Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Crestron Control Systems Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Topic:
CAIP sponsor
This thread has 14 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Saturday April 14, 2012 at 19:52
InfiniteLoop
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2012
7
Greetings to all --

Please forgive me if I"m not posting this in the correct place.

Perhaps a Crestron dealer/partner would be interested in a mutually beneficial relationship. I am located in New York City, and want to pursue becoming a CAIP. Crestron policies require me to get my training through a dealer or partner, and am seeking sponsorship.

I have vast programming experience at the corporate IT level, and want to move to a/v distribution and home automation.

I will pay any/all costs associated with training.

If anyone would consider this, please PM me.

Thanks in advance --
--InfiniteLoop
Post 2 made on Thursday April 19, 2012 at 13:59
longshot16
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2009
3,442
Have you tried paying to take the actual Crestron courses as a CAIP?
The Unicorn Whisperer
Post 3 made on Thursday April 19, 2012 at 15:36
cgav
Select Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2009
1,568
Last I knew, they allowed non-dealers to take the courses, they were just $1,000 per class or something like that. Still not a horrible deal if you can't find someone to let you take the class under them.
Post 4 made on Thursday April 19, 2012 at 16:42
longshot16
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2009
3,442
Exactly what i thought as well. That cuts out the middle man completely.
The Unicorn Whisperer
Post 5 made on Thursday April 19, 2012 at 21:12
tweeterguy
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2005
7,713
That's all well and good but you're not going to be a worthy CAIP unless you have access to the goods. 90% of the knowledge in class will be forgotten quickly if you don't have it at your disposal to work with on a daily basis.
Post 6 made on Thursday April 19, 2012 at 22:24
kgossen
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2008
3,026
On April 19, 2012 at 21:12, tweeterguy said...
That's all well and good but you're not going to be a worthy CAIP unless you have access to the goods. 90% of the knowledge in class will be forgotten quickly if you don't have it at your disposal to work with on a daily basis.

+1

Taking the courses without having the equipment to work on after is pretty much useless.
"Quality isn't expensive, it's Priceless!"
OP | Post 7 made on Friday April 20, 2012 at 02:07
InfiniteLoop
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2012
7
Thanks to all who have replied.

My intention is not to program in a vacuum - I realize that I'll need access to hardware.

I wrote to Creston and asked them about the steps required to attain CAIP status. Their reply:

"We only offer our training courses to authorized dealers and partners."

And so I then asked them what the "Independent" stands for in CAIP. Their reply:

"The independent means that you are authorized by Crestron to use our software but do not work for a Dealer or Crestron.
In order to get training you will need to be affiliated with a dealer or special partner."

And that's why I started this post, seeking CAIP sponsorship......
--InfiniteLoop
Post 8 made on Friday April 20, 2012 at 10:02
cgav
Select Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2009
1,568
[Link: crestron.com]

You'll notice the registration fees are waived for dealers or partners. That specifically implies that the classes are open to non-dealers/partners, albeit at $1000 per class. Which is still not a horrible deal.

In addition, if you're determined to do it, obtaining hardware is quite easy. Crestron equipment is very accessible on eBay or through several online companies who sell the hardware. You could build a decent bench test system for not a lot through used equipment. Finding someone (outside of your local city) to allow you to take classes under the guise of employment through them is going to be quite difficult in my opinion. I could see someone local to you allowing this if you were close to them and there was something in it for them.
OP | Post 9 made on Friday April 20, 2012 at 11:03
InfiniteLoop
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2012
7
cagv - thanks for your reply.

I had not seen that page on the Crestron site when following the links for CAIP.


