D-Tools, Inc., the Concord, Calif.-based provider of business management software that improves financial results for thousands of electronic system integrators worldwide, announced the addition of longtime CE Pro Editor-in-Chief and industry icon Jason Knott as Data Solutions Architect and Evangelist, effective July 5, 2023.
Knott has been a fixture in the custom electronics industry for decades, heading up the leading trade publication and industry news website since 2000. In his new role, Knott will work with the D-Tools Industry Information & Insights team to define and deliver an expanded set of timely, accurate, and actionable business intelligence to stakeholders throughout the residential systems, commercial AV and commercial security industries.
“When Jason raised his hand to help guide the broader rollout of D-Tools’ Industry Information & Insights program, we were over the moon. Frankly, I can’t imagine anyone more qualified,” says Randy Stearns, D-Tools CEO. “I am confident that Jason’s involvement will help D-Tools fulfill its vision of delivering relevant and actionable insights to the various industry cohorts – system integrators, manufacturers, distributors, buying groups, and trade associations – in a manner that serves to benefit the industry as a whole.”
Longtime CE Pro Editor Excited for New Role at D-Tools
“This might be the first time ever I am at a loss for words. It is hard for me to find the right words to express how thrilled I am to have the opportunity to help drive this game-changing initiative for D-Tools,” says Knott, a 2021 recipient of CTA’s Smart Home Division Leadership Award,
“The industry is in dire need of a definitive source of timely and accurate industry analytics and insights. D-Tools is ideally positioned to capture, warehouse, analyze, and report on market activity, performance, and trends,” he says. “I believe D-Tools’s business intelligence and industry insights will become the standard that everyone across the industry uses to gauge and benchmark their performance and plan for the future.”
Knott has been involved in the low-voltage electronics industry for the past 33 years, first as Editor-in-Chief of Security Sales & Integration (SSI), and in the same role at CE Pro since 2000.
For the past 10 years, Knott has overseen a group of integrator-focused publications and websites, including CE Pro, SSI, and Commercial Integrator, as Chief Content Officer. He guided the publications through their transition from ownership under EH Media to Emerald, which the publication has worked closely with additionally to provide content and coverage of the Emerald-owned CEDIA Expo including the Smart Stage sessions.
He has served on several industry association committees over the decades, including on the CEDIA Business Education Working Group for 10 years. He is the recipient of the 2022 Consumer Technology Association Smart Home Division Leadership Award.
“I believe my familiarity with all the facets of the integration industry—from security to smart home to commercial integration—has prepared me well to take on this new challenge with D-Tools. This is going to be a blast. I can’t wait,” adds Knott, who indicates that CE Pro plans to announce his successor at the magazine on Friday, April 28.
Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site CEPro on April 26, 2023. It has since been updated for Commercial Integrator’s audience.
