AVNation TV

Category: Perspectives

  • The Soft(ware) Side of AV Control

    The Soft(ware) Side of AV Control

    Two Words: Software

    One of the largest changes being made to AV systems is the shift toward a more IT-centric approach. This has resulted in more products receiving software updates over the network and through the cloud. For many AV professionals, this is a huge change.

    Episode 101 of the A State of Control podcast, “Four Lattes,” tackles this changing landscape. Host Steve Greenblatt sat down with Principal of Fregosa Design Rich Fregosa, Senior Systems Programmer & Network Systems Engineer for Verrex Brian Magrogan, and Software Consultant for Catch Technologies Patrick Murray to discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of software upgrades on AV systems.

    Changing Dynamics in AV

    There’s a lot of unknowns that come with software-heavy systems. “We had our own world, and we were able to kind of dictate the rules,” Greenblatt says. “It seems like we now are playing in other people’s worlds … changes the dynamic a bit.”

    Fregrosa doesn’t think this is a bad thing. “Whether the corporate IT side of the commercial world wanted to embrace us or not, they have to play nice with us at this point.” He explains that virtualization and the SaaS model offer cost savings to companies. Initially, these things weren’t needed, and hardware upgrades would often be pushed farther and farther down the road. The pandemic and supply chain issues necessitated things like remote diagnostics, opening the door to more software-defined equipment.

    Considerations With IT-Centric AV

    Murray has been championing this switch for the last several years and believes that this new era needs to start with management. When you’re on a network, you have to be able to manage your devices, update them, and patch vulnerabilities. To coexist on a network with AV devices, these devices and the professionals that maintain them need to behave in the same way.

    “One of the problems is, a lot of the devices we work with are not IT-centric,” Murray explains. When choosing a software-defined device, it’s important to look at what goes into its software management. Murray offers examples like:

    • Can the device be managed?
    • How are updates handled?
    • Is there a way to turn off automatic updates?
    • What kind of APIs does it have?

    Additionally, professionals need to look at how the organization itself operates. “The only way to really get a handle on it is just to look at it on a case-by-case basis and really just look at every step that’s involved,” Murray says.

    Maintaining Control With Software Defined Equipment

    Loss of control is still at the forefront of many experts’ minds. Programming may stay the same, but what you’re controlling and working with could change overnight.

    “It’s a piece that we need to stay on top of,” Magrogan says. To combat issues like this, Magrogan says one of the first things he does when he gets to his desk is to check current and upcoming releases from all the major manufacturers. Tracking these changes helps him stay on top of things. “When security vulnerabilities come up, we can go and say, ‘I need to know everything that’s on this version of firmware so that we can address it.’”

    AV/IT on the Residential Side

    While AV may be used differently in residential situations than in corporate situations, the management of this technology isn’t all that different. However, in residential applications, there’s a low threshold for inconvenience when something stops working, even for a moment.

    “You’re moving to a service model, whether you want to or not,” says Fregrosa. While this new technology is more readily available, it’s not necessarily easier to use. To be successful on the residential side, Fregrosa and Magrogan recommend:

    • Shifting your business model to a managed service
    • Educating your customers
    • Having a backup plan for when things fail

    Changes for Integrators and Programmers

    “The programming itself should not change unless you’re using a different platform,” Murray explains. “As far as the concepts of control and automation, they’re going to remain the same.”

    He sees opportunity in the knowledge gap. The average AV tech isn’t going to know how to manage services when an alert comes up. AV programmers have the chance here to make a parallel move to support services. Programmers can sometimes be marginalized, and by learning new skills, they can prove how invaluable their services are.

    “Just keep doing your job and helping people, and you’ll learn about this stuff on its own,” says Murray. “You’ll find yourself in the position where you’re troubleshooting the network, you’re troubleshooting sockets, how they communicate with each other, and proving your worth.”

    A shift in mindset is also necessary. Murray points out that software development requires taking your time and planning for everything. In traditional AV, once the product is delivered, the job is done. In software-centric AV, the equipment is the last step. Project management is paramount.

    Final Thoughts

    The shift to software-defined AV control comes with a lot of unknowns but also a lot of promise. Programmers especially can take advantage of this change to increase their knowledge and prove themselves indispensable.

    Check out the podcast on our website or watch it on YouTube.

  • The Power of Mentorship in AV

    The Power of Mentorship in AV

    Mentoring and being Mentored in AV

    Mentorship plays an important part in almost any industry, but it’s especially useful and increasingly prevalent for women in audiovisual (AV). More professionals in AV have already signed up for specific mentorship programs in 2023 than in previous years — and for good reasons.

    The impacts and power of mentorship in AV play an important role in this changing industry. However, with increased interest, the number of available slots in mentorship programs is dwindling. In their recent Women in AV podcast, Erica Carroll and Jennifer Goodyer spoke with Jennifer Davis of the CMO Syndicate, Rita Leitensdorfer of Communitronics, and Sherri Beck of AVI-SPL about the positive impacts of AV mentorship.