--InfiniteLoop
--InfiniteLoop
Post 10 made on Friday April 20, 2012 at 13:31
tweeterguy
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2005
7,713
There are dozens of Crestron dealers within your area. Have you paid any of them a visit, introduced yourself and explained what you are looking for? You never know, one may work with you or even offer you employment. IMO, you really need to be with a firm doing AV and automation with Crestron before thinking about taking off on your own to be a CAIP. Just because you know networking and C++ doesn't mean you necessarily know the intricacies of making all of this work in the real world out in the field. Another thing I feel strongly about...a programmer needs to know how to connect and install this stuff too. I would never hire a programmer that has spent zero time in the field without going through some type of in the field boot camp to get up to speed. Just my 2 cents.
OP | Post 11 made on Friday May 4, 2012 at 17:48
InfiniteLoop
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2012
7
As a final update to this thread, I have the official word from Crestron. Despite the fact that they show a price list on their web site for those that are not affiliated with a dealer or partner, the classes can NOT be attended by independents.

Crestron's official reply:

"We do not have a way for you to take the classes at this time. I checked with our training department and the reason they have the price of the class listed is to show a value of the class."

It is beyond me what purpose showing a "value of the class" serves.

Bottom line is that Crestron will not allow anyone to take their training - even those willing to pay their own way - unless they are affiliated with a dealer or partner.

Sort of takes the "Independent" out of "Crestron Authorized Independent Programmer".

--InfiniteLoop
--InfiniteLoop
Post 12 made on Friday May 4, 2012 at 19:19
tweeterguy
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2005
7,713
"We do not have a way for you to take the classes at this time. I checked with our training department and the reason they have the price of the class listed is to show a value of the class."

That's how it should be. They don't want just any joe-schmo eating up tech support resources just because he's paid for a class.

It is beyond me what purpose showing a "value of the class" serves.

It's so you know the price you should expect to pay to the dealer who you are affiliated with, but not an employee of.

I'm trying to think of any reason why it should be any different than it is, but cannot. I don't know your personal situation or skill set but realistically there is no incentive or benefit to a dealer or Crestron to just let anyone off the street into the training classes. Doing so opens up an opportunity for gray-market sales, poor design/installation/programming, loss of client base due to incorrectly installed and configured systems and the nearly predictable flood of tech support calls that will ensue.

Why have you not reached out to the local firms as I suggested? It seems like you want a career in this field without going through the process everyone else has.
OP | Post 13 made on Friday May 4, 2012 at 23:51
InfiniteLoop
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2012
7
tweeterguy - no disrespect intended in the following --

Why would I want to be tethered to a dealer, if I can go my own way? The information technology world, which is where I originate, has a long history of independent software expertise. Obviously, that won't work with Crestron, but it was my original intention to see if that approach was possible.

Crestron wants to keep the level high, and I couldn't agree more. I assume that's the purpose of certification.

If Crestron certifies me as an independent programmer, from a technical/technological standpoint, what's the difference if I achieve that certification while affiliated with a dealer, or on my own?

From my perspective, I can't make a determination about learning their software because it's not possible to even take an "intro" class to the programming language, in order to see if my brain works that way.
--InfiniteLoop
Post 14 made on Saturday May 5, 2012 at 11:21
tweeterguy
Loyal Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2005
7,713
No disrespect taken. I do see your point, coming from an entrepreneurial background as well. I really do however feel strongly that you need some time in the trenches before you can become a programmer of Crestron or while you are learning.

I know a lot of Crestron programmers, the best ones know how to install, the theories and logic behind system design and what makes sense in the real world with real world expectations. The worst programmers I know have never held a tool, pulled wire, laced a rack, made connections to a Jandy aqualink or had daily meetings with several subs on how to make firepits not only turn on/off with a control system but also have variable flame.

Anyway...I won't bust your balls too much anymore about this. I'm merely conveying my thoughts from experiences in this field over the last 15 years.
Post 15 made on Monday May 14, 2012 at 00:05
Neurorad
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2007
3,011
You could try to strike a deal with a local dealer, offering money, to be put on the payroll, if you're rich and motivated.

Just a thought.

What kind of work do you do? Your company may have a need to provide Creston's services to clients. Maybe your employer could become a dealer, for commercial work. Or maybe they are already, and you don't know it.
TB A+ Partner
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. -Buddha


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse