The Benefits of Cloud-based AV Management

The events of the last few years have accelerated the business world’s embrace of cloud technologies and services, with tasks such as virtual machines, storage, directories, data bases, email and video conferencing now commonly running on cloud-based platforms that simplify internal IT management.

While the platforms for these tasks are largely operated by major third-party technology companies, any related physical components on site, such as servers, PCs, network equipment, storage and phone systems, still require active management and daily upkeep by IT staff.

At the same time, AV technologies, and videoconferencing in particular, have become increasingly vital to daily operations. These converging trends present a new opportunity for IT integrators to sell and install AV hardware and supporting cloud-based software that helps IT staff work smarter and deliver robust support without requiring physical access.

Listen: My TechDecisions Podcast Episode 115: The Flexibility of Remote Work and Videoconferencing

Cloud-based AV remote network management software allows users to monitor, control, and audit audio and video products and services from any location worldwide. Since the reach of the cloud service extends across national boundaries around the world, its usage dramatically increases an integrator’s market space.

Cloud-based AV software solutions also provide an instant and remote interactivity between AV/IT integrators and their clients which dynamically adjusts the customer experience and makes them co-participants in issue resolution and delivering communication solutions.

Fewer physical site visits

The effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic has driven more people than ever before to work remotely. That makes technology that allows workers to do so, such as cloud services, of greater use and importance.

Cloud-based remote network management software gives integrators awareness of problems within the AV/IT system from anywhere in the world and can provide instant analysis on each issue via email and SMS alerts, dashboard summary information, and targeted device listing and details.

In addition, it also provides an IT manager the ability to resolve any issues that arise remotely. Using cloud-based software, routine tasks such as firmware updates, restart, configuration adjustments, and security enhancements can be completed from miles away, resulting in a potentially significant decrease in physical site visits.

Reducing operating costs

The cloud brings overall efficiency, fewer physical site visits, and (perhaps most importantly) cost savings to IT managers and AV integrators.

Needing only the internet to connect cloud-based remote network management software to an IT and AV system enables a cloud service to be available everywhere: including work, home and mobile devices, at any time.

This dramatically reduces transaction/travel costs for AV/IT professionals who need to travel back and forth to multiple physical sites. In addition, universal technology standards of the internet provide a common, inexpensive, global foundation for AV/IT integration businesses to use, reducing market entry costs.

The information density at your fingertips provided by a cloud-based remote network management solution also reduces information costs and raises service quality. Information processing, storage, and communication become automatic through the cloud rather than manual, dropping expenses dramatically. This autonomy also significantly improves information currency, accuracy, and timeliness.

Additionally, using a cloud service, an integration business need not concern itself with the hardware and software costs, many of the technical aspects of setting up a public web server and maintaining it, the telecommunications links, and the requisite staffing needs.

How to implement cloud into AV/IT integration

The cloud implementation in the IT space entirely depends on the level of usage or assigned role, site setup required, software and installation assistance, and degree of customization desired.

For example, IT professionals that want the cloud software to simply take on a read-only supervision role just need computer operation information, an email address, and details on website browser usage. On the other hand, an AV Management/Help Desk Role for the cloud software would only require some level of understanding around AV device setup, network connectivity, and subnets.

That said, when using cloud-based software for IT Administration – materials, cooperation, and help are required from site IT staff.

The requirements from the IT staff vary based on the actions one wishes to manage via the cloud management software. IT support on the implementation of cloud management software can include:

Computer or virtual server setup and maintenance skills.
User/password management coupled with LDAP directory services.
Email server setup, usage, and settings.
Server and network firewall controls, computer virus detection, and other device security precautions, as some IT staff may require some degree of virus protection for servers on their networks.
Understanding of network technologies such as FTP, TCP, UDP, DHCP.
Network setup and maintenance

The future of the AV/IT cloud

The convergence of cloud-managed AV and IT services has been on the horizon for many years, but decision makers remained hesitant about investing in new systems until cloud technology gained wider acceptance and support.

With the Covid-19 pandemic pushing millions of office employees to work remotely for the past two years, there’s now a spotlight on the need for powerful, reliable cloud solutions that ensure consistently excellent virtual collaboration experiences.

Operating and maintaining these cloud-based solutions inevitably falls to IT staff, with on-site AV hardware and cloud software now both able to be managed remotely. This presents a new avenue for integrators to sell the latest solutions to clients looking to simplify AV maintenance and stay ahead of ever-changing office cultures and requirements.

Those that don’t embrace cloud-based remote management run the risk of becoming obsolete as other integrators leverage new technologies to deliver the latest functions and benefits such as rapid issue resolution and long-term cost savings to clients of all sizes.

For AV/IT professionals and companies who are focused on the future, the journey to the cloud is in full motion.