    Why Mentorship Is Important for Women in AV

    Mentorship is still relatively new to the audiovisual industry, yet it is growing fast. Mentorship, training, and knowledge sharing are important to all individuals in AV, whether they’re new or have years of experience. AV mentorship is especially useful for women, who are significantly unrepresented in the AV industry, even compared to other STEM industries. With the right mentors, anyone can grow their career, experience, and network and maybe even grow into a mentor themselves.

    Career Growth

    According to specific program statistics, 38% of professionals who went through mentorship programs in 2021 experienced job advancement. While going through a mentorship program doesn’t guarantee a promotion, it can improve one’s likelihood of being considered for higher positions due to an increase in skill. With skills gaps negatively impacting tech industries, expanding training and mentorship experience is ideal both for professional growth and job security.

    Experience and Confidence

    Walking into a new position, venue, or field of AV that you don’t have much experience in can be intimidating. From the anxiety of making a mistake to the nerves caused by people staring, taking on a new situation alone and without guidance can be an overwhelming challenge and can lead to mistakes. Having a mentor or colleague walk through the steps before or during a new situation can seriously improve the work quality and decrease stress.

    Network With Professionals

    Mentorship gives professionals the opportunity to socialize and network with others in the AV industry. Learning about the expertise and perspective of others, regardless of their age and experience, can better anyone as a professional. Mentorship is especially efficient when individuals reach out to mentors they may not otherwise connect with, such as a younger professional who knows the most about a new AV advancement or an experienced AV veteran who’s seen and heard more in the industry than almost anyone else.

    Most importantly, mentorship gives other AV professionals a chance to get to know each other. “It matters who knows you,” shared Davis in the Women in AV podcast. “You’ll never be sought out as a mentor or a mentee unless people know what you’re about [and] what expertise is in your head.”

    Improve the Organization

    Mentorship also gives professionals an “excuse” to better connect with and learn from colleagues and mentors in their organizations. For example, if a project on someone’s docket requires AV skills they know a colleague is experienced in, asking for mentorship on the specific project can expand their knowledge and ensure the problem is solved correctly. This teamwork-mentorship approach can better them as a professional and improve the organization by increasing communication and spreading knowledge.

    Seeking Out Mentorship in Your AV Career

    According to advice given to the CMO Syndicate’s Jennifer Davis, the best way to seek out mentorship is with a project. Having an obtainable goal or problem that you may not have all the answers for gives you the opportunity to pick the brains of colleagues and mentors. It can also help you discover where you may need additional skills so you can seek training and mentorship outside of your organization.

    Not all mentors have to be in specific “trainer” roles but could instead be people already in your professional network who have both the answers you’re looking for and the willingness to help you grow. In many situations, simply “making a splash” will lead people to reach out to you and try to help you advance professionally.

    Carroll and Goodyer’s Women in AV podcast episode “Finding Mentors Within AV” goes even more in-depth on how to seek out mentorship in your AV career and why it’s so important. Guests Davis, Leitensdorfer, and Beck all share their perspectives, including the ‘underdog stories’ of AV professionals like themselves who’ve sought out mentorship and seen its benefits. Tune into the podcast to hear advice from some of the biggest women in the audiovisual industry.

     

  • How AV is becoming IT

    How AV is becoming IT

    AV is IT, and there’s no going back.

    The intersection of IT (Information Technology) and audiovisual technology (AV) is an area of rapid growth and innovation. Audiovisual technology encompasses a wide range of products and services, including digital signage, video conferencing, interactive displays, and more. IT, on the other hand, involves computer systems and networks to manage and store data, as well as to support the operations of an organization. Together, these two fields offer a powerful combination that is helping to shape the way we communicate, learn, and do business.

    One of the most significant ways that IT and AV intersect is through the use of digital signage. These displays can be found in a variety of settings, including malls, airports, and public spaces. The use of digital signage is becoming increasingly popular, due in part to the ability to easily update content remotely using IT systems. Signage is used for wayfinding, employee communication, and revenue generation through advertising. Digital signage is a great example of how IT can be used to support the operations of an organization by allowing them to easily update and manage the content on their displays.

    Find out more about IT and AV at ISE 2023

    Video conferencing is another area where IT and audiovisual technology intersect. With the rise of remote work and virtual meetings, video conferencing has become an essential tool for many organizations. IT systems are used to support video conferencing by providing the necessary hardware and software infrastructure, such as cameras, microphones, and video conferencing software. Additionally, IT systems can be used to manage the scheduling and organization of video conferences, ensuring that they are as efficient and effective as possible.

    Interactive displays are another way in which IT and audiovisual technology intersect. Interactive displays are typically large touchscreens that allow users to interact with digital content in a variety of ways, such as by scrolling through a menu, zooming in on an image, or playing a video. These displays are becoming increasingly popular in a variety of settings, including museums, trade shows, and corporate offices. IT systems are used to support interactive displays by providing the necessary hardware and software infrastructure, such as touchscreens and interactive display software.

    Another promising area of intersection between IT and audiovisual technology is Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology. These technologies are being used in new ways for more immersive and interactive experiences, such as VR simulations for training, medical and therapeutic treatment and AR for education and gaming. IT systems are used to support VR and AR technology by providing the necessary hardware and software infrastructure, such as VR/AR headsets and software.

