Transforming AV: What the First AV Cloud Summit Revealed About the Industry’s Future

At the first-ever AV Cloud Summit, hosted by Xyte and moderated by Gary Kayye, founder of rAVe Publications, panelists explored the exciting and fast-evolving world of cloud technology in the audiovisual (AV) industry. This was followed by a demonstration of advanced cloud features by top AV companies such as AtlasIED, Planar, Legrand AV, Symetrix, WyreStorm, IMSTS and TEKVOX.

The panel discussed the fact is that AV cloud is still in its early stages. Forward-thinking manufacturers and integrators are experimenting with various approaches to harness its potential. That’s why we brought together a representative subset of forward-thinkers – people with both hands-on experience and true market vision. Our panel included:

• Pam Hoppel, President Legrand AV
• Ron Sklaver, Global Lead for In-Office Meeting Experience at EY
• Eric Snider, Chief Technology Officer at CTI
• Scott Walker, President and Founder of WaveGuide

In the AV world, the cloud is a way to innovatively connect, monitor, and manage devices more efficiently – something that is becoming increasingly necessary as the number of networked devices grows. With innovation, however, comes news challenges. Managing more devices adds complexity. For example, adding AV platforms like Zoom Rooms and MS Teams Rooms often leads to dealing with separate software interfaces that don’t communicate with each other. The good news, however, is that solutions (like Xyte) are on the horizon – and the summit highlighted how the AV industry is on the cusp of making device management more seamless and integrated than ever before. Here’s a taste of what you see and hear yourself, on-demand.

Kicking Off – Panelist Share Their Thoughts

• Pam Hoppel discussed her first year in the AV industry, drawing from her senior-level background in plumbing, HVAC, fire, and security. She noted surprising similarities between these industries, particularly in business operations, distribution channels, and system integration. What stood out most, she explained, was the impact of broader macroeconomic factors, such as rising labor costs and increased technology and security requirements - trends that remain highly relevant to the AV industry.

• Scott Walker reflected on his 35 years in the AV industry, tracing its evolution from analog systems to category cable, networked AV, the cloud era, and now the emergence of AI. He shared his perspective on the shared responsibility between providers and clients, emphasizing that while clients ultimately own the systems, the industry plays a critical role in setting the stage for system usage through design, integration, manufacturing, and operations. Walker also highlighted Waveguide’s dual focus: as an independent design consultant for over two decades and as a provider of AV operations, or "technology hospitality," for Fortune 500 headquarters. With 70% of their business dedicated to maintaining and managing AV systems daily, Waveguide has been deeply involved in both creating and supporting these solutions.

• Eric Snider summarized his company’s evolution and his personal journey in the AV industry. CTI is a leading provider of cutting-edge audio-video solutions and support; Snider highlighted CTI’s growth and diversification, noting the company’s expansion from conference rooms to projects in stadiums, live events, broadcasting, and more. This broad scope gave CTI unique insights across multiple verticals, allowing them to contribute valuable perspectives to the discussion beyond traditional AV spaces.

• Ron Sklaver shared insights into managing AV services on a massive scale. With 14,000 conference rooms across 750 offices in 160 countries, he emphasized the critical importance of monitoring, managing, and understanding EY’s AV assets to control costs effectively. Representing the end-user perspective, Slaver expressed interest in aligning his needs and budget priorities with the strategies of manufacturers, designers, and integrators. He acknowledged the challenge of spending wisely in such a complex environment.

Some Sample Key Takeaways

Ron: What does the cloud in AV mean to you?

Ron discussed the cloud in AV as a versatile delivery mechanism, essential for determining what functions should be managed on-site, at the edge, or in the cloud. He highlighted the trend of cloud platforms offering features traditionally found on physical devices, such as smart cameras and PCs. Ron emphasized the need for a unified cloud interface that aligns with IT security standards, simplifying management for end users. He criticized the outdated practice of "freezing" AV systems, stressing the importance of regular updates and security maintenance. Ron advocated for simplifying deployments by reducing the variety of tools and integrating them into open platforms.

Pamela: How did you bring your cloud strategy to life?

Pamela explained that bringing their cloud strategy to life focused on leveraging Legrande AV’s extensive product portfolio to drive cloud connectivity and win accounts. Recognizing cloud integration as a major opportunity, the team enhanced the value of products while addressing emerging challenges such as security, decision-making control, and device management costs. They prioritized solving customer problems by simplifying operations and integrating solutions seamlessly. A key milestone in this strategy was adopting the Xyte platform, which Pamela emphasized as a critical step in advancing their cloud integration and solidifying their position in the market.

Eric: What are your biggest cloud monitoring and management challenges as a systems integrator?

Eric discussed several challenges in cloud monitoring and management, particularly around zero-trust networks and managing edge devices. He highlighted the difficulty in balancing the cloud's potential with the practical reality of network limitations. Issues like inadequate network setups, such as switches that can’t handle advanced Quality of Service (QoS), posed hurdles. Additionally, Eric emphasized the need for conversations with clients to assess their tolerance for openness and security standards, as these factors greatly influenced the feasibility of implementing robust cloud solutions.

Scott: What is your ideal cloud platform in your eyes?

Scott described his ideal cloud platform as one with a unified, single pane of glass interface that allows users to monitor assets by country, city, building, and even room. He emphasized the importance of IT security, where the platform must adhere to standard security protocols to ensure compliance. Additionally, he envisioned a platform that is interconnected, where systems can be aware of each other. For example, if equipment fails in a room, the system should automatically flag the issue, update booking software, and notify the relevant individuals to take appropriate action, allowing for quicker, smarter decision-making.

The Bottom Line

The AV Cloud Summit provided valuable insights into the current state and future possibilities of cloud technology in the AV industry. With expert contributions from industry leaders, the event highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing systems integrators, manufacturers, and end-users alike. As AV devices are often monitored in a decentralized manner, creating a significant overhead for IT/AV managers, the discussions centered on the need for a unified, interoperable cloud platform that enables effective, seamless, centralized and efficient management. Moving forward, the industry is poised to make significant strides in simplifying device management, improving interoperability, and enhancing user experiences, ultimately enabling more efficient and effective AV systems across various sectors.

‍Intrigued and interested in getting even more AV cloud market insights? Watch the full summit here!