Collaboration spaces have taken center stage in hybrid work ecosystems merging people, culture, and engagement. Found in conference rooms, waiting rooms, lobbies, and huddle spaces, today’s collaboration spaces enable everyone to share ideas with no barriers. Successful AV solutions need to be technologically advanced to harmonize in-room and remote collaboration experiences, yet exceedingly easy so users can just walk/click in and join the meeting.
AVaaS conference room bundles give you this sophisticated simplicity. Choose from worry-free, pre-configured, bundles in a predictable OPEX model that are certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Or opt for fully customized, integrated solutions crafted to meet your specific needs, platform, and environment.
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When you partner with Black Box, you partner with industry leaders. Our vast portfolio includes solutions from Cisco Webex, Zoom, Crestron, NEC, and more. No matter if you’re a large, small or midsized enterprise, you’ll find the right technologies to help your employees innovate, collaborate, and communicate no matter where they work from. The pandemic thrust AV technology into a new role in the workplace ecosystem. It is more than a communications facilitator. It is business-critical technology affecting every aspect of how we act and interact with colleagues in unprecedented ways.
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How are organizations preparing for the hybrid workplace? One word: collaboration. How are company leaders intentionally promoting innovation? Two letters: AV.
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In today's world, collaboration solutions are a must-have. Choose from pre-configured and customized bundles for conference rooms of all sizes.
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Skilled and certified engineers design today's complex audio, video, and collaboration solutions that integrate seamlessly with your communications platform and give users extraordinary, reliable, consistent experiences.
Expect personalized, professional project management services from the same team starting with procurement and staging to installation and support. We'll take care of all the details, so you can focus on your business priorities.
Our field technicians are certified to handle your unique deployment needs at one site or thousands of sites. Expect the same performance and the same results any and everywhere around the globe.
The project doesn't end with "handing over the keys." Layer on preventative maintenance to keep your system running smoothly. When remote technical support won't suffice, we provide critical on-site support.
Are you looking to enhance your organization's communication, collaboration, and overall efficiency? Then it's time to evaluate the pros and cons of your current AV configuration vs. moving to AVaaS.
Contact UsWhen you partner with Black Box, you partner with industry leaders. Our vast portfolio includes solutions from world-class innovators creating audio, video, and collaboration solutions that will shape and redefine how users experience the workplace.
In the bustling hub of Chicago, NorthPoint Fresh emerges as a leading force in temperature-controlled warehousing and distribution. Facing IT challenges and Wi-Fi interference issues, they turned to Black Box for comprehensive solutions. With upgraded infrastructure and advanced technology implementation, NorthPoint Fresh elevated its operational efficiency, safety standards, and HR compliance, positioning itself as one of the industry leaders.
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A municipality government was pursuing its AV system update and required a short turnaround. Black Box stepped in with 'product ready' components on hand and created a budget-friendly, scalable, consistent, and easy-to-use AV system with a delivery date of less than a month. They also added Black Box services to their system upgrade program to avoid future cases of falling behind.
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A workspace-for-rent company, while expanding globally, was facing issues in providing consistent, reliable, and easy-to-use video conferencing technology in each location. They partnered with Black Box to create a modular, cartable conferencing system with minimal and repeatable components. Black Box provided a high level of tech with ease of use such that every staff member can deploy the system to any customer at any site at a moment's notice.
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A Global Energy enterprise was using an outdated teleconferencing system, which needed to be upgraded to state-of-the-art video conferencing technology. However, despite interacting with multiple suppliers, they couldn't find a good fit. That is when Black Box stepped in to develop an AV conferencing system utilizing a consumable OpEX model deployed in short order and installed by experts across all the locations of this Global Energy company to provide similar experiences globally.
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Technology is revolutionizing the customer experience and shopping is now multi-channel, ecommerce integration. One international retailer turned the online shopping experience into a personalized, interactive in-store experience with strategically placed digital signage and smart technology. In one store, the system sales increased 36% over a six-week period.
Gain insight from our experts into how technology is shaping how we think about the workplace and work together — no matter where our colleagues are.
In our forever changed, post-pandemic world, audio visual technology now stands in higher regard and importance than ever before. In our hybrid world, AV conferencing technology leapt to the top tier of hybrid work strategies. In an office trends survey, 76% of respondents named enhanced video conferencing a top priority and 44% consider it a number one priority.*
The latest advancements in AV technology are making it possible to create more immersive experiences for every kind of audience. From large-scale events to small-scale presentations, audio visual communications is playing an increasingly important role in the way we share information and communicate.
With that said, it may be time to take a look at the numerous technological breakthroughs and innovations shaping the modern AV landscape.
Spatial audio: Spatial audio technology, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, enables sound to be rendered in a three-dimensional space creating an immersive audio experience that envelops the listener. Home theater, cinema, and even headphones have adopted this technology. When spatial audio is incorporated, listeners experience an improved sense of focus and concentration. Spatial audio improves attentiveness, reduces fatigue, and enables users to focus on meeting content.
Wireless speakers and headphones: This seems obvious to us today, but wireless is a game changer in AV. Wireless audio technology has made it easier than ever to enjoy high-quality sound without the constraints of cables. Wireless audio solutions are rapidly becoming the norm, from Bluetooth speakers to Wi-Fi-enabled multiroom audio systems.
