Proper planning and implementation of AV & IT will help your business realize the best possible outcomes.
Now more than ever, AV/IT plays an increasingly important role in our day-to- day
operations. Businesses depend on technologies to collaborate and communicate with
their customers and internal teams. Technologies connect us to the Internet of Things
(IoT) and integrate our various technology systems to work as one. They gather data,
and then help us disseminate and act upon it, making our technologies even more
effective. They are vital to our daily workflow and operations and key to our business
strategy and success, yet they are often overlooked in the design and planning phase of
a project.
The prime objective of your AV systems is to create a collaborative environment
enabling effective, productive meetings for faster decision-making. To maximize its
potential, it must be easy-to- use while providing the right mix of technologies along with
connectivity to those technologies. It will likely include an interactive display or projection
system, a collaborative platform with wireless connectivity, an intuitive touch panel for
room scheduling and controls, access to power and to the internet. Depending on the
considerations made at the onset of the room’s design, the outcome of this space can be
remarkably different.
Ergonomics and Design Aesthetics
Successful design outcomes begin with the user, focusing on their comfort and
accessibility to the room’s features. Users should be able to sit at a conference table or
in a huddle space, plug in to a power source, connect to the room’s collaborative
devices, comfortably view a screen and easily start a meeting. Without proper planning
however, users may have power cords strewn across pathways to access outlets,
fumble to connect to the room’s technologies and struggle to view shared content due to
improper display size or placement. By determining placement in the design phase,
power, AV & IT infrastructure, display or projector and screen and control panels can be
properly located and aesthetically incorporated into the room. This phase also presents
an optimal opportunity to review technology strategies and provide connectivity for future
growth.
Not only will planning at this phase produce the most comfortable and visually
appealingly results which encourages greater adoption but will provide the best options
available while saving potentially costly retrofits and change orders. For example, based
on the room’s size and desired projection area, the projector would need to be
positioned 12 feet from the screen. If that calculation is not considered at the onset of
the project and a custom, coffered ceiling is added, forcing the projector to move a few
feet in either direction, either the size of the viewing area will be compromised, or a
specialized lens may be required to accommodate the change, potentially adding cost to
the project. Either result is not optimal for the client.
Partnering for Optimal Outcomes
Working in partnership with design professionals for equipment placement, integrated
motorized shades, lighting and room control allows for sleek, custom design possibilities.
Rather than a fixed installation, for example, the projector may be elegantly incorporated
into the ceiling design, extending from a cleverly hidden lift mechanism. The screen may
also descend from a concealed soffit location and A/V equipment may be stowed in a
built-in credenza or, if conduit has been provided, located outside of the room. Similarly,
power and device connectivity can be offered via built-in table pop-ups, if considerations
have been made to locate floor boxes at the table base. Another critical factor in a
project’s success is its timeline. A pro will manage the project throughout its lifecycle,
coordinating wiring and technology integration with adjacent trades and communicating
and resolving any issues that may arise.
Proper planning and coordination with design and technology integration professionals
from the project’s inception helps keep it on schedule and on budget while delivering the
best possible technology and aesthetic outcomes. Ready to start planning your next
project and formulate your technology strategies for 2018 and years to come? Let’s get
started!