Why You Need to Audit Your AV Equipment Before Returning to Work

Organizations around the country are wrestling with how to reopen offices. Companies — and many of their employees — are eager to return to some kind of “normal” work life, which could mean going back to the office, grabbing lunch at one’s favorite restaurant or stopping for drinks after work. Apple employees are expected to return to their Cupertino campuses in June, while Goldman Sachs anticipates employees returning to work by mid-July. Amazon and Google have also unveiled their plans for returning to the office later this year. 

Employees are pressing their pantsuits, shining their shoes and getting back into the day-to-day routine in preparation for the return to the office. But what about the technology in the offices? Traditional office AV solutions, such as audio, video, lighting control, room automation, network security, videoconferencing technology, software and touchless technology, have sat dormant for the last year. Unfortunately, these devices will need to be dusted off, both literally and figuratively, before employees return to the office.

It’s critical to audit your office AV technology before employees return to the office. If your AV system is down and you’re unable to fix it, it could cost your business time and money. In the worst-case scenario, systems that have operated without service for too long may need to be completely replaced. 

Imagine walking into a conference room for an important meeting and quickly realizing your AV systems are inoperable. Old or blown-out bulbs are often the source of a projector failure. Internet lag can slow down videos and make it impossible to collaborate. Out-of-date firmware can prohibit devices from supporting the updated protocol. Do you really have time to troubleshoot before your meeting? Performing a technology audit and proactively maintaining AV equipment can improve day-to-day operations, extend a system's life span and, most importantly, reduce expenses.

Without maintenance, systems can fail, and you may lose your initial investment in technology. A maintenance contract, available from AV Planners, could cover technology and applications for room scheduling, video conferencing, equipment allocation, network updates, remote monitoring and emergency support. It is designed to ensure your system's potential problems are found early and resolved quickly so your technology is constantly at its peak performance.

Anyone relying on audiovisual technology in the workplace should consider the benefits of an AV technology audit and an AV maintenance contract. Contact AV Planners to learn more about our services. Keep up with the latest news from AV Planners on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.