For Basepoint Building Automations, the Des Moines, Iowa-headquartered, technology firm, the path to leadership wasn’t just about installing the latest sensors or controllers — it was about re-engineering the very foundation of how an integration firm operates.
Its ‘aha’ moment came when it decided to move back into growth-mode. Pat Richter, President & CEO, Basepoint Building Automations, explains, “It was clear we needed to make many internal investments to ensure our success. This included upgrading our facilities, our branding, our technology and most importantly, setting our team up for success. All of our investments are evolving as we learn how create the best customer experience, and our people are central to that. Investing in them through training offerings, consistency, and in creating an award-winning workplace culture, ultimately help us grow and secure the future of our organization.”
This bold internal transformation has earned Basepoint Building Automations the prestigious title of Integrator of the Year for Strategic Transformation. While many competitors focused solely on external sales and project volume, Basepoint looked inward. They bet its future on the belief that sustained growth depends entirely on attracting top-tier talent and arming them with best-in-class training.
This philosophy created a strategic plan anchored by three initiatives: the Academy of Excellence, dedicated Innovation Training Labs and a specialized Innovation Cohort Team. “We believe that continuous learning is a cornerstone of innovation,” adds Richter. “By simultaneously investing in people, processes, and technology, we have created a unique ecosystem where growth, creativity and client success thrive.”
Courtesy / Basepoint Building Automations
The Academy of Excellence: Redefining the First 90 Days
In an industry often plagued by high turnover and “sink or swim” onboarding, Basepoint’s Academy of Excellence stands as a beacon of structured support. This initiative reimagines the first three months of an employee’s tenure, transforming it from a probationary period into a launchpad for a long-term career.
The program goes far beyond standard HR paperwork. It immerses new hires in hands-on workshops, mentorship opportunities and carefully curated resources designed to foster confidence and competence. By making the onboarding process rigorous yet inspiring, Basepoint signals to every new team member that they are investing in excellence from day one.
This strategy has paid dividends. By prioritizing retention through structured development, Basepoint has differentiated itself from typical integrators, building a culture where employees feel valued and see a clear trajectory for their professional growth.
Innovation Training Labs: A Sandbox for Success
Courtesy / Basepoint Building Automations
Perhaps the most tangible symbol of Basepoint’s commitment to differentiation is the physical construction of live, in-house Innovation Labs for each of its three divisions: HVAC Controls, Security/Access Control and Automatic Doors.
These labs are more than just classrooms; they are active testing grounds. They serve a multitude of critical functions that bridge the gap between theory and practice:
- Immersive Training: New hires cut their teeth on real equipment in a risk-free environment, while existing staff stay sharp on the latest updates.
- R&D and Proof of Concept: Before a solution ever reaches a client’s building, it is rigorously tested in the lab. This internal R&D capability reduces risk in the field and ensures that Basepoint stands firmly behind every deployment.
- Cost-Effective Education: By hosting vendor-provided training in-house, Basepoint eliminates the need for costly out-of-state travel, expediting the learning process while keeping overhead manageable.
“This investment ensures that our employees are not only technically skilled but also confident problem-solvers equipped to meet evolving customer needs,” Richter notes. By bringing the field into the office, Basepoint has created a feedback loop where training informs execution, and execution informs future training.
The Innovation Cohort Team: Staying Ahead of the Curve
While the Academy builds the team and the Labs provide the tools, the Innovation Cohort Team directs the vision. This specialized group represents the company’s strategic adaptability, tasked with ensuring Basepoint remains a leader, not a follower.
Courtesy / Basepoint Building Automations
“Our Innovation Cohort is comprised of some of our most dedicated and knowledgeable team members. They were selected based on their ability to think outside the box, their problem-solving approach, and their desire to serve customers. They are working with customers regularly and see their real-time issues. They use that experience to drive innovative solutions that don’t exist yet but have great potential,” says Richter.
The Cohort Team operates with a three-pronged mission: evaluating products to ensure quality, piloting client-specific solutions before implementation, and — crucially — developing Basepoint-branded solutions that go beyond standard vendor offerings. This ability to design proprietary solutions demonstrates a rare level of sophistication in the integration space.
This forward-looking approach allows Basepoint to anticipate client needs and adapt to industry shifts with agility. It transforms the company from a service provider into a true technology partner, capable of guiding clients and vendor partners through the complexities of modern building automation.
A Blueprint for the Industry
Courtesy / Basepoint Building Automations
Basepoint Building Automations didn’t win Integrator of the Year by accident. They won it by proving that the best way to serve clients is to invest deeply in the people who do the work. The synergy between the Academy of Excellence, the Innovation Labs and the Innovation Cohort Team has created a powerful engine for quality and consistency.
“We are more agile in solving our customers’ issues because we save time. Correspondence, testing, vetting, trouble-shooting, creativity; all these things take time. Now that we are in control of these pieces our customers’ down-time is dramatically reduced and their trust in us grows. It has also created a different mentality within our own walls; the expectation is that we are at the tip of the spear-solving problems they might not even know they are having or will potentially have in the future,” says Richter.
In an industry crowded with commodity players, Basepoint has carved out a distinct identity as a trusted innovation leader. Their story is a reminder that in the world of technology, human capital remains the most critical asset of all. As they accept this award, Basepoint isn’t just celebrating a good year; they are validating a strategy that will define their success for years to come.
