Commercial Integration Blog

If you step in to a kitchen inside of a restaurant you’ll notice that the appliances probably look a lot different from the ones in your kitchen at home.  The huge refrigerators, large ovens, stoves, and sinks all serve a very distinct purpose; to prepare massive amounts of meals on a daily basis.  Now this would probably be overkill at your house, but allows a business like a restaurant to perform at the level it requires.  And vice versa, a full-scale restaurant couldn’t operate with a single oven, normal refrigerator, and a microwave.  The same is true when it comes to audio and video equipment for your home and your business.

Video is playing a larger role than ever before, both from a consumer standpoint, but also as a business and organizational initiative.  With networks becoming more affordable, and video becoming the preferred source for knowledge and communication, internet protocol based deployments of video offer a number of benefits compared to traditional delivery methods.

Today we use a number of devices for a number of different things.  However technology has continued to evolve making it easier to do more with less.  While these developments have created opportunities to be more efficient and effective than ever before, it also poses some new challenges; specifically when it comes to people using their own devices for work purposes.  However, there are several benefits that come along with implementing a BYOD policy for your company, as well as ways to mitigate the accompanying challenges.

Today more things are connected to a network than ever before.  Sure this is how things have been done for years when it came to computers and printers; but now everything from your thermostat to your refrigerator can be connected.  The same is true for AV devices, platforms, and applications.  So what does your organization need to understand about this advanced connected state of AV that puts many of the devices you already use on your network?

The trade association the represents the professional audiovisual and information communications industries, Infocomm International, is now known as AVIXA.  Established in 1939, Infocomm’s membership has exceeded 5,000 members, ranging from manufacturers, dealers, integrators, consultants, programmers, and more.  Infocomm International is also the founder of the largest annual conference and exhibition for AV buyers and sellers, Infocomm. 

Video walls are changing the way that that businesses communicate, collaborate, and engage with their market.  These bright, crisp, colorful displays present video, animation, branding, and so much more.  This audio-visual solution has been spurred on by drastic technology improvements that now offer higher than ever video resolution, HD components, and larger than ever format displays.  All of these elements combined have made video walls more powerful than ever.  Let’s take a closer look at what video walls can do for your business and how Planar’s video wall solutions offer the most comprehensive benefits.

Have you ever been on vacation and when you get to your hotel room the only thing you want to do is turn on SportsCenter before you head out for dinner?  Your muscle memory is locked in on what buttons to push, where to find it, and what to expect.  Well, it is at your house any way.  Now you’re in a new city, with a different TV, and a lot of different variables are making this more difficult than it should be.  Between room service options, pay-per-view menus, and a completely foreign channel lineup, you may never stumble across what you’re looking for.  Collaboration during meetings is very similar.

Preventative maintenance is critical to protecting any investment.  To protect your health you visit the doctor, take vitamins, exercise.  To protect your car you change the oil, rotate the tires, have it inspected.  To protect your house you paint it, clean the gutters, pressure wash.  These fairly simple routines help to ensure that you won’t have an expensive repair or replacement to make down the road.  The AV equipment that your state agency uses is no different. 

Digital media streaming has taken over for the long forgotten VCR, quickly fading DVD player, and in many homes cable television.  While the magic of a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and Apple TV can put a world of entertainment at your fingertips; digital media streaming has much more potential for your business’ AV assets.  However, just as residential solutions are ineffective for commercial applications, the above mentioned devices won’t cut it for your boardroom and workspace needs.  This is where Crestron’s NVX Series of digital media streaming platforms come in.

Government agencies on the local, state, and federal level are just as dependent on technology as businesses and other organizations.  Having the ability to work effectively, efficiently, and securely has never been more important in both the public and private sectors.  It is for this very reason why AV integration has become a necessity for operational efficacy in terms of collaboration and communication.  However, the complexity of commercial AV implementation has its fair share of challenges.