Security Operations Centers (SOC) and Beyond

As businesses focus on business continuity and situational intelligence, IT integrators with a holistic approach are increasingly being asked to extend their expertise beyond the peripheral systems that they are deploying — into the Operation Centers that manage the systems. This natural expansion emphasizes the growing need for a comprehensive approach that combines security, operational functionalities, infrastructure and AV considerations within the enterprise.

C-Level Recognition of Platform Solutions

A significant shift is occurring in the C-Suite with chief information officers (CIOs) recognizing the value of adopting platform solutions over point solutions for visual displays serving core enterprise operations. Enterprises are increasingly seeking integrated platforms that go beyond individual applications, thus providing a unified solution for all visual display needs. This shift reflects a desire for comprehensive solutions that streamline operations and enhance overall efficiency.

Rise of Data Dashboards in Enterprise

The rise of data dashboards in the enterprise is fueled by the growing need for effective metrics measurement and tracking. In this landscape, operational benefits play a crucial role, allowing businesses to manage content on any screen without relying on expensive and unsecure thin client PCs or USB drives, eliminating the need for significant manual intervention in content updates. Users can securely and centrally manage content directly from their web browser, presenting a more efficient and secure approach.

This trend is underpinned by the demand for integrated solutions that seamlessly connect with leading technologies. Notably, these data dashboards fully integrate with key applications like Power BI and Tableau as a single source, ensuring automatic, persistent and secure authentication to dashboards, charts and reports.

The aggregation of multiple charts as a source facilitates the secure distribution of operational data to relevant teams and stakeholders. This not only highlights the importance of technological compatibility but also underscores the broader trend of fostering informed decision-making through streamlined and secure data management.

Software-Defined Solutions versus Hardware Limitations

The paradigm of hardware-based point solutions is becoming obsolete as software solutions gain prominence. The ability of software solutions to seamlessly integrate with various industry-leading technologies provides a level of flexibility and scalability that hardware-based solutions struggle to match. This shift marks a departure from the limitations of hardware-centric approaches to a more agile and interconnected future.

The Significance of 8K Solutions

The advent of 8K solutions adds a new dimension to AV/IT integration. As display resolutions continue to evolve, the demand for higher quality visuals in enterprise environments is driving the adoption of 8K solutions. This shift is not just about increased pixel density; it’s about providing a more immersive and detailed visual experience that enhances collaboration and decision-making processes.

AV Integrators Embracing IT Protocols

On the flip side, AV integrators are gradually embracing IT protocols and solutions designed for the digital age. Software-defined solutions built for IT — standardized over networks — are gaining traction. While the adoption may be slower due to the historical reliance and subsequent familiarity that hardware solutions provide, the industry is witnessing a transformative shift towards embracing more agile and adaptable software-defined solutions.

In conclusion, the convergence of AV/IT is reshaping the landscape of enterprise operations. From organizational restructuring, to the demand for comprehensive platform solutions, and the adoption of software-defined approaches; the trends in AV/IT integration indicate a paradigm shift towards a more interconnected, data-driven and technologically advanced future for businesses.

As the industry continues to evolve, staying abreast of these AV/IT integration trends is imperative for integrators seeking to provide modernized enterprise-class solutions to their clients.

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on March 15, 2024. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

Jamey Miles is VP Channel & Strategic Accounts at Userful.

The post Top AV/IT Integration Trends Shaping Enterprise Operations in 2024 appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Sightline assembles the core platforms of Crestron, including Crestron Flex Digital Workplace Technologies, DigitalMedia Content Distribution, and Control and Management, to create the ideal meeting experience by promoting natural conversation, meeting equity and enhanced collaboration across organizations regardless of where employees are.

Today’s meetings are more successful when everyone is fully connected. For employees, this means an inclusive meeting experience that empowers everyone to participate rather than observe.

For companies, this means creating meeting room environments that drive productivity and connections. While videoconferencing has expanded workers’ capabilities to meet, it often leaves remote participants missing the big picture while in-room participants struggle to connect with the people next to them and pay attention to the person on the monitor. The hybrid work problems has its challenges:

1. Remote participants want to clearly see who is in the meeting and hear every word, ensuring they feel they are equal contributors in the meeting.
2. In-person attendees must juggle the ease of communication with others in the room while also including remote participants in the conversation.

To address these challenges, intelligent video solutions are central to Crestron’s Sightline room. Speakers are tracked and framed, and multiple displays offer improved visibility of remote participants, creating more immersive and engaged calls.

Employers looking to design a best-in-class technology experience for their teams can apply the fundamentals of Sightline to scale for different rooms, especially in larger and more specialized spaces which have proven to be especially challenging in the hybrid world.

In a Sightline setup, Crestron solutions collectively deliver an equitable meeting experience for every participant.

