As technology evolves, the boundaries of traditional AV integration continue to blur lines. Beyond conference rooms and digital signage, emerging technologies like enterprise drones, extended reality (XR) headsets and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) present highly profitable avenues for AV integrators.
To understand the trajectory of these emerging categories, Dan Ferrisi, group director of content + editorial, industrial + tech, Emerald, turned to the experts at Almo Pro AV. At the E4 Experience in DC Metro, Matthew Callari, director of sales for the emerging tech team, and Eric Jameson, business development manager for the drone solutions category, shared valuable insights into how these innovations align with core AV competencies.
The Shift in the Commercial Drone Market
According to Callari and Jameson, the enterprise drone sector has recently experienced significant supply-chain disruption following regulatory changes centered on data security.
Callari acknowledges the challenge in transitioning clients to more expensive compliant platforms; however, he adds that the opportunity is immense. Moreover, organizations are actively seeking reliable technology partners to replace their outdated fleets.
But what truly separates a commercial drone from a consumer model?
According to Jameson, the distinction comes down to business intelligence. “It can’t do more than [just] fly around and take pictures,” Jameson says of consumer models. He then makes the case for commercial drones noting that they have the ability to gather information and pinpoint the differentiation. Ultimately, Jameson proclaims it is about the “collection of data.”
Leveraging Precise Data for Enterprise Applications
Enterprise drones collect highly precise, centimeter-accurate data for a variety of industries. From construction surveying to cell-phone tower inspections, the ability to safely gather actionable intelligence is revolutionizing operational efficiency.
Callari points out the immediate safety and labor benefits for infrastructure maintenance. He states that drones allow teams to “pinpoint problem areas and then send one person out to go fix that problem.”
This level of precision can directly impact an organization’s bottom line. In fact, in the construction sector, implementing a robust drone program leads to massive financial advantages. Jameson highlights that executives report “somewhere between a 17 and 22% reduction in cost overruns when they have a drone program.”
Command-and-Control Centers, Drones and AV Integration
For Callari and Jameson, drones represent a natural extension of existing services in the AV industry. Both point out that integrators routinely build complex emergency-operation centers equipped with massive direct-view LED video walls and intricate routing systems. Yet, they frequently leave the data-gathering source — the drones themselves — to other vendors.
Instead, by treating drones as an advanced video source in the sky, integrators can provide a complete end-to-end solution. As Jameson attests, the collection of data from the drones is the “tie-in for AV.”
Furthermore, as the proliferation of consumer drones creates airspace security challenges, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technology has emerged as a critical requirement for public sector clients and large venues. Additionally, cities and stadiums are actively seeking systems that can monitor the airspace.
“Detect, track and identify is something that we’ve really started to focus on to be able to provide solutions out there,” Jameson adds.
Expanding the AV Portfolio with XR Headsets
Alongside drones, Callari and Jameson note that XR headsets represent another major vertical poised for growth. From their perspective, these devices are transforming K-12 education, higher education and corporate training by delivering deeply immersive, experiential learning modules.
For instance, instead of traditional laptop-based training, organizations are deploying XR headsets to simulate high-pressure scenarios. Callari highlights how major retailers utilize this technology to modernize human-resources training. “Instead of having somebody sit down, [you can] do an HR video [where] you’re running through modules of [scenarios],” he explains.
Callari adds that since the curriculum and software are already developed by independent vendors, integrators do not need to become software developers. They simply provide the hardware infrastructure, making it a natural upsell alongside traditional classroom or corporate AV upgrades.
Embracing the Future of AV Integration and Commercial Drones
Both Callari and Jameson agree that widening the aperture to include enterprise drones, C-UAS platforms and XR headsets will allow integrators to capture new business and provide additional value to existing clients.
Key takeaways for technology integrators thus include:
- Leverage compliant, data-driven enterprise drones for infrastructure and construction clients
- Connect drone data feeds directly into the command-and-control centers
- Capitalize on the growing need for C-UAS security in the public sector space
- XR headsets as an experiential upgrade for educational and corporate-training environments
In summation, integrators need not be an aviation expert in order to succeed in this space. With the right distribution partner, they would gain access to the necessary scaffolding, training and technical support to confidently bid on these lucrative projects.
Interested in learning more? Visit the Almo Pro AV website to connect with the specialized support teams and explore the comprehensive solutions portfolio.
