InfoComm Special Reports
InfoComm Special Reports feature an in-depth view of the trends and issues facing the professional AV industry. Written for the AV professional, InfoComm Special Reports offers an insider’s view of the innovative technologies and companies that make the AV industry dynamic and exciting.
Creating Common Sense, Communicating Assumptions and Risks
Working on hundreds of projects and training thousands of project managers, I’ve often wondered why so few people around me have common sense. Many times I’ve discovered their lack of common sense three-quarters of the way through a project, which is a little late.
Video communication is increasingly common throughout legal systems worldwide. It spans facilities and applications, including video arraignment from jail, virtual visitation in prisons, and remote testimony in courtrooms and judges’ chambers.
Scope Statements: Establishing Boundaries and Responsibilities
A well-defined and communicated scope statement is one of the primary methods of managing a client’s often-changing expectations of what they will ultimately receive from a project.
The Sextant Group Announces Role in One of First STEP Projects
The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems Building Technology Showcase is a first-of-its-kind research and demonstration building for sustainable technologies in Boston’s Innovation District.
The Dawn of Mobile Videoconferencing (Thanks, Apple)
Apple made a little product announcement earlier this month. Something about a new iPad. It got mixed reviews: Some people expected more significant changes to the wildly popular tablet.
What a Comprehensive Scope of Work Looks Like
If AV integration companies want to be more respected by clients in the marketplace, their contracts should be the starting point for creating credibility and professionalism.
Look in any college student's room and it's a safe bet you won't find a Cisco E20 or a Polycom VVX 1500. Their absence is a major reason why it's challenging for schools to enable one-on-one and multiparty videoconferences between students and faculty.
What's Next for AV and Smart Buildings?
Going forward, the IBT Task Force will be replaced by the Smart Building Task Force (SBTF), which will focus its efforts in two main areas: quantifying the requirements and capabilities of smart buildings and identifying business opportunities and solutions.
Developing a Relationship-Centric, Innovative Culture
Innovation is about the pathway to an end result. The end result is about solving problems and solving problems is inevitably about the client.
Why Live Sound Systems Proliferate
If the world seems like it’s gotten a lot louder, it’s because it has. Or at least there are a lot more sound systems out there making noise.
AV Sales: Building Relationships and Managing Expectations
Many of the AV integration companies I’ve worked with have employed a range of sales strategies and styles. But overall, their approaches come down to this: short-term sale versus long-term relationship.
Live Events Training Q&A: Andre LeJuene, InfoComm International®
We asked Andre LeJeune, CTS®, how training for live events has evolved over the years and how the industry itself has changed.
Establishing Shared Values and Ethics
We’ve all heard how different generations of people (baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Y) work and live differently. This sometimes causes frustration for those of one generation who must interact with those of another generation whom they deem not to be acting “correctly.”
The Importance of Energy Management in AV
Last year marked the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program's first decade of existence, a span bookended by two major economic slumps.
The Value of an Organization's Vision
What should the vision include? How does a young (or mature), growing company implement an effective vision?
If you haven’t heard of the analog sunset, the good news is you’re not alone. The bad news is, ignorance won’t be bliss for AV professionals and clients alike.
Is the audio/video integration industry ready to fully acknowledge the value of women in the project management role and support their growth?
Live Event Safety Standards: More Important Than Ever
On August 13, 2011, a stage collapsed during a powerful storm at the Indiana State Fair. Now, proponents say, getting the word out and training professionals to use the standards are critical to this dynamic industry.
In almost every market where they’re used, audiovisual systems have evolved from “nice-to-have” toys to business-critical systems — to the benefit of the entire AV industry.
STEP: The Unofficial, Semi-Definitive FAQ
You may have heard of it. It’s the Sustainable Technology Environments Program, better known as STEP®. Not ringing a bell? Or maybe you’ve heard of it, but you’re not sure exactly what it means (or what it has to do with you).
The International Green Construction Code and Its Impact on AV
You may not know it, despite all the press surrounding the green movement, but there will soon be another commercial building code that will impact what we do as AV and technology professionals.
How the California Courts Apply InfoComm Standards to Every Courthouse in the State
It is perhaps the Holy Grail of industry standards: to be specified or expressly integrated into other industry standards, best practices or requests for proposals. Take, for example, the growing stable of ANSI-accredited, AV performance standards from InfoComm International®.
From the InfoComm 100: 10 Tips for Aligning Your AV Business with the Future
In September, at the InfoComm 100 conference, an annual gathering of industry leaders held by InfoComm International®, much of the focus was on how AV businesses must evolve in a world where AV and IT have converged.
