The modern workforce has transformed rapidly in the last few years, with remote employment and virtual meetings commonplace throughout the business world. It’s all made possible by advances in technology that have enabled seamless, effective, and secure communication over any physical distance. These advances have enabled companies to hire the best talent regardless of location, continue operations during emergencies, and enhance productivity.
However, building a communication infrastructure from scratch is a challenge for companies. Plus, the cost of acquiring equipment and hiring an internal team to set up and maintain everything is a major capital investment. But there is an alternative that allows companies to ramp up their capabilities — AV managed services.
Managed AV companies, also known as audiovisual as a service, provide a subscription-based model that allows companies to implement AV solutions without having to purchase equipment or hire new employees. Instead, AV managed services provide companies with the optimal hardware, along with maintenance and support, for a monthly fee. This allows businesses to focus on their core operations while leaving management of AV technology to the experts.
But not all AVaaS companies are created equal. Choosing the right AV managed services provider is crucial to ensure efficient enterprise collaboration. Here are five factors to consider when selecting a provider:
1. Technical Expertise
The first and most critical factor to consider is the provider’s technical expertise. A reliable provider should have a team of certified professionals with the necessary technical knowledge and skills to manage all aspects of AV technology. The provider should be up-to-date with the latest technological trends and innovations to ensure that their partners are getting the most out of their AV technology investment. Consider the amount of time the company has been in business, and look into the background and qualifications of their leadership team, especially their CTO.
2. Reliability
Having a communication infrastructure that works poorly is almost worse than not having one at all. Disruptions like dropped calls, poor video quality, and outages aren’t only frustrating, but they contribute to lost productivity and jeopardize high-stakes meetings. Evaluate any potential vendor carefully by looking through their portfolio and asking them to provide referrals, and be sure to follow up on them.
In addition, every contract with a managed AV vendor should come with a service level agreement (SLA) that defines exactly what the vendor will provide, and outlines what remedies or penalties are in place if the promised level of service is not achieved. It’s important to make sure that any SLA you accept meets the needs of your organization.
3. Cost-Effectiveness
Managed AV companies offer a variety of different payment models and price tiers. Look for providers that provide flexibility should you need to scale up, scale down, or make a pivot. Typical pricing models for AVaaS firms include pay-as-you-go, fixed price contracts, or a hybrid approach. Determining which option is best for your organization depends on your specific situation, requirements and future plans. Ultimately, you want an AVaaS provider that will work with you to develop a pricing structure that is tailored to your business.
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4. Customization
There is no one size fits all approach to AVaaS as every company has unique technology requirements. A well managed AV company will be able to listen to and understand your business goals and challenges, and then craft a suite of services that meet those needs. AVaaS firms work with a variety of different software and hardware tools to assemble your communications stack. You’ll want a provider that offers solutions compatible with your existing technology, and one that will grow with you over time as your needs evolve.
5. Customer Support
Support is a critical aspect of any AVaaS contract. Even with the best technology, unexpected errors can occur. The important thing is to have a support model in place to help you resolve any issues that arise. Higher levels of support will likely result in higher costs, but for some companies, having on-demand help 24/7 is absolutely essential. Check the SLA to make sure that the level of support that is provided meets your expectations.
Secure Efficient Collaboration with the Right AV Managed Services Provider
AVaaS is often critical to a company’s day-to-day operation, so finding the right vendor is a major decision that should not be taken lightly. Do your due diligence and evaluate a number of potential companies. If you’d like to consider Yorktel as your managed services provider, reach out to one of our experts to walk you through everything we have to offer.
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