What can large enterprise organizations teach about designing and deploying technology? Ford AV serves top U.S. brands such as AT&T, Apple, Capital One, ExxonMobil, and Marriott. These enterprise companies share five key technology approaches and strategies for adopting new tech solutions that enhance business workflows and drive success in the global economy.
1. Dedicated AV Resources and Teams
Large enterprises typically allocate dedicated human resources specifically for audio-visual (AV) technology. Unlike smaller companies where AV might be lumped together with general IT, larger companies recognize the unique needs of AV technology and often have specialized teams or project managers focused solely on AV systems.
Application
- Smaller companies can benefit by assigning AV technology responsibilities to tech-savvy employees, such as IT staff.
- These staff members should stay updated on new AV tech solutions and trends by attending tradeshows like AVIXA’s InfoComm or subscribing to industry publications such as:
AV Technology – Focuses on AV systems, solutions, and technologies for the AV professional.
Sound & Video Contractor (SVC) – Covers installation and integration of AV systems.
Commercial Integrator – Provides insights and strategies for commercial integrators.
AV Magazine – Covers the global AV industry with a focus on news and case studies.
Systems Contractor News (SCN) – Features news, trends, and product reviews for AV professionals.
rAVe Publications – Offers news, reviews, and insights into the AV industry.
2. Scalability and Standardization
Large enterprises require scalable AV solutions to manage multiple spaces, from conference rooms to training rooms and boardrooms. They commonly invest heavily in their meeting space technology and want to ensure its optimal use. Standardizing room designs, from hardware to control GUIs, increases user adoption and provides consistency as staff move between rooms, buildings, and campuses. Standardization also simplifies management, maintenance, and troubleshooting across the organization.
Application
- Utilize the experts at Ford AV to identify how your organization use their meeting spaces.
- Develop a standard design and deploy it to provide feedback from the users and technology staff to verify all the aspects including mics, speakers, lighting, connectivity, quality, scalability, ease-of-use, etc. meet your expectations.
- Continue to use the resulting standard when building new meeting spaces.
3. Network Integration and Remote Management
Enterprise-level AV systems are designed to be networked, allowing for remote management and monitoring. This proactive approach helps identify and resolve issues like power outages, signal absence, network failure, and device failure before users are affected, reducing downtime and improving system reliability. Remote management is crucial for maintaining large deployments across various locations.
Application
- Smaller organizations with limited tech staff can greatly benefit from remote monitoring and management solutions.
- Incorporating a solution like Ford AV’s AVRMM provides early detection of system or equipment failures, alerting Ford AV or the organization’s techs early to investigate and resolve the issue.
4. Human-Centric Design and Workflow Considerations
Large companies emphasize the human elements of AV systems, considering factors like meeting scheduling, room booking, and workflow integration. They streamline the process of starting and managing meetings, focusing on reducing initiation time and ensuring the AV technology supports employees’ natural workflow.
Application
- Use software to collect and report insights about meeting room tech usage.
- Leadership can use this information to make data-driven decisions for future technology deployments.
5. Continuous Improvement and Lifecycle Management
Large enterprises plan for continuous improvement and regular technology refresh cycles. They understand the need to budget for and systematically upgrade their AV systems to keep up with technological advancements and changing user needs. This approach ensures their AV infrastructure remains current and capable of supporting modern collaboration requirements.
Application
- Be proactive. Work with Ford AV professionals to develop a preventative maintenance plan to check the functionality of tech equipment and upgrade software as required.
Innovating AV Solutions at Indeed
Indeed, the world’s largest job listing website, operates in over 60 countries, hosting thousands of meetings daily. Jeff J., a senior manager on Indeed’s global real estate team, leads the charge in deploying and managing advanced technology across the company’s varied office spaces. From small huddle spaces to expansive auditoriums, Jeff’s team is dedicated to optimizing collaboration and efficiency with cutting-edge AV solutions.
Challenge and Strategy
Indeed’s rapid expansion required a strategic overhaul of its real estate portfolio to create meaningful and impactful workspaces. Jeff’s team partnered with Ford AV to implement innovative wayfinding technologies and advanced video conferencing systems. These solutions were designed to facilitate dynamic collaboration, integrating various modalities within the same room to support seamless transitions from video conferencing to interactive whiteboarding.
Dedicated AV Teams and Specialized Resources
At Indeed, specialized teams focus solely on AV technology, ensuring that every office space, from small meeting rooms to large auditoriums, is equipped with the best possible tools. This dedicated approach allows for meticulous attention to detail and expertise in managing AV systems.
Scalable and Standardized Solutions
Indeed’s rapid expansion required a strategic overhaul of its real estate portfolio to create meaningful and impactful workspaces. The team partnered with Ford AV to implement innovative wayfinding technologies and advanced video conferencing systems. These solutions facilitate dynamic collaboration, integrating various modalities within the same room to support seamless transitions from video conferencing to interactive whiteboarding.
Community Rooms
Indeed’s community rooms are equipped with broadcast PTZ cameras, image magnification displays, stages with television lighting, and zoned sound systems. These rooms are designed to facilitate large gatherings, presentations, and events, providing high-quality audio-visual support to enhance the overall experience.
Advanced Video Conferencing Systems
One key technical solution at Indeed is the integration of advanced video conferencing systems into even the smallest private spaces. Hundreds of meeting spaces are equipped to facilitate 4–40+ attendees, utilizing AI features for auto framing, tracking, camera switching, background noise filtering, voice recognition, and beam-forming ceiling mics that increase speech intelligibility. These setups include built-in video conferencing capabilities, eliminating the need for users to bring their own laptops and ensuring seamless and efficient collaboration.
Network Integration and Remote Management
Indeed’s AV systems are designed to be integrated into the network, enabling remote management and monitoring. This allows the team to proactively identify and resolve issues, reducing downtime and improving the reliability of AV systems. Network integration is crucial for managing large deployments and ensuring seamless operation across multiple locations.
Human-Centric Design and Workflow Optimization
A key aspect of their approach is leveraging data and AI to understand space utilization and enhance functionality. By collecting and analyzing data, Indeed can make informed decisions about technology deployment and space design, ensuring that each office setup maximizes productivity and user satisfaction.
Digital Signage
Direct-view LED displays provide a large, bright, and versatile platform to deploy important messaging in multiple languages. These digital signage solutions are crucial for communicating effectively in a global organization like Indeed, ensuring that employees receive relevant information promptly and clearly.
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