I had to create this graphic. I think that this is a relatively representative illustration of how the Audio and Visual services market views Higher Education. The University has its core mission and objectives with clearly identified and defined requirements as they relate to the individual colleges.
But when it comes to AV related coordination, each College operates as its own island. What is a bit peculiar is that communication between islands is like paddling an Outrigger between each island during a Typhoon.
A major University is attempting to standardize on a visual communications platform. However, each of the Colleges under the University umbrella have their own unique set of requirements. This results in a coordination nightmare. Where the Universities are critically aware of their functional roles, with some insight into a specific colleges demands and roles, they continue to remain independent islands.
A Universities ability to capture the broad base of technological solutions, and establish a best fit solution is severely throttled back. Reverting to the Island metaphor, its like each Island has its own airline for intra-island travel. With the Govenor of the Islands saying, its time for us to establish inter island travel with each airline operating with its own set of rules, without Air Traffic Controllers. Soon, Planes are dropping out of the sky. Or, money sinking in the ocean.
Where as service providers we want to facilitate the dialogue, and leave the politics at the front door. With a clear agenda focusing on best value to the Universities, we can only hope that our voices will be heard.
I am sure that I will get a sympathetic ear from my constituency on the next issue. AV is often relegated to the very end of University projects. I think that this is attributable to a consumer base culture in understanding AV. It is inevitable that AV is the black sheep showing up to the end of a multi-million dollar renovation, or new build. We are pinned in the corner with coordination problems, missing infrastructure, insane time lines, and frequent design changes. Our organization, and my fellow Integrators strive to maintain time lines, relationships and system integrity in the middle of emergent, and even crisis conditions.
As an industry, we step up to the plate, over and over again. But as an industry, we desire to be the impetus for establishing bridges to each of the islands.
But when it comes to AV related coordination, each College operates as its own island. What is a bit peculiar is that communication between islands is like paddling an Outrigger between each island during a Typhoon.
A major University is attempting to standardize on a visual communications platform. However, each of the Colleges under the University umbrella have their own unique set of requirements. This results in a coordination nightmare. Where the Universities are critically aware of their functional roles, with some insight into a specific colleges demands and roles, they continue to remain independent islands.
A Universities ability to capture the broad base of technological solutions, and establish a best fit solution is severely throttled back. Reverting to the Island metaphor, its like each Island has its own airline for intra-island travel. With the Govenor of the Islands saying, its time for us to establish inter island travel with each airline operating with its own set of rules, without Air Traffic Controllers. Soon, Planes are dropping out of the sky. Or, money sinking in the ocean.
Where as service providers we want to facilitate the dialogue, and leave the politics at the front door. With a clear agenda focusing on best value to the Universities, we can only hope that our voices will be heard.
I am sure that I will get a sympathetic ear from my constituency on the next issue. AV is often relegated to the very end of University projects. I think that this is attributable to a consumer base culture in understanding AV. It is inevitable that AV is the black sheep showing up to the end of a multi-million dollar renovation, or new build. We are pinned in the corner with coordination problems, missing infrastructure, insane time lines, and frequent design changes. Our organization, and my fellow Integrators strive to maintain time lines, relationships and system integrity in the middle of emergent, and even crisis conditions.
As an industry, we step up to the plate, over and over again. But as an industry, we desire to be the impetus for establishing bridges to each of the islands.
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