When your business invests in a permanent audio/visual system, your company and the building itself will reap many benefits, whether it's improved customer satisfaction, employee engagement, or streamlined communication. But before you decide on a commercial AV system, here are seven questions our team at Origin HiFi asks you to consider to make sure your business enjoys optimized results.
Will you install your AV system into a new space, or will you renovate your current office?
There's a large difference in the process between renovating an existing office or installing an AV system into a new space. Your options are endless with a fresh build since you'll have the freedom to customize your cabling, mounting, and electrical fittings as needed. However, if you're freshening up an office already in use, you need to consider the utilization of the space and resourceful ways to make new communication and presentation systems work within the current infrastructure. No matter which situation you're in, our specialists are happy to give you advice and assistance so you can examine your options.
Which daily AV functions will your room perform?
We consider this to be the most important question so we can match your idealized space with the right audio/visual technology to build a productive and comfortable space. Here are some different scenarios you may be working with.
- You want to renovate a small space for personal client meetings.
- You want to host in-house and online meetings within a larger room.
- You want to update your auditorium-sized space with modern technology like multi-panel touch screen accessibility.
- You want to record high-quality conference calls with multiple stakeholders across the world.
- You want your medium-sized space to accomplish multiple functions, such as one-on-one meetings and superior client presentations.
As you now know, you'll need to carefully select the appropriate equipment for your estimated budget, approximate space, and expected daily functions.
What is the size and shape of your room?
It's time to calculate the square footage and the shape of your space, taking features like a curved wall or immovable support pillar into account. Next, consider the number of people you anticipate will use the room at once, since you may need a larger number of speakers, screens, or microphones so every coworker can see and hear each other. If you have a particularly large or strangely shaped room, one of our professionals may be able to assess your site in person. Without a proper examination of the space, there's a risk of having the wrong technology for your needs.
What type of audio quality will you need?
As remote work exploded across the business landscape in the past few years, quality audio equipment became a high priority for companies. Perhaps some of your virtual meetings have participants calling from their smartphones, dialing from a landline, or using video meeting software. Everyone understands the frustration and distraction of the shoddy audio quality of these calls. Luckily, simple fixes can result in impactful upgrades. We can dramatically improve large spaces intended for multiple workers by incorporating wireless or hanging microphones into your AV design and enhancing your network capabilities so external audio sources are optimized.
What is the size of your budget?
You have a variety of equipment options to choose from when you invest in a commercial audio/visual system, no matter the size of your budget. We recommend that you begin by splitting your plan into two categories. The first category is your dream situation with all the ideal accessories and the second category is your basic setup with essential functions for your daily schedule. Usually, your budget will land somewhere between these two categories of simple versus designer solutions. By crafting a wishlist for every way you want your space to function, we can easily put together pricing options and installation schedules so you can prioritize each aspect for your final cut.
Should I have an integrated system?
An integrated audio/visual system combines each aspect, like the speakers, microphone, video conferencing software, and displays, into a single unit. This is the best solution for organizations that need state-of-the-art functioning and streamlined AV quality with minimal technical skills required. If you have unique business goals, then an integrated system also makes it easy to customize your AV system to match your needs.
How do I know my system won’t be obsolete in a few years?
Audio/visual solutions are changing rapidly. Even if your budget can't allow the newest touch panel tech available, there are still plenty of solutions we can use that won't make your system feel outdated in a few years. We want our clients to get the most bang for their buck and enjoy our solutions for as long as possible, so we focus on proven solutions that will endure for years. For example, we install top-quality hardware and physical equipment used by a large portion of the market that will be compatible with future add-ons like touch screens or control panels to save you money and energy.
At Origin HiFi, we have been happy to provide top-quality audio/visual solutions for businesses and residences across Central Texas. If you'd like your company to advance to the next level of technology capability, give us a call today to get started with your next AV project.