Keeping it Simple for Professional Results

There is no question that technology is astonishing and can make life so much simpler and increase productivity when it is applied correctly and you know how to use it. After all, I am writing this on a phone that directed me to the waiting room I am in, having avoided heavy traffic, played my music on the way and reminded me about the appointment in the first place.

There are times however when technology is used for technology’s sake. In the AV world , over complicated systems are often installed that on paper sound fantastic and give clients every option under the sun as long as they are an AV technician themselves! I often get calls about systems that work perfectly when installed but for whatever reason a piece of equipment is replaced which throws out the programming and leaves the operator with a limited system or a large bill for reprogramming.

Of course there are many applications where this level of installation is necessary. However very often, systems are made too complicated and leave the end user with a system they don’t fully understand, which in turn gives them added hassle and embarrassment when trying to load a client’s laptop wasting valuable time.

This is true of some work we carried out recently in a local company’s board room.  The original installation had used the buildings network to run a HDMI signal from a desk mounted input to a screen less than 7m away.  To achieve this there were several format changes, as well as routing through network switchers etc. In theory this should be fine but in reality, it simply wasn’t fit for purpose and left the client struggling every time it was needed and they didn’t even bother trying with Mac’s.

Our solution was to simplify everything. They had no need for the signal to go anywhere but the screen in the boardroom.  So we replaced the table mounted inputs, and ran a HDMI directly to input 1 on the screen.  They also often used the room for presentations in theatre style which in the past had required a trailing cable through the seats, so we put a new input at the front of the room in input 2.  Very simple and very effective. One – because it works first time every time;  and two – because it allows them to operate it as they would their tv at home which makes it far more intuitive.

We did ensure that cabling was 4k compatible for future development, but other than that we stuck to the principle of keeping it simple for a professional, easy to use result.

“We had an AV system in our Boardroom which was unreliable at best and looked unprofessional to clients when they came in with laptops/iPads etc that couldn’t connect.  Rob came in, quickly assessed and understood the situation and offered an affordable and robust solution.  Rob and his team were great, really prompt and professional when they came in to do the work and have done an excellent job.  It has absolutely revolutionised the facilities we are able to offer and everyone is commenting on the speed and reliability of the system.  I can highly recommend Rob and his team for any job, big or small and are thrilled with our new AV system.”

 

Sophie Brewer

Office Manager

AW Cockwards Partnership