    It’s important to note that all the above-mentioned IT-AV technologies also have significant implications on data privacy and security. These technologies often rely on cloud-based systems and many companies collect a lot of data that can be used to improve the user experience or target advertising. It is imperative to have strict data security protocols in place to protect sensitive information.

    Finally, there is the segment of control and automation. Traditionally control has been achieved through signals on RS-232 or IR (infrared) communication. With the advent of IP technology, and IT infrastructure specifically, control is now fully capable through the network.

    The intersection of IT and AV is an exciting area of growth and innovation. IT systems are being used to support a wide range of audiovisual technologies, including digital signage, video conferencing, control and automation, interactive displays, VR, and AR. These technologies are helping to shape the way we communicate, learn, and do business. As IT and AV continue to mature, one will certainly overtake and consume the other. Where, one day, there will no longer be a discussion of whether AV is IT, it just will be.

  • Why Randy Klein retiring matters

    Why Randy Klein retiring matters

    Klein helped build a foundation at Crestron

    This past week Crestron’s Randy Klein announced his plan to retire later this year. After more than 30 years, our industry will be without Mr. Klein walking the floor of ISE, Crestron Masters, InfoComm, CEDIA or any one of a myriad of integrators Randy has toured over the decades.

    With the retirement of an industry icon, it’s easy to wax poetic. For Randy Klein, it may not be possible to truly articulate the impact his career has had on the industry as he has guided Crestron’s growth the past three decades.

    Klein’s strength and talent came in recognizing and developing strategic relationships. Beginning with just a few tables in a 10×10 booth at InfoComm, Randy was at the center of the activity connecting and networking with integrators.

    Translating Engineering Speak

    Klein would take the technical from Crestron founder George Feldstein and convert that into sales materials. Engineers within AV integrators understood the technical specs but salespeople needed a way to sell control and automation to the tech managers. Randy worked with the integration sales channel to develop programs and translate from engineer to AV user.

    During the 90’s when control programming became more complicated, Crestron developed the CAIP (Crestron Authorized Independent Programmer) program. With it, came the first iteration of Crestron Masters. After more than 20 years, Klein and the team at Crestron has trained and educated thousands of control programmers, AV designers, and systems engineers. The annual event attracts more than 1,000 audiovisual professionals from around the country. Globally the education continues as Crestron Masters Europe has also become a yearly gathering of Crestron pros.

    From a personal point, Randy Klein has always been kind and accommodating to me. This extends back to when I was a tech manager. I emailed Randy, out of the blue, about an issue we were having at Lewis & Clark; the community college I worked. Klein not only responded to me, thanked me for the email, he also contacted the right people and got the situation taken care of relatively quickly. Randy Klein had no business emailing a tech manager from a small community college. However, he took time to do so, and made a lifelong fan in me. That’s not to say I agree with all of Klein’s, or Crestron’s, moves over the years. But his ability to connect with customers on a personal level has impressed me for over twenty years.

    Crestron Succession

    With Randy stepping aside, Dan Feldstein, son of Crestron founder George Feldstein, takes over as President and CEO. Feldstein has come up through the ranks at Crestron, working in R&D and computer engineering. Klein comes from the sales side, Feldstein from the engineering side. Certainly, there will be an adjustment in leadership styles.

    This transition also illustrates the need for succession planning. Whether you are the founder, senior manager, or lead a team, planning for the next generation is crucial to the long-term success. Randy Klein defined and grew a company that became and remains the bedrock of our industry, and community. His legacy has put our industry on a trajectory for continued growth.

     

  • What 500 Episodes Mean to Me

    What 500 Episodes Mean to Me

    Leaning into your legacy

    A number is just a number. Most of the time. Whether it’s age, weight, or IQ. Even episode numbers haven’t ever really impacted me. We hit 100 at year 2; 200 at 4, and so on. This year AVWeek celebrated episode 500, which means 10 years of me saying “This is AVWeek”. Ten years of some of the greatest and brightest audiovisual professionals sitting down and giving the industry their wisdom and insights.

    I won’t go into the backstory of how AVNation came to be. Short version, I had a life change and said why not. If you’d like the full story, catch me at InfoComm some time. I’ve been blessed to connect with and interview over 300 different guests. Each one brought a unique perspective and insight.

    Hosting AVWeek has been one of the greatest joys of my life. This podcast married my love of broadcasting with an incredible industry I fell in to. It’s allowed me to travel beyond the borders of the US, learn from AV pros in Nigeria, India, Brazil, and China. The world has been brought into the little AVNation studio in St. Louis. And from there, the world has been able to watch me grow and evolve.

    Sunday AV Chat with #AVintheAM

    Then on #AVintheAM, Chris Neto asks what will your legacy be. Hmm. My legacy? That seems pretty simple to me. I was a part of the group that started AVNation and AVWeek. I’ve been the host for nearly all 500 episodes. So, my legacy is this vehicle that allows others to speak into the AV community. But that isn’t quite right.

    An overarching belief that I’ve evolved into is the idea that we are not the same people from year to year. At least we shouldn’t be. I’ve changed physically, spiritually, and mentally the last ten years. So have you. I’ve learned and grown. Some of that growth has been at the expense of others, I’m afraid. By that I mean, I’ve made mistakes, hurt others, and tried to learn from that.

