• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
IT Infrastructure

An AV Insider’s Path to Control System Programming

For AV industry insider and software developer David Glassman, the path to AV control system programming was atypical yet full of learning opportunities.

September 11, 2017 David Glassman 1 Comment

The AV industry is thriving with an abundance of exciting career opportunities for those interested in technology, and not everyone who enters the field undergoes specific training or education. As I’ve learned, it isn’t uncommon for AV professionals to have wide-ranging educational backgrounds and credentials. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, my path proves that a traditional programming pedigree is not the only route to becoming an AV control system professional.

In fact, individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences often bring fresh, and unique, perspectives to their roles. In my case, having an art and design background provides a different outlook on software development projects and helps evaluate usability from the user’s perspective rather than that of a programmer.

On a recent project, the end user wanted simplified and uncluttered touch panels for a large and complex system. They wanted me to maintain the ability for those touch panels to do anything the system was capable of — from a single interface. While these requests were diametrically opposed, I needed to find a suitable solution. Using fundamental design principles such as color theory, composition, and typography, I created a user interface with a clean and easy-to-understand design that the end user found very functional.

Hands-on Learning for the Junior AV Programmer

As part of my commitment to learning and growing on this non-traditional path, I focused on three key strategies which involved setting goals, obtaining mentors, and seeking education.

Realistic AV Goal-Setting

After graduating from the School of Visual Arts, I entered the AV industry with what was supposed to be a temporary administrative job at an AV integration firm and stayed there for seven years. During this time, I developed an interest, and then love, for programming while having the fortunate experience of hands-on learning and mentorship. Goal setting and commitment to learning eventually paid off, and I landed a junior programmer position at Control Concepts, where the education and development only continued.

Starting Out in the AV Control System Programming World

As many AV programming upstarts soon realize, early assignments involve helping the senior programmers on their projects. This role is critical for developing as a programmer and provides tremendous learning opportunities for how vital the control system programmer’s role is and how essential a properly programmed system is for a successful project outcome. Junior programmers should seek mentors to point them in the right direction, share their knowledge, help navigate complex solutions, and answer the many questions that arise.

Continuing Education In AV Programming

In my case, advancing to AV control system programming and interface developer included working on traditional system-based Crestron, AMX and Extron projects including boardrooms, divisible rooms, and lighting systems. At the same time, I continued my self-directed learning along with manufacturer-led classes to gain proficiency in Crestron (SIMPL, SIMPL+ and SIMPL#), AMX (NetLinx and some Java), Extron (Configuration and Python), C#, JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Additionally, I earned several industry and manufacturer certifications including the InfoComm CTS, AMX Solutions Master, Crestron Silver-level Master Programmer, and Extron Python Programmer. In 2015, I was also recognized as one of the “40 CI Influencers under 40” by Commercial Integrator magazine.

The Move to Software Development

With the AV industry evolving and AV control systems becoming more multi-faceted, I find numerous channels and pathways to learn and grow from. For me, programming led the way to software development opportunities. As a software developer, I now support the various custom software offerings our team creates to satisfy the growing demand for simpler, more cost-effective project solutions as well as highly customized solutions that address challenges or unique needs. I am pleased to have a direct role in determining requirements, features, and steering the ultimate direction of a deliverable.

The uniqueness of these custom software projects differs in many ways from that of the traditional systems-based project. A recent development project involved using our Crestron Configurator, a Windows-based .NET application that assists the user with setting up, configuring, and loading individual rooms within a multi-room Crestron installation. It replaces commonly used configuration text files with a unified interface that is based on templates defined at the start of the project. This is popular for large-scale rollouts at universities with multiple campuses and global organizations with numerous locations.

So far, my AV career journey is filled with fascinating knowledge, remarkable mentors, and rewarding challenges. I know there is so much more to learn and look forward to, and I encourage other emerging AV professionals, or those simply considering the field, to spend time learning about the plethora of opportunities this industry presents and how they, too, might be able to make their mark.

 

David Glassman handles programming and software development for Control Concepts. This article was originially posted on TD sister site Commercial Integrator.

Tagged With: Control & Automation, Programming

Related Content:

  • Barracuda networks ransomware, cyberinurance Ransomware Actors May Be Targeting Organizations With Cyber…
  • Bitwarden Secrets manager Bitwarden Releases Beta of Secrets Manager for DevOps…
  • Cisco Webex Board Pro, MIcrosoft Teams, Webex You Can Now Natively Run Microsoft Teams Rooms…
  • Zoom Okta E2EE Zoom Users Can Now Use Okta to Authenticate…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Four IT Trends That Will Define 2023Expert Series: Four IT Trends That Will Define 2023

    Learn about four key technologies we identified as critical to your IT organization’s success in 2023, as well as how to invest in new innovations emerging from each.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ethan Hansen says

    February 14, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    I found it interesting how you mentioned how some AV careers can lead to control system design and programming. My son is really interested in pursuing a career in AV technology but has been hesitant about what career would suit him. I will definitely pass this option on to him so he can further assess his planned route!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the FREE Tech Decisions eNewsletter

Sign up Today!

Latest Downloads

Four IT Trends That Will Define 2023
Expert Series: Four IT Trends That Will Define 2023

Learn about four key technologies we identified as critical to your IT organization’s success in 2023, as well as how to invest in new innovations ...

Harnessing the Power of Digital Signage
Harnessing the Power of Digital Signage

Choosing the best solutions for messaging, branding, and communicating in today’s content-everywhere landscape

Blueprint Series Cover: What works for hybrid work
Blueprint Series: What Works for Hybrid Work

Download this free resource to learn about how IT leaders can effectively manage and implement a hybrid work model.

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!
Sharp Microsoft Collaboration HQ Logo

Learn More About the
Windows Collaboration Display

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Subscribe to the Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Media Solutions & Advertising
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2023 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.