How to Choose the Right Partner for Your Conference Room Audio Visual Installation
Having the right audio visual equipment is a must for the modern workplace. Today’s leading Australian organisations use Microsoft Teams and Zoom rooms to hold more collaborative and productive meetings.
To ensure the optimal set up, many companies turn to AV delivery partners to help with the installation process. If this is a move you’re considering, here are some specific qualities to look for in a partner.
1. Someone that offers a robust list of AV components
Video Conferencing equipment has evolved tremendously in recent years, and there are a wide range of solutions available. One of the first things to look for in a partner is someone with the relevant experience and access to AV components that are capable of delivering a fully integrated and reliable experience.
The more experience your delivery partner has, the greater likelihood of a successful outcome. Be wary of a ‘one size fits most’ approach to solutions, as this often results in disappointment where your specific conditions or requirements are not considered adequately.
2. The ability to accommodate remote workers
Among the massive changes that have stemmed from COVID-19, one of the biggest is the shift many companies are making to having a more remote workforce. In NSW, for example, only 20% of employees worked from home prior to COVID. That number jumped to 39% during the pandemic. In Victoria, the spike was even larger, going from 20% to 45%.
Although many workers are gradually transitioning back to the on-site workplace, the trend of remote work is here to stay. As a result, it’s important that you look for a partner that’s capable of delivering an AV installation that not only accommodates in-office team members, but also those working from home.
Ideally, your partner should be able to design and deploy meeting room solutions that allow you to hold hybrid meetings using cutting-edge technology so that all staff members have a positive experience, regardless of their location.
3. Strong relationships with leading market vendors
Besides just having access to several different audio visual equipment platforms, it’s critical that the equipment your partner provides you with is of sufficiently high quality. This is essential for ensuring your AV components last and create minimal disruptions.
An easy way to gauge quality is to look at the vendors a potential partner works with. Ideally, they’ll have strong relationships with electronics leaders including Samsung, Crestron, Logitech, Microsoft, and QSC. If you’re looking for tabletop video conferencing solutions, be aware that Crestron offers some of the top products being used in businesses today.
4. A list of notable clients
You can gather a lot from the companies an AV partner currently works with, or has worked with in the past. If large, reputable organisations trust them to handle their audio visual deployment, they’re likely someone you can trust as well.
Most reputable AV partners will be transparent about the companies they’ve worked with. Typically, you’ll be able to find information about this on their website via customer stories, case studies, or testimonials page. Look specifically for content involving video conferencing and meetings rooms; ideally where brands have installed similar setups to what you’re looking for. You may even want to contact them directly for feedback.
5. Reliable, dedicated support
Having a winning AV setup that facilitates maximum collaboration and productivity doesn’t end at installation. No matter how high-quality your chosen AV components are, you may encounter instances where you require service and/or support.
That’s why quality AV partners also offer top-tier, dedicated support services that ensure integral business services work when they’re needed. Known as managed services or service level agreements (SLA’s), these offerings provide the right level or support and response times so that you can be confident your AV equipment will work without issue when it’s time for a meeting. To understand what a potential partner’s support looks like, check out the types of service level agreements (SLAs) they offer.
Want to know more? Learn how Engagis can provide professional audio visual installation, as well as the dedicated support you need to create a top-of-the-line conference room experience. Reach out to one of our experts today.