    While the vast majority of these offenses have been unintentional, some haven’t. I can only attribute that to immaturity and ignorance. While at the time I most likely saw myself as in the right, I wasn’t and my actions uncalled for. See, we’re all humans. We make mistakes. Even other people. I know that’s hard to believe. That person who cut you off may be rushing to see a dying loved one. Or they’re just a jerk. The thing is you don’t really know which. If we’re able to allow for the best in others, maybe they will see the best in our actions. Doing so would go a long way in lowering the overall rancor in our world, and our industry at times.

    I’m just this guy

    Maybe this is my legacy. Being wrong and being open about being wrong. In my 20’s and into my 30’s I thought I knew everything, or at least quite a bit. My personality was tied to how much and what I knew. It was a keystone. The older, and more experience, I got the more I realized how wrong that was. People ask me for a bio or to introduce myself. Most of the time my first response now is “I’m just this guy, you know.” Now, this has two purposes. One, it’s an inside joke pointing to Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The other point is to recognize that I’m just a human. A fallible human who has more to learn and is willing to do so.

    Episode 500 has come and gone. It’s taken me a few months to really process this and put into words the milestone of ten years. From presidents and CEO’s to some of the best techs in the audiovisual business, you have given me one of the greatest joys. If I could stand in a booth at InfoComm and thank each of the thousands of you who listen on a weekly basis I would.  As we at AVNation continue on with episode 500 and something at this point, take a look at what your legacy is now, or will be. No, there’s no way to go back but you can absolutely begin today and build a story to be proud. Thank you for your time.

  • Four Considerations for the Future of Workplace Technology

    Four Considerations for the Future of Workplace Technology

    How to design tomorrow’s workspace

    By: Robert Bach, Director, Product Strategy – Digital Workplace at Crestron

    At the beginning of last year, would you have believed that most businesses could shift to a completely remote workforce in a matter of weeks? In your most comprehensive Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity plans, did you even consider this happenstance?  Who was around from the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic to warn us? Hindsight is now, quite literally, 2020.

    The Covid-19 pandemic has been transformational in its effect.  At the onset, many of us responded quickly to set up our employees and workplaces with the tools needed to effectively support the work-from-anywhere movement.  In recent history, we had some small glimpses of the benefits of a remote workforce as we responded to regional shutdowns due to blizzards, hurricanes and typhoons, mass transit outages, and other disruptions; but never all of us globally at the same time.  After a year of living in this world of isolation in our own private germ bunkers, we see that Covid-19 has been a catalyst in the process of workplace evolution.  The shift to remote work and agile workspace was very slowly gaining traction over the last 15 years, yet it was not a priority for most companies.  As we come out into the light again to resume more traditional pre-pandemic behaviors, we must revisit our digital transformation strategies to ensure we have the right technology approach to support and scale a productive, flexible, and efficient workforce and address normalizing and solidifying any patchwork solutions put in place in urgency, when making it work was enough just to simply keep us going.

    According to Microsoft, this past year has caused a sea change in the desires of our workforce, with 70% of our workers expressing a desire to maintain the flexibility of working from home routinely and coming into a corporate office as necessary.  What we have learned in this past year about supporting the home worker is that having the proper technologies and infrastructure in place will help enable employees to work together safely, effectively, and collaboratively wherever they may be. It will also assist in anticipating and addressing the fast-evolving needs of the workplace now and well beyond the pandemic as we synthesize this newfound knowledge and experience to build the next generation of work spaces and technologies.

    If 2020 has taught us anything, it has been that we, as business leaders, must collectively try and look at the workplace through a more forward-thinking lens. In a post-pandemic world, it is critical that every employee is supported from both a safety and productivity standpoint, whether they are working remotely, in the office, or taking a hybrid approach. In order to do so, leadership must begin re-imagining the workplace now.

    There are a variety of considerations for the future of the modern workplace that everyone should keep in mind as they plan for workplace success post-pandemic. These key guidelines and drivers for technology in the future of work identify the need for end-user consistency, single-platform solutions, scalable and secure and remotely supportive services, and a technology infrastructure that informs as strongly as it performs through data and analytics.   The global storm of 2020 met need for action with a swift reaction and a finger in the air for prediction with the urgency of get it done, and just in time deliverables which must now seek firmer foundation and use data and analytics to ensure that these solutions are sound.

    The following insights illustrate how implementing new solutions and models can help overcome challenges in the future.

    Deliver consistent end-user experiences and workflows

    Organizations that were early adopters of cloud technologies and ecosystems like Office 365 or G Suite were already familiar with the concept of consistent end user experiences, but in early 2020 as the pandemic ramped up, many organizations had yet to create a workplace that facilitated flexibility and supported a concept of work from anywhere.  Organizations based on brick-and-mortar store-based sales with weak e-commerce or lacking in omnichannel sales struggled to implement technologies to support their call centers remotely and achieve PCI compliance while supporting sales outside the traditional office and off corporate networks. As we return, and some are starting to already, we will face many challenges in the short and long-term in formally adopting, ratifying, and standardizing these strategies, which may have been implemented quickly and are in hindsight only loosely compliant. In the modern workplace, employees will have little tolerance for an office environment that hinders their ability to easily connect and collaborate, whether it is at home or in their headquarters. However, the underlying fact remains that our networks, data, and communications traffic must flow reliably and securely.

