Word to the Wise
Sep 1, 2004 12:00 PM,
By Chuck Wilson
NSCA is an organization for the people — it offers products, services, and thought-provoking discussion for the success of its members. Yet that can be a problem. What NSCA provides to one member may not be applicable to another. Or is it? Take systems certification, for example. In talking with many of you, NSCA often hears, “My company works only in audio, so this isn’t applicable to me.” Well, consider the bigger picture — in fact, it could be precisely for you.
First, the key to systems integration isn’t only integration — it’s also systems. Systems don’t always mean integration, at least not for everyone. In fact, few companies consider programming and control part of their core offerings. A more accurate description of our industry’s work is interdisciplinary. The NSCA board of directors has defined systems to mean work with more than one technology. Simply put, systems mean you install, terminate, and test more than one piece of dissimilar equipment. Why would you want to work with more than one technology? It’s like anything — you shouldn’t operate in a vacuum or you risk getting sucked up.
Certainly not every company is interested in building expertise across multiple systems. Some have found great success in focusing on one thing. Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb in any business is to find your niche and do it better than anyone else. But part of doing it better is understanding how your work impacts other technology types — especially now as they will inevitably come to reside on a single network and comprise the “smart building” solution the customer is ultimately buying. Making sure your work doesn’t negatively impact the delivery of something else is a part of your niche — and your responsibility to the customer.
That is especially true this year, with the release of the 2004 CSI MasterFormat. With new, separate divisions for communications, life safety, and building control and automation soon to be ingrained into any given commercial project, our industry is much closer to the decision makers. Thanks largely to many volunteer leaders within NSCA, the industry is sitting at the big-kids’ table. For example, if we’re the systems contractor on the job for communications (division 27) and electronic safety and security (division 28) and provide the voice communications and electronic signage but plan to bring in a partner to handle the video surveillance, no problem. But we had better be prepared to intelligently discuss how the two could impact one another.
KNOW YOUR STUFF
Some integrators say, “I work harder than I did only to get what I have always had.” Today’s systems contractor is faced with increased challenges for a variety of reasons, but often it’s because your customers know and want more, which forces you to adapt. Although your company may be the best provider of commercial sound, not being aware of the possible pitfalls with the building’s security system means you may not be the best person for the job. True, knowledge of multiple systems is added work for you and your staff, but think of the rewards your business will reap by adapting accordingly.
NSCA is now full steam ahead on a new certification program designed especially for systems integrators. The certified electronic systems technician exams are being held across the country. The higher level designation for systems integrators will be offered for the first time next spring. Not only will the new certification bring increased credibility in the eyes of other construction professionals they bring a clear-cut career path for technicians.
Some consider a systems integrator to be a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none. NSCA strongly disagrees. Knowing and understanding many technologies leads you to truly master the one that matters most in the eyes of the customer — their system.
Chuck Wilsonis the executive director of NSCA.
For more information about NSCA, visit www.nsca.org or call (800) 446-6722.
