Editor’s Note: This article is part a CE Pro series examining the forces that shaped the custom-integration channel in 2025. Throughout December, CE Pro will share perspectives from respected industry voices to help integrators close out the year with a clearer view of where the market is heading.
As the smart home and residential technology sectors reflect on 2025, it is clear the year was defined less by abrupt disruption and more by steady evolution. While new technologies continued to mature and demand remained strong across key categories, many of the industry’s core priorities held firm. To better understand how integrators navigated those dynamics, CE Pro spoke with Jon Robbins of HTSA.
CE Pro: How did homeowner expectations or project demands shift in 2025?
Jon Robbins: Homeowner expectations remained largely consistent for us. Much of what we address is rooted in ongoing relationship-science work — understanding the homeowner psyche and improving how we guide clients through decisions. Rather than a major shift, we saw a continuation of evergreen expectations centered around simplicity, reliability, and high-touch service.
CE Pro: Which categories surprised you in terms of growth or slowdown this year?
Robbins: We did not experience meaningful slowdown in any specific area, but large displays and video walls stood out as a major growth category. Demand in that space was strong throughout the year, and we expect that momentum to carry into 2026.
CE Pro: What major product launches or acquisitions had the biggest impact in 2025?
Robbins: One of the most influential areas was the continued development of modern workspace technology solutions. The ability to create robust work-from-home environments that integrate seamlessly with the rest of the smart home ecosystem has resonated strongly with clients and has become a valuable offering for integrators.
CE Pro: How did AI adoption or workflow automation evolve across the channel?
Robbins: AI adoption continues to steadily accelerate. More members are using AI-driven tools in their workflows, and HTSA has expanded educational initiatives to support that growth. What’s most exciting is that we’re now providing more real-world use cases and practical applications, helping integrators operate more efficiently heading into 2026.
CE Pro: What trend or technology failed to gain traction despite early interest?
Robbins: From our vantage point, no major trend stands out as having failed to take hold in a meaningful way this year.
CE Pro: How did collaboration with builders, designers, or architects change this year?
Robbins: Collaboration with trade partners remains an evergreen priority for us. Through ongoing relationship-science work, we continue refining communication and alignment with builders, designers, and architects. The focus is consistent: better responsiveness, deeper partnership, and shared project success.
CE Pro: What lessons from 2025 should the industry carry into 2026?
Robbins: The key takeaway is that we must continue differentiating ourselves with unique value and compelling offerings. Our competition is not each other — it’s every other luxury investment a client could make. Keeping that perspective front and center, while doubling down on innovation and client experience, should be a guiding principle moving forward.