    Our basic needs for telephony have morphed into a demand for easy-to-use Unified Communications (UC) and collaboration platforms, and VPN access to file servers and shared drives has morphed to become access to cloud storage and content. And at the transport layer, basic internet access has become SD-WAN and a pathway to the IoT with Cloud service providers like MS Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud, which is now more important than just basic access from our local exchange carriers in delivering access to applications and storage.  Terrestrial circuits with 4G & 5G backups provide an always on for home or office workers.  The result is a consistent end user experience that scarcely notices the commute between the home and office, as well as enabling connectivity and inclusion during business travel when that resumes at a more normal pace.

    The entire technology backbone and architecture of the new office must work consistently and synergistically. Portability, flexibility, ease-of-use and integrated support for an entire ecosystem of UC and cloud-based services, storage, and applications are all critical in ensuring consistency for end-users.  

    Grow with a platform-based approach that is open, scalable and extensible

    COVID-19 has, like we said about workplace transformation, also acted as a catalyst for digital transformation.  IT spending in 2020 was focused largely on transformation, and historically slow movers may have jumped the equivalent of what would have been three or four years at their previous pace.  Platforms, by definition, are open, scalable and extensible. A single UC platform for example ensures that there is efficiency in the support model and that training and management tasks may be streamlined, requiring less staff and fewer hours dedicated to disharmonious point solutions.  A scalable platform-based ecosystem allows enterprise decision-makers to build upon it as new software and solutions come to market.

    It has long been the case that integrators and IT services companies have pushed “best of breed” as a design approach using multiple systems and applications.  While in many cases it can make sense to use products that are complimentary to and compatible with the platform, sometimes this approach is not taken with benevolent intent.  Oftentimes, a best of breed approach is a sales tactic designed to lock the customer in to a provider who has the expertise to manage the myriad of technologies, but at the expense of easy-to-use integrated systems. Enabling the enterprise to have the ability to manage core functionality, metrics, and reporting in-house is the hallmark of a well-built platform and one of the greatest cost savings benefits.

    With the focus toward cloud platforms and services, the digital transformation of corporate IT resources underpins the enterprise’s ability to consume these technologies.  Investment in product platforms rather than one-off products ensure that organizations receive the best return on investment and that diverse needs across the enterprise are met while consistent user experiences are delivered. Continually evolving with new capabilities over time and offering the ability to connect with external tools and IoT data and metrics, the platform approach provides the greatest flexibility and choice in deployment.

    Utilize infrastructure services that are secure and cloud-based

    As technology proliferates across an enterprise, IT teams are tasked with deploying and managing a growing number of devices with the same resources. Today, as we have discussed, scalable and secure cloud-based services are becoming the norm to support work from anywhere, and organizations can now securely deploy, manage, and monitor devices without having to be onsite.  In the example of Microsoft O365 based enterprises running Microsoft Teams devices at various distributed home office or company facilities, traditionally local IT would push an upgrade to a device. However, with the Teams Admin Portal, the devices can be controlled by a centrally located admin over the Azure network or easily outsourced to a trusted partner.  Crestron offers the same approach with XiO Cloud® where the management software is an Azure hosted application that a system administrator can use to push updates, configure settings, turn systems on or off automatically or as needed, and even trigger button push events from miles away from the controlled device or system.  This enables common support for a globally diverse organization and simplified workflows for support and device administration.

    Data driven decision making

    In addition to system management and monitoring, digital transformation brings into play the ability to adopt IoT products and solutions that are designed to gather an immense amount of data about how and where workplace technology is being used. Since there is an increasing amount of data available, organizations and business leaders should use these insights and new AI to make better workplace decisions.  The cloud platforms we’ve discussed enable the harmonization of this unrefined metadata into dashboards and reports, which can be automated or used to drive alerts on anomalies.

    Google Data Studio, for example, is just such a tool linking disparate systems and software through connectors to provide raw data for conversion into visual charts and metrics for measuring performance.  The value of this data is inestimable in the transformation process and will give the enterprise the empirical measure to implement change and drive better planning, and the reports with which to prove longstanding success in the modern workplace.  Using systems and software that are closely aligned with the Google Ecosystem results in better reporting derived from the Data Studio and avoids islands of isolated data, which is after all the point of the platform approach to system design.

    The cloud ecosystem has fundamentally changed the day-to-day operations of the IT and UC services teams, maximizing overall efficiency, and supporting distributed workforces to make it easier to create centers of excellence. However, we have not yet mentioned security, which along with privacy and data integrity, are also key components of this tenet.  As Cloud platforms expand and cover more systems across the hybrid workplace, security must be built-in to all processes and be simple enough to roll out through the cloud.

