APAC Awards 2024: Integrator of the Year APAC

Convergint Australia clinched the Integrator of the Year Award at the Inavate APAC Awards 2024. Denis Pozigun talks to Inavate about the integrator’s journey to success.

The Integrator of the Year APAC Award is extremely coveted. Who wouldn’t want to be crowned the champion for this category and have bragging rights over all their competition?

It comes as no surprise that the race for the Integrator of the Year APAC accolade this year was heated, with many outstanding contenders vying for the title. In the end, Convergint Australia emerged victorious and claimed the title.

Reflecting on the Award’s significance, Denis Pozigun, executive director of global AV/ UCC at Convergint, shares: “This recognition is incredibly meaningful to us. While we are an established company with offices across most APAC countries, this is the first time Convergint has been acknowledged at this level for our contributions to the AV sector in this region.”

Anyone in the AV industry would know that Convergint made waves in September 2023 with the acquisition of Peace of Mind Technology (POMT). This move has not only expanded Convergint’s footprint but also enriched its AV and related service offerings. Pozigun: “The acquisition of POMT has allowed Convergint to provide an even greater level of service to both our local and global clients, especially in the ANZ region. POMT’s approach to client engagement, managed services, and project implementation has folded neatly into Convergint’s existing portfolio of services and offerings. With the acquisition, we’re able to provide additional services to our existing customer base, as well as engage with POMT’s local and global partners across our core range of services.”

As a systems integrator and solutions provider, Convergint’s core business lies in electronic security (ES) with extensive experience in AV and IT services.

Pozigun explains how the integrator differentiates itself from its competitors: “When we acquired our first AV business in 2021, we realised how much synergy exists between AV systems integration and ES. When we were solely doing ES work, our clients often asked us to take on additional AV work since we were already on-site. I realised that there were many similarities between the two fields. The difference lies mostly in the products used, but cultivating client relationships, project management, and service support are essentially all the same.”

Convergint has carved a niche in a saturated market by fusing AV, ES, and IT together. Pozigun details how this combination uniquely positions the business in the market: “It may sound ambitious, but Convergint is unique in its capacity to scale AV and security services globally. We’ve built strong relationships with numerous trusted global accounts, achieving considerable success — particularly in the ES sector. We are now enhancing our AV capabilities to better meet our clients’ daily needs. Rather than developing a standalone AV business, we are strategically integrating AV solutions into our key markets. Our depth of knowledge and experience ensure we remain ahead of our competitors.”

Growing presence in APAC The APAC region is of great interest to many AV businesses who are looking to set foot and expand their reach. However, many would agree that it is a notoriously difficult region to operate in. Pozigun says: “The reality is that many AV companies dip their foot into Asia because it is a substantial market and lots of revenue can be made here. But it’s not easy for businesses to establish themselves in APAC. For Convergint, our experience in APAC goes back to 1999. The company has grown tenfold since then, and we now have over 1,370 employees working in more than 60 locations across 13 countries in APAC.”

He asserts: “For us, the APAC market is not a test but a crucial part of our company’s DNA and overall future strategy. Specifically, in the AV business, we began our journey in 2021, and the acquisition of POMT further solidified our commitment to this vertical. We are building our AV story on the strong foundation of our successful business in APAC, with decades of experience in the region and the ability to grow and strengthen from there, regardless of the business focus. Convergint’s market reputation opens many doors for our AV business. This is a case where 1+1 equals 3, as the two verticals are perfectly aligned and complement each other. Building a solid base in APAC wasn’t a rush decision for us but rather a committed, long-term investment. As one of our V’s and B’s perfectly stated: ‘We expect to be our customer’s best service provider – no matter what business we are in’.”

The integrator of the future The integrator of the future has to constantly be on the lookout for ways to leverage emerging technologies. Recognising this, Convergint employs a multipronged approach to stay ahead of the market and abreast of emerging technologies. Pozigun describes this approach: “First, we place a significant emphasis on our partners. As system integrators, we rely on the innovative technologies and solutions developed by our vendors and partners. Our robust learning and development program leverages industry qualifications and vendor-led education and training. We frequently utilise our own and our partners’ experience centres to showcase new technology to customers, gathering valuable feedback on how these innovations can meet their specific needs.”

He continues: “Secondly, we work closely with our customers, as well as industry leaders and other companies, to identify where specific vendors or system integrators are pioneering solutions. Given our broad customer base across diverse sectors, we adopt a collaborative approach to developing solutions as new technologies emerge. Lastly, we place great importance on attending tradeshows such as Integrate, and InfoComm, as well as staying informed through industry publications like Inavate. These resources keep us connected to global innovators and trends in markets beyond ANZ/APAC.”

Looking ahead, Convergint has set its sight on expanding its business to scale even greater heights. Pozigun shares: “The future looks bright as the company has more ambitious plans than ever for the upcoming years. We have complete and full understanding that to maintain our dominant position in the market, we need to expand our suite of solution offerings. We have all options at our disposal for future growth, whether through organic growth or acquisition strategies. Most importantly, we have a solid picture of where and how we want to expand our footprint and capabilities. There are no limits to our expansion plans.”

He concludes: “Our strategic direction remains consistent, and we are diligently enhancing our AV services in key markets. Our dedication to the AV industry is unwavering, and the Integrator of the Year APAC Award validates our efforts and commitment to excellence in the field.”

Article Categories






Most Viewed