Crestron Company Profile
What Does Crestron Do?
Crestron “build[s] the technology that integrates technology,” according to its corporate website.
Its automation and control solutions for homes and buildings “let people control entire environments with the push of a button, integrating systems such as AV, lighting, shading, security, BMS and HVAC to provide greater comfort, convenience and security.”
Crestron has more than 90 offices that provide around-the-clock sales, technical, and training support across the globe. In addition to its world headquarters in Rockleigh, N.J., Crestron has sales and support offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia.
Crestron Solutions Categories
Sometimes referred to as an automation manufacturer, Crestron certainly is that but it’s offering now sprawl across just about every product category touching the AV integration industry.
Key Crestron Products for Commercial AV
Crestron Automation
Crestron is a leading provider of home-, building- and workplace automation solutions. Its control and automation solutions include control system hardware, touch panels, keypads, remote controls, building & enterprise management hardware, control systems, control modules and more.
Crestron AirMedia
As workplaces has evolved so too have the multimedia needs of meeting spaces. It’s increasingly important for employees to be able to quickly assemble and share or present content from their devices, e.g. laptops, tablets, phones, etc.
Crestron AirMedia is a wireless presentation solution that debuted in 2014. The manufacturer unveiled the next generation Crestron AirMedia 2.0 wireless presentation solution at Integrated Systems Europe 2018.
Crestron Fusion
Crestron “integrates systems and technologies that typically operate in silos, so they work together as a single system,” according to its website.
Crestron Fusion monitoring and scheduling software “adds a layer of intelligence to turn an organization into a high-performance enterprise.”
It includes network room scheduling, remote help desk, global device monitoring and data collection and reporting.
How to Become a Crestron Programmer
Crestron is renowned in the AV integration industry for its training and certification programs.
Only trained and certified professionals are green-lit to work professionally work with Crestron products. Only Crestron Certified Programmers can program Crestron automation systems.
There are several layers of Crestron training and certification:
Technician
According to Crestron’s website, this track is designed for technical installers and integrators who work with Crestron systems.
Trainees learn basics such as:
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- Integration of Crestron products and technologies using Cresnet, infiNET EX ®, ethernet, and Crestron Toolbox
- Fundamental Crestron systems maintenance
- Structured cabling basics
- Cable termination
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Engineer
This track is designed for AV Professionals who configure and maintain Crestron systems and technicians interested in making the transition to engineer.
Trainees gain:
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- Proficiency in Crestron Studio®, the Crestron application for fully customizable programming, GUI design, engraving, and device setup and configuration
- Mastery of Avia™ DSP, the audio web-based configuration software
- Thorough understanding of video distribution using DigitalMedia™ driven technologies with NVX
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Programmer
This track is for AV industry programmers who seek to earn the respected title of Crestron Certified Programmer.
Trainees learn:
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- Competency in symbol logic coding
- Use Smart Graphics to produce truly interactive and personal interfaces
- Ability to configure and commission a Crestron Fusion deployment
- Proficiency in Crestron’s Simpl+ programming language
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On its website, Crestron notes that successful completion of this track leads to Crestron Certified Programmer accreditation.
Crestron Certified Masters Programmers
According to Crestron’s website:
A Crestron Certified Programmer holds the highest respect in the industry due to the rigorous training, extensive experience, and stringent testing throughout the certification process. Certified Programmers earn an exclusive invite to our yearly Masters Classes.
Masters Classes are an invaluable opportunity for programmers to obtain specialized, hands-on training for the latest Crestron software and hardware while networking and sharing knowledge with other members of the Crestron Certified Programmers Community.
Crestron launched what became the Certified Masters program as a continuing education program for its certified technicians in 2001 and invited the 30 or so people to a training event.
That has grown leaps and bounds turning Crestron Masters into an industry standard event, most recently with 900 attendees.
Many integrators in the AV industry wonder why more manufacturers haven’t matched Crestron’s level of commitment to training and certification.
Learn more about Crestron training and certification opportunities here.
Crestron Meeting Room Solutions
Multiple Crestron meeting & room scheduling products have won awards from CI. The Mercury Tabletop Conference System & touch screens each made the list of Most Innovative Meeting Spaces Products.
Crestron Mercury uses existing network infrastructure to call, present, and video conference all from this one tabletop console. Crestron Mercury is a full open SIP conference phone and features a high-performance built-in speaker and four microphones; supports all web collaboration services, and connectivity for wired and wireless presentations. Cloud provisioning makes large-scale deployment and management easy.
Crestron Room Scheduling adds a level of productivity for organizations with multiple conference rooms and meeting spaces. Crestron Scheduling Touch Screens connect directly to Microsoft Ex- change or other popular calendaring programs, such as Google Calendar or IBM Notes, to book impromptu meetings on panels outside of rooms or search for and book spaces based on location, number of attendees, and type of meeting.
In The News
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Crestron Updates Automate VX with Intelligent Facial & Torso Detection
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Matild Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Upgrades its AV
Matild Palace, which C.E.H. Kft and Crestron collaborated on, earned top honors in the Best Hotel/Hospitality Project category.
K-Array Introduces New Suite of Design & Monitoring Software for Audio Systems
K-MONITOR, K-CONNECT and K-FRAMEWORK software introduces 3D visualization, configuration and monitoring to K-Array audio systems.
Crestron Earns ISO 9001 International Certification for Quality Management Systems
Crestron has achieved ISO 9001 certification — reinforcing its commitment to quality and developing reliable AV solutions for customers and partners around the world.
Best eSports Project: Horizon AVL Builds Spectacular Arena for UNCG
UNC Greensboro (UNCG) and Horizon AVL and Esports Integration partnered up to deliver a seamless gaming experience for students.
Zoomtopia 2023 Wraps Up with AI-Powered Workspaces, New Features for Hybrid Meetings
Zoomtopia 2023 unveiled a host of new Zoom features for hybrid meetings, AV partner collaborations and new meeting hardware.
Crestron’s Automate VX is Now Microsoft Teams Room Certified
Crestron’s Automate VX, a multi-camera switching and intelligent video system, earns Microsoft Teams certification for large meeting rooms.
Crestron Expands Zoom Enterprise Offerings at Zoomtopia 2023
Crestron unveiled its latest Zoom Enterprise solutions for booking meetings and videoconferencing at Zoomtopia 2023.