Commercial Integrator August 2021 - 15

even certifi cation to put those customers
at ease. You're putting endpoints on their
network. They consider you a security risk
and it's your responsibility to establish
credibility and confi dence. Maybe you're
not seeing a lot of it now, but we expect
that more and more project contracts will
require integrators to indicate cybersecurity
training or certifi cation.
Maybe the " next big thing " is seizing
the opportunity now to turn the classroom
into a better hybrid learning environment.
The need for mobility isn't going away.
Nobody wants to be unprepared again.
Giving access to devices and the Internet
will be a huge push this year, according to
NSCA integrators.
We weren't prepared for this pandemic.
But we can be prepared for the next time
that our students' learning opportunities
are disrupted. And it's not just about
disruption. It's about recognizing what's
possible. As diffi cult as this past year has
been, it also opened our eyes to that fact
that we can create hybrid learning environments
- especially if we plan for it. And
there are other reasons besides pandemics
that might make it diffi cult for students
to physically be in classrooms.
What are integrators capable of doing
to facilitate that? What are integrators
capable of doing to make K-12 schools
less vulnerable in the event of another
pandemic ... or a bad fl u season?
Higher Education at a Pivot Point
The same challenges apply to higher
education integrators. What have we
learned? How will it position integrators
to provide more value to universities than
it has in the past?
Integrators should ask themselves
if they're in the " tuition justification "
business. That seems sarcastic and
negative, but it's not necessarily meant
that way. University customers have been
charging students a lot of money for a
learning experience that usually includes
in-person interaction with professors;
social interaction with peers; and a livingaway-from-home
experience in a student
community. People have long universally
complained about how expensive college
is - but we also generally accepted
it. The pandemic may have chipped away
commercialintegrator.com
Integrators should ask themselves if they're in the " tuition justifi cation " business.
at that acceptance.
Many students' perception of distance
learning as a means of earning a college
degree while perhaps saving tuition
dollars and living a diff erent lifestyle has
changed. Universities want to make sure
that they're providing an environment
that inspires students to want to learn in
person to the point that they and their
parents are willing to pay for it. How can
higher education integrators play a role
in making sure they're elevating the value
of being there in person? That's even
more tricky because you have to do that
while also improving the distance learning
experience.
So integrators are tasked with improving
the in-person learning environment
to the point where it's obviously better
than distance learning - and they're also
charged with improving distance learning
to the point where students see that as a
great value. That's not an easy spot.
In that sense, being in the " tuition
justifi cation " business isn't necessarily a
bad thing - especially if you're legitimately
providing solutions that enhance in-person
learning. In terms of the contractors
that universities will work with to make
signifi cant improvements to the learning
experience, it's hard to imagine many
contractors being more important than an
integrator - than someone that can provide
audio, video, video wall, touchless
automation, intuitive control, security, life
safety and better communication. This is a
pivotal opportunity for higher education
integrators.
Indeed, the integration industry in
general - beyond the education markets -
is at a pivot point. That's a good thing. It's
a chance for integrators to revaluate their
off erings to keep pace with their customers'
evolving needs. More importantly,
it's an opportunity to double-down on the
value that a trusted integrator provides to
customers.
Tom LeBlanc is Director of
Industry Outreach for NSCA.
Learn more about NSCA
membership and how to
become a member at NSCA.org.
Are You a PASS Partner?
If you work with education
customers, you should be. Learn
how the Partner Alliance for Safer
Schools (PASS) program helps you
add value for education customers.
Visit PASS12.org.
AUGUST 2021 Commercial Integrator
15
KCULP/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
http://www.NSCA.org http://www.PASS12.org http://www.commercialintegrator.com
Commercial Integrator August 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Integrator August 2021
