Three Reasons to Work with a Certified Integrator for Your AV Projects

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If your organization is considering AV solutions, what's also worth considering is who will implement those solutions. Although AV technology is designed to be simple on the user's end, it's anything but for installers and designers. For this reason, most companies and schools trust their AV project to a certified integrator. Certified AV integrators are industry veterans, capable of matching a client's needs to the most effective AV solutions available. Certification is important for AV companies, and when looking for AV integration services, you'll want a certified team. There are several reasons for this, but we've included the three most important.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Reason One: Certified AV Integrators are Experts in AV Solution Design and Installation

The AV integration process consists of several steps and involves much more than just installation. AV solutions are complex, with many technologies working together to create a seamless audio and visual experience. It's impossible to craft that experience without extensive planning and design processes in place. While AV technicians attain certification, they learn what planning and design best practices look like, and how to implement them for clients. For example, this is the curriculum on AVIXA's Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) exam:

• Creating AV solutions - Creating an optimal AV solution starts with understanding the client's needs and how to solve them with AV. That's why, during CTS certification, the technician learns how to run a needs analysis meeting and perform an initial site survey. This provides technicians the starting knowledge they need for a project - knowledge like the quality of the building's lighting and acoustics, as well as its layout and seating arrangement. Once this information is gathered, the technician designs the solution. This includes selecting the right technologies for the job, determining placement locations, and establishing connectivity between all AV system elements.
• Implementing AV solutions - Once the project is designed, it needs to be implemented. CTS students therefore learn how to properly position and mount hardware, run all necessary cables, and account for any facility-related obstacles along the way. During certification, technicians also learn how to operate various AV solutions and configure them to the client's specifications.
• Servicing AV solutions - CTS certification also focuses on post-installation maintenance and support. So, CTS students learn how to solve a variety of technical problems using logical, efficient troubleshooting. During certification, students will also learn how to do this during a live event, when speed is critical.

AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association) is the leading trade association for the AV industry, and its CTS certification track is one of the most popular, as a result. That means if you're working with a certified AV firm, you're working with people educated in every part of the integration process. What does this extra education and experience mean? More consistent and more efficient integration processes.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Reason Two: Certified Integrators Have Unmatched AV Product Knowledge

In addition to their process knowledge, certified integrators are also experts in AV hardware and equipment. In fact, many AV technicians are certified in certain AV brands or technologies, giving them an edge during product selection, installation, configuration, and maintenance. Vendor specialists are extremely useful if your organization prefers a certain AV brand. For example, if your business prefers any of the following vendors, know that there are AV integrators certified in these vendors’ products:

• Crestron
• Poly
• Extron
• AMX
• Cisco
• Shure
• Biamp
• Planar

When technicians attain vendor-specific certifications they're learning everything about the company's ecosystem. That includes learning about the vendor's solutions and how those solutions can meet a client's AV needs. Vendor-certified technicians are also the people to turn to for in-depth product knowledge and training. Given their value to an AV team, integrators typically staff multiple vendor-certified technicians so they can offer a wider range of solutions.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Reason Three: A Certified AV Integrator Can Support Your Long-term Technology Needs

Certified AV integrators are motivated to support long-lasting relationships and collaboration between integrator and client. This starts by applying best practices (technically and ethically) to every integration project. And it doesn't end when the hardware is installed. Following integration, certified AV firms can provide ongoing maintenance and technical support to their clients. With a maintenance agreement in place, a certified integrator becomes the organization's go-to option for technical support. A maintenance agreement also establishes a schedule for preventative maintenance, which is critical for maintaining system uptime. Additional training and help with AV equipment-related logistics (warranties and shipping) are also standard additions to an AV maintenance contract. It's difficult for companies to dedicate in-house staff to AV system maintenance and working with a certified integrator means your organization won't have to. In this way, a certified integrator is a technology partner for their client - a technology partner that your company can call on when it's time to make additions or changes to your existing AV solutions. If there's an AV product out there that could serve your needs better, a certified integrator will help you identify and integrate it faster.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Certified Integrators are the Leaders in AV Technology and Solutions

AV integration has always been a complex process because it's complex work pushing the frontiers of audio and video. AV integration has become more complicated in recent years, though, as there are more solutions available than ever before. It's a challenge to remain on top of the industry's offerings and practices, but AV technicians manage it by attaining (and maintaining) certification. Your organization can leverage this expertise for your own AV projects, ensuring a more efficient and more effective solution.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]