The annual InfoComm100, a cross-section of 100 dignitaries within and outside the A/V industry, met in Reston, Va. on Oct. 11-12.  The topic of this year’s event was “The Smart Building Imperative.”

Here’s what I learned: Smart buildings may be the next big opportunity for the A/V industry.  A survey of the attendees showed that many have had exposure to or have already been involved in smart building projects; many look to be the lead consultant on a smart building project; and a significant number look to manufacturers to provide education on smart buildings and operations.

Here are 10 “smart” takeaways from the InfoComm100:

• Smart means knowing what customers need before they ask for it
• Smart means responding to and serving customers needs efficiently
• Smart buildings mean a shift in focus from ROI to user/client needs
• Smart is not about A/V; it’s about data management
• Working smarter comes from leveraging data that is already being collected and presenting results
• Easy-to-read and easy-to-interpret dashboards are key to working with smart buildings
• Smart buildings are like smartphones: apps leverage the capabilities of a building just like they do for the phone in your pocket
• More sensors mean smarter monitoring
• Become smarter by maximizing mobile devices for their sensors capabilities
• Smart tip: You can’t manage what you don’t measure

Smart buildings and smarter systems are intriguing for the whole A/V industry. They call for increased focus on and demand for software solutions that collect, process, and present data.  This data is the basis for controls that allow customers’ objectives to be met; smart operators to take action; and buildings to operate more efficiently.

For technology managers, integrators or consultants, partnering with a software developer gives them the power to achieve a solution that meets client needs in a changing and expanding environment and creates new avenues for business.

About the author

Steve Greenblatt

Steve Greenblatt, CTS, is president of Control Concepts, Inc., a leading independent provider of audiovisual control system solutions.

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