What’s Trending in AV?

We’re always keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest in the AV space — it’s what allows us to keep bringing innovative solutions to our customers.

Today we’re going to take a look at the hottest trend in AV right now: distributed workforces. What’s important to keep in mind though, is that this isn’t the same type of distributed workforce we saw at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout 2020. Now, organizations are moving away from their temporary remote setups and into more permanent remote and hybrid solutions.

Let’s look at the role AV systems play in that shift.

Fostering teamwork in a hybrid work environment

Many organizations are taking the “best of both worlds” approach, announcing a hybrid environment as their permanent work arrangement to give employees flexibility while maintaining a level of in-person collaboration.

As part of this transition, companies are looking for meeting solutions that are user-friendly, secure, and work seamlessly for both in-office and remote users. To meet this need, we’ll likely see an adoption in the use of huddle rooms. That way, those who are working in the office can gather together for meetings, while having the technology necessary to accommodate remote participants.

Making a meeting that’s remote-user friendly focuses around AV conferencing equipment. Having a quick plug-and-play option for users to be able to share content and sign in from their devices in huddle rooms is important, along with secure connections for remote users. That way, teams can seamlessly work together regardless of physical location.

In July 2020, a study by Crestron showed that 50% of businesses were looking to increase their video conferencing capabilities in the next two years, and that prediction is holding strong under hybrid work arrangements.

Work from anywhere

As travel restrictions and stay at home orders are lifted, “work from home” has shifted to “work from anywhere” for many organizations who made the decision to remain remote permanently. To accommodate, businesses are closing the doors on their large corporate offices in favor of smaller, satellite offices in a wide range of locations.

This requires top-of-the-line connectivity for remote and hybrid meetings. As a result, organizations will start investing heavily in monitors, connectors, and audio systems in these satellite offices — and the teams that can help maintain them since technology teams may no longer be in house or on site.

This is predicted to bring about the rise of AV as a Service (AVaaS), a subscription-based model that gives organizations access to all the AV equipment, support, and service they could need without requiring internal resources.

Staying on top of — and ahead of — AV trends

If you’re looking to stay ahead of AV trends and bring the latest and greatest to your organization, partner with an AV integrator like IVCi. With offerings like AV as a Service, it’s easier than ever to ensure you have state of the art technology and top-notch service.

It’s easy to find out more about the subscription service that powers your business through the future of AV. Click here to learn more.

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Digital Transformation

We hear the term “digital transformation” a lot these days. Your organization may very well be in the midst of a digital transformation initiative right now. But do you truly understand what it means for your business, now and in the future?

Since digital transformation is a broad term, let’s take a look at it in the specific context of the workplace and its impact on productivity, efficiency, and communication.

How technology has transformed the workplace

It’s no secret that technology has been the driving force behind digital transformation in workplaces. But what exactly has it transformed? The short answer: just about everything.

Here are a few examples of how technology has reshaped the workplace:

  1. Changing how we communicate – From in-person conversations and phone calls, we now have email, instant messaging, text messaging, and AV conferencing.
  2. Organizing projects and documents – Businesses used to have to rely solely on file cabinets and carbon copies; now, they can enjoy cloud-based storage and access documents from anywhere.
  3. Improving productivity – Replacing manual processes with automation and precision allows for more efficiency and productivity.
  4. Reducing overhead costs – Productivity and efficiency helps organizations save time and money. The same goes for the ability to create, store, and share documents and meet with people via video conferencing that would previously require travel.
  5. Tightening security – While hackers have advanced alongside technology, cybersecurity protection is better than ever.
  6. Increasing collaboration – Technology like video conferencing has enabled people who are not in the same physical location to collaborate with little to no notice.
  7. Enabling a distributed workforce – Companies can source talent from anywhere rather than being limited to a single geographical location.

Just about every aspect of business has been completely revolutionized by technology. Sometimes it seems as if things have advanced so much that they couldn’t possibly go any further. But is that really the case?

