Sound advice Russell Solts, managing director of Smart Electrical &
Contractors are now able to use a variety of off-the-shelf AV components that are truly interoperable
Data, is already seeing rapid growth in this area. He says: ‘We are definitely seeing more requests for AV solutions, both in the home and in business. To the extent that some parents are even installing the same interactive whiteboards for their children at home as they have in school. We are also seeing interest in AV projectors in ceilings, as well as 3D technology.’ It’s also important to understand the marketplace in order
to make the most of the opportunities on offer. Wandsworth Group’s Gordon Fry advises: ‘Advanced AV and home automation used to be the preserve of the top end of the marketplace, but that simply isn’t the case anymore and the technology will become increasingly mass market as consumer acceptance and demand grows.’
Standard issue The ECA’s ITEC department has carried out an enormous amount of work in AV installation standardisation and best practice by working closely with standards bodies such as CENELEC. ECA ITEC’s David Stefanowicz, comments: ‘Since 2001, CENELEC and the European Commission
28 ECA Today January 2012
If you are considering offering AV system installation, consider the following points: n Take some training. Knowing about standards, protocols and how these affect AV deployment will be an invaluable part of your work in this area. n Understand the technology. You will quickly lose the confidence of your customer if you aren’t familiar with the latest technology. Look online and at specialist magazines to get a good idea of what’s available. n Talk to the customer. Don’t just assume that all customers will want the same type of AV system. Talk to them and make sure that you fully understand their specific needs. n Work together. Understand and act upon the customer’s requirements but always feel free to make suggestions. Take the time to make sure that an agreed strategy is in place before work commences. n Get familiar. Try to get comfortable with a particular solution or two and become specialist at it. Don’t chop and change. n Explain the technology. Take the time to tell your customers what the products can do and how to use them. n Go green. There’s a direct link between AV and energy efficiency. With grants and funding being offered to homeowners who use renewable energy sources, this offers another major opportunity for electrical contractors. n Get covered. More often than not, you will be responsible for all the design and specification related to the AV installation, and as such, must carry the relevant professional indemnity insurance.
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