To figure out what an AV integrator will be like in five years, it’s important to understand what every other type of firm will not be, and that is expert in the science of audiovisual communications. Digitize what you will; send signals over IP networks. None of this changes the fact that the true “last mile” in communication, whether a presentation or a performance, is a distinctly analog experience. It’s what the human eye sees and the human ear hears. Until the brain starts processing sight and sound differently, this won’t change, and the need for trained professionals who understand how to optimize the effectiveness of audio and video will only become greater.
Clearly, the delivery of AV communications and integrated experiences has changed rapidly in recent years. The network (wired and wireless) is king and the cloud is part of its kingdom. In light of that, AV integration firms will continue to evolve into technology integration firms, expanding on their core expertise to include everything from building systems and the Internet of Things to enterprise networks and services. With technology options so varied and changing so rapidly, integrators will become even greater solution providers than they are today, beginning from the point at which they understand intimately the needs of their clients and develop solutions that meet those needs. And the most forward-thinking firms will begin to offer even more, including content and managed services, in order to provide complete solutions.
Traditional integration may look slightly different than it does today. The industry has made its name by taking disparate systems and making them work together. Increasingly — and to the benefit of all — technology products are becoming more interoperable and easier to install. But no one should confuse easy to install with DIY. Some customers might, but they will soon learn that technology is technology. It can help their organizations operate more efficiently, or collaborate better, or create exceptional experiences, but it still requires expertise to set up properly and manage. Not to mention, so-called “easy” solutions may not meet clients’ actual needs. Customers may not realize that, but AV integrators/solution providers, asking the right questions, will understand.
If anything, AV and IT systems that are easier to integrate are good for everyone. The manufacturers that develop them sell more. The designers and integrators who deploy them complete more jobs more quickly. And customers who want them get more reliable solutions that can help their organizations faster.
AV firms are already well on their way to being end-to-end solution providers. On projects, they frequently offer the most expertise across all facets of an integrated, AV communications system. We live in a time when demand for audiovisual experiences — at work, at home, at the mall, on the street — continues to increase. AV integrators, by any and all names, will emerge as the technologists who make those experiences exceptional.
MORE: Solutions Providers of the Future: Keep Your Eyes Focused on User Experience