What to expect in the future

For organizations who were slow to adopt a digital transformation, the COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst that got them started. The pandemic, along with further advancements in technology, have made it clear that digital transformations are just getting started.

Organizations shouldn’t get comfortable just because they have advanced technology; new things are on the horizon and leaders should be prepared for more changes. Here are some things businesses should be preparing for:

  • The pandemic forced an adoption of different communication tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, and more. Going forward, employees are still favoring those communication tools over email, phone calls, and in-person meetings. Since fewer emails are being shared, it’s important that organizations invest in programs and software that integrate with their preferred communication platform to send documents and collaborate.
  • Machine Learning and AI have taken huge leaps in the past few years. President Biden has recently committed to increasing federal funding towards technology, including AI. Organizations can expect increased regulation and possible changes to AI-powered programs.
  • Investment in AV technology is no longer an afterthought. Many organizations had to adopt video conferencing for the first time during the pandemic. Now, as many move to permanent remote and hybrid environments, it’s time to invest in long-term systems and solutions that will allow for seamless communication, regardless of location.

If you are looking to boost your organization’s digital transformation and improve communication, collaboration, and efficiency, IVCi may be able to help. Contact us today to learn more.

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AV Support

While technology has proved to be an integral part of today’s business world, it’s not perfect — and let’s face it, neither are we. Sometimes we have questions, concerns, or issues that we need help with and that’s okay.

What really matters is how we get that help and how we can leverage it for better business outcomes.

Let’s look at audio video conferencing equipment as an example. AV technology has proven to be an invaluable part of remote, hybrid, and in-person work arrangements. But for organizations to truly make the most of their systems and solutions, they need the right AV support to back them.

The importance of AV support

Even best-in-class technology can benefit from a support team. They are, after all, the experts in that space and can help your organization with the following:

  • Selecting the right technology for your needs
  • Implementing your systems
  • Providing training and resources for adoption
  • Troubleshooting in real time

But the benefits of AV support goes beyond the obvious. By putting your AV tech needs in the hands of experts, you’re taking it out of your internal team’s hands. That leaves more room for them to focus on tasks and initiatives that only your internal teams can do, and the things that matter most to your business.

Types of AV support

There are a number of ways you can utilize AV support in your organization. They include:

  • On-demand support — For “in the moment” support like issues launching meetings, having on-demand support at your fingertips is essential for keeping your business running smoothly.
    With on-demand support, you can either make a phone call or scan a QR code and be connected with the resources and people you need to resolve your issue and get your meeting started.
  • Managed support — Make sure you always have the support you need by utilizing a dedicated team for your support. They will be available for new technology setup, troubleshooting, and on-demand assistance under a subscription model.
  • AV as a Service — You can take managed support to the next level by utilizing an AV as a Service (AVaaS) solution that bundles not only support, but every aspect of your AV setup (including technology upgrades) into one subscription.

One or more of these service categories could be most beneficial to your organization. You can consult an AV conferencing company to help you figure out which one is right for you.

How IVCi can help with AV support

As a leader in AV support, IVCi is available to help organizations of all sizes and industries with their expertise and offerings. From AVaaS to Managed Video Experiences, there is a service solution that can fit your budget, organization, and technology. Contact us today to learn more.

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Event Services

With remote and hybrid work situations becoming permanent for many companies, it’s time to upgrade the way you work. Average solutions were fine for a temporary situation, but won’t cut it as a long-term play.

Organizations now need to have a high-end video conferencing solution that can keep up with the ever-increasing demand for video calls. Event management platforms like a Managed Video Experience can help ensure your meetings happen when and how they are supposed to.

What is Managed Video Experience?

Managed Video Experience (MVE) is a white glove service that elevates meetings to the level your clients deserve. A MVE provider will manage your entire video conferencing environment, creating the ultimate meeting experience.

