What do AV Consultants do?
When you’re modernizing a business, finding the right technology and design solutions to take your AV systems to the next level can be daunting. With so much new technology, choosing the correct solution can feel confusing and at times overwhelming. This is where an AV consultant steps in.
AV consultants are integral in making the AV world more accessible for businesses wanting to design new solutions for their spaces or simply to upgrade their existing technology into something more modern. What exactly do they do, and what does their process look like?
What is an AV Consultant?
An AV consultant collaborates with businesses or AV integrators and advises them on the best ways to take their technology to the next level.
These professionals are instrumental for businesses that have just moved into or built offices. They will assess the current solution if any and determine the best way to upgrade or install new technology to help businesses and individuals achieve their objectives. Similar to AV integrators, an AV consultant can significantly improve your AV systems and find the best ways to utilize AV equipment to your advantage. An AV consultant won’t try to sell or install any equipment. This is in contrast to integrators, who may have partnerships or deals with certain manufacturers. Additionally, the role of an AV consultant will vary depending on the type of setting they work in. If consultants are assisting with a project that relies on specific equipment such as a theater, then consultants will have a significant impact on the project's progress as they assess everything from audience seating to acoustics.
What is the role of AV consultants?
Here’s a guide to the role of an AV consultant:
Client needs assessment
To ensure that client's needs are met at the end of the project, AV consultants will engage in a thorough assessment before determining what the client wants from the project.
This stage will outline the setting they’ll be working in, what they hope to achieve, what the purpose of their AV equipment is, budget, building type, and any other unique requirements. From this, the consultant will generate a comprehensive plan that addresses the client’s pain points and creates a well-structured solution.
Installation design
Another role that consultants are responsible for is assessing the installation requirements. This involves the consultant assessing the location and determining what will be necessary to install the correct equipment.
Full design and liaison with AV integrators
Once both the client and the consultant are happy with the plan, the AV consultant will put together comprehensive documentation that addresses the budget, equipment requirements, project goals, and timeline. From this, they then may reach out to an extensive network of AV integrators who can then secure the necessary equipment to meet the client’s wishes. It’s the consultant's responsibility to ensure that the integrator works with the client’s best wishes in mind at all times, ensuring they meet their project goals at the end.
What does an audio-visual consulting process look like?
The process that AV consultants follow can vary depending on the specific project, but most AV consultants follow an intensive process that ensures they meet their client's needs, keep to a budget, and create a functioning environment with the correct equipment for their clients. Here’s a guide to the phases that professionals may go through during a project.
Phase 1: Assessment of current technology
The first phase of the process involves assessing the client’s current technology limitations and identifying pain points.
In this phase, the consultant will review which technology facilitates the client’s goals. Assessing current technology also involves the consultant reviewing how up-to-date your current solutions are to determine whether you actually need upgrades to improve performance.
Phase 2: Review possible solutions
Once this intensive review stage is over, the consultant takes the results to generate possible solutions. This, again, requires a thorough review of which technologies are potentially hindering progression or whether the room layout and accessibility are prohibiting the client’s ability to use certain AV systems. From this, consultants can make a detailed plan that outlines possible solutions to then discuss this at length with the client.
Phase 3: Building phase
Once the client has reviewed possible solutions, the consultant will move into the design and building stage. This is when they will enlist the help of an AV integrator to source and install certain technology. This technology will depend on the client’s goals.
Phase 4: Checking and testing
Once the AV integrator and consultant have worked collaboratively to install and source the correct equipment, the consultant will begin the final stage, which consists of checking and testing. This involves assessing whether the consultant's work has had a tangible impact on the client’s productivity and has helped them get closer to their goals.
Why is the work of AV Consultants important in the AV industry?
AV consultants are integral to the AV industry because the industry evolves so rapidly. These professionals are entrusted to have up-to-date AV technology knowledge and understand the current AV trends that can positively influence their clients. To help clients keep pace with modern AV trends, AV consultants have a crucial role that allows businesses to incorporate new technology that can facilitate their progression and engagement goals. This is especially important as businesses rely increasingly on AV technology to conduct their daily tasks, such as virtual conferencing, with 80% of businesses using AV technology to unite their teams or hosting live events that rely on AV technology to showcase their brand.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for AV technology that can upgrade your systems or an AV consultant looking to acquire technology that can improve your client’s audio-visual presence, check out MiFX. We have a great range of offerings designed to take you to the next level.