Industry@Work: Eyes on CEDIA

The CEDIA Expo is a good opportunity for security professionals to tap into the home automation industry

• By Karina Sanchez
• Aug 02, 2007

THERE might be a good reason to clear your calendar Sept. 5-9 and head to Denver for this year’s CEDIA Expo. The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association has grown tremendously since its beginning in 1989 and now includes more than 3,500 member companies worldwide. This year’s expo will include more than 660,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 300 educational courses.

So what’s behind the reason for a security professional to embark on a electronic systems contractor show? Well because this might be the future of your own product offering. Companies like ADI, wholesale distributor of security and low-voltage products, are already well on their way in serving as the paradigm for security distributors. ADI has partnered with CEDIA to deliver education training boot camps across the nation. And more security-related companies are following suit.

“HAI has also done well in positioning themselves as a security company that ties in and controls other things,” said Utz Baldwin, vice president of the board of directors for CEDIA and president of AD Systems, a Houston-based electronic integration company specializing in systems for homes and corporations.

How You Can Benefit
Baldwin, whose own company is trained and certified to offer security services to its clients, said that the CEDIA Expo has seen an increase in security attendees, and the association is responding. CEDIA has increased its number of gateway education courses to help those who are looking into expanding their business offerings. Moreover, the association has made training more accessible by offering online courses that people can log on and take at the show at their own convenience.

“A security contractor that’s installing security systems in residences is seeing all these other things being integrated,” Baldwin said. “They certainly need to find out which manufacturers are the one to choose or partner with, and CEDIA is definitely the place to do that.

“The education will help both the exhibitor, as well as the security contractor better understand the critical details of full-systems integration, home theater, telephony—all the different disciplines that a typical electronic systems contractor is involved in that many security contractors have never tried to go after.”

The security industry is changing, and it now incorporates much more than just security. Tapping into other related industries only makes someone more knowledgeable of the opportunities out there. And CEDIA provides a networking opportunity to meet the people in the industry, learn the processes of working in home automation and adopt the skills required of a residential electrical professional. Though there are other shows out there that are similar to this expo, CEDIA does provide a good opportunity for security professionals to understand the industry. The name itself is recognized and the association strives to keep its certification processes a priority.

What does CEDIA Mean?
CEDIA-certified can mean a lot of things. What builders, architects and designers know is that it means that they’re doing business with someone who has been through the education process necessary for installing electrical technologies properly.

“CEDIA certification is somewhat of a good housekeeping seal. The technicians that are certified and out in the field know how to do it properly. These certifications position the individual in a workforce where they’re sought after,” Baldwin said.

Certification is crucial in the home automation industry. And though those in the industry are expected to know the name, more and more consumers are becoming better informed. They know what it means to be certified and the risks associated with doing business with someone who isn’t. Take, for example, the smart home of the 80’s.

“The smart home of the early 80’s received bad press because technologies were being installed, and people didn’t know how to install them,” Baldwin said. “There wasn’t enough education on the proper way to get it done—and that did more harm than good.”

Consumers today have wised-up. People are much savvier about technology and will strive to get what they want.

“Ultimately, the consumer is driving the demand. There’s a huge opportunity for qualified electronic system contracting firms to supply that demand,” Baldwin said.

And security professionals should be well suited to take advantage of that, as well.

Taking a Chance
Sometimes great chances pass you by, and there’s really no telling what the future holds. The security industry has myriad opportunities at its feet, and it’s up to those within the industry to pick up on those opportunities and take charge.

Security Products has long been advocating the integration of home automation and security. Every other month the magazine features The Integrated Home, a section in which home automation news, stories and latest products are featured. The magazine sees it fitting to provide what security industry professionals want to know about. And we’ve seen that professionals from both industries have recognized the convergence and have jumped in—though it does require some thought and a process. CEDIA is there to provide an avenue to getting things started.

“The show allows you to review your business model to determine what it will take to get to the point where you’re offering a lot of these other services and disciplines,” Baldwin said. “Immerse yourself in the education because that’s where you’ll find a lot of the answers you’re looking for.”

So if you find yourself searching for answers in early September, CEDIA might be a good start.

To find out more information about the CEDIA Expo or the association, please visit www.cedia.net.

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