This past May, as part of CE Pro 100, 88 companies reported doing commercial installations. The report also revealed an increasing amount of commercial companies were performing residential installations, as well as a 120 percent increase in smart home installations performed by dealers.
Analyzing the data, its apparent these numbers represent the continuing diversification of the electronics industry and the increasing importance of web-based technologies (like networking).
Validating the findings of the CE Pro 100 on larger level is the Catalyst AV member Easy Access Distribution. The suburban Boston-based distributor held its annual Expo north of Boston, and the emphasis of this year’s show was on light commercial and connected technologies.
“This is the 17th annual show. It focuses on education and training, and the focus this year is on light commercial,” explains Steve Presti of Easy Access Distribution. “With the proper education and products dealers can address the light commercial space.”
Presti says that Easy Access is working to ensure dealers understand the diversity of the market and all the latest developments that are driving new trends.
The distributor showed the latest products from HEOS, including the company’s MOOD:MIX partnership, which brings commercial-free licensed music to HEOS for commercial applications, as well as Russound’s new 70-volt line of products.
Also on display was Atlona’s line of media distribution products, which can be used in commercial and residential environments, new bundled commercial packages from RTI, projectors from Vivitek, and commercial speakers from MSE Audio’s SoundTube brand.
Focus on Connectivity, Networking
Further validating the CE Pro 100 findings, the Easy Access Distribution event also highlighted the connected home, including the latest networking components from Luxul and eero.
Jared Edwards, technical sales and training, Luxul, demonstrated how Luxul is integrating Domotz remote management technologies. In a tabletop display, Edwards showed how dealers can remotely perform tasks like power cycling and change passwords for access points (APs) routers, switches and other components.
Currently, Edwards says, that the addition of Domotz requires a separate box, but he notes that in 2017 Luxul will integrate the remote management platform into its routers.
Sharing some of Luxul’s goals beyond the introduction of new products, Edwards reiterates Presti’s comments concerning the importance of education.
“We don’t teach people about products, we teach people about networks,” states Edwards. “We teach them how to conduct site surveys, we are teaching dealers basic networking because many of them come from an A/V background.”
PHOTOS: Tour the vendor booths at Easy Access Expo
Another networking company exhibiting at the event was eero. This new company brings to market a familiar “Sonos” like approach that streamlines the installation process, without sacrificing functionality. Silicon Valley industry veteran Kelly Neary, head of eero Pro, points out that dealers shouldn’t be deceived by the company’s designs by thinking it delivers basic retail-level performance.
“The products include features typically found in commercial-grade products,” she says. “It includes diagnostic and network management tools, guest network options and family friendly options. The system is scalable, and it can even be used in light commercial settings such as doctor and dentist offices.”
Kaleidescape was also in attendance and demonstrating its products. Meeting with dealers and showing his company’s product line, Cheena Srinivasan, CEO of Kaleidescape, was arguably the most in-demand person at the show.
Proving that home theater is once again back, through technologies such as HDR, object-based surround and Ultra HD 4K, Srinivasan proved there is more to home video than just streaming media and that Kaleidescape fits into today’s home theater.