MVE encompasses the following:

  • Scheduling tools to keep meetings organized
  • Launching platforms that are reliable enough for the most important video calls
  • Troubleshooting resources so that if something doesn’t go according to plan, you can get your meetings back on track without taking time away from what’s important
  • 24/7 support for anything you need, whenever you need it

The full suite of services ensures reliability and frees up your team to focus on the content of the meeting rather than the logistics associated with it.

What are the benefits of MVE?

To put it simply, MVE gives you one less thing to worry about. In today’s business world where things are moving quickly again and companies are trying to adjust to the “new normal,” having a trusting set of hands to care for one of your most important business functions is invaluable.

Whether you’re a fully remote company, operating on a hybrid model, or are based in the office and dealing with dispersed teams and clients, video conferencing is likely to remain more popular than in-person meetings — especially when external parties like clients are involved.

Utilizing MVE gives you the peace of mind that your video calls will go according to plan, every time. And if an issue or question does arise, you’ll have a team of experts available and ready to help get you back up and running.

So what does this mean for your business? Besides just having one less thing to worry about, MVE puts you in an advantageous position when it comes to your strategic goals. Rather than having to dedicate time and resources to scheduling, launching, and troubleshooting meetings, you can spend it building relationships, growing your team, attracting new clients, or whatever is most important to your business right now.

Getting started with MVE

MVE is easier to incorporate in your organization than you might think, especially with the right provider. IVCi manages an average of 7,348 meetings per month and is equipped with the knowledge necessary to help each one be successful.

It’s time to take your video conferencing setup to the next level with IVCi’s MVE. Learn more and get started by visiting our MVE page here.

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Esports: Gearing Up for the New School Year

Even though classes are just winding down for the 2020-2021 school year, it’s not too early to start thinking about next year. Don’t worry, you can still enjoy your summer, just keep preparation plans in mind before it gets too late!

One thing that higher education institutions should definitely include in their 2021-2022 plans is esports. Whether that means introducing an esports program for the first time or bolstering an existing one, Esports has transformed significantly since the start of 2020 and can be a valuable tool for attracting and engaging students.

How did Esports change because of the pandemic?

Like almost all aspects of life, esports changed drastically because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But unlike most things, esports shined during this time.

According to NewZoo’s 2021 Global Esports and Live Streaming Market Report, the esports industry saw the following changes throughout the past year and a half:

  • A year-over-year growth of 8.7% from 2020 to 2021, bringing the audience of esports enthusiasts to 474 million.
  • Esports revenue is projected at $1.1 billion for 2021, a 14.5% increase from the previous year.
  • Live streaming audience for games saw a 10% increase from 2020 to 2021, projected at 728.8 million by the end of 2021.
  • Esports is predicted to continue growing, with estimations that the audience will reach 577.2 million by 2024.

Esports saw such a significant boom during this time because it is virtual and socially distant by nature, yet still offers a team environment and competitive play.

Are those changes here to stay?

While growth rate is predicted to shrink slightly for 2021 into 2022 because of COVID restrictions lifting, esports has cultivated a loyal fanbase and captured the attention of gamers around the world — that’s not likely to change any time soon.

The number of local and worldwide esports competitions held each year is steadily rising, which creates a great opportunity for colleges and universities. Having a reputable esports program will help attract and retain students while giving them a great avenue for meeting friends with similar interests. Their participation in a collegiate esports program could even result in a fruitful career, with tournament prize pools as high as $34 million.

How schools can gear up for esports this upcoming school year

It’s not too late for higher education institutions to put the systems in place that they’ll need for an esports program for next school year. IVCi’s Engage program allows you to customize your esports program from furniture, to AV setup and gaming technology, to technical support.

The subscription-based program provides hardware and software for academic environments with a step-by-step approach that ensures all goals are met. As a full-service technology partner, IVCi can handle all of the tech items so your school can focus on growing its program through recruitment and coaching.

We encourage schools to act fast, so their esports program can be up and running this fall. Learn more and get started here.

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Clean Tech

Whether your organization is returning to the office full time or adopting a hybrid work model, you’re likely in the middle of making preparations to have people back in the office.

