As companies look to create the workplace of the future, it’s crucial that they source the right professionals to supplement their in-house talent, especially when it comes to the rapidly changing landscape of AV’s role in the office.
In today’s blog, we’ll discuss the trend of “AV as a service” and the benefits companies can reap by employing this option when redesigning their internal and client facing operations.
What is AV as a Service? (AVaaS)
As clients look for greater customization and flexibility, there is a move away from the traditional AV model of customers purchasing hardware, and then simply paying for the install and service calls. The industry is moving towards AVaaS, similar to when you lease a car, for a single payment you receive functionality, and avoid the pain of maintenance.
AV providers are required to work more like strategy consultants, evaluating various solutions, and function less as installers. As AV plays an increasing role in day-to-day business operations, experts need to understand the organization’s processes and functions. This goes much further than a simple one-off project of knowing simply where place a screen.
Streamlining Operations
One of this service model’s greatest benefits is the client’s ability to move away from owning hardware and managing their labor costs into a streamlined operating cost instead. This solution is viewed positively by the C-Suite as well, as these costs can be moved from the P/L ledger.
Outsourcing these functions to experts frees up massive amounts of time and gives clients the ability to easily update AV products, moving away from outright ownership. The service provider becomes responsible for the complete lifecycle of the equipment. New technology also enables clients to get reports on their usage, bulb life and downtime to make educated decisions based on how the equipment is truly being utilized. In addition, AVaaS can also encompass services for patch management, monitoring, security and digital signage widgets.
Improved Relationships with Clients
AVaaS ultimately leads to improved client relationships as well. If a firm is fortunate enough to continue to partner with the same people that installed the equipment over the course of its use, clients end up saving serious money and time. Service providers can manage the pre-sales phase, actual integration, post-sales phase and any administrative processing as a single workflow.
Having the same AV team already familiar with the inner workings of the firm allows for faster troubleshooting and a highly engaged vendor. For example, when there is an issue with a high-profile videoconference, clients can have peace of mind that their service provider will have the fastest response time.
AV professionals are also making key investments in help desk software, remote analytics and CRM systems to assist clients to proactively manage their equipment and reduce downtime.
Scalability and Flexibility
The AVaaS model also gives clients the ability to quickly scale with their AV providers. Once there’s been a proven process and project management system, service providers can easily duplicate across other meeting spaces and buildings. Even the smallest huddle rooms are under the same overall management for occupancy, power and scheduling. Furthermore, AV service providers test products and tools that keep them at the cutting-edge of new technologies ready meet customers’ changing demands.
Key Areas for AVaaS
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Video conferencing
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Engineering – using an AV Helpdesk
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Digital Signage
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AV Support – for equipment and large-scale events
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Installation and integration
Conclusion
Clients are looking to simplify their AV operations and outsource their technology management responsibilities, so the “AV as a Service” model will inevitably continue to rise in popularity. A managed AV service provider like Align is well-versed in both AV integration with deep expertise in network technology and cloud services. Contact us today to find out more about how we can create your next AVaaS model to revolutionize your business.
