What Makes a Good AV Integrator in Austin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Austin is an AV haven, with more than 250 music venues, a world-class university and countless eclectic galleries, restaurants, and shops. It’s also home to sprawling corporate campuses, including major Apple, Dell, General Motors, Home Depot, IBM, Oracle, VISA and Whole Foods offices, among many others. A city of innovation and communication, Austin is also an exciting place to be an AV integrator. With thousands of businesses, galleries, museums, performance venues and educational spaces spread throughout the city, there’s room for AV solutions everywhere you turn. With so many diverse spaces to work with, though, Austin businesses and venues need an experienced, certified AV integrator to manage their audiovisual projects. If your organization is looking to modernize its communications, an Austin-based integrator is your go-to technology partner.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

What AV Solutions Can a Certified Austin Integrator Offer?

AV integrators in Austin can provide an array of communication and productivity-enhancing solutions. These solutions include:

Video conferencing solutions

Video conferencing solutions include both hardware and software platforms and are essential for keeping remote and hybrid teams communicating. You’ll find them in most meeting rooms, including huddle spaces.

Digital signage

Digital signage consists of networked digital displays, media players and digital signage software. Together, they can be used to display any kind of information or media, usually for brand-building and foot traffic-generating purposes.

Wireless presentation solutions

Wireless presentation solutions allow users to connect to a room’s AV presentation technology from their own device. Once connected, the user can control the room’s technology and run an engaging media campaign without touching a single room control.

Interactive displays

Interactive displays are ideal companions to video conferencing solutions. With an interactive display, users can deliver lessons or presentations using simple, smartphone-like gestures. They’re also powerful collaboration drivers, giving teams additional tools for visual brainstorming.

Control systems

AV control systems consolidate your room’s hardware for easy control, providing a single interface through which video conferencing, audio, lighting and climate control systems can be managed. Some control systems are tactile, using elements like wall switches. Others utilize digital touchscreens for easier use.

Educational solutions

AV integrators can provide several educational solutions, designed to improve lesson engagement and classroom management. Interactive displays are one such solution, as are products like makerspace solutions and AR/VR solutions.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

What Should Organizations Look For In An Austin AV Integrator?

Although AV technology is easier than ever to use, Austin organizations are scaling up their AV projects all the time. The modern office doesn’t have one large conference room - it has many smaller huddle rooms - all of which require at least some AV technologies. The typical AV solution has grown in complexity, making it impossible for most organizations to plan and execute their AV projects in-house. That’s where an Austin AV integrator comes in, but not just any AV integrator. Here’s what you’ll want in the integrator you choose:

Certification Through Major AV Industry Associations

AV certification is a critical part of the education process for new and experienced members of the industry. During certification, technicians learn the fundamentals of AV system design, installation, and maintenance. Certification tracks also instruct technicians on best practices and industry ethics, so they are prepared for the customer service side as well. There are numerous certification programs available to AV professionals. Some of the most notable include:

• AVIXA’s Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) - The Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA) is the AV industry’s most respected professional association. Formally known as Infocomm, AVIXA connects industry professionals together, hosts industry events, and provides a wealth of certification coursework.Its CTS certification introduces technicians to the fundamentals of AV project management and execution. This includes system design and installation concepts, performing a needs analysis and site survey, and assessing system performance. CTS certification is further subdivided into installation (CTS-I) and design (CTS-D) tracks, so installation technicians and designers can specialize.CTS certification, in all of its forms, provides the essential concepts that AV technicians need to compete in the industry. Ideally, the integrator you choose will staff many CTS certified technicians.
• Crestron Certification Tracks - Crestron is a top provider of AV technology and is the chosen brand for Microsoft-based solutions. As such, many AV integrators prioritize certification in Crestron products.Crestron does offer several certification tracks, including core (general), field technician/engineer, design, programmer, sales, lighting, and Flex programs. Crestron also offers a few master certifications, including master technology architect, master programmer and master sales associate.If your organization is interested in Crestron solutions, the above certifications are a must in any integrator you’re considering.
• Audio Certification, Like Shure or Biamp Certification - It’s easy to get caught up in the video side of the AV equation, but there’s also audio to consider. To ensure your organization gets the best it can, you’ll need an integrator certified with a leading audio brand.Those brands include Shure and Biamp. Both are accomplished manufacturers of audio technology, so you’ll become familiar with them if your organization needs conference room microphones, for example.

Experience In The Industry Your Austin Organization Operates In

Every industry utilizes AV solutions a bit differently than the next. An auto dealership may use digital signage to show video footage of vehicles in motion. A restaurant could use it for food photography or videos of food preparation. It’s a subtle difference, but one that could be relevant to the business and their target audience. There are many subtleties in AV design, so pick an integrator who has worked with organizations like yours. With this prior experience, the integrator will know what solutions will work best for your Austin business.

A Long-term Commitment To Their Clients

Certified, experienced integrators know that the job isn’t over once installation is done. Ongoing support is needed to optimize the solution (following user feedback) and preserve its performance over the long run. To do this, an integrator will offer an extended maintenance contract as an important solution for ongoing support. A maintenance contract will usually include technical support and network troubleshooting. It may also include additional training and preventative maintenance, which is valuable for spotting and resolving performance-sapping issues before they arise. If an integrator isn’t willing to support their own solutions, it’s fair to wonder why. To be safe, stick with Austin AV integrators that offer extended maintenance agreements.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

An Austin AV Integrator Can Launch and Support Your AV Solutions

A certified Austin AV integrator is a valuable technology partner, as long as they have the right credentials for the job. Industry certifications, relevant experience and an extended client outlook are all positive integrator indicators, and you’ll want them all in your integrator to optimize your AV solution’s long-term value.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]