Program Linking Boise Builders with Local Integration Firm
Responsible for Installations in Multiple Developments
Boise, Idaho — April 9, 2007 — AVAD announced today that the company’s Dealer 2 Builder Program has partnered with two Boise-area builders and a local integration firm to install pre-packaged home technology systems in hundreds of new homes across the metropolitan Boise area.
The partnership involves Essential Systems, an AVAD Dealer and Certified D2B Electronic System Contractor, and Boise builders Zach Evans Construction and MarKar Design and Construction.
Home owners can choose from several packages, including: Structured Wiring; Home Theater; Media Services including a modern Structured Wiring System (supporting access to and whole home distribution of local media services such as telecommunications, satellite and cable services, HDTV, DVR, DSL, networking and wireless internet); Home Theater; Multi-Source/Zoned Audio Distribution; Home Office Solutions, Hybrid Hardwired/Wireless Data Networking; Security and Whole-House Systems Integration and Control. The homes are under construction now.
To illustrate the benefits and ease of use to prospective home buyers, all home electronic options are set up in the model home of each development, so potential buyers can operate the systems as they would in their new homes. As with all D2B projects, local integration firm Essential Systems staffs the model homes with employees who navigate home owners through the equipment, further assisting the builder with the sales process.
With Zack Evans Construction, the AVAD D2B partnership has allowed for these systems to be installed in around 250 Boise-area homes by Essential Systems. The homes are contemporary craftsman style and are priced in the $350,000 and ½ million dollar range and are located in the Copper Basin, Saguaro Canyon and Cedar Edge neighborhoods. Packaged offerings for potential home buyers include an On-Q structured wiring system, a NetStreams Musica distributed audio system, a Samsung flat panel home theater system, a Polk Audio loudspeaker system and a GE security system.
“The AVAD D2B program provides an opportunity that we had not been able to address internally,” said Michael Bates, a project manager at Zack Evans Construction. “By teaming up with AVAD and Essential Systems, we can offer pre-packaged technology options that differentiate and add value to our homes — which is crucial in today’s changing economy.”
With MarKar Design and Construction, the AVAD D2B partnership has allowed for these systems to be installed by Essential Systems in the “WindWalker” development, a mix of around 30 upscale Boise town homes targeted toward executives looking to downsize to a modern space with all of the latest home technology elements built-in. The options for the MarKar townhomes are the same as outlined above, with the addition of a Universal Remote control package.
“Our partnership with AVAD and Essential Systems has allowed us to take our developments to the next level of sophistication and technological advancement, said Karla Williams, Principle of MarKar Design and Construction. “We needed reliable, repeatable systems that did not slow down the building process –and provided choice, value and delight for potential home buyers. With this setup, we have found exactly that, and more.”
AVAD’s D2B Program aids builders in the sales process and makes home technology an accessible option that can be chosen by consumers just like countertops, carpet or tile. The program also provides builders with packages that can easily be repeated throughout the scope of a development — by trained partner integrators who not only professionally install the systems, but also provide upgrades and system maintenance if needed.
AVAD’s D2B program makes it easier for builders to access dozens of home electronic brands at competitive pricing. AVAD’s Electronic System Contractors can install the whole gamut of home entertainment and electronic systems, including Home Theater, Whole-House Music, Lighting Control, Structured Wiring, Central Vacuum, Telephone Systems and Home Networking.
“Our builder partners know they can count on us not only for timely fulfillment, but for expertise, as well,” said Bob Gartland, president of AVAD. “The combination of good execution with the most highly trained systems integration professionals in the industry is the foundation of D2B’s success.”
All of AVAD’s Electronic Systems Contractors receive certification in systems integration and other important skills — ensuring that the company’s installers and integrators are the most knowledgeable and highly trained professionals in the industry. Integrators and builders who are a part of the AVAD’s D2B program also receive the benefit of receiving marketing support materials and sales training that help both the integrator and builder fully communicate the benefits of new home technology systems and lifestyle amenities.
“D2B allows us to connect with a broader marketplace via builders, which has directly increased sales for us,” said Pete Hull, President of Essential Systems. “AVAD provides the best brands in the industry, excellent manufacture training and expertise — things that allow us to feel confident doing business with builders because we have the support needed to achieve success.”
