Your audio visual integrator will significantly influence the outcome of your AV project. Selecting a knowledgeable and reputable partner eases stresses associated with AV integration projects and ensures a better outcome, especially on more complex projects.
An experienced partner skilled in commercial AV integration will take steps to comprehensively understand your organization’s needs, the application for your project, and the possible options within your available space.
Here are some considerations when evaluating an AV integration partner.
1. Communication
Active listening on part of your integration partner is key to a successful project. A thorough consultation and site survey allows both your organization and the integrator to understand your organization’s specific needs and facilitates discussion of potential project options.
During the consultation and site survey, your AV integration partner should consider requirements and infrastructure characteristics that will help optimize system performance and user ergonomics. Specific topics to discuss with your AV integration partner during this process include:
With this information, your team can work with the AV integrator to evaluate system options and select the best fit for your specific applications. The integrator you work with should be adaptable and understand that the same application doesn’t fit all organizations.
Just as a thorough AV integration process includes a comprehensive site survey, and design customized for your environment, you should recognize an attention to detail from your AV integration partner from the first conversation through system installation. This should carry through to the maintenance and support of the system as well.
Integrator reputation should speak for itself. Ask about the integrator’s other clients and see if they include similar organizations from your industry, and ask for references. AV integration often involves complex projects, so take the steps to learn how the integrator dealt with any challenges by asking:
Answers to these questions should leave you with an accurate understanding of how your AV integration partner will
Only extensive experience can make an AV integrator intimately familiar with the processes and the nuances of many individual projects. Look for a partner who understands all aspects of commercial AV integration, including software, hardware, acoustics, and system engineering. An integrator should understand the need for creating a collaborative space and how to utilize the most effective technologies to create a positive outcome for your organization.
Look at examples of the integrator's previous projects, particularly those that match your needs. Ask for the integrator’s input on how their previous work might match your needs.
Product education is typically a part of the help experienced integrators provide in identifying the right equipment needed for your audiovisual needs.
Your relationship with an AV integration partner doesn’t end at installation. Service should be a core emphasis. Ongoing maintenance and support plays a key role in the continued performance of your audiovisual system. Things to consider in a support agreement to ensure continued engagement from your integration partner in order to minimize issues and maintain a positive relationship:
At IGI, it’s our priority to remain actively engaged in the post-installation phase through comprehensive extended support and a deep commitment to service to our customers.
Immersion Graphics, Inc. (IGI) provides audio visual design, engineering, consulting, product sales, control system programming, custom fabrication, installation, preventative maintenance, and extended support services out of its headquarters location in Detroit and west coast operation in Los Angeles. Additional offices are located in Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids.
Founded in 1998, IGI has installed numerous large-scale, ultra-high resolution systems throughout the U.S. in the automotive, higher education, medical, financial, and energy transmission markets, and for the United States military and other government agencies. Applications include industrial design, engineering and data visualization, mission-critical command & control room environments, presentation systems, video conferencing, digital signage, and a variety of commercial AV solutions for emerging markets where the simultaneous visualization of 3D models and complex data by a group is essential to effective decision making. To get an in depth look at what we do, see our website at www.werigi.com, we are IGI.
IGI is minority owned, veteran owned, and a small business and SBA 8(a) program graduate.
