The three Ss rising up the pro AV agenda

With research suggesting the pro-AV market is set to deliver consistent growth for at least the rest of this decade, the outlook for the industry is positive. Demand for technologies including AI, IoT and big data is creating opportunities across verticals and around the globe, as pro AV is increasingly acknowledged as a way to improve environments and deliver incredible experiences. 

The scope of the market is also leading to a growing number of collaborations, partnerships and ecosystems, designed to ensure end users can easily gain access to the suppliers, distributors and service providers they need. 

Across the industry, many decisions are being made with sustainability in mind. Manufacturers are responding to this by developing products that have a lower environmental impact, whether that’s by using more recycled material, consuming less power or investing in more sustainable practices at factories and offices. Many have now developed sustainability roadmaps, detailing their plans for years to come. However, the general consensus is that more can be done across the entire supply chain and end users, many of whom have now signed up to specific sustainability targets, will continue to push for change. 

There is a similar situation when it comes to security, with AV technology manufacturers being pushed to ingrain high levels of security in their devices. Many are now bolstering these features to meet the needs of end users in key markets such as command and control, education and corporate. 

As the complexity and sophistication of cyber threats continues to grow, technology that can adapt, handle the growing amount of data these organisations are producing and offer an intuitive user experience, all without sacrificing security, will be increasingly in demand. 

While the industry seems to be heading in the right direction when it comes to sustainability and security, one concern that is proving difficult to solve is the ongoing skills shortage. As the industry competes against traditional IT and now the broadcast sector as the convergence with AV continues, it can be a challenge to find people with the necessary technical skills and experience. And, as service offerings become more important, so too does having the right people able to deliver this. 

While there have been multiple initiatives to try to address this, including the AVIXA-led AV Career Day, held each year at ISE, and CEDIA’s NextGen Programme, the fact that the industry is constantly evolving, moving into new sectors and experiencing new areas of growth means this is a challenge that will need a co-ordinated long-term plan to make a difference. 

A key part of this will also be the increased industry focus on training – whether that’s attracting new faces with apprenticeships and internships or encouraging those already in the industry to stay longer with more opportunities for professional development. Initiatives to attract a more diverse workforce are also having an impact here.