The SDVOE Alliance’s new certification program empowers users and integrators to creatively solve the industry’s issues. Sean Carroll finds out more.

The SDVoE Alliance, a non-profit consortium of technology providers which aims to collaborate within the professional AV industry, has opened up its Developer Certification Program, inviting programmers and software developers to create AV solutions.

As SDVoE Alliance president Justin Kennington puts it, it’s like “Android for pro AV”.

“We’re creating an open software platform that enables access for any interested developer to build applications on top,” he says.

“The ultimate vision is one of a marketplace where what they need is readily available, whether for free or for a fee.  And if it isn’t, they can build their own custom solution to suit.”

He pointed to the analogy of smart phones and their app developers. Apple didn’t create the iPhone so that we could all ask a red Toyota to pick us up from the pub on Friday night, they built a flexible platform and then opened it up to developers. Someone else invented Uber.

By letting the users create the solutions for the AV space, the hot topic at the time will be focused on. If this program were open at the very start of the pandemic, there would likely be a lot of focus on collaboration with remote workers or potentially large huddle rooms for when we all return to the workplace in whatever capacity.

“Training and support around the SDVoE API are key differentiators for what we’re doing in the SDVoE Developer Certification Program,” SDVoE Alliance head of education Matt Dodd says.

“Many companies release an API and just let the documents get stale and developers struggle. We are taking a more proactive approach and training is a huge part of that. There will also be a user forum where SDVoE members and certified developers can mingle and share tips, tricks and questions.”

The program is now open in a limited capacity with only a small group of developers. They are the first to be exposed to the training program, the first to be granted access to the API, documentation and support forum.

“We will work closely with that group to gather feedback on these support tools and make necessary adjustments before opening the program up to any and all comers this summer,” Justin says.

And when I asked about what solutions and features expects to see coming through the program, he didn’t have a specific answer.

“The great thing about this approach is that we are no longer bound by the limits of my creativity, or any current SDVoE member’s creativity,” he explains.

“If huddle spaces are hot, developers will focus there. If large-scale UC rooms are the big thing, expect to see many applications in this area. Maybe what’s needed the most is a higher-level management platform for ALL of your AV distribution rooms.

“The market will decide and ultimately drive the roadmap.”

So, if you’ve ever thought that an aspect of the AV industry would be better if there were just a few changes or features, now is your chance to do it yourself.