The new program clearly defines how Home Technology firms and Design/Build pros should work together to achieve successful project outcomes.
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 18, 2023) – The Home Technology Association (HTA)—the resource for the most qualified and professional home technology integrators—announced its new HTA Design Partner program today. The new HTA Design Partner professional designation identifies design-centric home technology integrators as a service to architects, interior designers, builders, and end users. The program was created to recognize the home technology professionals that not only offer technology consultation and design but those who collaborate with design and build teams to ensure that the technology is integrated into the home in the best way possible.
The need for this type of program in the home technology industry has grown over the years. When planning a new construction or remodeling project, it is vital that the client’s technology needs are considered and designed early to avoid compromises, change orders, and project delays. The HTA Design Partner program serves as the basis for effective collaboration between the trades and addresses issues that have kept them from engaging integrators early on projects in the past. This will lead to better trade relationships and integrators being hired early as technology design consultants.
“The HTA Design Partner and corresponding HTA Technology Partner programs are a brilliant ways to solve most, if not all, of the issues that we see on the job site when you integrate new people into the design process. This is going to streamline the process from design to build and reduce the amount of time and errors that we see. It will also make for an improved experience for the consumer. Everyone wins,” says Eric Goranson, Host of Around the House Show, Radio & TV Personality, Interior Designer, and Certified Kitchen Designer.
Architecture and technology have never been more intertwined than today”, notes Shawn Brown of Vessel Studio, Architect, AIA. “Our design process requires the acknowledgement and integration of all systems early to help create a responsive, thoughtful and forward thinking approach to Architecture. The HTA Design Partner program provides us the confidence to engage the right home technology integrator when we need them the most, during the design process.
A qualified home technology integrator should be a trusted design team member for early technology consultation and design. Yet, only a small percentage of home technology integrators provide design and engineering documentation. An even smaller percentage offers a technology consultation phase of service. The HTA Design Partner designation is only available to those that meet stringent HTA Certification guidelines that serve as the basis for successful design collaboration and coordination with architects, builders, and interior designers. The framework for collaboration was created with the input of architects, interior designers, general contractors, and design-centric home technology integration firms and is the basis for successful design collaboration and coordination between integrators and design-build professionals. By providing these guidelines, the HTA is helping the custom integration industry by defining a code of conduct and rules of engagement that if adhered to, will help elevate the reputation of the CI industry.
Likewise, architects, interior designers, and general contractors that handle their clients’ technology needs proactively can opt into the corresponding ‘HTA Technology Partner’ program. These forward-thinking design and build professionals understand that their clients' safety and entertainment needs must be determined early because home technology systems affect space planning, aesthetics, and the coordination of other trades such as framing contractors, electricians, and HVAC contractors.
“When we introduced SLA's into our company, it clearly established the rules of engagement between our company and our clients. We have revolutionized our service department and this has resulted in happier clients. All expectations were clear on both sides. We need this same type of rules of engagement between integrators and design and build partners. The HTA Design / Technology Partner program achieves this wonderfully”, says Eric Thies, President of DSI Luxury Technology.
Visit https://htacertified.org/app/articles/what-is-an-hta-design-partner/ to learn more about the HTA Design Partner program.
Visit https://htacertified.org/app/articles/what-is-an-hta-technology-partner/ to learn more about the HTA Technology Partner program.
About the Home Technology Association
The Home Technology Association (HTA) created the first and only standard of excellence for home technology integration firms. The HTA gives the best-qualified technology integrators a prestigious certification to differentiate these exceptional firms. HTA Certification is a badge of quality, designed to help homeowners get consistently first-rate technology experiences. Homeowners, builders, architects, and interior designers that hire HTA Certified integrators have peace of mind knowing they are working with truly professional firms that have passed the HTA’s rigorous certification process, which focuses on technical competency, first-rate customer service, aftercare support, and a positive business reputation.
The Home Technology Association is also the creator of the HTA Design Partner and HTA Technology Partner programs designed to elevate the role of qualified home technology integrators as technology design consultants that trade partners should include on all of their residential projects. In addition, the Home Technology Association actively collaborates with design and build trade associations such as AIBD, ASID, IDS, NAHB, NARI, and the NKBA. The HTA helps bridge the design and collaboration gap between the home technology integration industry and design and build professionals. This is accomplished via educational articles, webinars, classes, budgeting tools, technology assessment forms, a brand Resource Guide, and an integrator finder tool to help them incorporate technology into their projects easier. Learn more by visiting HTACertified.org and by following the Home Technology Association (HTA) on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & Pinterest.
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HTA Media Contact
For interviews or media inquiries, please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing katye@kmbcomm.com.
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