Collaborating with Residential Electronic Systems Contractors
The 2006 IRM Research Project
The 2006 IRM Research Project is sponsored by the Custom Electronics Design & Installation Association (CEDIA). IRM and CEDIA will collaborate with the NAHB Research Center to study ways for builders and other industry professionals to work with Residential Electronic Systems Contractors (RESC) in a more profitable way.
Findings were presented at the 2007 International Builders' Show on Friday, February 9. See the study results here.
More new home builders are providing home technology integration (HTI) packages to their customers that include Category 5-enhanced data cables, distributed audio and video networks and fiber-optic cables.
Builders are beginning to understand how to best meet the connectivity needs of their customers in the short-term and to anticipate and fulfill their future needs.
The research focuses on understanding RESC's role and the training needed to:
Design and install effective specifications of basic and enhanced structured wiring packages.
Use software and other technology to help builders and home owners design home networks, whole house audio, home theaters and security surveillance, and how to effectively integrate these technologies.
Partner with structured wiring experts.
Help salespeople educate home owners about ESC capabilities and benefits.
Create checklists so that builders and home owners "will feel comfortable that the new home is being built to accommodate the latest in communications, entertainment and security technologies."
Ensure that the technology is user-friendly and will require no lengthy programming on the part of the consumer.
S. Robert August, MIRM, the president and founder of S.Robert August & Company, Inc., a national marketing and public relations firm based in Denver, oversaw the research project for IRM.
To learn more about the IRM Research Initiative and how to submit proposals, visit www.nahb.org/MIRM. For information about CEDIA, visit www.cedia.org.