The 2010 Edition of NFPA 72 and Its Implications for the AV Industry
Building codes have existed for almost 4,000 years. To this day, building and safety codes dictate construction practices. But codes have only become high priority for AV professionals over the last 50 years, as AV equipment migrated from the movable rolling cart to permanent installation in public and private buildings.
Reduce the Noise: InfoComm Education and Training for Live Events Professionals
In AV, most of us like to turn up the volume. But when you hear everything, sometimes you miss out on the part of the message that is just for you.
InfoComm Works to Protect the Meetings Industry
InfoComm International® has been working with a variety of coalitions to convince policymakers to tone down the dangerous rhetoric leading to the cancellation of meetings and events around the country; to embrace sensible guidelines for companies receiving taxpayer assistance; and to promote travel as an economic solution.
Projected Image Standard: What’s in it For You?
InfoComm International recently released its newest performance standard, ANSI/INFOCOMM 3M-2011 Projected Image System Contrast Ratio. The voluntary standard seeks to define acceptable minimum contrast ratios for projected images, relative to their application, for both installed systems and live events.
Austin City Limits Live: A Connected New Venue
Texas is certainly a big place, but Austin, all things considered (like, it’s the state capital), is a relatively small town. That worked in favor of the folks who collaborated on the creation of ACL Live, the new home of the long-running PBS hit show Austin City Limits.
Secure AV in Government: More than Just AV
Working on projects for the government has always required a certain amount of discretion and attention to detail. And over time, the roles of the AV consultant and integrator have risen in profile as AV technologies have evolved into vital communications tools for government agencies.
The rise of SBT presents both a daunting challenge and a compelling opportunity for AV professionals. What sets SBT apart from other trends is the cross-industry goodwill and collaboration that will drive SBT to the forefront of all construction projects in the near future.
Smart Building Technologies Basics
The AV industry often sits at the crux of revolutions in building design and technology. IT network convergence, green technology and integrated project delivery (IPD) are changing the way people design, inhabit and use a building.
Like no other, the field of acoustics is rife with myth, misinformation and marketing tactics that belies the true science and legacy of the trade. Acousticians and acoustical experts have backgrounds rooted in math and science, and spend years studying and honing their craft.
Despite the recent recession and continued challenges to the world economy, the digital signage sector has enjoyed stellar growth for the past several years.
Fiber-optic networks are showing up in AV installs at an increasing rate, driven by the need to transport a large amount audio, video and data over a long distance.
Cloud computing is a term that the AV industry is hearing more often these days, especially as cloud-based services are making appearances in both commercial and residential AV installs.
Telemedicine and AV in the U.S.
According to the American Telemedicine Association, "telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve patients' health status.
Integrated Project Delivery: Three Reasons Why AV Should Pay Attention
IPD is seen as a means to create value for the building owner, architect, and general contractor on construction projects.
AV in the Government and Military Markets
Working with the government or any branches of the U.S. military requires a significant commitment by the AV practitioner to learn the cultural differences and technical hurdles presented by this vertical market.
The Value of an Organization’s Vision and Mission
Many organizations spend a lot of time, money and energy on building processes, software, and training their people on the newest technology, but forget to create a framework and foundation for a healthy organizational culture.
Modern day practitioners of law have adopted AV technologies like videoconferencing, document cameras, and digital video systems to serve their diverse and dynamic needs.
The rise of HDMI popularity in the consumer market is attributed to Blu-Ray DVD players that required HDMI connections in order to function. For better or for worse, HDMI is now showing up in more and more pro systems.
A new special report series on contemporary audio issues, authored by industry expert Fred Ampel of Technology Visions. Please note that the opinions expressed in Sound Vision represent the viewpoints of Fred Ampel, and are not necessarily shared by InfoComm International.
Ever since pico projectors hit the retail market, awareness has grown about the promise of these pocket-sized devices.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a buzzword that is growing louder in the AV industry. BIM aids in integrated project delivery for the design and construction phases, as well as building lifecycle management for the building's owners once construction is completed.
Green Listings and Certifications
AV manufacturers are turning to various listings and certifications to differentiate their brand and to showcase their environmentally-friendly products to the green building industry.
Leading the Way: AV Manufacturers Choose Their Paths to Green
Everyone from consultants, system integrators, manufacturers, and end users is searching for more information and direction when it comes to being green.
In a down economy, digital signage is a welcome growth technology in the AV market. Northern Sky Research has estimated that out-of-home digital display networks will generate $2.7 billion in advertising revenue by 2013.
LED Technology — What’s New, What’s Next?
Since blue LEDs appeared in the 1990’s, solid state lighting has advanced to become a viable and prosperous technology foundation. Today, LED technology is used for general lighting in small and large venues, in the automotive market, and in video displays, roadside signs, and digital signage.