Smart speakers: Smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, opened up a world of previously unheard of possibilities for voice-controlled audio experiences. With simple voice commands, users can access music, news, podcasts, and more. This "assistive technology" is rapidly making its way into meeting platforms via "Hey WebEx" and other meeting artificial intelligence applications, allowing users to automate note taking, or creating to do lists from the meeting content.
Along with audio advancements, the world of visual technology has witnessed many innovations driven by the demand for higher resolutions, more vibrant colors, and greater interactivity. Some key visual technologies include:
4K and 8K displays: Ultra-high-definition (UHD) displays, such as 4K and 8K TVs and monitors, offer incredibly detailed and lifelike visuals, making them an essential component of any high-quality AV configuration.
OLED and QLED displays: OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) and QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode) technologies represent the next generation, offering superior color reproduction, contrast, and energy efficiency compared to traditional LCDs while also keeping equipment temperature lower.
HDR (High Dynamic Range): HDR technology enables displays to reproduce a broader range of colors and contrast levels resulting in more lifelike and vibrant visuals. HDR is increasingly becoming a standard feature in modern TVs and monitors, which helps the eyes and lowers visual exhaustion.
Interactive displays and touchscreens: The rise of interactive exhibits and touchscreens has transformed how we interact with AV content, making it more engaging and collaborative. From large-scale video walls to portable touch-enabled projectors, applications for interactive displays are finding homes in various settings, including education, business, and entertainment.
Virtual and augmented reality: The emergence of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) has revolutionized how we experience audio-visual content, creating immersive environments that blur the line between the virtual and real worlds.
Software is critical in modern AV equipment, enabling greater flexibility, customization, and control over audio-visual experiences. In addition, several cutting-edge AV innovations depend on software solutions, from content creation and management to signal processing and transmission.
Software-based signal processing and transmission solutions, such as audio digital signal processors (DSPs) and video-over-IP systems, offer greater flexibility and scalability than traditional hardware-based solutions. By leveraging the power of software, AV professionals can quickly adapt their setups to accommodate changing requirements and new technologies.
Software monitoring and management has also made the move to the cloud, allowing for management as a service for your AV environment to be easier, more scalable, and less expensive.
The world of audio-visual technology is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing user preferences, and the ongoing pursuit of innovation. Here are important technologies that are driving the AV landscape now.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): Integrating AI and ML into AV equipment is revolutionizing how we create, manage, and experience audio-visual content from intelligent content recommendations to automated video editing and creation.
5G and the Internet of Things (IoT): These two technologies are changing everything everywhere enabling faster, more reliable, and more seamless audiovisual experiences across a broad spectrum of devices and platforms.
Sustainability and energy efficiency: As environmental concerns become increasingly important, expect to see a greater emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient AV equipment, including displays, projectors, and audio systems that consume less power and generate less waste.
Increased personalization and customization: As AV technology becomes more advanced and versatile, users are demanding greater personalization and customization options. Examples include equipment tailored to individual preferences and content dynamically adapted to the user's environment, preferences, and needs.
Choosing the right equipment for your needs can be daunting with so many different audio-visual equipment options. To help you make the right choice, here are some tips:
Assess your requirements: Clearly defining your needs and objectives is essential before selecting any AV equipment. Consider factors such as the size and layout of the space, the type of content you plan to display, and the desired level of interactivity and user engagement.
Prioritize quality and performance: While opting for the cheapest AV equipment may be tempting, prioritizing quality and performance will ultimately lead to a better experience and a more reliable setup. Look for equipment from reputable brands, and be bold and invest in higher-quality components that will stand the test of time.
Ensure compatibility and integration: Seamless integration and compatibility are crucial for a successful AV application. Ensure your chosen equipment is compatible with your existing infrastructure and integrates easily with other components.
Consider scalability and future-proofing: When selecting AV equipment, consider whether the solution can be easily scaled or upgraded to accommodate future needs and technological advancements. In addition, opt for equipment that supports open standards and interoperable platforms to ensure maximum flexibility.
Consult with professionals: If you need help deciding what AV equipment to choose or how to configure your application, consulting with AV professionals can be invaluable. They can provide expert advice, recommendations, and assistance in selecting and installing the right equipment for your needs.
Hopefully these terms and technologies will help you move today's rapidly evolving audio-visual environment and the incredible opportunities if offers.
If you're thinking about adopting the latest AV technologies and are looking for a navigator, Black Box can help. To explore your options, contact us at blackbox.com or 855-324-9909.
For more information on AV, see our Audio Visual Integrations page.
You may also be interested in these blogs.
How AV is Shaping the Hybrid Workplace
Audio Visual as a Service (AVaaS)
Evaluating Your AV: What Questions You Need to Ask Yourself
5 Ways AVaaS Can Benefit You (and 5 Ways to Get Started)
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*Spring 2022 U.S. Office Occupier Sentiment Survey
https://www.cbre.com/en/insights/reports/us-office-occupier-sentiment-survey-h1-2022
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Black Box has a dedicated AV Solution Engineering team that is skilled at building AV solutions for customers needing conference rooms, huddle spaces, operations centers, classrooms, auditoriums and collaboration spaces. Our custom design and consultancy services will provide you with the right product mix from leading partnerships including Crestron, Zoom Rooms, NEC, and Webex that will meet your video conferencing and collaboration needs.
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