Q. Who is certified, the Integrator (dealer) or the Technician (installer)?
A. Both the integrator and technicians working for the integrator will be certified. Integrators must keep at least one certified installation technician with up to date training on staff to maintain certified status.

Q. Is there a cost for a company to be certified?
A. Yes. The cost is $399 per installer.

Q. Do you have to be state or county certified?
A. It depends on regional requirements for low-voltage installers.

Q. What base knowledge will integrators need to come into the program?
A. In addition to being well-schooled in A/V installation best practices, installers will be required to demonstrate proficiencies in RNET products by passing an online exam.

Q. How will this work with integrators who have multiple locations?
A. Each location will need at least one Sphere Certified Installation Technician on staff.

Q. How many days is the Sphere Certified Training program?
A. Training consists of seven hours of product training followed by a three-hour exam. The aggregate will be divided into two sessions over two successive days.

Q. Will an identification card be issued with the ID number and company name?
A. The Sphere Certified Integrator Program Identification card will contain the name of the installation technician, the company name and Certified ID #.

Q. Is there a term limit on each certification, if so, how often does it need to be renewed?
A. To remain in the Sphere Certified Integrator Program, participants are required to remain up to date with product training.

Q. What happens when a Sphere Certified Installation Technician leaves? Will he/she have to be re-certified?
A. When a technician leaves a Sphere Certified Integrator, Russound automatically inactivates the technician’s certification number, and the only way to have it re-activated is by joining another Sphere Certified business and becoming re-certified. Similarly, the technician’s former employer will have 90 days to have a new technician go through the certification process in order to maintain that company’s Sphere status.

Q. How is an Integrator protected when an Installation Technician leaves? Will the technician’s key still work? Will the former employee still have access to the key?
A. When an installation technician leaves, the integrator is required to notify Russound, at which point the technician’s access is immediately shut off. The technician will no longer have access to product keys associated with that integrator.

Q. Can only the Certified Installation Technician call in for support?
A. Both the integrator (dealer) and installation technician can call. Russound has built its business on quality and service, and we see this program as a way to further enhance our dealer support, so the lines of communication will always be open.

Q. What happens when a Sphere Certified Integrator installs a system and a later change is required by end user who does not want to use original Sphere Certified Installation Technician?  An installation technician “locking” a system has been problematic in other manufacturer’s product lines.
A. The installation technician or Integrator will have the product key stored in the SCS-E5 software. The IP capabilities of the E-Series systems allow for remote access from either the Integrator or from Russound Technical Support.

Q. If an end-user contacts Russound, will that customer be referred back to the integrator / installation technician?
A. Yes. If the original integrator is no longer in business, we’ll arrange for another integrator in the same region to take over.

Q. What if the end-user sells their home? How will the new owner know how to get service on the products?
A. The new owner will need a record of or access to the respective serial numbers. With this information, we can steer them toward a Sphere Certified Integrator who can help.

Q. How will the consumers find the Russound Sphere website?
A. The website is russoundsphere.com. There will also be a link on the russound.com site that will direct the consumer to the Sphere site.

Q. Will E-Series products be geared more towards high-end installers?
A. Initially, yes, due to the nature of their design. However, we’re certain that it won’t take long before an increasing number of Integrators and technicians learn more about these products, making them accessible to an even wider market.

Q. Will the Sphere Certified Integrator Program have quotas attached to it?
A. There will be no quotas at the outset, but there will soon be quotas that are based on the number of systems sold rather than total dollars. That number has not yet been established.

Q. How will Russound deal with customers who find E-Series products on the web?
A. The products supported by this program are designed to be configured, installed, and programmed by trained and certified technicians, which, in turn, precludes delivery of the product by any means other than installation by a Sphere Certified Installation technician. Subsequently, the products cannot be delivered by any other means, particularly web-based sales.
There will be a clear process for determining how products got there in the first place. If it is traced back to a Sphere Certified Integrator, we will have no choice but to remove the Integrator from the program. We will continually update distributors as integrators are added to and deleted from the program.

Q. Will E-Series products be backwards compatible with Russound’s other products?
A. Mostly, yes.  These products will work with many of the current RNET smart sources and accessory products, but not all.

Q. Will the E-Series line of products integrate with other manufacturers’ products?
A. Yes.

Q. If you have PC Power Tool now, will it be compatible with E-Series products?
A. No. The new program will take you to a whole new level of tools for working with the company.

Q. Is there a cost for the Programming Software?
A. The Software will be included as part of the Sphere Certification Training fee.

Q. I don’t have a strong history with Russound. Will I have access to the program right away?
A. Yes. The Sphere Certified Integrator Program isn’t a rewards program for loyal Integrators. It’s a premier program for any integrator who is ready to offer the latest generation of advanced technology products.

Q. Will the Russound Sphere Certified Integrator Program be available internationally?
A. The sphere program is expected to available internationally in 2008.