It’s obvious that not all rooms will fit into any mass deployment, but Crestron has an answer for that. “For rooms that are more custom and go beyond the scope of .AV Framework, use Crestron Studio,” Jackson says. “You keep the same .AV Framework functionality and user experience but you can add more components, custom functionality and even add your logo without any code or complex UI design. It couldn’t be easier.”
Hoffman maintained that drag-and-drop Kramer Control can provide any level of robust customization. “There is nothing that [other automation solutions] do that we won’t be able to do and probably even better,” he said.
Hear from iRule’s Itai Bengal who worked with Kramer on the development of Kramer Control:
Impact on Programmers
Where does all this leave the integration industry’s programmers? Well, some of what we think of as programmers have seen this shift to high-volume configuration coming for some time and no longer want to be labeled “programmer.”
PepperDash is often thought of as a third-party programming house, but the Allston, Mass.-based firm stopping using “programming” to describe what it does a long time ago, says CEO Howard Nunes. “We are software developers. We write software in a wide variety of languages. That makes much more sense to the IT buyer, because they’re used bringing in software developers when they need solutions.”
Fair Lawn, N.J.-based Control Concepts also considers itself a software developer, not necessarily a programming house. Manufacturer’s focus on tapping into the need for simpler AV systems that are more affordable and can be deployed more easily and prolifically throughout organizations makes sense, says Control Concepts president Steve Greenblatt, but he adds that there are times and places for these “no programming” solutions. “It does make sense for the right type of system or situation. Many simple systems only need simple solutions. Thus, manufacturers are looking for ways to remove the complexity of programming control systems. I can see where these would be important even for my own use.”
It’s only logical that automation should go along for the ride as audio, video and unified communication and collaboration become widely deployed beyond the executive conference rooms. “If you’re looking at 500 huddle spaces, you don’t want to build a fresh one every time; you want to build a single one and deploy it,” Nunes says.
Automation and user interfaces can be a little trickier than other integrated solutions to deploy in high volume and Greenblatt maintains that solutions that offer drag-and-drop configuration have their limitations by removing much of the customization. “Systems that are configured or done with a ‘no programming required’ solution tend to be fixed in their capabilities, have limited options, less flexibility, and may be harder to modify or upgrade,” he says. “If a client understands what they are getting and the restrictions that may be associated with it, they may be very content with the benefits of this approach.”
It seems likely that many customers will be content with that approach. There is an argument that the shift will provide a boon for and not a blow to the integration industry’s programmers or software developers.
