CEDIA Expo 2026 is in the books and so too is the month of September. This means it’s time for the KMB Comm-icles to look back at what just transpired in the technology integration industry over the past month.
Obviously, the CEDIA Expo occupied a large part of the news cycle for September 2026, but there were more things happening than just the Expo.
Peeking at the headlines, D-Tools, released its latest data findings for the technology integration market, and the top Midwest-based integrator Integration Controls has rolled out a new digital client service.
Getting into some of the post CEDIA Expo news, the integration firm Nerve was recognized for its Pinnacle luxury installation; Apex Technologies had two of its brands win awards, WALL-SMART had a product inducted into the CEDIA Product Hall of Fame, and D-Tools also won an award for its benchmark D-Tools Cloud solution.
Wrapping up KMB Comm news for the month of September is Nice. The global manufacturer is set to exhibit at the International Security Expo 2026 show.
KMB Comm-icles September 2026 Headline Summary
- Data by D-Tools 2026 Midyear Market Report Reveals a Widening Split in Integrator Performance
- Integration Controls Introduces Shop the Look, a New Digital Client Experience for the Custom Integration Industry
- Nerve’s Pinnacle Luxury Residence Sweeps Major Industry Awards at CEDIA Expo 2026
- Nice HySecurity Division Brings High-Security Vehicle Mitigation and Industrial Gate Automation Solutions to International Security Expo 2026
- Apex Technologies Celebrates Dual Product Honors at CEDIA Expo 2026
- WALL-SMART Universal Access Point Mount Inducted into CEDIA Product Hall of Fame; Universal Dome Camera Mount Earns Performance Home Award
- D-Tools Cloud Wins Residential Systems Best of Show Award at CEDIA Expo 2026
- HTSA Names Shaun Schuetz Managing Director, Expands Leadership Team for Next Chapter
Here is a closer look at the news that made the news in the September 2026 KMB Comm-icles:
KMB Comm-icles Highlight Awards Season for Manufacturers
The September content review has a good mix of post CEDIA Expo news and items that are more normal in tone. The September news roundup also includes several dealer-related items that range from award wins to new market initiatives.
Data by D-Tools 2026 Midyear Market Report Reveals a Widening Split in Integrator Performance
Fresh off a successful CEDIA Expo 2026 show, the popular developer of dealer software solutions released its midyear report for 2026.
Jason Knott, data solution architect at D-Tools, notes in the report that market growth is solid, but the technology integration market is forming a divide between successful companies and companies struggling with current economic conditions.
The St. Louis-based company Integration Controls has launched its Shop the Look digital planning tool that is designed to help homeowners learn the technology options available to them, including the prices.
Integration Controls points out the tool enables users to explore curated levels of residential technologies from their homes or during meetings with design professionals. To help promote Shop the Look, Integration Controls will host a special VIP event on Oct. 2, and the following day it will host a public open house to showcase the tool.
Nerve’s Pinnacle Luxury Residence Sweeps Majority Industry Awards at CEDIA Expo 2026
Nerve, the Park City, Utah-based custom integration firm, had a great week at CEDIA Expo 2026 in Denver.
At the recent trade event, which took place on Sept. 1-4, the company was recognized for its Pinnacle project, which won the 2026 Ultimate Crestron Home in the Crestron Home Technology Awards. The company also won three CE Pro Home of the Year Awards, and a Performance Home Award from the publication, Technology Designer.
The award-winning installation features nearly 800 connected devices within about 120 product categories installed in an 18,000-square foot residence.
Next up in the KMB Comm-icles monthly news roundup is an item from Nice. The global technology company is set to exhibit at the International Security Expo 2026 show in London.
The event takes place on September 29-30, and it will host more than 10,000 security industry professionals. Exhibiting in Stand C90, Nice will feature its StrongArm M30/M50 High-Security Vehicle Mitigation Barrier, as well as its SlideDriver II hydraulic gate operator, and its HySecurity HydraSwing swing-gate operator.
Apex Technologies Celebrates Dual Product Honors at CEDIA Expo 2026
Getting back into the topic of industry awards, Apex Technologies was honored by CE Pro and Technology Designer during the CEDIA Expo 2026 show.
CE Pro recognized the Apex Technologies brand GUDE for its GUDE Systems Expert Power Control 8290-1. Technology Designer recognized the Apex Technologies brand Future Automation for its PCV-F Projector Concealment Solution.
At CEDIA Expo 2026 WALL-SMART’s Universal Access Point Mount was inducted into the CEDIA Product Hall of Fame joining famous brands such as Lutron and THX. The Hall of Fame recognition identifies products that have significantly enriched the residential technology integration industry.
In addition, WALL-SMART also earned honors from Technology Designer winning its Performance Home Award for its Universal Flush Mount for Dome Cameras product.
D-Tools Cloud Wins Residential Systems Best of Show Award at CEDIA Expo 2026
The second item in the KMB Comm-icles look back for Sept 2026 from D-Tools recounts the company’s 2026 Best of Show Award.
D-Tools, a popular provider of dealer software for the technology integration market, was recognized with a Best of Show award by Residential Systems magazine.
At CEDIA Expo 2026, the company demonstrated why it was recognized by Residential Systems by showing its latest D-Tools Cloud capabilities, including AI-assisted workflows, inventory and asset management, sales reporting, project documentation, accounting integration, and more. These options are designed to help users reduce the amount of time invested between sales meetings, warehousing and inventory, and the job site.
HTSA Names Shaun Schuetz Managing Director, Expands Leadership Team for Next Chapter
Closing the month of September out, the Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA), has announced that Shawn Schuetz will take on the role of managing director.
Additionally, the industry buying group has also appointed Ellie Doherty to the position of director of member and vendor relations, and Jordan Fuchs, director of operations, will take on an expanded role with the organization.
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