While it’s exciting to have in-person meetings and work together again, the way we work isn’t going to be exactly the same as they were before COVID-19 hit. People have a different set of priorities for the workplace, one of them being keeping workspaces and communal technology clean.

Technology exists that enables organizations to maintain a cleaner workplace by limiting touchpoints and sanitizing shared surfaces. Here are some of the technology that your organization should consider for a cleaner work environment:

UV Light Technology for Shared Surfaces and Devices

The biggest area of concern is making sure that shared surfaces and devices are kept clean and sanitized. But cleaning wipes only go so far, and often can’t be used on certain electronic devices. Investing in UV light technology gives organizations a more reliable, reusable source of sanitation that is better for the environment and more effective at sanitizing. Examples of this type of technology include:

  • Portable, handheld wands for sanitizing keypads, touchpads, doors, workspaces, etc.
  • Device cabinets for sanitizing an entire office worth of laptops or other devices
  • Device sanitizers for individual devices like cell phones or cameras
  • Lamps that are capable of sanitizing an entire room

UV light sanitation is most effective for smooth, hard surfaces that are free of dust and dirt.

Touchless Technology

Touchless technology is another great way to keep workplaces sanitary since reducing touchpoints and shared surfaces is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs. Here are some ways to integrate touchless technology in the workplace:

  • Automatic doors and entryways
  • Keyless entry with magnetic ID badges
  • Touchless payment options for customers
  • Check-in points with touchless temperature scanners
  • Digital entrance tickets
  • QR codes to access menus, documents, and more

Touchless technology is being rapidly adopted by organizations of many industries and sizes as it allows them to be better prepared for a smooth return to the office and any future health issues that may arise.

Supporting BYOD and Touchless Technology with QR Codes

Organizations can take their clean technology initiatives one step further by implementing QR codes for a number of uses. For example, IVCi empowers organizations with QR codes that summon on-demand support for their AV technology. That not only offers a quick, seamless way to get video conferencing equipment up and running, it allows employees to use their own devices to summon support, which aligns with BYOT/BYOD and sanitation efforts.

If your organization is preparing for a full or partial return to the office, we recommend consulting with an AV technology integrator who can determine which technology is right for you, develop a plan that keeps your strategic goals in mind, implement the technology, and support your organization every step of the way. Reach out to the team of experts at IVCi today to get started.

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Hybrid Work Model

There are three main schools of thought surrounding the “return to office” transition many organizations are going through right now:

  1. Our teams have been working remotely for over a year and it has been working, so we can continue full-time remote work.
  2. We want our teams to return to the office full time to benefit from in-person meetings and working together.
  3. Let’s take the best of both worlds and move to a hybrid work model.

The hybrid work model is arguably the most popular for most organizations, since it’s the perfect middle ground. It offers the flexibility that employees enjoy about working from home, with the opportunity to gather in person for meetings or important team projects. It also is a great way to limit building capacity which, although it may no longer be mandatory, is becoming a standard business practice for many companies.

Building A Successful Hybrid Work Model

In order to have a successful hybrid work model, you will have to make sure your teams are prepared with the tools and technology they need to smoothly transition from home to the office and back without losing productivity or efficiency.

Relying on emails and phone calls won’t cut it in today’s fast-paced business world; you need communication tools that are not only mobile, but allow your team to conduct business in the most effective ways. While the approach may be slightly different between working remotely and working in the office, the technology largely overlaps.

What you need in the office – The typical office setup as we’ve always known it has changed permanently because of COVID-19. Now, each office setup needs a way to communicate with remote teammates, vendors, and customers/clients — mainly video conferencing. There’s also a newfound emphasis on touchless technology, like QR scanning and BYOD workstations.

What you need at home – When working remotely, users need a seamless experience that allows them to use the same programs and tools that they use in the office. This means high-quality audio and video setups, cloud-based video platforms, and access to the same support they would receive in the office setting.

