Distributor Leads Industry with New Initiative Bringing Vendors Together
for the Sake of Seamless Interoperability
Van Nuys, Calif. — April 26, 2007 — AVAD LLC, America’s leading distributor of custom home electronics, announced today the introduction of a new initiative called “Integration Partners.” This new AVAD program strives to improve interoperability among the distributor’s roster of home technology manufacturers. The program benefits consumers and installers alike by fostering products that “play well” with one another, so components can be used together for seamless installation and operation.
Examples of the program in motion include the following scenario of AVAD manufacturers working together: A Pronto TSU9600 universal controller integrates with Escient Fireball media servers, whole-house lighting products from Lutron and iPod media, resulting in a seamless control experience for the end user — and ease of programming and design for the custom installer.
So far, AVAD is the only distributor within the custom installation industry whose network of manufacturers work together to create fully integrated systems and solutions. This cooperation among manufacturers makes products easier to use, easier to install and service, and enhances customer satisfaction. Several of the AVAD manufacturers have joined the initiative. Installers can tell which manufacturers are supporting interoperability by looking for a new AVAD Integration Partner logo labeled on products from integrated vendors.
“We believe this program is unique in the industry. Individual manufacturers often have technology partner programs, but they are focused only on their product line. AVAD has the ability to broker these engineering-level relationships with dozens of disparate vendors and product types. The end result will be more scalable, easier to install systems with high levels of functionality. From the flat panel display to the media server to the distributed audio system and the lighting controls, everything will work seamlessly together. And the work is pre-engineered so our dealers can have confidence the outcome will be successful and repeatable,” said Bob Gartland, President of AVAD, LLC.
Similar initiatives have in the past revolutionized entire industries. For example, the National Screw Thread Commission, convened in 1928, standardized the number of ridges per inch, and their slopes and diameters, vastly simplifying the construction and manufacturing industries. Within the electronics industry, DARPA developed Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in the 1970s, which set the framework for networked computer interoperability that eventually made the modern Internet possible. More recently, Microsoft made computers accessible to millions of novice users, and facilitated the introduction of countless new computer devices, when it integrated ‘Plug and Play’ to its existing technology — essentially ensuring seamless equipment interoperability with a minimum of effort on the part of consumers.
“Ultimately, we believe that our Integration Partners initiative will not only create scalable systems and increased profitability for our customers, but also provide a better, more reliable end user experience,” Gartland added.
In Brief: Release Summary
• AVAD, America’s leading distributor of custom home electronics, announces a new program called “Integrated Partners,” which improves equipment interoperability.
• This initiative will enable electronics components from different AVAD manufacturers to work together within a system.
• Several of the AVAD manufacturers have joined the initiative. Installers can tell which manufacturers are supporting interoperability by looking for a new AVAD Integration Partner logo labeled on products from integrated vendors.
• AVAD is leading the industry in supporting the Integration Partners initiative.
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.
By partnering with CEDIA for key industry training courses such as Installer Level I and II Certification, Designer Boot Camps and Home Theater Workshops, AVAD is unparalleled in its commitment to the betterment of the industry and the dealer’s bottom line.
AVAD exemplifies this concept with the Dealer to Builder (D2B) program, which links highly-trained and qualified 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.
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