Gaining a Competitive Advantage through AV Managed Services

The evolution of UC and video conferencing technology continues at pace, constantly shifting and shaping the way businesses engage and collaborate in the workplace, among both colleagues and clients.

Hybrid models are very much part of most organizations’ workplace strategies and impact the requirements for collaboration technology upgrades. As people head back to the office, the need for smart, versatile audiovisual (AV) systems that operate across multiple meeting room configurations is driving new investment in this category, as discussed in our article “Why You Should Include Audiovisual Solutions In Your UC Services.”

The “it will do” attitude of previous years is no longer acceptable. Expectations are high, and clients now want videoconferencing solutions that are built on performance and delivery, and that are scalable and work across leading cloud-based collaboration systems. As a result, there is now more demand than ever for IT service providers to support these evolving workplace trends with end-to-end UC solutions, including conferencing software, room endpoints and services.

AV managed services have been the focus of much discussion in recent years as another value add to managed service offerings or existing service contracts. Many MSPs are considering their options to move into this growing market — not only to generate a healthy new revenue stream, but also to strengthen client engagement, better differentiate themselves from competitors and gain an advantage by virtue of offering bespoke AV solutions.

Traditionally, delivery and management of AV systems was perhaps best suited to those with specialist knowledge. MSPs would usually outsource such requests, with the caveat of adding complexity to account management and risk to long-term client relationships. In a push to internalize audiovisual competencies, more and more providers of IT services are now creating or expanding in-house expertise, either through mergers and acquisitions or by onboarding new talent.

While competent hiring in itself is a challenge faced by MSPs (as highlighted in the Channel Futures’ 2022 Q4 MSP Quarterly Survey), diversification of services can have a positive impact on their ability to attract talent from a wider pool. High-calibre tech specialists fluent in the language of AV can bolster the overall knowledge and experience of MSP businesses. This may even attract interest from private equity firms looking to strengthen investments, or MSPs can use it as a platform to build and expand further.

Strategies to build up AV competencies to capture market potential are substantially aided by ongoing technological developments. The latest audio and videoconferencing solutions have been created to be easier to implement, operate and manage, making a successful move into the audiovisual sector yet more viable for IT providers. Simplified endpoint technology now allows MSPs to effectively manage clients’ increasingly complex AV needs and maintain customer satisfaction and retention, while no longer needing to outsource or subcontract.

Shure, a leading global manufacturer of professional audio solutions, conceived its range of audio ecosystems with IT in mind. The Stem Ecosystem, as an example, delivers a highly flexible mix-and-match concept that scales into any meeting space. It features comprehensive platform tools that essentially self-manage, while also offering an API for remote management and monitoring of endpoints across a client’s network to keep on top of any potential issues.

Users want to engage in immersive conversations with colleagues and clients, without any compromise on performance. As clients’ needs for effective collaboration continue to grow, AV Managed Services can offer a real advantage to those IT solution and services companies looking to make the most of the business potential — and to stand out from the crowd.

This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.