Citing economics and workplace trends, Snap One networking brand Access Networks, which has primarily operated in the custom high-end residential space, is expanding to the commercial AV market with new business, marketing and sales initiatives.
The Charlotte, N.C.-based company says it is bringing Access Networks’ lineup of Wi-Fi 6 access points, multi-gig switches and Sophos routers and firewalls, as well as access point features like BeamFlex+ technology designed to create higher accuracy and further range in connectivity.
According to the company, Access Networks was one of the first manufactures to introduce a line of Wi-Fi 6 access points, integrate advanced cybersecurity software into its products, and launch a network configuration and system management program. Now, those features and programs that began in the residential market can serve commercial clients.
The company offers a team of networking engineers that can provide integrators with network design, product pre-configuration and system monitoring after installation.
According to Bryce Nordstrand, vice president of managed services at Snap One, several factors are leading to dealers exploring more commercial projects, including a return to the office, a desire to enhance cybersecurity, new connected technologies in commercial environments such as hospitality, and houses of worship modernizing their facilities.
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“Our products have always provided enterprise-level performance; the difference is, now we’re putting some energy behind it with commercial-focused sales and marketing initiatives,” Nordstrand concluded.
“Together with Snap One, we are building a team of marketing, sales, and engineering experts to strengthen the presence of Access Networks and its dealers in the commercial marketplace. We have the right solutions, a knowledgeable team of IT experts, and a strong, sizable base of residential and commercial Partners to fuel a successful future in the commercial market.
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Scott Normand, Snap One’s commercial market senior director, says the AV industry has evolved to where there’s no longer any substantive differences between the networking needs and expectations of residential and commercial customers. The company is targeting small- and medium-sized businesses, hospitality venues, and houses of worship, Norman adds.
“There’s never been a better time for Partners to expand into commercial projects, and Access Networks’ enterprise-grade networking solutions, coupled with Snap One’s new focus on this sector of the systems integration industry, are geared to streamline the transition for our Partners,” Normand says.
At CEDIA Expo 2023, Snap One told CE Pro that it was planning to expand its dealer service and support to more of the commercial market, allowing dealers to get preconfigured, enterprise-grade networking products shipped ready to install directly to the project via the company’s Basic Configuration Services.
Access Networks expanding to the commercial market comes shortly after Origin Acoustics also announced a similar expansion, launching a new line of commercial-grade speakers and amplifiers. Other AV companies to expand to the commercial market in recent years include Bluesound and Sonance.
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