What would benefit both – To have video conferencing and meeting setups that work flawlessly for both remote and in-office individuals, it’s important to have them use the same audio video conferencing equipment.

Having an expert AV integrator assess your current hybrid setup and design and implement state of the art technology will help you make sure your organization’s productivity levels stay high. They can also offer the expert support you need to troubleshoot issues and keep your meetings running smoothly.

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Telehealth

When we think about healthcare during COVID-19, we typically think about the things that COVID directly impacted: hospital capacities, changed visitor policies, PPE shortages, and the frontline heroes that put themselves at risk every day to help people recover.

But there was another side of the coin — people who needed medical care for conditions other than COVID. People with chronic conditions, injuries, and severe illnesses needed a safe way to speak to doctors and other medical professionals.

Enter telehealth. Being able to virtually meet with doctors through video conference completely changed the way people approached healthcare during COVID-19. But with restrictions easing and more things returning to “normal,” many providers are keeping telehealth options available.

Is telehealth here to stay?

There is a really good chance that telehealth will remain a permanent option from many healthcare providers. It has brought many benefits to both patients and providers, including:

  • More time efficient for both the doctor who does not have to have rooms prepped, and the patient who does not need to travel to their appointment.
  • People have been shopping from home, working from home, learning from home, etc. They are used to virtual interactions and this falls in line with that.
  • Older people or those with limited mobility can continue to seek healthcare independently.
  • People in rural or underserved areas can access the nation’s top doctors.
  • No outside factors like the weather (or a global pandemic) can interfere with much-needed healthcare.

How AV technology can make telehealth visits more efficient

If telehealth is here to stay, healthcare organizations need to make sure they are providing the best possible experience. AV conferencing companies can design and implement systems that make visits more efficient. Here are some ways the right AV setup helps:

  • Face to face interaction – Healthcare providers and patients can have more effective communication when they can see body language; it also promotes the human element of an in-person visit.
  • Better assessment of symptoms – High-quality video can help providers better recognize visual symptoms like swelling, rashes, and infections. Setting up telehealth systems without the help of dedicated AV technology could reduce quality.
  • Strong audio and video – Similarly, having strong audio and video is necessary for efficient telehealth visits, so you’ll want to rely on professional grade equipment and installation for the best possible outcomes.
  • Reliable and fast connections – Strong connections means patients and providers can join quickly, have uninterrupted visits, and effective discussions.
  • Support at your fingertips – In the rare event that you experience technical difficulties, AV technology allows quick and easy access to dedicated support that will get your session up and running as soon as possible.
  • Reduced costs – While the priority is ensuring top-level care, reducing costs is important too. AV technology can boost telehealth programs and allow organizations to dedicate less funding to office maintenance and more to research and treatments.

For these reasons, healthcare organizations should take a proactive approach to telehealth and get the assistance of experts. Audio video conferencing companies can focus on the technology so your organization can focus on what truly matters — the patients.

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Digital Signage

Have you ever passed a traditional bulletin board and was instantly awestruck with how engaging and informative the content was? Probably not.

Digital signage is quickly replacing bulletin boards and paper materials for informing employees and visitors — and for good reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic further expedited this shift, leading to an entirely new approach to signage in the workplace.

The importance of digital signage in your organization

Having strategically-placed digital signage is a great way to share information and keep employees and visitors up to speed in today’s ever-changing world. Here are some benefits of having digital signage:

  • Convenience – display important information in real-time where it can’t be missed, as opposed to cluttered email inboxes.
  • Automation – create content or import it from another system in either static or slideshow format, so you can set what is seen throughout the day.
  • Visibility – make sure your employees are in the know even if they are always on the move.
  • Unification – for healthcare facilities or businesses with shift workers, replace meetings with digital signage to make sure even overnight shift workers receive communication.
  • Safety – immediately alert the whole building to any safety concerns.
  • Social distancing – reduce the face-to-face contact meetings or flyer handouts require.
  • Improve customer and visitor experience – give visitors the information they need quickly in a highly-visible way. In some cases, they can even interact with the digital signage to find what they need quickly.
  • Collaboration – get your team on the same page quickly with information that starts a conversation, or share exciting announcements that keeps them engaged.

