“This partnership is very exciting, not only for Crestron and AVAD, but for the whole industry,” stated Randy Klein, Crestron executive vice president. “Both companies have tremendous resources and are completely committed to success. With our products and AVAD’s sales channels, we are confident we will expand and develop the marketplace and the industry.”

“Being able to offer Crestron products to our dealer base is an extension of our commitment to provide custom installers with the industry’s most innovative products and brands,” said Jim Annes, vice president and general manager of AVAD. “As part of our mission to support the unique needs of our dealers, we will provide authorized Crestron dealers with all of the tools and assistance they need to successfully market, sell, install, program and deliver complete client satisfaction.”

Annes pointed out the value of Crestron’s fully integrated systems. “Because these systems are fully integrated, they are easier to install and there is less risk,” said Annes. “It offers security dealers an opportunity to expand their security offerings and include home automation.”

Only qualified AVAD dealers will be authorized to sell the select line of Crestron home control products. Crestron and AVAD will evaluate dealers based on available resources and their capability to fully support the line and home owners. Qualified dealers will be required to install their own demonstration systems and complete onsite training offered by AVAD and Crestron.

Once approved, AVAD dealers will be authorized to purchase products from Crestron’s Prodigy and Adagio lines. Prodigy offers dealers an affordable, simplified control solution for whole house automation including music, movies, lights, thermostats and security. A stand-alone system from Crestron, Adagio is promoted by Crestron as a simple-to-use, easy-to-install home entertainment system that allows anentire family's media – CDs, MP3s, satellite radio, DVDs – to all be brought together in a single system.

AVAD will be proactively going through its database looking for dealers who qualify, but AVAD is also encouraging dealers who are interested in becoming AVAD dealers or becoming authorized to sell Crestron products to contact the company.

More details about the product roll out will be announced in the next 30 days. For additional questions, contact Jim Annes at AVAD at jim.annes@avad.com.