Armed with the training, expertise and access to the best brands on the market, AVAD’s D2B program ensures that homebuilders receive cost-effective, performance-enhancing design and integration.
Currently, AVAD serves more than 9,000 dealers at 37 distribution centers throughout the United States. Several nationally known homebuilders are already partnering with AVAD Electronic Systems Contractors, including DR Horton, Kolter Communities, Lennar Homes and Centex Homes.
In Brief: Release Summary
• AVAD’s Dealer 2 Builder Program has partnered with two Boise-area builders and a local integration firm to install pre-packaged home electronic and lifestyle amenity systems in hundreds of new homes across the metropolitan Boise area.
• The partnership involves Essential Systems, an AVAD Dealer and Certified D2B Electronic System Contractor and Boise builders Zach Evans Construction and MarKar Design and Construction.
• AVAD’s Dealer 2 Builder Program links integrators with builders to meet the exploding demand for home electronics and other lifestyle amenities in new homes.
• Home owners can choose from several packages, including: Structured Wiring; Home Theater; Media Services including HDTV, TiVo, DVR, DSL, Wireless Internet, Cable and Satellite Services and Data Networking; Security; Multi-Source/Multi-Zone Distributed Audio; and Whole-House Control.
• The homes are under construction now.
• More information about AVAD’s D2B program can be found at www.avadd2b.com.
About AVAD, LLC
AVAD, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ingram Micro, Inc., is the most complete home integration solutions provider in the United States. Its in-depth technology offering of the most trusted brands and progressive continuing education programs provide all the support necessary to design and implement complete home electronic systems solutions. AVAD stocks products for home theater, lighting controls, distributed audio/video, central vacuum, and more. AVAD also provides just-in-time delivery from each of its 37 locations nationwide.
AVAD is dedicated to dealer education, training and skill advancement, as evidenced by AVAD University’s over 450 online and classroom continuing education classes held each year. With complete
technical training and certification for industry hallmarks like CEDIA’s Installer Level I and Level II Certification, AVAD is unparalleled in its commitment to expanding dealers’ bottom line.
AVAD exemplifies this concept with the Dealer to Builder (D2B) program, which links members of its 9,000+ dealer corps with homebuilders across the United States to outfit new homes with in-demand, cutting-edge electronic systems.
Product lines that AVAD distributes and supports include: Acme Brackets, APC, Aprilaire, Artison, Atlantic Technology, Belden, Bose, Carlon, ChannelPlus, Coleman Cable, H-P Products/Dirt Devil Central Vacuum Systems, D-Link, Draper, Fujitsu, Gefen, Goo System-Visual Reality, Inc., Harman Kardon, InFocus ScreenPlay, iPort, JVC Professional Products Company, Key Digital, Lutron, Marantz, Middle Atlantic Products, Inc., NetStreams, Niles Audio, Niveus Media, OmniMount, OnQ Technologies, OpenHouse, Panamax, Panasonic Phones, Peerless, Philips, Polk Audio, PROconnect, ProFlex, RTI, Samsung, Sharp, SharpVision, Spaun USA, Terk, Toshiba, Universal Remote Control and more.
In July 2005, AVAD was acquired by Ingram Micro, Inc., making its parent company the leading distributor for solution providers and custom integrators serving the fast-growing consumer electronics and home automation markets in the United States.
For more information about AVAD, visit www.avad.com.
About Essential Systems:
Essential Systems is a leading residential technologies contractor in the state of Idaho. The company
designs, sells, install and services modern electronic systems in new and existing homes. Services offered include: Structured Wiring Networks, Whole-House Audio, Home Theater, Lighting Control, Home Security and Integration, Data Network, and Home Office Solutions.
For more information Essential Systems, visit www.esidaho.com.
About Zack Evans Construction:
Over the last twelve years the team at Zach Evans Construction has earned a reputation as one of Boise’s premier homebuilders. The company takes great pride in their award-winning craftsmanship and unparalleled quality of construction.
For more information about Zach Evans Construction, visit www.zachevansconstruction.com.
About MarKar Design and Construction
MarKar Design and Construction is one of the premier new home builders in the Treasure Valley area. The company is committed to providing home buyers with well-planned home designs, solid construction and long-term durability and functionality.
For more information about MarKar Design and Construction, visit www.markardesign.com
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