Rob Clayton is a Senior Solutions Designer at Tech Electronics with over a decade of experience in the design and installation of AV systems across a variety of industries.
Based out of Indianapolis, Clayton leverages his expertise and certifications like CTS-D from Avixa to fill the gaps that architectural and engineering firms need on their projects.
We sat down with him to talk about what he sees in the future of the industry, and how Tech can bring the right systems, and the right expertise to your job site.
What do you do here at Tech Electronics?
“My primary focus is on the construction market, and I typically look at bids that come out, plans and specs. We’re usually contacted by electrical contractors who want to partner up with us on the low voltage side of things.
In plans and specs, for me specifically it’s Division 27, which encompasses data and all low voltage that’s required for communications systems like intercom, sound, and AV applications.
So, the electricians typically don’t cover that work, they’re primarily high voltage and cable pathways, so when it comes to communications they typically reach out to the professionals, and that’s where we partner with them.”
What is the value that Tech can bring to these AV projects for an engineering consultant?
“For one, we have several certifications with Tech Electronics. In the AV world, it’s the Avixa CTS-I and CTS-D certifications that we utilize when reviewing the specs and making sure that they have all the systems, that all the components that are called for in those specifications work together.
We have the expertise to review those project details and ensure they all come together. When an issue does arise, then we can write requests for information and try to get answers prior to putting together our final bid number.”
What kind of considerations are you making regarding what equipment is needed, and where it's going to be placed?
“Here at Tech, we have two avenues for creating a system. My primary focus is plans and specs, but we have another avenue called direct, or design-build. We actually meet with customers and conduct a needs analysis to figure out what they want this system to do.
We’ll go out and do a site survey, take pictures of the environment in which they want a system, and ask how they want it to work? How many microphones do they want? What area do we want to cover with speakers?
On the visual side, do we think this is a great application for a projector, or even a video wall?
We have the expertise to go out and ask those specific questions to the end user to find out exactly what they’re wanting this particular system to do, and then we’ll come back and put a system together for them.
I like to take that proposal and sit down with them and go through it. I create a drawing so they can actuall see, connecting the dots of what this input will do, follow it through the system and show them exactly how it works.”
Are there any trends that you're seeing in what facilities are looking for?
“Indiana specifically, is becoming kind of the warehouse capital of the world. It seems like logistics is really booming here.
We’ve got several counties that have these massive warehouses now, so we’re able to install paging systems throughout those buildings for them.
In the commercial world, we talk a lot about conference room systems. Teams and zoom have become very popular now, especially after Covid. So those environments are becoming a necessity.
Digital signage has become pretty prevalent with the cost of LED walls coming down now. In lieu of installing projectors in auditoriums or churches, the price of the LED walls has come down so much that it’s better suited to install an LED wall these days.”
Is there anything else that an engineering firm, or even an end user, should be considering?
“Tech has the ability; we do plans and specs and we do designs. So, if there are any consultants out there, architectural engineering firms, who need help in putting plans and specs together for a particular system, Tech can assist in that capacity.
Some local companies have had issues in the AV world with model numbers. It seems model numbers expire or are discontinued every six months. So, some architects and engineering firms don’t update those specifications with the new part numbers when they produce specs.
It’s not a surprise to read a specification that has some material in there that is 10 years old and doesn’t apply in that system. Tech can help these firms update their specifications and put the right equipment in there for the owner or end user.”
Take a look at how Tech’s solutions designers were able to install a professional production system at an Indianapolis-area high school in our case study here.
For more information on how Tech can help design and install AV systems on your job site, schedule a consultation.
