The launch closely coincides with the introduction of the brand’s new consumer facing web site at www.elanhomesystems.com.

According to Elan Home Systems manager of business development and project management Joe Lautner, the new Tech Forum is available exclusively to authorised Elan dealers, who can now access the forum 24 hours a day, seven days a week after entering into the password-protected dealer section of the new web site.

“Coincident with the launch of our totally new web site, we are taking our dealer support programs to a whole new level and the round-the-clock availability of this new Tech Forum is one example of our commitment to accelerate the distribution and sharing of information that will help our dealers to sell and install Elan g! systems to every type of residential and commercial customer they serve,” Joe says.

Indeed, the new Elan Tech Forum takes the old-fashioned idea of a bulletin board and redefines it for a new generation of dealers.

Anchored by carefully pre-selected subject matter information threads, as well as a new search engine that allows dealers to instantaneously comb through product information to find the exact information they need when they need it most, the new Tech Forum is actively monitored by trained Elan technical support specialists who respond to every dealer question.

“We are very excited to offer ELAN dealers an online community, where they can come together and get the answers they need in the simplest way possible. With our new search engine, finding specific answers to dealer issues is no longer like finding a needle in a haystack. Instead of having to search through extensive documents and manuals, dealers can now simply run a search for the issue they are having and find an answer right away.“

Thanks to the informal nature of the forum, which is available to dealers at all hours of the day, the members of the ELAN team are not the only ones who can help solve problems. Dealers are also encouraged to provide advice when knowledgeable about an issue that a fellow dealer posts. Though all answers offered by dealers are monitored by Elan for complete accuracy, the peer-to-peer assistance has been beneficial in establishing a welcoming online venue where dealers can comfortably seek help.

“Not only is this a great resource for problem solving and 3rd party integration tips, but dealers can also inspire each other and network with one another,” says technical services manager Eric Wieland.

“The tech forum is another way for dealers to get the information they need when they need it. Different people like different resources. The more options available to solve problems and build a concrete knowledge base, the better.”

Since its initial Beta launch this past October, there has been a steady increase of dealers joining the forum and getting in on the undeniable resourcefulness of the site. The forum averages five new members and 30 posts a day, and is sure to grow even larger as word-of-mouth spreads about the benefits of this collective online community for Elan dealers.