Systems Contract News May 2026

YOUR INSIDER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

The Next Generation of Pro AV Stays On Course for Success AVNETWORK.COM

MAY 2026

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

THE INTEGRATION GUIDE TO

COMMAND AND CONTROL

YOUR INSIDER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

The Next Generation of Pro AV Stays On Course for Success AVNETWORK.COM

MAY 2026

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

THE INTEGRATION GUIDE TO

COMMAND AND CONTROL

CONTENTS

11

The Nine Younger professionals are on course for success in

the Pro AV industry.

Business 10 SCN Announces Stellar Service Awards Learn what manufacturers, distributors, and integrators have been recognized for excellent service.

The Integration Guide to Command and Control 16 A Centralized Approach Real-time crime centers streamline police surveillance—with an assist from Pro AV gear—for faster response times.

By Michael Grotticelli

Technology 30 Tech Perspectives Collaboration hardware manufacturers have gone from rivals to roommates and back again.

By David J. Danto

Viewpoint 34 The Expertise Trap AI is a force multiplier, not a shortcut.

By Joseph Cornwall

16

Departments 4 SYSTEMS CHECK 6 NEWS

32 PRODUCTS

Vol. 33 No. 5 May 2026 Systems Contractor News (ISSN 1078-4993) is published monthly by Future B2B. 130 W. 42nd St, 7th Floor, NY NY 10036. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 254 Lowell MA 01853.

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avnetwork.com // May 2026 // SCN

3

SYSTEMS CHECK

MARK J. PESCATORE Content Director

Can You Please Keep It Down?

W

Contributors Erin Budnik, James Careless, Joseph Cornwall, David J. Danto, Michael Grotticelli, Jennifer Guhl, Carolyn Heinze

porated fancy new ideas at the time, including retractable accordion walls that could

Managing Vice President of Sales, B2B Tech Adam Goldstein, adam.goldstein@futurenet.com, 212-378-0465

hen I started the fifth grade, my elementary school moved from its old facility (which has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places) to a brand-new structure about two miles away. Apparently, the

EMAIL

mark.pescatore@futurenet.com

architects failed to put on their listening ears when designing this structure. It incorturn four regular-sized classrooms into one big classroom.

FACEBOOK

facebook.com/ systemscontractor

In theory, this meant classrooms could be combined for lessons and special presentations. In reality, it just meant that concrete walls were replaced by accordion walls with limited acoustic insulation. Not the prudent choice for children outgrowing their afternoon naps and hopped up on half-pints of chocolate milk.

The school library was located roughly in the center of the building between the two

LINKEDIN linkedin.com/company/ systems-contractor-news

main hallways. Back then, libraries were all about embracing the quiet. So, the designers of my school decided to create a library with half walls open to the major traffic areas within the educational institution.

Yes, you read that correctly. If you wanted to lose yourself in the adventures of The Five Chinese Brothers or Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, your imagination would

X x.com/scnmag

avnetwork.com

have to contend with various classes of students walking by for things like lunch or physical education.

I literally read and write for a living, so I work better when it’s quiet. Fast forward to my early days in trade publishing, I worked in an office with an open floorplan and sat in a cubicle. Nothing wrong with that, unless you didn’t want to hear every conversation, keystroke, chair creak, paper shuffle, pen tap, drawer close, or water cooler gurgle.

Recently, EPOS shared results from its exclusive online customer survey. It found that “noisy open plan office distractions” are the top concern for professionals, and minimizing those distractions is a top priority. Office distractions aren’t the only concern; EPOS also found respondents were concerned with microphone performance (31%), active noise cancellation (21%), and managing noise levels (14%). The research came on the heels of last fall’s introduction of its IMPACT 500 on-ear Bluetooth headset, which has features designed to improve focus and reduce listening fatigue.

Of course, it’s not just about investing in equipment—it’s about investing in the right equipment. For example, whether it’s for phone calls or listening to music while I cook dinner, I use a bone conduction headset. It’s lightweight and the open-ear design is ideal for my home use. That said, I would not be tempted to bring them to work in our company’s New York office, because they don’t isolate me from office noise.

Even though it’s not a work environment, we can look to my daughter’s dance competitions to illustrate the importance of ANC. For those of you who aren’t “dance dads” like me or fellow SCN staff

MAY 2026 VOL. 33 NO. 5 CONTENT

Content Director Mark J. Pescatore, Ph.D. mark.pescatore@futurenet.com Senior Content Manager Wayne Cavadi

Art Editors Rob Crossland, Sam Richwood Production Managers Nicole Schilling, Heather Tatrow A DV E R T I S I N G S A L E S

Sales John Casey, john.casey@futurenet.com, 845-678-3839 Janis Crowley, janis.crowley@futurenet.com, 845-414-6791 Debbie Rosenthal, debbie.rosenthal@futurenet.com, 212-378-0468 Zahra Majma, zahra.majma@futurenet.com, 845-678-3752 Andi Tureson, andi.tureson@futurenet.com, 646-544-0007 SUBSCRIBER CUSTOMER SERVICE

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130 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10036

member Wayne Cavadi, there are a few universal truths associated with these things. At the top of the list: No matter what organization produces the event or what facility hosts the event, the music is always way too loud.