    Digital transformation to cloud platforms depends on enhanced security through SD-WAN based measures to protect against attacks and breaches not just at the beachhead, but globally while in-transit.  Zero Trust is another common discipline adopted in cloud transportation, which goes hand in hand with SD-WAN.  Whereas the advantages of the platform approach allow for a more centric and efficient support mechanism along with improved data and analytics, the change from perimeter security to network and IoT security should not be an area to expect savings but rather a critical area for ever increasing discipline, a topic worthy of another article.

    As we return to a world that has experienced a dramatic shift in a very short period of time, the reality is that many of us are using this moment in time as an opportunity to figure out what the right workplace environment looks like. Too many of the decisions made over the last year have been reactionary in nature or were made with a finger in the air as if testing the wind direction.  Now is the time to ensure that the underpinnings of the corporate digital transformation are sound and secure, enabling a platform-based approach poised for growth and scalability. We are now embracing the flexibility that the new normal has taught us but working hard to mine the data and produce the analytics that empirically shows the benefits of an approach that offers work life balance and job satisfaction with a simultaneous advantage of an efficient, cost effective, and secure path toward growth and profitability for the corporation.

  • Chip Shortages Challenges the Audiovisual Industry: Solutions and Possible Actions

    Chip Shortages Challenges the Audiovisual Industry: Solutions and Possible Actions

    As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, one lingering issue is still impacting the economy; chip shortages. Cars, washing machines, and audiovisual technology all rely on chips to do their technological magic. With factories shut down and ports at a standstill because of COVID, product lead times are beginning to impact university and corporate audiovisual installs.

    The shortage of certain types of integrated circuit (IC) chips is impacting the audiovisual industry. We have seen a significant increase in lead times for these ICs, which has led to an increased demand for our spare inventory levels that are difficult to replenish due to other customers’ demands on the same supply chain. This has created challenges and possible actions for your company as well as our team members who serve you.

    What is a chip shortage

    Computer chip shortages happen when there are not enough chips to meet demand.

    Factory shutdowns and port closures due to COVID can lead to supply chain delays for the audiovisual industry, which has a cascading impact on customers.

    The shortage of certain types of integrated circuit (IC) chips is impacting the audiovisual industry. We have seen a significant increase in lead times for these ICs; this leads to an increased demand for spare inventory levels that are difficult to replenish because other customers’ demands on the same supply chain create challenges with availability.

    This creates risks within your company as well as integrators when it comes time to serve you or when we need special support from one another during peak installation periods such as university orientation week.

    Listen to AVWeek 506 talking about Chip Shortages

    Why are AV chips in short supply

    The current chip shortage is a result of both COVID-19 shutting down factories and ports. When factories and ports shut down , they can no longer produce chips.

    We have seen an increase in demand for audiovisual equipment with integrated circuits (IC) such as smart TVs, digital signage players, A/V receivers or switches – all of which require ICs. With ports closed due to COVID-19 increasing demand for audiovisual products also exceeds supply availability on the market at this time creating shortages in inventory levels.

    It’s important now more than ever before that your company prepares for these challenges.

    What to do if your product is on back order

    Consider your audiovisual partner and their ability to provide you with a spare or replacement inventory for certain ICs. Using B stock or slightly used equipment is one tactic. Remembering the final outcome, the AV experience, is what faculty, staff, and co-workers are after.

    Plan ahead: If you know that there is going to be increased demand on an audiovisual component, it may be wise to order in advance and plan accordingly. This raises the question of whether we should have a “just-in-time” delivery model as this would help meet customer demands without overstocking our own warehouse facilities which could lead us both into unplanned RCA situations down the line. It also means having more flexibility when dealing with constituent needs such as installation time frames during peak periods like orientation week at universities across North America.

    The chip shortages aren’t going to be solved anytime soon. Preparing yourself, your team, and your company or university will provide some much needed protection. Planning ahead and having an understanding for integrators and manufacturers will go a long way in getting all of us out of this current supply chain crisis.

  • Things NOT to Say

    Things NOT to Say

    True Tales from Women in AV

    During a recent call with a manufacturer’s representative, he casually said, “My experience with women-owned businesses is that they’re box pushers.” This flippant comment was at the end of a call scheduled by us, as we wanted to purchase more from the company. He was referring that we the company is not designing, but just selling boxes to clients.

    I was furious. After 20 years in the industry and seven years after owning the company, a man could still question my validity. These comments are like paper cuts. Each one is annoying but survivable. And, I admit, I usually do not speak up. The guy who said this might be a great guy. Maybe he volunteers at homeless shelters over the weekend. I am willing to bet he was not trying to belittle; perhaps this has been his experience with women-owned businesses, but had he done any homework on the company or me, he would not have made the mistake.

    The experience and support I received from my fellow females got me thinking about all the ‘paper cuts’ we ladies in AV have endured. So, I asked a few friends to tell me their stories of what not to say. All names have been removed, as we bring this to your attention because maybe you have made one of these comments, not realizing its harm. We ask you please read, share, and perhaps we can evoke some change.

    “When in Vegas to receive a Woman in CT award, I saw a veteran of the industry who asked why I was there. After I told him, he said, ‘Oh, one of those girly awards.’”

    “Stop walking into a trade show booth and asking the female if you can talk to someone that knows the products.”

    “Do you know what you’re doing?’

