The question of when and if to enlist support from a systems integration firm can be met with hesitation by supervisors concerned with escalating costs in the face of a finite budget. But we’d like to turn that consideration on its head. What are the hidden costs of not working with AV systems integrators? It can prove very expensive to proceed without a seasoned professional by your side.
The phrase “You don’t know what you don’t know” comes to mind. Learning all you need to know to build a studio or other AV infrastructure can be cost prohibitive on your own. There’s no Carmax for designing and building the best studio. There’s no app to find the solution that meets every client’s individual needs.
In systems integration, experience matters. There’s absolutely no substitute for it. Integrators have got the scars, bumps and bruises to prove it. As seasoned professionals, they’ve already found unforeseen hurdles in every single project.
It’s the systems integrator’s job to get the full picture and work on behalf of the clients. As one example, manufacturers typically have a pre-established product roadmap for their technology. You may want certain things that aren’t part of that roadmap. But you’re alone in your request, so your concerns may not be met with the urgency you need by the vendor. Systems integrators push the manufacturer on behalf of our clients and may even troubleshoot and figure some things out before the manufacturer. That’s the benefit of having a partner — from the client and the manufacturer’s perspective.
We’ll take you through 10 of the top points to remember when considering bringing on a systems integrator as a partner on your next project.
1. The 10,000 Hour Rule
Author Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000-hour rule” asserts that mastery in any field is achieved after 10,000 hours of intensive practice. Let’s apply this principle to AV systems integration. Professional integrators accumulate countless hours working across a range of facilities, studios and projects. They’re in many different facilities and studios, working with a variety of people in a diverse range of applications. The integrators have already seen what can go wrong so clients don’t have to. Staff within a single studio or facility have limited experience due to the specificity of their environment.
Integrators can identify potential problems related to equipment compatibility, signal routing, workflow efficiency, and scalability. By learning from previous projects, our insight can save time, money, and resources. This collective expertise allows systems integrators to fine-tune each aspect of the AV system, resulting in a more streamlined and functional setup. By adhering to the 10,000-hour rule, the integrators offer clients unparalleled guidance and solutions that stem from years of practical experience.
2. Purchasing Power
Another compelling reason to collaborate with top AV systems integration firms lies in our leverage during equipment procurement. Integrators maintain partnerships with various manufacturers, which grants us considerable purchasing power. A single instance of equipment failure or misalignment can result in the loss of future sales to an integrator. Consequently, manufacturers are motivated to ensure that integrators have access to reliable, well-tested equipment.
Entities working in isolation may not wield the same purchasing power. Partnering with AV systems integrators ensures a seamless selection of equipment and a higher likelihood of project success due to the integrator’s established rapport with manufacturers.
3. Risk Mitigation and Real-World Insight
The risks associated with embarking on an AV project without expert guidance are substantial. Errors in system design, equipment selection, and project management can lead to costly delays, inadequate functionality, and even project failure. AV systems integrators possess a holistic understanding of technology ecosystems and can preemptively address potential bottlenecks and challenges.
Because they work with so many manufacturers, AV systems integrators continually validate how well technologies work together. And they’re constantly working with different, customized applications — it’s never a one-off project.
4. Project Management Expertise
Project management is a critical facet of successful AV system integration. Integrators have dedicated project managers who specialize in overseeing complex projects from inception to completion. This experience-driven approach minimizes the risk of miscommunication, scope creep, and project delays. Integrators know how to balance technical requirements, budget limitations and timeline constraints to deliver a fully functional AV system on schedule.
When organizations attempt to manage projects on their own, they often face the opportunity cost of redirecting valuable internal resources away from their core competencies. Staff members who are experts in their respective fields may not possess the project management skills necessary for seamless execution. This can lead to suboptimal results, strained resources and project failure.
Even under the best circumstances, if the person managing the project doesn’t have the background required, everything can be derailed.
5. Job Protection
We’ve all seen where very intelligent, high-level decision makers lose their jobs after a project goes sideways. It’s not their fault. They may be editors or creative service directors or from other positions that find themselves in charge of something they have not been trained to do. They may not understand the technology or have project management experience. When you don’t know how to approach the work, you become very reactive. That means spending your time throwing things at the wall to see what sticks and putting out fires. Whereas, if you hire the right person who’s done this before, that person will start with a very methodical approach. They already have a bunch of tools in their arsenal, and so they know how to apply these things in a very timely and cost-effective manner.
6. Cost of Missed Work
If you do decide to move forward without any support from a systems integrator or other partner, the person leading the project must get up to speed quickly and learn about all the available solutions. With that comes the cost of them not doing their primary job. And if they get it wrong, you’re ultimately paying for that project again. You’re paying for the first time which was wrong, and then you must wait a while, while getting the new solution designed and implemented. It will take more time, effort and money than if you’d done it right the first time.
There’s a great deal of wasted time between when you first think the solution is not working and when you finally throw in the towel. By the time you decide to bring in help, you’ve spent a lot of money and time trying to make things right.
7. Opportunity Costs
In the case of broadcasters, there have been cases where someone opts for a solution that doesn’t work within their system and causes missed commercial insertions. Not only do they receive a fine, but they must pay back the advertisers. This represents an opportunity cost because they didn’t select the most effective system in the first place. A systems integrator can see the whole horizon and know ahead of time what will work well together.
Organizations may also neglect to involve all the right teams initially. If you don’t involve the IT team right off the bat there may be certain things that your network is not capable of handling that you’re not aware of. If you bring them in at the end of the project, it’s too late.
8. A Broad View
A manufacturer sees one piece of the puzzle while an integrator sees the whole puzzle. And odds are whatever the project is, integrators have a client who has done that before. Whatever solution an SI selects will be the best one for that particular workflow need. AV systems integrators can provide valuable insights, even if they’re not hired for equipment selection, that will speed up the project and keep costs down.
9. Available at Any Stage
An important point to note is that it’s never too late to call in support. Unexpected things are bound to happen, and we’re used to being brought in at different points. Obviously, systems integrators ideally like to be brought in at the beginning as that is most beneficial for clients. But, if you’re in a pickle and you feel like something is just not working, please reach out to a systems integrator.
10. Value of a Team
It’s always wise to work with a trusted partner who’s been down the road you’re travelling many times and can point out the potholes along the way. It’s invaluable to work with someone who has the insight of multiple projects in many different places and who maintains good relationships with the technology providers that need to work together.
In essence, you don’t have to take this journey alone. Systems integrators always stand by your side and offer their expertise and support as they determine the best possible design path for your future.
Tyler Berry (left) is sales director, central region, ASG and Kelly Fox (right) is strategic account executive at ASG.