It’s an unsuitable use case for bone conduction, but my earbuds with adaptive ANC shine. I can still hear the music and announcements (no ANC is that good), but I don’t come home with a splitting headache. Bonus: In a darkened high school auditorium or community arts center, they aren’t terribly conspicuous.

EPOS IMPACT 500

Whether you’re dealing with cubicles, accordion walls, or just an active office environment, leaping out of your seat to deliver the loudest “Shhhh!” on record won’t solve your noise problems at work. Thankfully, there’s plenty of technology out there to help stop the noise. Find what form factor fits you best and rediscover your concentration.

4

SCN // May 2026 // avnetwork.com

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NEWS

FORTÉ Research Dives into AI, Collaboration Spaces

By Wayne Cavadi

AI-enabled collaboration is no longer a trend or differentiator; AI is becoming a collaboration standard,

T

and it is doing so much sooner than later. oday’s collaboration spaces seem to be evolving at a lightning-quick pace—and it has not

Yandell spoke to three of the six key findings that stood out in the report.

Apogee Insight Acquires PMA Research

been an easy task to keep both remote and

Reliability is the biggest barrier to productive

in-person employees happy. As Keith Yandell, EVP

meetings. “Nearly half of respondents cited

of innovation, FORTÉ, explained, there has been a

technology not working properly as the top reason

consistent market disconnect, leading companies

meetings fail,” Yandell said. “Fixing failure points

I

to struggle with delivering reliable and dependable

delivers greater value than adding more tech

place, including regional staff in Japan and Taiwan,

meeting experiences.

features.”

ensuring uninterrupted service for clients.

That disconnect is what prompted FORTÉ to

AI investment is shifting toward operational

n March, Apogee Insight announced its acquisition of PMA Research, an authority in professional video projector and display market

intelligence. The existing PMA team will remain in

PMA Research traces its origins to Pacific Media

commission a proprietary digital

intelligence. “IT leaders are

Associates, founded by Dr. Bill Coggshall, whose

survey last November to understand

reframing AI’s role, prioritizing AI

pioneering work established tracking and analyzing

the current state and future

capabilities that work in the

the global projector market. The company was

direction of meeting room and

background to prevent failures,

renamed PMA Research in 2013 when Nick Rogers

collaboration space technology,

monitor room health, and reduce

assumed leadership following Dr. Coggshall’s

with a heavy focus on AI solutions in

manual IT intervention,” he noted.

retirement. With Rogers now retiring, Apogee Insight

the conference room. The State of Modern Collaboration

“AI is increasingly viewed as operational

has acquired the organization, including its extensive

Spaces report (available for download on FORTÉ’s

infrastructure.”

historical datasets, experienced research team, and

website) compiled the insights of 512 U.S.-based

Meeting room failures are an IT efficiency problem.

its portfolio of industry reports and services.

C-level and AV/IT leaders who contribute to decisions

“Leaders estimate IT teams could reclaim an

The acquisition will allow the organization to

about meeting room and collaboration space

average of 52 hours per month if meeting room

extend its coverage beyond displays and into adjacent

technology within their organizations.

issues were eliminated,” Yandell explained.

and emerging categories. Apogee Insight founders

What was discovered was that AI-enabled

“Reactive troubleshooting is a recurring drain on IT

Lee Dodson and Sean Wargo will direct the

collaboration is very prevalent in modern meeting

resources. Proactive monitoring affords more time

organization forward, expanding the research

spaces; however, problems still arise. “While

for higher-value initiatives.”

portfolio while investing in modern analytics

AI-enabled collaboration tools are widely deployed,

Yandell concluded that AI can do much

technologies and additional proprietary data sources

meetings still fail too often due to reliability issues,

for collaboration spaces of the future, but

to support the evolving display market. Dodson will

join friction, and reactive support,” Yandell said.

the foundation must come first. “Success

serve as COO and Wargo will serve as chief analytics

“This was a trend that FORTÉ saw repeatedly

will come from environments that detect

officer of PMA Research.

across customer engagements and support data.

issues before meetings start, reducing

“PMA Research has earned its reputation over

Organizations are investing more and upgrading

human and IT intervention,” he said.

decades as the definitive source of display market

more frequently yet are still struggling to

“Aside from management, collaboration

intelligence,” said Dodson. “Our priority is to

deliver dependable meeting

itself is heading toward a reality

preserve that legacy and build on it—expanding the

experiences.”

where AI is an active

scope of research, strengthening the data foundation,

participant. The key to success

and giving our clients deeper insight into a display

despite AI being arguably the

will rely on user adoption and

market that continues to evolve.”

biggest buzzword in Pro AV for

meeting spaces that foster

The report also revealed that,

years, there are still reservations in full AI adoption. However,

co-creation between human

Keith Yandell

and machine.”

