• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Facility

When Planning a Project Make AV Part of the Construction Plan

Chris Johnson, CTO, corporate and enterprise for Diversified explains the importance of prioritizing AV during the construction phase of projects to ensure technology performs optimally.

July 21, 2016 TechDecisions Staff Leave a Comment

A growing number of businesses, learning facilities and houses of worship are embracing AV technologies. After all, services like videoconferencing, multimedia presenting and even full-on telepresence can substantially benefit collaboration and productivity.

Rather than leave AV as an afterthought, it’s important for these organizations to prioritize AV during the construction phase of new builds or remodels to ensure the technology performs optimally.

Collaborative Tools, Collaborative Construction

Ironically, many AV solutions are designed as collaborative tools, yet some organizations fail to collaborate with AV experts when forming a construction plan. Bringing an AV partner in at the beginning of the build can help avoid costly adjustments later, such as having to reissue documents specifying details like electrical or physical infrastructure required to support the AV equipment.

Integrating AV technologies into construction projects generally combines elements from the following four categories:

Hardware considerations encompass identifying what types of electronics need to be placed where—and, in addition, how they need to be connected to one another to deliver quality AV output. Examples include electrical wattage requirements, proper wiring, and overall device compatibility.

Software considerations encompass identifying what types of programs will need to be loaded onto the hardware, ultimately enabling AV functionality.

Content considerations encompass output requirements that may be specific to different types of media. For example, output for audio, video, data, or other type of presentation will each need to be handled differently.

Environment considerations encompass the infrastructure and space in which the hardware, software, and content come together. In higher education lecture halls or enterprise boardrooms that will include large visual display screens, the location of screens relative to that of the planned seating is an example of an environmental consideration. If AV hardware needs to be in a temperature-controlled space, making HVAC adjustments is another example of an environmental consideration.

It’s not only important for designers to collaborate with AV professionals, but it’s also important to note that many of the required elements above must collaborate with one another in order for the AV technology to work properly. This cohesion in design is much easier to address before walls are built and wiring is installed.

Better AV Forethought, Better Project Outcome

When AV is not considered a stand-alone trade at the beginning of a construction project, the following things can go wrong:

  • The AV contractor can often start work after everyone else is already established on site, leaving little to no time to submit drawings in advance of the start of construction. As a result, each change after the fact is costly and can veer the AV side of the project far off budget.
  • Costly delays can occur if the building site is not secure or dust-free enough to install AV equipment, as can easily happen when the schedule is thrown off course.

The good news is that with appropriate planning and AV project management, the above can be avoided. Instead, having more AV forethought in the planning stages of construction projects can ensure that builds remain on budget, on schedule, and consistent with expectations of both the design and contracting teams.

Chris Johnson is the CTO for corporate and enterprise for Diversified.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: Corporate, Integration

Related Content:

  • Rearview shot of two young designers giving each other a fist bump in an office, on display is Crestron desk scheduling device Crestron Introduces Desk Q and Desk Touch Scheduling…
  • cyber-attack-skull Spike in Cyberattacks Exposes Vulnerabilities in University Security…
  • URI classroom with Sony projectors and displays URI Selects Sony Projectors & Displays For Classrooms…
  • Rendering of Barco XMS Cloud Platform in use in a conference room. Barco Updates XMS Cloud Platform

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Workplace Collaboration Tools for Corporate SpacesWorkplace Collaboration Tools for Corporate Spaces

    From lobbies and shared spaces to conference rooms and multipurpose facilities, you need high-performing AV technology to effectively share information. From the initial design and evaluation process through installation, you need the most reliable and high-quality display and image processing products possible. This new download, “Workplace Collaboration Tools for Corporate Spaces,” provides examples of successful […]

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the FREE Tech Decisions eNewsletter

Sign up Today!

Latest Downloads

Download TechDecisions' Blueprint Series report on Security Awareness now!
Blueprint Series: Why Your Security Awareness Program is Probably Falling Short

Learn about the evolution of phishing attacks and best practices for security awareness programs to ensure your organization is properly prepared t...

Workplace Collaboration Tools for Corporate Spaces
Workplace Collaboration Tools for Corporate Spaces

From lobbies and shared spaces to conference rooms and multipurpose facilities, you need high-performing AV technology to effectively share informa...

ChatGPT, generative AI, enterprise, workplace
Blueprint Series: ChatGPT and Generative AI in the Workplace

This latest release of the TechDecisions Blueprint Series explores the new phenomenon of tools such as ChatGPT and how IT leaders should go about d...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!
Sharp Microsoft Collaboration HQ Logo

Learn More About the
Windows Collaboration Display

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Subscribe to the Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSDO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATIONTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2023 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.