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Companies are delivering audiovisual solutions in new ways, with clients’ expectations forming a key part of their strategy. This post will highlight these expectations and needs and show how the AV industry is responding to these demands.
Remote working is one of the biggest business trends of the 2020s — and AV providers are now aiming to deliver their most innovative tools to a home audience.
This means a greater focus on plug-and-play systems. After all, the provider’s latest tool may be used in the home rather than a corporate office, so its technology must be compatible with the average person’s setup.
In addition, more and more firms are turning towards AVaaS (AV-as-a-service). This lets smaller companies access top-tier audiovisual tools on a subscription basis, making the AV playing field much more equal.
With so many top providers vying for people’s attention, it’s no surprise that companies now consider the user experience (UX) as important as a device’s features.
For example, the best digital video processor is one that’s easy to use and customize to fit your company’s specific requirements. A clunky UX means a device is harder to figure out, or could slow the office down.
Today, a company’s AV tech must be absolutely seamless. To help with this, some providers are even integrating AI into their tools to automate and streamline certain processes.
More and more companies are integrating AV into their mission-critical systems. For example, a hospital uses audiovisual solutions for telemedicine, doctor training, and medical imaging.
If the tools they use suddenly fail, a lack of immediate support can shut them down for hours, or even days. This means providers and AV installers are turning towards proactive monitoring and predictive maintenance, letting them get ahead of potential problems.
In addition, AV cloud services primarily rely on service-level agreements, many of which are now focusing on a guarantee of experience quality, rather than simply high uptime statistics.
AV systems are no longer separate from the rest of a company’s tools and
must be able to work alongside their usual IT systems. For example, AV tech such as monitors should be compatible with apps such as Zoom and Google Meet.
Audiovisual tools are now far less likely to be analogue, with many moving to an AVoIP (AV over Internet Protocol) setup. New AV tech also needs its own cybersecurity, especially if it’ll connect to a company’s core systems.
Providers are now hiring cybersecurity specialists and network engineers to meet the rising tide of integration. They’re also ensuring broader compatibility, such as a university’s lecture capture system connecting to LMS tools, including Blackboard.
It’s no secret that AV tools use a lot of power — and this may not always align with a company’s environmental goals. That’s why many businesses only buy the most efficient audiovisual tech.
This also means companies need to be more aware of a product’s usual lifecycle and how to recycle the hardware. They’ll also aim for modular tools they don’t have to throw away as soon as newer products are released.
Energy Star stickers and certificates are now a bigger factor in purchasing decisions. Providers who don’t embrace this could easily lose business.
AV providers often offer their solutions to a broad range of industries, but “one-size-fits-all” won’t work for everyone. Many sectors need AV tech that responds to their specific needs.
This means more providers are finding a unique industry niche, or otherwise adapting to what different audiences and industries want. For example, medical AV strategies prioritize touchless tech because these tools save time and reduce cross-contamination.
To help with this, AV providers are also partnering with industry-specific software. This lets them guarantee compatibility and even add new features that further tailor the AV tool to that sector.
AV providers must adapt to changing client needs. This includes making their tech more efficient or even pivoting to specific sectors where they can build more bespoke solutions. Ultimately, AV experts can only stay competitive by updating their services and strategies.
