From the show floor at CEDIA Expo 2025, three distinct voices reveal an industry in the midst of transformation—where technology, design, and business are converging in new and unexpected ways. What emerges is not a story about gadgets, but about integration at every level: systems, teams, and ideas. The future of the home is being shaped as much by collaboration and communication as by innovation itself.
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Jason Knott, Hagan Kappler, and Bob Schuppe each bring a different lens to the evolving world of residential technology, exploring how integrators, designers, and architects must align to meet rising expectations around performance, aesthetics, and long-term value.
Jason Knott | D-Tools
Integration Over Innovation
The industry has shifted from breakthrough moments (CDs, DVDs, early automation) to iterative refinement.
https://www.d-tools.comLighting as the Entry Point
Lighting design is now the gateway for integrators to engage at the earliest stages of a project.
https://www.lutron.comhttps://www.ketra.comEarly-Stage Collaboration
Integrators must be involved during architectural planning to avoid conflicts with structure, HVAC, and design intent.
https://cedia.orgThe Designer–Integrator Language Gap
Misalignment between aesthetics and performance leads to inefficiencies and compromised outcomes.
“Wall Acne” and Invisible Technology
The push to hide visible tech (switches, speakers, controls) has created a sub-industry of concealment solutions.
https://www.framemytv.com
https://www.futureautomation.netBusiness Software as Competitive Advantage
End-to-end platforms improve efficiency, project management, and profitability (~13% increase).
https://www.d-tools.com/system-integratorhttps://www.d-tools.com/cloudAI in Integration (Early Stage)
AI is being applied to proposal generation and security analytics, though much of the market is still in hype phase.
Resistance to Change
Legacy workflows (Word, Excel) persist despite clear operational disadvantages.
Designing for Reality
Client preferences, budget, and compromise often override ideal technical execution.
Hagan Kappler | Daisy
National Integration Platform
Scaling a fragmented industry through acquisition and brand unification.
https://daisyco.comConsistency Across Multiple Residences
Clients expect identical user experiences across homes in different locations.
Recurring Revenue Model
Quarterly service visits transform integrators from project-based vendors into long-term partners.
Builder/Designer-Centric Business Model
Majority of work driven through relationships with architects, builders, and interior designers.
Purchasing Power & Market Influence
Scale enables stronger relationships with manufacturers and influence over product development.
Industry Consolidation Trend
Integration is following other trades (HVAC, pest control) toward aggregation and higher valuations.
Workforce Development & Labor Shortage
Critical shortage of technicians is limiting industry growth.
Women in Integration
Expanding the talent pool through apprenticeship programs and leadership pathways.
https://cedia.org/educationEducation Pipeline Development
Outreach to high schools and partnerships with manufacturers to build awareness of integration careers.
Client Lifecycle Expansion
Shifting from one-time installs to ongoing service, upgrades, and data-driven engagement.
Bob Schuppe | Resolute Design Group
Lighting as the New Frontier
Lighting has become the defining category in modern integration.
https://www.lutron.comhttps://www.ketra.comDecline of Traditional Recessed Lighting
Shift from large can lights to small aperture, modular, and precision lighting systems.
Integrator as Technology Guide
Role evolving into advisor/translator—helping clients discover what’s possible.
Authenticity vs. Aesthetic Perfection
Designers removing tech elements from photos raises questions about transparency in design.
Invisible but Functional Technology
Technology should disappear visually while remaining fully accessible and high-performing.
Reliability Over Innovation
“Bulletproof” systems are more valuable than bleeding-edge solutions that may fail.
Engineering-Driven Approach
Performance, redundancy, and consistency are core to successful system design.
Blurred Lines Between Trades
Increasing overlap between electricians, designers, builders, and integrators.
Manufacturer–Integrator Feedback Loop
Experienced integrators play a key role in shaping product development.
Audio Nostalgia & Tangibility
Resurgence of vinyl, CDs, and physical media reflects desire for tactile experiences.
https://www.sonos.comhttps://www.mcintoshlabs.comEmotional Connection to Technology
Technology is not purely functional—it shapes memory, identity, and experience.
Integration as a Discipline, Not a Layer
Technology must be embedded from the beginning of the design process—not added later.
Collaboration as Competitive Advantage
The most successful projects are built on shared ownership between designers, architects, and integrators.
Aesthetics vs. Performance Tension
Balancing clean design with technical requirements remains the central challenge.
Standardization vs. Customization
Clients want both highly personalized spaces and consistent experiences across properties.
The Rise of Service-Based Models
Recurring engagement is replacing one-time project delivery.
Technology Disappearing Into Architecture
The end goal is seamless integration—where tech enhances space without calling attention to itself.