Replacing your out of date communication plan with digital signage will bring significant positive changes to your office environment.

How has digital signage changed recently?

Odds are that practically every part of your work environment has been impacted by COVID-19 in some way. One of the biggest changes has been around communication — both the importance of it and how it’s done.

The pandemic brought to light just how critical fast, continuous communication is. Employers need to have systems in place to quickly push out information to a large number of people at once, with confidence that they’ll see it. Digital signage took on a new role as an emergency communication system for people in the office. With one place that employees can go for the most up to date information, digital signage can be your mass communication hub.

There’s also been a shift in how workplace communication in general is executed. A major priority for businesses who are reopening after the pandemic is making their operations as touchless and with as little in-person interaction as possible. Digital signage is a good substitute for informational meetings or hand-to-hand delivery of memos.

Take your digital signage to the next level

Whether digital signage is completely new to your organization or you are looking to upgrade to the latest technology, IVCi is here to help. Reach out to our team today to get more information about digital signage options or to get a consultation — whatever you need to help improve communication in your workplace.

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BYOT and Touchless Tech

You’ve heard of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in the workplace, but have you heard of Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT)?

The COVID-19 pandemic made everyone hyper-aware of shared surfaces and how they play a part in spreading illness. Consequently, society has gotten smart and come up with inventive ways to limit touchpoints in schools and businesses.

Enter: touchless tech. What started as a nice perk quickly became standard operating practice as schools and businesses re-opened after the COVID-19 shutdowns. But is it here to stay? Let’s take a closer look at BYOT and the mark it’s leaving on businesses today.

How businesses are implementing BYOT and touchless tech

Many businesses have already implemented both BYOT and touchless technology. For BYOT, they are encouraging employees to use their own devices, connecting them to the company’s wi-fi network and audio visual conferencing systems.

But companies are taking touchless technology even further. Here are some examples of touchless technology that are streamlining operations:

  • Automatic doors
  • Keyless entry that utilizes magnetic ID badges to open doors and identify employees
  • Touchless payment options for customers to pay using their phones
  • Check-in kiosks that feature thermal cameras for temperature checks that do not require close contact
  • Digital visitor passes and entrance tickets
  • QR codes on AV equipment for on-demand support while only touching your own device

Touchless technology is made possible thanks to advancements in cameras and cloud connectivity.

Benefits of BYOT touchless tech

While BYOT and touchless technology gained popularity by necessity, businesses have noticed they carry valuable benefits.

The benefits of having employees use their own devices include:

  • Lower overhead costs for companies
  • More flexibility for employees to use the devices that work best for their job function
  • Seamless transition when moving between work locations or huddle rooms
  • Less shared equipment means lower risk of spreading illness and better maintenance of social distancing

Additional touchless technology brings even more benefits:

  • More accurately screen for signs of illness without putting staff at risk
  • Better security of entrances
  • More accurate contact tracing information
  • Quicker and more efficient customer or visitor experiences

As touchless technology continues to expand, you’ll likely see even more benefits.

Are BYOT and touchless tech here to stay?

The rapid adoption of BYOT initiatives and touchless technology have signaled a major operational shift in schools and businesses. It’s likely that these are here to stay. Not only are businesses enjoying the benefits of reducing physical touchpoints, but they’re more prepared in the case of a future pandemic.

Even if there is no future pandemic (which is the ideal situation!), it will still help workplaces stay more sanitary and reduce the spread of common illnesses. That, paired with the cost and productivity benefits, make this a win-win change for businesses.

If your organization has not fully embraced BYOT and touchless technology yet, it’s beneficial to get the help of an AV integrator like IVCi who specializes in implementing systems that can accommodate any device — as a bonus, we can also help you with many of your touchless technology needs.

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