A Crestron Sightline room uniquely provides a successful meeting experience for all parties by accomplishing a few key principles:

• Makes it easier for attendees to engage in the flow of the meeting and follow the in-room dialog as the conversation moves from person-to-person.
• Displays a view of the entire room while simultaneously framing individual speakers using intelligent cameras and AI-driven video software for remote participants.
• Removes the cognitive element of knowing where to look by having the video of remote participants in the line of sight for in-person attendees.
• Increases visibility of remote attendees and improves natural interaction to in-person cues or non-verbal body language.

“Hybrid work has opened many opportunities and over the last two years, we have learned how to leverage technology to remain connected, even when physical proximity is not possible,” says Crestron’s EVP, Global Marketing, Brad Hintze. “However, this working style also creates a different subset of challenges for the meeting experience, most notably in larger rooms. Sightline delivers upon our legacy of making the complex simple; it truly creates an inclusive hybrid meeting experience in every space.”

To achieve the optimal meeting experience for all participants, a Crestron Sightline room would include:

Crestron Flex Digital Workplace Technologies 

• Multi-camera Intelligent Video (such as 1 Beyond Automate VX) brings together multiple standalone camera solutions into a fully automated experience
• Multiple camera technologies ensure the right frame is always available
• 1 Beyond AutoTracker tracks the presenter so they can freely move around
• 1 Beyond AutoFramer frames the participants, so they are the focal point of the space
• 1 Beyond PTZ cameras provide dedicated video for each participant
• Crestron Flex Video Conferencing Solutions provide a dedicated Microsoft Teams or Zoom Rooms meeting experience for every space. BYOD capabilities provide the flexibility to choose the preferred platform.
• Crestron AirMedia wireless presentation makes it simple for participants to connect and share content instantly.
• Microphones
• Speakers

DigitalMedia Content Distribution

• Crestron DM NVX AVoIP technology enables users to push content and video feeds to multiple displays throughout the room, either over the network or local to the room.
• Crestron DM Content Distribution provides content share from the network and distributes it throughout the room.
• Displays

Control and Management

• Occupancy Sensors determine when there is a presence in the room and will trigger the Crestron Control System to activate to a predetermined state.
• Crestron XiO Cloud Technology Operations Platform provides monitoring and management of all workplace technologies.
• Environmental control for lighting, shades and temperature can be used manually or pre-programmed based on the individual needs of the space and optimal room comfort.
• Scene management delivers configuration for any type of meeting environment and room setting adjustments with a simple touch of a button.

Cestron DM NVX AVoIP technology

Crestron’s DM NVX software-based video encoding platform has the ability to simultaneously encode four 4K streams, enabling the distribution of native 8K content.

The resolution that 8K provides has implications for everything from dazzling signage to critical government applications.

Crestron DigitalMedia content distribution debuted in the digital age when 1080p resolution became the standard and, as resolution demands have increased, the DigitalMedia portfolio has continuously evolved to support the next generation of resolutions, now up to 8K.

The new DM NVX encoding software features an innovative approach to AVoP content distribution with multi-stream GPU-based encoding that delivers a visually stunning image composed together with multiple streams on a video wall or large format display.

“There are strong indicators that 8K video displays will first appear in retail settings and then quickly emerge in other markets such as government and enterprise. These use cases require a proven AVoIP platform like DM NVX that can equip these environments with the best quality content,” says Andrew Ludke, senior director of product management AV solutions at Crestron. “As companies work to make the office a more appealing place for hybrid workers, these videowalls will play an important role in crafting an engaging content in spaces large auditoriums and training rooms that can replicate the successful experiences created across retail, government, and live event environments.”

There’s something of a “demand loop” created by increased resolutions: An image with more pixels brings a sharper, clearer image to larger screens — which, in turn, helps drive demand for bigger displays. Instead of chaining smaller displays together for large installations like videowalls, one screen will be able to provide the sharp image quality that’s needed for these monumental effects. This translates to more easily discernable details and allows videowalls and signage to handle multiple duties in the modern environment.

8K digital displays in commercial environments

• Retail displays: Video displays have proven to be an enticing tool for attracting and selling to customers in retail establishments. As retail recovers from lockdown, 8K screens are likely to become a differentiator, used both to lure customers into a store and to market products and brands.
• Videowalls:8K is increasingly important for large communications and content display at greater distances. From corporate lobbies to college campuses to government centers, 8K panels will bring much higher resolution and clarity at significantly greater distances.
• Live events: Concerts are designed to be spectacular, and 8K video is likely to become more common across broadcast, sporting events and more.

Per a Mordor Intelligence report, the videowall market is expected to grow at 11% CAGR over the next 5 years, and much of this growth will come from non-traditional installations in corporate and campus spaces. Whether supporting an organization’s brand, providing messaging from other departments, or acting as a delivery medium of company news – digital signage helps workers and students feel connected and informed.

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