Here’s How to Find Out If You’re Do for an Audio-Video Upgrade 

When was the last time you assessed your commercial audio video to make sure it meets your business needs? Technology evolves quickly, and setups that worked well a few years ago may not be up to today’s standards. A well-functioning AV system means the difference between productive meetings and frustrating experiences that disrupt your work.

Outdated or underperforming AV systems can cause:

- Disruptive, frustrating meeting experiences that waste time.

- A loss of credibility with clients if issues occur during presentations or meetings.

- Challenges for employees that lead to inefficiency and stress.

Evaluating your AV system is key to keeping it as an asset rather than a problem. We can work with you to see how the technology at your Baton Rouge, LA, business is falling short and help you upgrade to a better solution. 

SEE MORE: Why You Should Invest in Commercial Audio Video This Year 

How to Evaluate Your Current AV Infrastructure 

Assessing your AV system can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into simple steps can make it manageable. It’s also important to focus on specific features and actionable items rather than trying to get a ‘high-level’ idea of whether something is working. 

Here are the main areas to focus on during your evaluation:

Performance: Is sound and visual quality clear and consistent during meetings, trainings, or video conferences?

Ease of Use: Can employees use system controls without much training? Are controls easy for everyone to use comfortably?

Integration Capabilities: Does your AV system work well with other software your business relies on, like video conferencing tools?

How to Prioritize Your AV Upgrades 

It’s also easy to get overwhelmed during an evaluation trying to figure out where to start. What are some things you want to upgrade but aren’t high priority, and what are some warning signs you absolutely can’t ignore? 

The most important ones are common downtime and maintenance issues. If you can’t trust your system to run consistently, that is a huge red flag. Technical issues—either keeping rooms out of commission for days or weeks or ongoing issues that constantly disrupt meetings—are also things to look out for. 

But the easiest way to prioritize updates is to listen. Pay attention to your staff's most frequent feedback. What are their common complaints? Is it the AV quality? Is it the usability of the system? Are they unable to integrate newer technologies? Have they noticed decreased efficiency of certain components? Any upgrades should address these concerns directly.  

How to Get Valuable Feedback from Employees

Though employee feedback is the most valuable way to gauge your system performance, we know sometimes it’s not easy to gather it. We recommend sending out quarterly surveys to your clients addressing the performance and usability of your system. Help them paint a clear picture of what is and isn’t working. 

Watch how teams use the AV system during their daily activities. Are people avoiding it because it’s too complicated, or do they need frequent IT help? Observing real interactions can reveal problems employees might not mention.

Preparing to Upgrade Your AV System 

Once you’ve outlined the most important upgrades for your company, it’s time to figure out the best way to implement them. The first step should always be consulting with a professional AV integrator. They can identify issues and recommend solutions tailored to your needs. They’ll also design modular, scalable systems that grow with your needs. These upgrades allow for changes without needing a complete overhaul. 

They’ll advise you on the latest technology available in the industry and only propose the one that makes sense for your company’s size and use cases. Most importantly, they offer ongoing service plans to keep your system in tip-top shape moving forward. These service plans not only isolate issues as soon as they occur but also include system upgrades to keep your system relevant in the long run. 

Reach out to Acadian today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a better AV system. Our experts are ready to help you find solutions that make meetings smoother, boost productivity, and eliminate costly downtime.