Axiom Workplaces
7 Min Read
The role of Audio-Visual technology has never been more critical for developing a thorough workplace strategy than it is today. As businesses increasingly rely on effective communication and collaboration tools, there’s a growing expectation for workplaces to provide reliable and user-friendly AV solutions that support interactions between remote employees, in-office teams, and clients. Axiom regularly works with reputable AV companies to ensure our clients are informed of the latest digital workplace technology and can decide how to include this in their new commercial office fitout. We asked AV Company Workspace AV to share how their AV technology can boost workplace communication and function.
An Introduction to Smart Workplace Technology by Workspace AV
Whether your workplace design includes setting up a new conference room or upgrading existing AV setups, smart workplace technology with a carefully considered design can make all the difference. It’s not just about having the latest gadgets; it’s about ensuring everything works together seamlessly, is easy to use, and remains cost-effective.
"By integrating these advanced features, modern AV systems not only deliver a seamless and intuitive user experience but also provide the flexibility and adaptability needed to meet the demands of today’s dynamic work environments." Michael Dunand, Workspace AV
Workplace Management Systems for Interoperability and Integration
Let’s face it—having a bunch of different AV devices that don’t play nice with each other is a nightmare. This is where interoperability comes into play. Gone are the days of juggling multiple remotes, touch screens or apps just to get your meeting started. Modern AV platforms offer integrated workplace management systems with unified control interfaces, so you can manage everything from one place. Whether it’s automating input switches or adjusting room configuration to suit the needs of your presentation, these integrated systems streamline your operations and make everything run smoother.
Digital Technology for Enhanced User Experience
In the world of AV technology, user experience is everything. Even the most advanced systems fall short if they’re difficult or frustrating to use. How often have you experienced the dreaded “meeting blooper”—from forgetting to unmute yourself to struggling to join the meeting, dealing with issues when sharing content, or enduring poor audio and visual quality? These challenges can be embarrassing and disrupt the flow of communication. Choosing an AV platform that prioritises ease of use is the best way to enhance communication and collaboration, all while avoiding those awkward moments.
A platform that allows seamless joining of meetings, automated volume and camera controls, and an easy-to-use interface means you don’t need a university degree to navigate the system. Instead, users can quickly access the tools they need with minimal training. Personalised settings are another game-changer, allowing the system to recall your preferences—whether it’s camera zoom, audio settings, or display configurations—so that every meeting starts with the perfect setup, tailored to you.
Enhancing the Functionality of current AV Technology
To further enhance the functionality of current AV platforms, leading manufacturers are adding and expanding the capabilities of new and existing hardware, extending their roles beyond traditional functions.
Some notable innovations in AV technology that are significantly improving user experience include:
Q-SYS Scripting via Logitech TAP
1. Custom scripting for single touch-screen controllers
Customised scripting allows these controllers to bring all room and meeting functionality right to the user’s fingertips, enabling easy management of audio, video, and other integrated devices directly from the desk. This streamlined control simplifies and even automates the management of every aspect of the meeting environment with just a single touch.
Sennheiser Priority Zone for Teamconnect Ceiling 2
2. Beamforming microphones
Utilising advanced technology, these microphones pinpoint and track the speaker’s voice, allow user defined priority zones and enhance audio quality by focusing on what’s important while minimising background noise. This ensures that everyone, whether in the room or joining remotely, can hear the speaker clearly and without distractions.
Q-SYS Multi Camera - Automatic Camera Preset Recall
3. AI-assisted cameras
Leveraging advancements in AI, these smart cameras create a more dynamic and engaging experience by using video and audio inputs to track and frame meeting participants. They can display each attendee in individual feeds or seamlessly switch camera views based on who is speaking or where the action is unfolding. This technology ensures that remote participants feel as connected and involved as those physically present.
Microsoft’s Vision of Teams Rooms
4. Advanced Meeting Platforms
Innovations in meeting platforms, such as Microsoft Teams Rooms, are continually evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of modern meetings. With features like people and face recognition, live transcripts, and advanced layouts like Front Row, added to the platform helps to enhance communication and collaboration by providing improved meeting equity and functionality.
Another essential feature that enhances user experience is real-time analytics. These analytics work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, automatically adjusting to changing conditions like fluctuating sound levels or varying internet bandwidth. By dynamically optimising the system in real-time, they help prevent disruptions and maintain a consistently high-quality experience for all participants.
By integrating these advanced features, modern AV systems not only deliver a seamless and intuitive user experience but also provide the flexibility and adaptability needed to meet the demands of today’s dynamic work environments. This focus on enhancing the user experience is crucial for making AV technology more accessible, efficient, and ultimately, more effective.
5. Remote Monitoring and Support
Managing AV systems used to be a time-consuming task that required someone to be on-site. But thanks to advancements from leading AV manufactures your systems can now be monitored and supported remotely from anywhere, which is a real game-changer.
With remote monitoring, you get real-time updates on system performance. If something’s not working correctly, it can often be identified, diagnosed and fixed without a technician even being there. The ability to manage multiple locations from a single platform is a huge benefit, especially for businesses with offices spread out across different cities or even countries.
A Workplace Strategy with Scalability and Futureproofing
One of the biggest challenges when planning the technology for your workplace strategy is how quickly it can become outdated. In the fast-paced world of AV, it’s essential to choose systems that not only meet your current needs but also have the capacity to grow and evolve with your organisation. Modern AV design is built with flexibility and scalability in mind. Whether you’re adding new conference/meeting rooms, expanding to new locations, or integrating the latest technology, selecting a system that is designed to grow with you is a must.
Leading vendors are increasingly focusing on extending the lifespan of their products by offering long-term software and firmware updates. These updates bring new features and improvements to both new and existing hardware, ensuring that your AV systems remain relevant and cutting-edge for longer than ever before.
Return on Investment
Finally, let’s talk about the bottom line: Return on investment. Modern AV solutions aren’t just about fancy features; they’re about creating cost efficiencies.
Automation helps reduce manual labour and the potential for human error, while energy-efficient features and streamlined maintenance processes cut down on operational costs. With remote monitoring, you can avoid costly on-site visits and solve problems before they escalate.
In short, the right AV solution makes your workplace communication more efficient, which in turn makes your business more efficient—and that’s a win for everyone.
Find out more about the role of workplace strategy for digital transformation, download the ebook below:
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