After attending the Consumer Electronics Show this past January, I have a much better understanding of convergence. It may be more like a collision of technology firms racing to achieve market dominance by demonstrating interoperability between computing, entertainment and wireless connectivity. Many of the products were built with incredible applications that were truly useful, while many others seemed to serve no purpose at all. So what’s that have to do with the commercial electronics industry?

Almost every computer manufacturer at this event now offers something besides computers. This is the case with companies like Dell and Gateway offering digital camera and display products along with network hardware and a wide array of software.

When I listened to Ted Waitt, Chairman, CEO and founder of Gateway, describe his vision of the next five years, I began to understand how this concept of a complete integrated solution for an electronic lifestyle starts to take shape. I listened to Kunitake Ando, president of Sony Corporation describe his vision of integrating digital camera technology with wireless media streaming and I see how those applications can really work for the consumer.

I do believe that this race to develop a seamless “plug and play” environment for consumer products will cause these same manufacturers to cast an eye on the commercial market. Many even suggest that this level of integration might have been developed for the commercial market had the economy not have softened.

Nevertheless, it will be here shortly. What that means for us is that we should note the rapid progression of interoperability standards and the consumer-based media management solutions for lessons we can learn. In some cases these advancements were the result of strategic alliances between competitors who agreed that they needed each other to keep pace.

With convergence comes a blurring of lines between companies. Interestingly enough, computer companies, wireless manufacturers and software developers all seem to be re-inventing themselves as technology companies.

Digital has done strange things to the market focus and image of major electronics and communications firms. Look for acceptance of new consumer technologies to be the barometer for similar product launches for the office environment.

I would suggest that if the world were eager to embrace an electronic lifestyle at home, it wouldn’t be long before similar technology becomes commonplace at work. Maybe that will be the best thing to happen for the commercial systems integrator.

It wasn’t that long ago when I predicted that the consumers acceptance of CD quality audio would be the best thing to happen to the commercial sound industry. Is it the same thing?

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