ISSUE FOCUS
Crossover Potential Tackling Office, MDU, and Light Commercial Integration Tech Opportunities By Jeremy Glowacki The commercial technology integration market is not back to what it was pre-pandemic and might never be the same, but there are some great opportunities available for residential companies wanting to crossover into commercial. When companies come back into their offices and figure out a new plan for completely in person, or hybrid work, there will be plenty of openings for tech professional expertise. And, the construction industry’s continued focus on building new multi-dwelling unit (MDU) housing is also creating commercial crossover potential. CEDIA’s senior director of strategic partnerships, Ian Bryant, has a lot of experience balancing residential and commercial AV in his prior career as a custom integrator. These days, in his role with the leading residential tech trade association, he still keeps a close eye on the market opportunities and challenges facing his former peers. Bryant has noticed commercial projects ramping back up with many new opportunities. “Hands-free automated systems in conference rooms, huddle spaces, and meeting rooms are the hot trend, and companies that had these spaces with no tech are having to add it in,” he noted. “With the reported average of one in four people working remotely or in a hybrid environment, the reliance on tech to connect the workforce is greater than ever before.” That being said, residential tech integrators venturing into commercial for the first time will want to keep in mind both business and technology differences between the markets. For example, it is very common in the commercial space to bid on projects with other integrators, and also to base bids/proposals on a predetermined system design or request for proposal (RFP) document. Bryant says that integrators should document everything
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Residential Tech Today | Summer 2021
internally for reference, have a process for providing change orders, and track the locations and time on site of all employees. When it comes to tech differences between residential and commercial, 70v speaker systems are one area that may require new knowledge for home-centric integrators facing these wiring configurations and power tap settings for the first time. But the biggest difference, Bryant believes, involves learning about audio and video conferencing systems. “Most conference rooms, boardrooms, meeting rooms, and huddle spaces will have some level of video conferencing and sound processing systems,” he said. “The larger the space the more complex these become. I recommend getting some foundational training on conferencing system design and then attend manufacturer product specific training.” Bryant added that in most medium/large and some small commercial environments, integrators won’t have control over the network. That’s why having the ability to work directly with an IT department and understanding these complex networks is essential. “Even though you won’t be configuring the network, I recommend having someone on staff that has more advanced training to be able to speak intelligently with the IT department,” Bryant added. “I also always recommend having meetings with the IT team well in advance to coming on site to commission a system. Lastly, don’t assume you can setup a wireless network inside a commercial environment on your own, you might need to get permission.” As for actual tech available for commercial crossover, here is just a sampling of some of the products that you might want to consider for these types of projects. Ready to take that MDU project to the next
level? The Auton Dream Machine is the only lift solution that can hide a flat panel as large as 80 inches discreetly under a bed. After the display glides out from beneath the bed, select Dream Machine models can fully swivel 360 degrees for viewing anywhere in the room. It works for almost any size bedroom and bed frame.
An ideal solution for MDU installs, the Beale Street Audio Sonic Vortex is a patented technology designed to ensure that music is completely contained within the speaker enclosure and brought in the room. There is no resonance bleed from the back of the speaker. Available in single- and dual-monitor configurations, Chief Koncīs Series monitor arm mounts combine sleek aesthetics with advanced functionality to ensure optimal productivity in the home or commercial office.
