What Is AVaaS & How Does It Improve AV Solutions

AVaaS streamlines how AV solution are delivered

For many businesses, AV as a service, or AVaaS, provides everything they need from their AV technology. In this case, what companies need is an AV solution that works every time, and what they don’t need is the complexity that comes with the technology. AVaaS is the solution to both issues, as it gives companies access to superior equipment, expert insight and ongoing support.

What is AVaaS?

AVaaS is much like software as a service (SaaS), something that many professionals are already familiar with. Some popular SaaS offerings, like the Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft’s software suites, allow companies (or individuals) access to powerful software solutions at an affordable monthly rate, along with expert support and regular updates. It’s a model that has achieved incredible success in the collaborative, corporate and creative worlds. AV integrators now realize the merits of such a model, as AVaaS solves many of the same problems that SaaS once did away with. While integrators still aren’t leasing out entire solutions, AVaaS provides the ongoing support and service management that companies also appreciate with their SaaS solutions. In short, the integrator handles all technical aspects of the system’s function. The client, meanwhile, only has to access the system. AVaaS ensures it either works every time, or ensures a fix is available quickly should there be unexpected downtime.

What does AVaaS include?

With AVaaS, the integrator develops a custom AV solution for their client, after studying their workflow, goals and challenges. An integrator does this in conjunction with the client’s decision makers, so there’s no surprises once the system is in place. Once a solution has been proposed, the integrator takes over and does the following:

• Selects and installs the equipment – If the project is in a new construction setting, the integrator will interface with other construction teams, as well as the project’s architects and managers, to establish a job timeline.
• Configures the equipment – The integrator will work with the client’s IT staff to ensure the new equipment is properly assimilated into the company’s network. This AV and IT collaboration ensures every employee receives the proper permissions, and that network security is given priority.
• Trains the client’s employees on the system’s function – It is critical that employees rapidly adopt the new system. A primary indicator of a system’s future ROI is whether or not employees are willing and able to operate the equipment. Fortunately, this is a challenge that AV integrators can overcome with immediate, targeted training. Successful integrators invest in their training resources and facilities and know how to train every type of worker.
• Monitors the system – Even after the system is installed and employees are trained, the integrator still has a major presence. With AVaaS, the integrator remotely monitors the equipment to proactively address technical issues, poor adoption rates and other forms of system maintenance.
• Supports the system – If issues do emerge during monitoring, or if the client cannot access the system for any reason, the integrator is responsible for providing a solution. In this way, the integrator functions like a 24/7 help desk. The response is immediate and is designed to keep downtime to a minimum.

AVaaS keeps companies current on their AV solutions

Before the rise of AVaaS, it was common for companies to have problems with their AV equipment and systems, just like with any technology. Most of the common hiccups, though, have been solved, and AV technology is far more forgiving than it was 10 or 20 years ago. This has led to an explosion of AV solutions, and the industry is moving at an unprecedented pace. However, this has produced another challenge for businesses – with the rapid introduction of new AV hardware and so many AV solutions, how do companies optimize them all? Consider how quickly technology emerges or is rendered obsolete, and it’s easy to imagine how companies could fall behind in some regards, while racing ahead in others. This uneven adoption of AV equipment results in connectivity and communication issues, leading to system failure. This commonplace concern was a driving motivation behind AVaaS. Before, companies tasked their IT with replacing obsolete equipment and targeting promising technologies. AVaaS redistributes this responsibility to the AV integrator – where it should be. The integrator’s job is to forecast equipment cycles and have a plan in place for when hardware is switched out or updated. The client only has to sign off on the changes. AVaaS is a far more streamlined process, compared to the way AV systems used to be managed and updated. With it, companies are always current with their AV technology. This means employees never waste time messing with the technology, and IT never wastes time managing hardware that isn’t their specialty. Businesses are expected to move as quickly as possible if they wish to remain competitive in their industry. AVaaS ensures AV technology doesn’t get in the way of this, making itr a reliable, effective tool.