
Technology Is Always Advancing
We live in a day and age where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. It seems like every day brings new discoveries that are introduced to make the quality of our lives better and more enjoyable. This ever changing environment leaves people with two basic choices when they are ready to bring home some of the latest technological advances in audio, video, home automation, and systems integration – attempt to go it alone or seek professional help. But where do you look for a professional to fit this bill?
If you are looking to design a new home, you select an architect. When you are looking to layout the interior of your home, you choose an interior designer. But who do you seek out when you are looking to integrate technology into your home? This is where the Electronic Systems Designer comes in. The Consumer Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) defines a Professional Electronic Systems Designer as “a person who communicates with clients and design and installation professionals, and selects the appropriate products and materials to design individual residential systems (including alarm, telephone, cable television, satellite television, data, audio, video, home theatre, HVAC and lighting control)”. Much like other professional fields, this person has undergone extensive training in these fields, and passed a certification exam covering these fields of expertise. They are also involved in continuing education to stay current with the best industry practices and latest technologies.

An Electronic Systems Designer’s Expertise Can Save You Time, Money, and Frustration
The advantages of working with a Professional Electronic Systems Designer are many. First, their whole focus is on creating custom systems tailored to client’s individual needs, not trying to cram everybody into premade packages and one-size-fits all solutions. Unlike a big box store, they don’t need to push a particular item because too many are on hand. They can choose a solution based on what will work best for a client’s situation, needs, and desires. Also, as a designer is looking at the bigger picture of how all the individual components interact, they are able to avoid conflicts that would happen if a person went and picked up a whole bunch of items off the shelf hoping they’d all work together. By engineering a system in advance, a designer can insure that everything will work just as planned when the system is all in place. Finally, a designer should save you time, money, and frustration; The time trying to work it out alone, the money of having to rework things when they don’t work out, and the frustration of things not coming together as planned.
Once you decide to work with a Professional Electronic Systems Designer, how do you choose one? First, you should definitely look for a Designer with professional certifications in the design and engineering of Electronic Systems. These people treat their profession seriously – not as a hobby. And work to stay current with all the latest trends and technologies. Second, this person should be associated with a solid company with a solid reputation. Once your system is designed, you want to make sure the company has the means and expertise to properly install it. And a history of being there to back up systems years after the installation. Finally, they should be able to work with all related trades to help coordinate implementation of systems in a smooth and efficient manner.