    “Are the guys coming too?”

    “Is this going to blow up since you worked on it?”

    “I’ll just wait to talk to him!’ (Points to my male employee with less than six months on the job) ‘I’m sure you’re good with the colors, but I need technical help.”

    “‘Are you a lesbian?”

    “Hand me the dykes!”

    “What are you trying to prove?”

    “Come on; you don’t really own the company. What does your husband do?”

    “Nice Rack!”

    “You seem to be having an emotional reaction.”

    “After my first day on an all-male board, the chair turned to me to inform me the board did have diversity, for he was gay.”

    “Any comments about male/female connectors in only funny to Beevis and Butthead”

    “No need for terms of endearment such as sweetie, hon, or cutie. I don’t call my male colleague’s hon or sweetie.”

    “There is never a reason for a male to say the words, ‘time of the month’ EVER.”

    “You do that so well for a girl.”

    “I have to admit, if you were a man, I would have signed the agreement by now. After a sleepless night, we returned his deposit, and it was one of the best business decisions I’ve made.”

    “The trade show guys that speak to my husband who is with me and not even in the business even after he points out that he’s the arm candy.”

    “Trade show: can you scan my badge? I have many questions, but I do not see anyone available.”

    “The times I inform the client I’ll be out there for an estimate, and they say you?”

    “From most people hearing me speak or meeting me for the first time without knowing I’m female, “Oh – I expected a man!”

    “When a client needed help with getting his DVD player to work. When girl-on-girl porn popped up, he invited me to sit down and watch.”

    “Don’t be a bitch, or any reference to the word bitch. There are women just as guilty of this one.”

    “What almost every woman, everywhere hears… “What she’s trying to say, is…”…

    “Oh, she’s just a (salesperson/rep/office admin/marketing person/etc.__, she doesn’t REALLY work in tech!”

    “Can I talk to tech support? Me: I am tech support. Male on the phone: Can I talk to someone technical? Me: I am an engineer with twenty plus years of experience, does that help?”

    “You’re so surprisingly technical! Dude, I am in technical sales. It would be surprising if I weren’t technical.”

    “Early in my career, I was talking to a guy at my work about ways I could advance and move my career forward, and he said, ‘I don’t know why you’d want to do more; I mean, you make enough money to order yourself a pizza every once in a while, isn’t that enough?’”

    Most people are good people, and some amazing men in our industry fight for their fellow females. Then some might not realize that times have changed. I dream of a world where we are in this together, equally.

    Have a story to share? Meet us on Twitter with the hashtag #ThingsNotToSay.

  • Painting Outside the Lines with Non-Conformist LED

    Painting Outside the Lines with Non-Conformist LED

    Customizing LED Display Designs

    Peter Lawrence headshot
    Peter Lawrence headshot

     LED is a dominating force in the display industry and 16:9 remains one of the most popular form factors used, but what happens when your environment won’t accommodate a traditional rectangular display? Bendable LED display technology is maturing, producing more concave and convex curved video walls that stop traffic, make jaws drop and leave passersby wondering how did they do this? From sports arenas and education facilities to broadcast studios and tourist attractions, organizations across a wide range of markets dream of achieving this ‘wow factor.’

    Must-Have Ingredients for Non-Conformist LED Video Walls

     Before you start painting outside the lines with non-conformist LED video wall displays, you have a few factors to consider to ensure you’re on the right path to create a video wall unlike any other.

    First and foremost, make sure your LED displays aren’t an afterthought, but instead seamlessly designed into the fabric of the space or the building it’s being added to. LED displays are now an architectural wall cladding and the digital experience is best when it is planned during the interior design process.

    Next, thin, bright, seamless, colorful and eye-popping LED displays are ideal for creating unconventional video walls and ‘wow factors’ for audiences. You want the technology to be elegant from both a physical and image-quality standpoint. Today’s customers prefer direct view LED technology over printed and backlit signs, rear projection cubes or other forms of traditional digital signage.

    Finally, do you have a creative blend of live video, still images, intriguing messages and motion graphics for your audience? Gone are the days of static images and presentation-style slides. In addition to communicating your message, you’ll want to educate, entertain and create emotion in a way that will have audiences glued to the video wall. The longer you have viewers lingering, the more effective your impact will be.

    Planar Matthew Knight Arena OHub
    Planar Matthew Knight Arena OHub

    Modern-Day Display Innovations in the Spotlight

     Once you have the basics in place for a one-of-a-kind video wall, it’s worth exploring popular display innovations and trends that can help elevate your organization’s ‘wow factor.’ Here are a few of the most common being used today:

    • Custom display sizes and shapes: These include formats that don’t conform to the normal 16:9 rectangle such as the concave and convex displays previously mentioned, as well as skinny ribbons, tall columns, triangles and trapezoids and compound curving displays like domes and spheres.

     

    • Anamorphic three-dimensional video: More organizations are experimenting with ways to make content appear to physically escape the confines of giant outdoor digital displays. Imagine, for example, a hand reaching out at you or an animal jumping out of its cage.

     

    • Transparent displays: Rigid LED curtain and flexible LED mesh can be used to wrap entire buildings while still allowing viewers to see out from within and natural light to enter.

