch is the process of using a laser beam to precisely cut an image or pattern into a hard material.
Laser etch is the process of using a laser beam to precisely cut an image or pattern into a hard material.
Custom laser etch on Otterbox Elevation 20 tumbler
Custom laser etch on Otterbox Elevation 20 tumbler

Hollywood Ready: This Gift Bundle Reaches the Stars

The high-octane action-thriller, John Wick 3, enjoyed a successful opening weekend that far exceeded critics’ expectations. In fact, the movie took the top spot at the box office only 10 days after its release in May. 

The cast and crew celebrated as the film was crowned most successful box office entry among the franchise. In addition to the esteem, the actors, producers and film crew received some remarkable gifts. Among them, a high-impact, fully customized tech bundle with the latest Apple devices:

Highly visual artwork from the movie is printed on the back of each iPad Pro. Inside the tablet is a designated app featuring the film’s images and videos.
Highly visual artwork from the movie is printed on the back of each iPad Pro. Inside the tablet is a designated app featuring the film’s images and videos.
Every iPad Smart Cover is personalized for each member of the film cast and crew.
Every iPad Smart Cover is personalized for each member of the film cast and crew.
The customized Apple Pencil is a replica of the gruesome tool as seen in the film.
The customized Apple Pencil is a replica of the gruesome tool as seen in the film.
The design of the Apple AirPods captures the essence of the movie.
The design of the Apple AirPods captures the essence of the movie.

Customized by FUSION OF IDEAS, each product was designed with stunning artwork from the movie exclusively for the recipient. And the movie’s key art pieces were used on the iPad Smart Covers. The vibrant artwork on each device is permanently printed and bonded with UV so it will not fade, chip or scratch. 

We also developed a dedicated John Wick 3 application for the iPad that housed posters, clips and images from the movie.

The film's posters, videos and images are loaded into the dedicated movie app.
The film’s posters, videos and images are loaded into the dedicated movie app.

The stunning cinematography of the movie helped deliver the striking images that were used to create this ultra-sleek gift experience. Ultimately, these gifts were presented to the film’s actors, producers and key members of the crew.

5 Myths About Custom Mobile Applications

Many businesses are enjoying the benefits of using a custom software solution, which can save the company time, money and resources. Good business software can effectively manage the day-to-day activities of a business. It can also collect data to provide analytical insight so management can make smarter business decisions.

Yet, there are still common misconceptions around custom applications that can deter businesses from going custom. Let’s debunk them:

Myth #1: Custom apps come with a high price tag.
Myth #2: Custom apps are only useful in niche markets.
Myth #3: Custom apps take too long to build.
Myth #4: Off-the-shelf apps are more convenient and easier to use.
Myth #5: Custom software does not integrate well with existing IT systems.

  • Myth #1: Custom apps come with a high price tag. 

Custom applications will cost more than off-the-shelf applications, but the same is true for any product or solution that is customized. The cost of a custom app depends largely on the desired features, the complexity of the design, back end complexity, and platform compatibility, among other factors.

For a custom option at a lower price point, FUSION OF IDEAS offers a Dynamic Content System, in which the app design is templated, but allows for custom fonts, colors, designs, and logo to fit your brand. 

FUSION OF IDEAS' Dynamic Content System is a simplified content application that can be customized to fit your business.
FUSION OF IDEAS’ Dynamic Content System is a simplified content application that can be customized to fit your business.

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  • Myth #2: Custom apps are only useful in niche markets.

Businesses in any industry can benefit from custom applications. Fortune 500 companies have seen an increase in revenue with custom software. This can also be the case for smaller, local businesses, and even startups. According to studies, business mobile apps have a higher conversion rate when compared to desktop or mobile websites. 

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  • Myth #3: Custom apps take too long to build.

The reality is, the amount of time required to build a business app depends on the requirements of the company. There are a variety of factors involved in building a great mobile app. Some companies need multiple functionalities to serve different business units, which adds to the development time. Understanding the steps to develop a custom app can ease any apprehension about the time it takes to build your custom software.

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  • Myth #4: Off-the-shelf apps are more convenient and easier to use. 

Off-the-shelf apps do not offer the two main benefits of a custom application: security and scalability. Let’s look at both.

First, custom software offers security for your business. Because a custom app is used by only one company and there is no public documentation to shed light on possible attack vectors, it’s more difficult for hackers to crack into your system. 

The second benefit is scalability. Off-the-shelf applications may be easier to use and faster to set up at first. But when your business grows in size, these apps may not be able to handle the load. When you build a custom application built solely for your business, updates can be made and the app can expand with your operations as it grows. 

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  • Myth #5: Custom software does not integrate well with existing IT systems.

The reality is actually the opposite. Rather than needing your system to fit a pre-developed software product, custom software is built to fit your existing IT ecosystem. A good app developer will provide a solution for app integration, which includes a private, secure and dedicated cloud or internal server. For seamless integration, have your API (application programming interface) accessible for the developer. 

Customized Accessories for Your Business

Do you need a gift to recognize an employee who loves tech as well as the outdoors? Are you seeking a unique gift for a jetsetter so they can stay connected with a wireless device while on a flight? Or, perhaps, you are looking to refresh and brand your company devices with new protective covers?

Introducing FUSION OF IDEAS’ Customized Accessory Bundles. Created for simplicity and delivered with impact, the Accessory Bundles pair this season’s hottest accessories with our top-notch customization offering. Our proprietary process allows for high-quality, permanent color printing on the devices to show off your company logo or brand. 

Here are our top bundles that we handpicked as ideas for your corporate gifting needs. Contact us to get started and we’ll send you a complimentary mockup of customization options with your unique brand.

The Adventurer: OtterBox tumbler + one point of customization
The Adventurer: OtterBox tumbler + one point of customization
The Protector: Spigen protective case + one point of customization
The Traveler: AirFly by TwelveSouth + one point of customization
The Traveler: AirFly by TwelveSouth + one point of customization
The Assistant: Amazon Echo Dot + one point of customization
The Assistant: Amazon Echo Dot + one point of customization