Crestron Electronics, Inc.

 

Rockleigh, NJ, June 18, 2010 – Crestron today announced the CAIP Advisory Board, which launched in March of this year. A cross-section of representatives from the CAIP community make up the board, and its mission is to explore and promote new levels of systems design, programming and support. The first CAIP Advisory Board Summit Meeting was held April 20-21 at Crestron world headquarters in Rockleigh, NJ, and the group quickly identified six key areas for immediate development. This new communications channel has already given CAIPs unprecedented access to new software and opportunities for collaboration via CrestronLabs, an online forum designed for Crestron programmers and engineers.

 

The CAIP program (Crestron Authorized Independent Programmers) was introduced by Crestron 10 years ago to serve the needs of what was then a developing category of professional programming services. It is now comprised of highly motivated and Crestron-certified independent programming firms that deliver world-class programming, systems engineering and project support services worldwide.

 

“The formation of this board demonstrates not only our ongoing industry leadership, but our commitment to the brilliant programmers who are instrumental in creating cutting-edge Crestron solutions,” said Steve Samson, Crestron Director of Business Development. “Technology frontiers, such as network-centric systems; our advanced DigitalMedia^™ product line, and Integrated Building Technology provide significant opportunities for new levels of system design, programming and support services. We believe that there are more opportunities now than ever, and this forum will help to drive whole new categories of business.”

 

“This group represents a whole new level of communication between Crestron and the CAIP community,” said Howard Nunes, PepperDash President/CEO and CAIP Advisory Board Chair.  “I look forward to working with the other Board members to improve the overall quality of CAIPs, and to take full advantage of new technologies and business opportunities as they arise.”

 

In addition to Nunes, other founding board members include Bernard Morgan, ICS+; Jeff Coryell, Code Jockeys Inc.; Jim Felderman, ControlWorks Consulting; Matt Grisafe, AV Programming Associates, Inc.; Mike Landt, Lakeshore Software Engineering; Richard Blackwell, AVWorkz; Steve Greenblatt, Control Concepts, Inc.; Micah Thurlow, PanTech Design LLC, Steve Samson and Shelly Flynn, Crestron.

 

Since the inception of the CAIP program, Crestron has been dedicated to the success of its programmers. Part of that commitment was the creation and sponsorship of the System Programming & GUI Design Gallery, providing CAIPs with the unique opportunity to showcase their innovations to AV integrators and consultants in an inviting, dynamic environment. This year’s fifth annual GUI Gallery at InfoComm 2010 was the most successful ever. The booth was totally redesigned and enabled 18 CAIPs to demonstrate their latest programming, design and engineering skills, all displayed on our brand new V-Series touchpanels.

 

At the annual CAIP meeting held during infoComm, the board was introduced to their CAIP peers, who expressed their appreciation for the initiatives to improve the CAIP program, identify new business opportunities and improve communication between Crestron, CAIPs, dealers and our industry.