BADA, the British Audio-Visual Dealers Association, recently presented its popular Netcraft training course at Naim Audio’s Salisbury offices, teaching skills that enable its members to better serve the consumer.

The two sold out courses, with standing room only, were held during June in conjunction with Naim Audio for retailers from the across the UK. Complementing the training offered by Naim on equiment connectivity and networking, the BADA Netcraft course focuses on basic networking skills for hi-fi retailers, enabling candidates to succesfully integrate home entertainment equipment into customers’ existing networks.

Manufacturers are increasingly adding network connectivity to their products, to enable media streaming, internet radio access, remote software update and diagnostics. Recognising that the world of IP addresses and Subnet Masks is a long way removed from traditional work of hi-fi retailers, BADA took the initiative to create a training course aimed specifically at hi-fi and home cinema salespeople. Geoff Meads, formerly of Arcam and now managing director of the training consultancy Presto AV, was engaged to write and deliver the syllabus, which is presented over the course of one day.

Speaking after the training, Simon Byles, BADA chairman, said “We are very pleased that our partnership with Naim Audio, and their efforts to promote the Netcraft course to retailers, worked so well and gave the very important issue of network connectivity such prominence.” He went on to say “Naim are experienced in the manufacture of networked audio products and could see the worth in delivering this course to retailers to help them with any integration issues they may have. Netcraft teaches retailers skills that provide a real benefit for customers who are having networked solutions installed in their houses”.

Ends. No embargo
© BADA 25 June 2010