Commercial Integrator November 2022 - 20

Networking
to the ease of software updates and even
hardware virtualization.
AVIXA's Wargo observes that, fundamentally,
integrators have always been responsible
for routing content around spaces;
indeed, he cites an application as simple as
routing audio content using analog speaker
wire. " What we've learned, " Wargo begins,
" is that, now, that can be more efficiently
handled and fairly accurately handled. " The
process centers on compressing digital
content, optimizing it for transmission and
routing it over networks. With integrators
and their clients leveraging today's superior
compression algorithms, they're realizing
tremendous efficiency gains as applications
enlarge in scale.
In my interviews with subject-matter
experts, they consistently emphasize
scale as a key motivator for employing
AVoIP. Eric Snider, CTS-D, chief technology
officer with Conference Technologies
Inc. (CTI), declares, " In AV routing,
anytime you are over a 4x4 configuration,
you should consider AVoIP. " Mechdyne's
Peterson ballparks the threshold at any
system with more than 16 endpoints,
where a 16x16 matrix switcher would be
needed. He expresses the view that, in
such a situation, opting for AVoIP is " a
no-brainer, " remarking, " An AV-over-IP
system just makes so much more sense "
than going up to 16x16, 32x32, 64x64
(and larger) matrix switchers, which tends
to be cost-prohibitive. And even setting
aside expense, Solutionz Inc.'s chief
technology officer, Jay Armand, notes that
availability could be an issue, saying larger
128x128 and 64x64 switcher chassis and
blades are being discontinued by some
manufacturers, thus essentially forcing the
migration to AVoIP solutions.
'The idea that you can
just multi-purpose
an existing network
infrastructure to
handle all of the robust
needs that an AVover-IP
networked AV
system would have...
it's not recommended.'
- Sean Wargo, senior
director of market
intelligence, AVIXA
20
Seizing Opportunity,
Reaping Rewards
AVIXA's Wargo shares some eye-popping
figures that reflect just how sizeable the
AVoIP phenomenon has become. " As you
start to parse down the technologies, it's
really easy to get toward that 50% to 60%
of revenue is somehow impacted by, or reliant
on, or part of this phenomenon of AVover-IP, "
he notes. In fact, he says, AVIXA
research indicates that spending on these
kinds of solutions has hit between $130
billion and $140 billion. Further underscoring
the point, Wargo, who identifies
conference and collaboration as the top
solution area, declares, " [A solution like]
that doesn't happen without some significant
amount of network AV-over-IP kind
of functionality. " The value proposition is
equally clear in other dominant solution
areas, such as content production and
streaming; meanwhile, digital signage,
of course, requires a reliable method of
feeding dynamic content.
With AVoIP now increasingly prevalent
across many applications, it's natural to
wonder whether particular verticals stand
to benefit most. " I feel AVoIP solutions
are viable for nearly any vertical market, "
Diversified's Mitchell declares from the
outset. " But, " he explains, " the most
purchase would be enterprise environCommercial
Integrator NOVEMBER 2022
TD SYNNEX on
Ushering in ServiceBased
Integration
As the lines between AV and IT continue
to blur, TD SYNNEX sees an opportunity
to usher in a new era of service-based
integration that can offer
higher margins. Being able to bundle
network connectivity, cybersecurity
and physical security makes for a
highly specialized integrator. While
most devices are now on the network,
it's becoming clearer how to
separate the types of devices by
purpose. Our portfolio of Wireless
connectivity vendors has simplified
separating security-critical devices
like laptops, phones and cameras to
more secured Wi-Fi networks, while
keeping convenience-oriented IoT
devices separate.
It's important to ensure that
these systems are co-operative. If
your system is going to live on a network
managed by others, then you'll
need to play by their rules while also
communicating what's needed for
the system to work properly. Many
large systems are opting to merge
AV and IP to narrow the scope of
security tools needed to maintain the
environment. For smaller systems, it's
best to reduce complexity and work
with a separate network.
Whatever the approach, network
security should be at the
forefront. TD SYNNEX or a trusted
IT professional can create a plan
with zero network vulnerabilities.
We also help clients navigate the variety
of security protocols, selecting
the right one for your application
and maintaining standards with
compliancy laws. We speak all the
languages needed to be successful
here - AV, networking and finance
- and we can build out custom
enablement programs tailored to
suit the needs of any reseller
go-to-market strategies.
commercialintegrator.com
http://www.commercialintegrator.com
Commercial Integrator November 2022

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