Technology has continued to evolve rapidly in the last few years, and much of it is being streamlined into small compact equipment. Meeting rooms no longer need to rely on multiple pieces of huge equipment; fewer smaller pieces are needed to create a fully functioning room. While technology is a necessary aspect of the space, it is the design and quality of installation that is critical in order to make the space functional.
The physical design is also an important aspect. If the design of the room is poor it adversely impacts the functionality. When an AV consultant designs the systems, they need to think about the function of the room and the ease of its use. Size matters – a small conference room has different needs than a large auditorium. The best rooms are those that support how a client will be using the room 95% of the time. Form must follow function. If an AV consultant disregards what the main use of the space will be, then the space will not be functional.
The specific equipment that the designer picks is also critical. Just because a piece of gear is the latest and greatest does not mean it is a perfect choice; many times it will not support the function of the space. Various pieces of equipment can’t just be thrown into a room together and be expected to work properly. We spend tireless hours vetting new technology to better understand how it works, and how it will help with the function of the room.
The KISS principal lets us focus on the user experience – AV consultants are necessary to ensure that presenters have the best and easiest user experience possible.