Features
Protecting the Spec
If prospects aren’t saying yes to what your firm is suggesting, consider changing the structure of the conversation.
Business
News
Integration Company Daisy Announces Nationwide Franchise Offering
Daisy expands coast-to-coast with first flagship franchise in California and its first company-owned operation in Connecticut.
Blogs
Leveraging Tension in Your Business
When used properly, tension can create less work for managers and make for a happier, more productive workforce.
Features
Optimizing Your CI Business
How to conquer your current growth level before moving on to the next one.
Behind the Business
Bridging the Workforce Gap
One year after its debut, CEDIA NextGen is being used globally to empower and inform young people about opportunities in the smart home industry.
Features
The Value of Professional Training
Virtual training programs play a key role in keeping integration staffs up to speed with the latest technologies and able to best serve their...
News
D-Tools Compares Product and Labor Profit Margins in Latest Special Report
Presents findings based on data from users of D-Tools Cloud business management software.
Features
Breaking Through
Looking back, 2023 was a breakthrough year for the industry in a few key areas.
Features
Dealing With Overhead
Proper management of major operating costs can bring in additional revenue that can be reinvested in the business.
News
One Firefly Expands Mercury Pro’s Customization Options
New features include a new array of design modules for the homepage and branded custom copywriting across all website pages.
Features
Don’t Hesitate to Differentiate
Consumers need to know what makes your offering unique, different, and better than what they see in headlines or on social media.
Features
Revisiting Sales Comp Plans That Work
A great plan rewards the sales team without putting the company at risk.
Features
Looking Backward to See Forward
Making plans based on the past can shed proper light on what’s right for your business.
News
D-Tools Makes Its Cloud Solo Software Available for Free to All Dealers
The D-Tools Cloud Solo plan provides a single user the ability to manage their sales pipeline, generate proposals, and much more.
Sponsored
Creating a Grander and More Immersive Entertainment Experience for Your Customer
Sony Electronics' product technology manager of Home Entertainment and Sound, Robert Brennan, discusses buying trends and how CI's can leverage consumers' desire for an...
News
New Research Approach from CEDIA Places Industry at $29 Billion
For the 2023 report, CEDIA has bolstered integrator survey responses with specification data from D-Tools and Portal.
Back to Business
Predicting the Year Ahead
Some industry trends and guidance to consider as 2023 comes to a close.
Behind the Business
Lessons Learned From the Supply Chain Crisis
Crestron and its dealers share tales of survival and success from the tumultuous early ’20s.
Blogs
VideoMojo Rising
Three industry powerhouses team up to provide an affordable, efficient, and effective high-quality custom video solution for dealers.
Features
Laboring Over Labor Efficiency
Optimizing tech productivity is a great way to gain insight into your company’s systems and identify problem areas.
Blogs
Avoiding Change Order Black Holes
Handling those ‘it-will-only-take-a-minute’ requests as they come up.
Behind the Business
The State of the Industry 2023
With the rollercoaster of summer behind us, we take stock of where we stand.
Features
The Manufacturer/Project Manager Connection
CI suppliers can become true partners by enhancing education and collaboration opportunities for project managers.
Events
VITAL Announces Return of IMPACT Series Events
The next session is on Mental Toughness and Peak Performance and will take place on December 7.
Blogs
Talk Less…Listen More
A valuable note for salespeople, manufacturer reps, and everyone else in the CI industry.
Back to Business
The Dangers of the ‘Not Invented Here’ Syndrome
Are you defending your own ideas in the face of better ones?
Features
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Events like CEDIA Expo provide excellent opportunities for you to share what you saw so that people outside of our industry see, hear, and...
Features
Managing Customer Deposits and Inventory
If you can keep track of these two key cash-flow components, you can amass a large sum of money to reinvest in the business.
Blogs
It’s Not Your First Time, But It’s Their First Time
Being mindful that everything that we call routine is novel for our clients.
News
New D-Tools Data Shows Change Orders Can Be Lucrative
Integrators are five times more likely to earn additional revenue from change orders than they are to lose money. On average, change orders add...
Behind the Business
Federal Issues You’ll Want to Know About
A look at the areas of the federal government that have an impact on custom integration businesses.
Features
Being Present, Pleasant, and Supportive
Design professionals want to include tech and are eager to learn, but are still leery of the lingo.
Awards
VITAL Announces 2023 Leaders in CI Business Excellence
Honors members who strive daily to improve their business operations and profits.
Features
Working With the Big Two
How proper management of gross profit and payroll can lead to a more successful business.