AV Technology - February/March 2009 - (Page 16) ANATOMY OF AN AV PROJECT While AV projects come in all shapes, sizes, and budgets, there are some common characteristics that set them apart from other types of building or technology projects. • Architect • AV designer • Interior designer • Other industry or trade-specific consultants Installation Team: This group provides construction and installation services and may include the following groups or individuals: • General contractor • AV Integrator • Other industry or trade-specific contractors (mechanical, electrical, structural, data/telecom, lighting, etc.) Management Team: This group provides management services on the project and is usually associated with, or represents, the owner in some way: • Developer • Constructions manager • Building management agency • Move consultant Architects: When a system is critical to overall business operations and being designed into a new structure, an architect and other specialists may be involved in system design. The architect is ultimately responsible for helping users translate their vision into a physical reality. That “big picture” may not be evident to the AV/IT integrator, whose focus is on other details. AV systems have long ago advanced beyond the portable systems that were simply rolled into the room on a cart when needed, and returned after use. Installed AV systems have become an integral part of a building’s infrastructure, like HVAC, lighting, and furnishings. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for AV consultants, systems integrators, and professionals from other disciplines to be involved in the AV system design and installation process. THE PLAYERS Any AV/IT project necessarily involves the combined efforts of multiple teams who may have different perspectives and interests in the overall project. Owner Team: This is the entity or entities that are the actual “buyers” of the AV/IT systems. The owner team may include several groups who participate in the project process: • End-user • Facility manager • AV or IT technology manager • Building committee • Buyer, purchasing agent, or contract representative Design Team: This group designs the building and the systems and may include the following groups or individuals: THE PROJECT TEAM: While coordination is required among members of the design team, contracts may require that all communication between parties flow through the contracted or sanctioned lines of communication indicated here by the dashed or solid lines. [Source: InfoComm International] 16 GUIDE TO WORKING WITH AV INTEGRATORS
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