     

    • Mosaic-style and sculptural displays: Organizations are increasingly gravitating toward mosaic-style and sculptural LED video displays that can make a statement with their unique, artistic shapes alone. Further, more displays are emerging with sections that physically move on actuators, allowing the technology to move up and down, fold up accordion-style and even split apart and come back together.

     

    • Video floors and ceilings: Today, any surface is a candidate for digital signage and purpose-built LED displays are available for face-up and face-down applications. Combining a three-dimensional space with 360-degree content can facilitate a virtual environment creating stronger impact for viewers compared to a traditional, flat display.

     

    • Gesture-based control: In light of COVID-19, many organizations and end users are adapting to a touch free society. However, they still want an engaging experience and this is fueling a strong demand for gesture-based control and bring your own device (BYOD) technology, which allows users to download an app and control content via personal touch devices.

     

    Of course, creating a jaw-dropping video wall requires more than a single innovation or content hook. Consulting with a qualified AV consultant can help set you up to gather the key components for creating a truly unforgettable viewing experience.

    Hear more from Peter and Planar at The Digital Signage Event March 4 and get yourself 4.75 CTS RUs. Register Here.

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     Peter Lawrence is director of custom design team at Planar, working with architects, AV consultants and systems integrators to develop custom LED display solutions. Peter has 30-plus years of business development experience and an extensive background in writing and public speaking, including teaching AIA® and CTS® continuing education classes.

     

  • Fine Pitch LED Heads Outdoors

    Fine Pitch LED Heads Outdoors

    Planar aims to change the game of DOOH

    David Thibeau, director of fine pitch outdoor and general manager of transportation division at Planar

    David Thibeau Planar
    David Thibeau Planar

    During a time of social distancing and gathering in open, outdoor spaces, outdoor fine pitch LED technology is quickly gaining popularity as businesses small and large need ways to engage audiences and relay information. This is true for cities providing residents and visitors with updates ranging from traffic and weather reports to emergency situations, as well as airports, shopping malls and stadiums deploying display technology for wayfinding.

    Until recently, outdoor LED display technology was limited in terms of the visual performance it could deliver for both organizations and end users. Outdoor venues have often had to sacrifice either details or brightness in their on-screen content. Today, both are possible because of ongoing advancements in areas like pixel pitch and seamless, high brightness imagery. Companies can finally present the clear, captivating visuals they’ve been longing to share.

    A mixed-use development in the City of Burnaby, British Columbia, for example, incorporated an innovative and compelling LED canvas on the exterior of the building as part of an initiative to promote pedestrian and transit-friendly spaces in the fast-growing Metrotown area. Showcasing digital artwork from local artists, the installation measured 144-feet-long by 33-feet high and featured a high transparency LED mesh that allowed the building to preserve the availability of natural light.

    Planar outdoor fine pitch LED
    Planar outdoor fine pitch LED

    Are you wondering whether deploying outdoor fine pitch LED display technology is the right move for your company? Let’s address some of the most significant ways the technology is changing the game for the display industry today:

    • Withstanding weather conditions: Design elements ranging from UV protective treatments and dust-tight enclosures to waterproofing, wear-proof masking and mesh for low wind resistance are crucial for protecting your outdoor display technology’s image quality and all-around system operation. Fortunately, these are available today and better yet, manufacturers are increasingly mindful about designing features that will preserve the viewing experience. This not only maximizes your use of the display, but more importantly, your investment.
    • Enhancing viewing distances: Outdoor LED display technology has come a long way in recent years, especially in the case of pixel pitches. Manufacturers are offering pixel pitches as low as 1.5 millimeters and already, we’re seeing demand for even finer pitches. Considering 10 to 16 millimeters used to be the industry standard for outdoor LED displays, we can expect to see even more incredible innovations in the future.
    • Unlocking applications previously unimagined: While outdoor LED displays were previously selective to key markets, today we’re seeing options for nearly any application environment. The technology is adaptable to nearly any size or shape and as a result, industry demand and advancements are fueling a strong rise in custom, breathtaking LED video wall installations. From immersive video art installations at tourist destinations and vibrant scoreboards electrifying crowds in sports venues to durable video wall flooring that offers a platform strong enough to hold people, vehicles and much more, modern-day outdoor LED display technology allows customers to bring visual creativity to life.
    • Extending lifespans and demonstrating ROI: Traditionally, the industry turned to LCD technology to deliver precise visual messages, especially in situations requiring very close viewing distances, but few outdoor solutions were available, came at a high price and lacked the long-lasting brightness that was needed. By comparison, today’s outdoor LED displays demonstrate an ability to stay bright for nearly 10 years. This, combined with the fact that more manufacturers are introducing display solutions with front serviceability and simplified maintenance for reduced downtime and costly repairs, now makes it easier for companies to justify the expense of purchasing an outdoor LED video wall solution.

    Hear more from David at The Digital Signage Event, March 4 and get 4.75 CTS RUs in the process. Register here.

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     David Thibeau is director of fine pitch outdoor and general manager of transportation division at Planar. He leads his staff in designing and integrating the best digital signage solutions for each client’s needs.