AVaaS & Why You Need An AV Technology Refresh Strategy
You have likely heard of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and other similar models in which businesses that would typically only be product providers also offer end-to-end services around their product. But did you know that this concept is also alive and well in the audio visual (AV) industry? In fact, PIVIUM has been operating with an AV-as-a-Service (AVaaS) model for years now, even though the term was not in regular use until recently. Here is a bit more about why this matters, and how we help our clients undergo a periodic AV technology refresh so they can get the most out of their investments.
The Benefits Of AVaaS
When you work with an AVaaS partner like PIVIUM, you have all your AV needs handled in one place. Instead of trying to coordinate design with one provider, installation with another, and ongoing maintenance with yet another, you have a single advisor who handles every part of your project from soup to nuts. You also have just one provider to pay, often on a subscription-type basis if you are receiving defined services every month. This keeps you from having to chase down multiple vendors, remembering to make multiple payments, and suffering from unintended consequences of miscommunication between stakeholders.
Taking Care Now
Since PIVIUM is there to connect you with the right products and services now and in the future, we make sure you get the most from your investment. All AV equipment will eventually need to be updated or replaced, but taking good care of them from the start will help you maximize their lifespan – and your ROI. So when we partner with a company, we train you and your team on how to properly use the equipment and maintain it with this goal in mind.
Additionally, it is important that you have a strategy around a regular AV technology refresh. Planning out a lifecycle management schedule will help you stay on top of required updates and maintenance. It will also help with deciding whether to go with upgrading audio visual tech or replacing it since you will have a clear record of how long the equipment has been in use, how often it has been maintained, and what its typical lifespan is. We highly recommend proactively addressing lifecycle management and are here to take that off your plate.
Timing Is Everything
When it is time for an AV tech refresh, timing matters. If you retire good equipment too soon, you will not be maximizing your budget. But, if you wait too long, you might end up with equipment that suddenly stops working effectively. When this happens, you can experience a major disruption to workflow, productivity, and even patient or resident care (at a medical or senior living facility) or employee experience (at a corporation).
Weighing all the pros and cons, it is better to err on the side of the former than the latter, although you naturally do not want to retire equipment that still works prematurely. So, the best way to strike the right balance in timing is by getting the newest functionalities as soon as it is financially practical. Stay on top of your lifecycle management schedule and prepare to replace tech in advance of its expected lifespan. For example, your interactive TV is supposed to last for at least 8-10 years. Around one year before this potential “expiration date,” plan to start conversations around replacing it so you are ready when it comes.
Interested in working with an AVaaS partner who can guide you from beginning to end with upgrading audio visual tech and/or replacing it as needed? Let’s chat!
Are you prepared to upgrade your audio visual tech and/or replace it when needed? We’ll help you assess your AV tech needs.