Ceitronics has become one of the leading systems integration contractors in the Western United States. The company has been a pioneer in the booming systems integration industry, constructing communication systems within the disciplines of voice/data networks, audio and video, security and fire life safety. The systems integration industry exploded during the early ’80s, when the telephone industry was deregulated. As deregulation occurred, telephone companies eliminated low profit business units, specifically the ones that were used to wire buildings.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) recognized the opportunity in the marketplace for installation of voice networks and organized technicians and other qualified communications workers to fill the gap. Soon the systems integration industry began to emerge. Further fueling the industry’s growth was the advent of the personal computer. As PC users began to share files, infrastructure wiring was needed to link computers, adding to the explosion of systems integration in the workplace.

Ceitronics, founded in 1985, was one of the first contractors to recognize the opportunities in the burgeoning field and to sign a newly drafted labor agreement. “Ceitronics was somewhat of a pioneer in recognizing the industry’s potential,” said Aaron Colton, President of Ceitronics.

“I think Ceitronics was successful largely because we were out front in the Bay Area, a market place that was ready to accept this alliance as a viable approach to getting electrical contracting work done.” Colton added that Ceitronics initially supplied labor and material on “fairly simplistic interconnection projects.”

Colton said that Ceitronics’ long time alliance with IBM also gave it an early edge in the industry. “Early on IBM adopted a networking technology called token ring, and installed it in their facilities. As a major vendor for IBM in the mid 80s, Ceitronics had an early look at token ring installations and learned a great deal technically about the methodologies that networking manufacturers were using. This background gave us a technological edge that allowed us to be more competitive.”

“Our role has evolved and we now take a very sophisticated approach that includes developing a system wide responsibility for total integration of various technologies, such as security, safety, audio-video, and networking,” Colton said. During the last few years, Ceitronics has worked on some of the most complex system integration projects in the country, including the San Francisco City Hall, the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, and the Oakland Coliseum.

Colton said since those early days the systems integration industry has become more professionalized by the advent and growth of BICSI (The Building Industry Consulting Services, International), the nonprofit telecommunications association that focuses on systems integration issues.

Illustrations
1. Ceitronics Audio-Video Systems Integration of San Francisco City Hall

Other Features
1. New Icons Emphasize Ceitronics' Range of Services
2. Newly awarded Ceitronics Projects
3. San Francisco City Hall Audio-Video Features
4. State-of-the-Art Technical Integration Brings Public Benefits
5. Crestron Remote Control Touch Panels