Recently, CE Pro spoke with Aaron Starr, president of North American Cable Equipment (NACE), to find out more about NACE and how its brands can help CE Pro's readers and installers.
NACE is known as a company that primarily supports the security industry. Can you explain your company’s benefits to CE Pro readers, and its offerings beyond security-related solutions?
NACE specializes in horizontally linking commercial integrators of electronic systems to additional markets. With the six NACE brands in the video surveillance, satellite TV, data, fiber, audio and ISP services industry segments we are a one-stop shop for [custom] integrators.
Our NACE Challenge, where an integrator can submit a site survey for a system and our system architects and engineers prepare a complete BOM [bill of materials], guarantees a single shipment whereby, the integrator will receive all the core components for their job or we will pay the overnight freight for anything missed in the BOM.
What are the hottest categories in your business right now?
SecurityTronix video surveillance test and measurement equipment and surveillance systems, FiberTronix CATV and Ethernet fiber transport solutions, DirecTV Lodging and Institution systems with the option for a free system for qualified properties, Alcatel Wi-Fi systems with cloud management, and NACEComm managed Internet service powered by the AT&T APEX.
Your company offers fiber products — do you see this product category as something that could become a more important part of installation companies' infrastructure solutions?
With the increased bandwidth requirement in commercial buildings, especially MDUs with OTT services, fiber is a necessity over traditional copper-based distribution systems.
We are seeing more fiber to the room or desk than ever before when a commercial property decides to upgrade their current Cat 5 or 5e system. They are bypassing Cat 6A or Cat 7 and going right to fiber.
Training is an important part of NACE's dealer support initiatives. What are the best ways for integrators to participate in your company's training programs?
We specialize in coming to the integrator with a package of training for all the markets they want to participate in.
Additionally, we hold classes at our three locations and select sites for video surveillance, Wi-Fi and satellite-delivered lodging and institution technologies. An integrator can inquire with our sales department for current scheduling. We also do road shows to introduce integrators to all of our offerings.
What are some of the other support mechanisms NACE offers integrators to help them run their businesses more efficiently?
- Pre-sales support: Integrators can call us and talk with our tech team to ensure they have the right solution.
- On-site installation by phone support: 24/7/365 for all of the products we sell.
- Post-install support: 24/7/365 on-site consulting service. Integrators can tell us what their customer wants to do and we will fill in the blanks.
- Site surveys: Fill one out and send it in and you can bolt us on to do the back office work for you.
- DirecTV MSO: We can process all of your commercial, lodging and institution deals that supply DirecTV. We also offer managed Internet quotes through NACEComm ISP.
Why is California's Proposition 65 important to the company, and should dealers from other parts of the country be aware of the potential impact of this legislation in their local markets?
If you sell products in California, there are state-mandated labeling and disclosure requirements that must be followed. One of these is known as Proposition 65. It is to inform California citizens about protecting themselves from products that contain chemicals the state of California has determined can cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
A list can be found here.
