Once you’ve decided to integrate a new audio visual (AV) system into your organization, it’s time to consider what hardware and software will best meet your needs. That’s where an experienced commercial AV integration partner comes in. A skilled partner will work with you to understand how you will use your system, how to maximize your budget, and what resources you might already have available to you.
From the start, it’s important to understand the nuances of the AV integration process and where certain difficulties can emerge. For example, consider the size of your organization. In some cases, introducing new AV technology is easier for smaller companies than large corporations, which can struggle with red tape and bureaucratic processes. For a full list of tips, get the IT expert's guide to AV integration in a corporate infrastructure.
Whatever the size of your company, the need for functional audio visual capabilities to meet business needs is universal. Let’s take a closer look at the top hardware and software considerations for commercial AV systems.
The primary consideration for any AV integration is how your company will use the system. Will you be facilitating in-office meetings, or will you be video conferencing with clients and employees working remotely?
With modern systems, the sky’s the limit in terms of hardware and software. You could use your computer’s internal video camera and conferencing programs like Skype to facilitate remote communication, or you could purchase a Cisco or Polycom server-based conferencing platform and robust high-definition video conferencing camera. It all comes down to your needs and your budget.
Larger corporations that need to connect from multiple conference rooms across the globe may require more robust technology to meet their objective. Smaller companies that only leverage video conferencing sporadically may not require such robust technology. Discuss your specific needs with you integration partner and work together to determine the best fit for your system.
It probably won’t come as a surprise that small companies are more agile than their larger corporate counterparts. In many cases, small companies and startups are first adopters of new technology, including AV hardware and software. It’s generally easier for small companies to integrate new technologies because large companies often require many levels of approval, especially when software needs to live on large corporate networks and the laptops of all employees.
For this reason, corporate IT departments can be reluctant to install new technology on corporate servers and adopt new and unfamiliar tools, especially because video conferencing software can take up significant bandwidth on company servers.
It’s important to gauge your IT department’s level of flexibility when it comes to new AV technology before choosing to integrate new systems into your company’s infrastructure. Collaboration with your integration partner and your IT department to familiarize the team with any new technology, and facilitate the installation and transition process is key.
At IGI, we understand the complex nature of commercial AV systems. Our team provides individualized solutions and extended support, eliminating guesswork from your AV systems. We boast more than 20 years of experience in the advanced visualization industry managing all levels of AV integration projects.
Contact us to learn more about how your company can realize the operational value of a professionally optimized commercial AV system.
