Commercial Integration Blog

“As-a-service” is a model that is changing the ways that businesses operate.  This idea that traditionally expensive commercial platforms can be offered on a service based level is creating opportunities for organizations of every shape and size.  The role that technology plays in daily operations and communication is not getting any smaller; it is in this sector that “as-a-service” has generated the most potential.  Cloud based applications have catapulted SaaS (software-as-a-service) into becoming a business norm, and this same approach can be applied to audio/video integration.

It wasn’t long ago that in order to enjoy technology on a personal level we had to agree to be handcuffed to hardware, platforms, and tangible accessories that would overwhelm bookcases, require special compartments, and a significant initial investment.  In order to watch movies you had to buy a DVD player and DVDs.  To listen to music you needed a stereo and CDs.  To do anything you needed infrastructure and recurring resources.  Today, that is not the case.  Technology, especially in the entertainment sector has become streamlined through an entire new model.  No more buying components and accessories.  Consumers have shifted from needing to hold a tangible, physical piece of media to preferring, for a nominal fee, to have access to a song, movie, or show on demand.  Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, and Pandora have changed the landscape in our living rooms and cars.  Everything you could ever want lives in the cloud and is ready when you want it. 

Goalposts used to be in the front of the end zone.  The front.  On the goal line.  From 1933 to 1974 this is the way football was played, as an obstacle course.  Then they rethought it.  Players stopped running into the goal posts, scoring increased, and the game became the most popular sport in the country.  However, not everyone takes the opportunity to “rethink”.  Do you remember going to Blockbuster Video to pick up the latest movie?  Chances are that you do.  Did you know that Blockbuster was given an opportunity to buy NetFlix in 2000?  They were, for $50 million.  However, as history has shown, they passed on the deal.  They thought that their model: the brick and mortar, please be kind, rewind, and late fee charging model would always work.  They didn’t “rethink”.  Today NetFlix is a $32.9 billion company, and Blockbuster went out of business in 2013. 

A recent study by the University of California at Los Angeles shows that 38% of what is learned during a presentation stems from audio.  While 55% of what is learned comes directly from visual elements, having a quality, effective way to share sound as well is imperative to a fully integrated work space. 

Things should be simple.  Learning curves need to be shallower.  However, systems need to be more robust at the same time.  When it comes to an arena like commercial audio/visual integration, the more automated and intuitive your platform can be, the better your space will perform.  Blending these two necessities isn’t always simple, in fact it can be downright difficult; but it doesn’t need to be.  The ease of usability for your platform comes down to the integrator you choose.

Technology today has made life more convenient than ever before.  Businesses have made it easy, and in some cases ideal, to completely forgo human interaction while still being able to leverage their services.  One sector that offers several examples of this new digital relationship is banking and finance.  Between ATMs that accept deposits and make withdrawals, online platforms with bill paying features, and the ability to deposit checks from anywhere with your phone, customers can now handle virtually every banking responsibility, well, virtually.  However, there are some actions that simply can’t be done remotely.  Sensitive information, specific questions, and personal insights can only be shared face-to-face.  According to a survey done by Investopedia 99% of participants claimed that the quality of customer engagement is important for the success of their business.  So how can a financial institution bridge the gaps between digital accessibility, convenience, and engagement? 

Looking for solutions is a way of life.  Whether it is solving problems in school to achieve a grade, fixing something on your car, or finding new ways to make your business better; we constantly seek solutions.  However there is one thing that has to be decided before a solution can be found, and that is what you need in any particular circumstance.  You need to solve for x to get an A in math.  You need to change your carburetor to get your car to run.  You need to find an intuitive, easy-to-use, reliable communication platform for presentations in order to streamline your business.  Once we realize what we need, we can find the solution that will meet our goals.  This is specifically true for commercial A/V integration.

Everyone is familiar with the old adage, “you get what you pay for”.  But more specifically, especially in business, you should get what you need.  And likely what anyone can use is more time, fewer headaches, and a streamlined way to communicate.  Just like if you wanted a safe, finely tuned, highly engineered car you’d consider an Audi or Mercedes.  And a scratch golfer would opt for tour inspired irons from Titleist or Ping.  Purchases like these are less about what you are buying and more about why you are buying it, for the results they will provide.  When it comes to boardroom automation, while you are concerned with the different components and design, what you really want are results.  Ease of use, reliability, collaboration, communication.  Because you need these, you’ll want Crestron.

There is a significant difference between being proactive and reactive.  Unfortunately, too often the ability to be proactive simply isn’t available.  Even in spite of the best of efforts: maintenance plans, warnings, indicators, notifications, etc.; being proactive means being prepared with the right strategy and resources, as well as the ability to employ them before there is an issue.  Take your car for example.  All of the factory scheduled maintenance, oil changes, and tire rotations can’t always keep that check engine light from coming on.  Just like all of the vitamins, exercise, and healthy eating can’t always prevent the flu.  Ideally your doctor could call you and say, “In two weeks you’ll be sick right when you are supposed to leave on vacation.  Pick up this prescription today and you’ll be fine.”  The same way the dealership could call you and say, “Swing by and pick up a new battery, otherwise you’ll be stuck in the driveway all weekend.”  Proactivity beats reactivity whenever possible.  And now it’s possible for your business’ audio and video integration to be proactive.

Have you ever taken extensive notes on your conference room’s whiteboard; leaving it full of ideas, diagrams, strategies, and plans?  The answer is likely yes.  Whiteboards were created in the 1950’s, but really became a popular classroom and office implementation in the late 1970’s with the development of dry erase markers.  What other technology in your office has been around, largely unchanged, since 1975?  Probably not much, phone books and fax machines are rarely, if ever, used.  In fact, a computer from the 1970’s would have cost over $4 million.  And at 12.5 MHz, it would have been 128 times slower than and 8,000 times as expensive as the laptop you’re reading this on now.  So, that begs the question: You wouldn’t use a computer from 1975, why use a whiteboard from 1975?  Is it the information that gets erased before you’re done, the legibility issues from a dozen different people writing, or the markers that dry out?  This is where interactive boards are changing the way companies meet, collaborate, and operate.  Here are 4 business benefits that come along with interactive whiteboards.