The National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) has officially opened the nomination window for its 13th annual Excellence in Product Innovation (EPI) awards. This prestigious program, a cornerstone of the commercial integration calendar, serves as a barometer for the technological advancements shaping the industry. By honoring manufacturers whose products offer tangible, transformative impacts on systems integrators, the NSCA continues to champion the bridge between cutting-edge engineering and practical, real-world application.
As the industry grapples with rapid shifts in automation, cybersecurity, and recurring revenue models, the EPI awards provide a critical platform for recognizing the tools that allow integrators to scale, secure, and innovate. With the submission deadline set for August 14, 2026, manufacturers have a limited window to showcase the solutions that are redefining modern integration.
A Legacy of Innovation: The 13th Annual EPI Awards
The EPI awards were established to move beyond the superficial "bells and whistles" of new product releases, focusing instead on the functional utility that helps integration firms operate more effectively. Over the past thirteen years, the program has evolved from a simple recognition ceremony into a comprehensive vetting process that highlights technologies capable of solving the most pressing challenges faced by integrators today.
For the second consecutive year, the culmination of this program will take place at the NSCA’s annual Excellence in Business Operations (XBO) Experience. Scheduled for November 10-11, 2026, in Tempe, Arizona, the XBO Experience serves as the ideal backdrop for the announcement of the winners. The event, which focuses on the business side of integration, ensures that the award-winning products are presented to an audience of decision-makers and business leaders who are actively seeking ways to improve their operational efficiency.
The Strategic Landscape: Categorizing Modern Integration
The 2026 EPI awards are divided into six primary divisions, each reflecting a pillar of current industry success. These categories were carefully selected to address the specific pain points—and opportunities—that define the current market:
1. AI & Intelligent Automation
This category recognizes products that leverage machine learning and artificial intelligence to move beyond manual processes. As labor shortages continue to impact the industry, tools that automate configuration, predictive maintenance, or user-interface interactions are increasingly vital.
2. Recurring Revenue & Service Enablement
The transition from a "one-and-done" project model to a Managed Services Provider (MSP) model is arguably the most significant business transformation in the integration sector. This division honors platforms that make it easier for integrators to offer monitoring, remote support, and cloud-based services, thereby securing long-term financial stability.
3. Installation & Integration Excellence
Efficiency in the field is the lifeblood of profitability. This category focuses on products that simplify the physical installation process, reduce cable counts, streamline retrofitting, or decrease on-site labor hours.
4. Cybersecurity & Risk Mitigation
As systems become increasingly networked, the risk of data breaches and system vulnerability has skyrocketed. This category highlights products that treat security as a first-class citizen, allowing integrators to offer "secure-by-design" solutions to their clients.
5. Platform Power & Ecosystem Integration
No product exists in a vacuum. This division looks for technology that acts as a robust, central platform or integrates seamlessly into existing enterprise ecosystems, providing scalable value that grows with the client’s needs.
6. Next-Gen Innovation
Reserved for "moonshot" technology, this category celebrates trailblazing products that push the boundaries of what is thought possible in commercial integration, challenging the status quo and setting the stage for future industry trends.
Official Commentary: The Vision Behind the Awards
Tom LeBlanc, Executive Director of the NSCA, emphasizes that the EPI awards are not merely an exercise in marketing, but a necessary filter for the industry.
"The Excellence in Product Innovation awards continue to evolve alongside the rapid pace of technology and business transformation in our industry," LeBlanc stated. "We are always seeking to recognize the innovations that drive commercial integration forward. We strive to recognize not only breakthrough products but also solutions that solve critical business and operational challenges. These awards help integrators identify technologies that deliver measurable value, from improved efficiency to new revenue opportunities."
LeBlanc’s perspective underscores the NSCA’s commitment to the "business of integration." By aligning the awards with the XBO Experience, the organization ensures that the spotlight remains on the financial and operational viability of the winning products, rather than just their technical specifications.
The Nomination Process and Requirements
Participation is open to any manufacturer that produces technology intended for installation by commercial integrators. The submission process is designed to be rigorous yet accessible. To encourage early participation, the NSCA is offering an early-bird pricing structure; nominations submitted before July 9, 2026, receive a $100 discount.
- Standard Entry Fee: $697 per product.
- Member Discount: NSCA members can save an additional $200 per entry by contacting the NSCA office at 800-446-6722 or via email to request a specific coupon code.
- Eligibility Criteria: Products must have been announced after July 1, 2025, and must be available for sale and shipment on or before December 31, 2026.
Manufacturers can submit their entries through the official portal at epiawards.secure-platform.com.
Implications: The Value of Recognition
Winning an EPI award—or even being nominated—provides manufacturers with a significant marketing advantage. The NSCA has built a robust ecosystem of media exposure for participants, ensuring that these products gain visibility among the industry’s most influential integrators.
Winners receive:
- Live Exposure: Recognition on-stage during the XBO Experience.
- Editorial Features: Mentions in Integrate (the NSCA’s quarterly trade publication), Commercial Integrator, and Security Sales & Integration.
- Digital Presence: A dedicated spot in the Online Product Showcase at NSCA.org, social media amplification, and features in the Inside NSCA biweekly e-newsletter.
Even those who do not take home the top prize in their category benefit from broad exposure. All entries are featured in a photo gallery on CommercialIntegrator.com and are included in various NSCA press releases and newsletters. This level of exposure serves as a high-value endorsement, signaling to the integration community that a product has been vetted by an industry-leading organization.
Looking Toward the Future
The 2026 landscape for systems integration is defined by complexity. Integrators are no longer just "installers"; they are consultants, security experts, and managed service providers. The 13th annual EPI awards reflect this evolution. By prioritizing AI, cybersecurity, and recurring revenue, the NSCA is signaling to the manufacturing community that the tools of the future must be as sophisticated as the businesses they support.
As the industry approaches the August 14 deadline, the anticipation grows. Whether it is a new piece of hardware that drastically reduces installation time or a cloud-based software suite that secures an entire facility, the products honored at the XBO Experience in Tempe will likely serve as the benchmarks for the year ahead. For manufacturers looking to make their mark on the commercial integration space, the EPI awards remain the premier stage to demonstrate their commitment to the success of the integrator.
