Trust by Design: Working With The Right AV Integrator
When it comes to AV Technology, most businesses make the common mistake of planning for technology only after their building has been constructed or their remodeling project is at the verge of completion.
This leads to yet another grave mistake–equipment design that’s not compatible with their business needs and an infrastructure that is not adequate after the building is completed. This could and often does result in high additional costs or unsightly wires.
This is a situation best avoided. But how? The answer lies in ensuring that your technology integrator walks you through the design process while understanding your business needs. The best integrators can sense the bigger picture, so they acquaint their clients with the pros and cons of a particular design while suggesting what is best for them.
This can not only cut down the unnecessary cost of unwanted or unnecessary features, but also creates a bond of trust between the integrator and the client.
How important is the design phase?
Proper design has a great impact on the final outcome of your projects. Naturally, a lot depends on your integrator’s understanding of your business processes and your specific requirements. This is where a step gone wrong can cost you not only time, but budget overages as well.
To avoid this, choose an integrator who makes you a part of the design process. This eliminates a lot of confusion, missed details, and extra costs. And, as there grows a level of trust and understanding between you and your integrator that comes as a natural result of working together, you can rely on them for your future projects.
Which factors to consider in your design phase?
Before starting your audio visual project, there are several factors you need to consider in the design phase. It’s important that you have multiple sittings with your AV integrator during this phase to arrive at a point where you’ve been able to convey your exact requirements and the integrator has attained a full understanding of your business process and your specifications.
Here are the important factors you need to discuss during the design phase.
Who is your audience?
Determine the primary user group and how tech savvy they are. It’s always best to go a little deeper in knowing what would be the right fit for your audience. Use age group, user habits and other demographics, and a full understanding of their needs as points for discussion.
What is the present condition of your building?
The age of your building plays an important role in deciding the audio visual technologies you would want to integrate. Take your integrator on a tour around your building before the process of design commences, then, as construction and design are underway, make sure you continue to tour and inspect regularly, as it’s not unusual for things to come up that you’ve not thought of in the early phases of the project.
What are your audio requirements?
Both internal and external sound can affect the quality and effectiveness your AV system. Discuss with your integrator about the optimal audio conditions before they can work on them.
Which are the optimum lighting and heat conditions for your technology?
It’s important to assess the amount of natural and ambient light the room receives before planning an AV system for it.
What kind of electrical and cabling would be best suited to your needs?
Talk to your integrator with regard to the specific electrical, IP, and cabling that you’ll require.
What type of screen would you need?
The size of the screen is an important factor. It has a lot of impact on your audio visual experiences and will (and should) ultimately drive everything. The size of the room and the number of people it would seat are critical matters to consider while determining the right screen size.
What are your video conferencing requirements?
Be very clear about your video conferencing preferences when discussing these factors with your integrator. Chalk out every small detail, such the camera placement or what kind of microphone you would need based on your video conferencing habits and requirements.
After discussing the above points with your integrator, both of you can have greater clarity as to what design might work for the benefit of your business. This is not only an important step toward an ideal AV system design, but also a step closer to finding an integrator who will most fully understand your business.
What are your experiences? Have you been an active participant in the design phase of a project? Have you worked with clients who were? We’d love to hear more.