CTI Announces Two Acquisitions CTI has acquired Streamline Solutions of Seattle

used daily in courts across the United States, and

and Nomad AV Systems of Eden Prairie, MN.

later expanded to include full AV design and

Streamline Solutions brings a 17-year history of

integration services.

low-voltage AV design and integration to CTI’s

6

CTI serves customers across the United States

Seattle office. Nomad strengthens

and worldwide as a member of the

CTI’s Justice Division with

PSNI Global Alliance. The company

courtroom AV integration

has been growing in recent years,

expertise that began with

with three acquisitions in 2024 and

innovative mobile solutions

another three in 2025.

SCN // May 2026 // avnetwork.com

NEWS

Buffalo’s UB Stadium Gets Overdue AV Overhaul

By Wayne Cavadi

Being that the original scoreboard was installed for those championships, and upgraded to video for the

U

2006-07 season, it was time for a new look for the

Video Technologies was the integrator for the control room update.

“The equipment we were using for the old board

Bulls’ gameday experience. Though the old videoboard

was not going to cut it with the new one, so all that

falo Bulls football team, as well as the track

had what Matt Walfrand, associate athletic director

needed to be updated,” Walfrand explained. “We now

and field and women’s soccer teams. Built

broadcasting, called an “awesome run,” the Bulls

have a combination of Ross production equipment in

in 1993, the stadium holds roughly 30,000 Bulls

gameday staff was still operating 4:3 SD content.

the control room with Daktronics Show Control.”

fans and spectators, and was used for the closing

The new Daktronics scoreboard, installed by

ceremonies for the 1993 World University Games as

Daktronics itself, was completed in September 2025,

gameday experience with a new sound system

well as the 1998 men’s and women’s NCAA Division I

but according to Walfrand, it was quite the grind to get

featuring Fulcrum Acoustic equipment, which will

outdoor track and field championships.

to the finish line in time for college football season. The

also benefit concerts or other performances that may

dismantling of the original board began on July 28, with

come through Buffalo. “We did something completely

a deadline of Sept. 6 for the Bulls football home opener

different with the install of our audio equipment as

against Saint Francis. “[Piros Signs and Daktronics]

well,” Walfrand said. “We took the normal line array

worked fast,” Walfrand said. “I’m not sure if I’ve seen

and pushed it across the top to maximize the video

something like this done in that time frame before.”

area. There was a lot of back and forth about what that

The new 14.4x14.4-foot videoboard, which

was going to do with the audio quality, but it worked

MATT WALFRAND, UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO

B Stadium is home to the University of Buf-

features a 10.1mm pixel pitch, was installed in the north end zone next to the Murchie Family

It was a time crunch, but UB Stadium had a new Daktronics videoboard and much more ready for the 2025 college football season.

8

SCN // May 2026 // avnetwork.com

UB Stadium also enhanced the audio for the

out and everything sounds great.

“Everyone was excited about the videoboard, but

Fieldhouse. It can be used for any event that is held at

what I have received the most excitement about

the stadium; however, since its debut, it has only been

from the administration is the upgraded audio

used for sports.

system. We only had one working horn by the end of

The new videoboard was only half the battle, as it required a full control room rehab as well. Applied

2024—the difference is immense and honestly just sounds amazing.”

NEWS

March: Healthy Demand Despite Increasing Costs

By Erin Budnik

shipping, fleet operation, and personal expense budgets. Equipment and material costs affected by

T

tariffs remain in flux, while our distributors and he AV Sales Index (AVI-S) for March increased

manufacturers do all that they can to support business

slightly to 59.5, showing consistency with

opportunities,” shared an AV integrator in Asia-Pacific.

March 2025. This figure suggests that the

The March AV Employment Index (AVI-E) increased

underlying demand remains healthy despite the

from 52.5 to 55.1 in March. The U.S. labor market

political situation and rising cost concerns.

rebounded in March 2026, adding jobs at a pace well

The most common theme for March by far is

above expectations after a weak February. However,

increasing costs (21%), including higher prices for AV

underlying conditions remain subdued, with slow

equipment, components, fuel, shipping, energy, and

hiring, easing wage growth, and a shrinking labor force

labor. Many survey respondents explicitly cite inflation,

signaling a low hire, low fire environment rather than

tariffs, and vendor price increases as directly squeezing

renewed expansion.

margins, delaying purchases, or forcing project scaling

The Pro AV Business Index report is derived from a

and longer replacement cycles. Even organizations

monthly survey of the AVIXA Insights Community, a

reporting stable demand note that profitability and

research community of industry members that tracks

budgeting are under pressure.

business trends in commercial AV. The report comprises

“Construction projects have dropped off

two diffusion indexes: the AV Sales Index (AVI-S) and

significantly, which is greatly impacting potential

the AV Employment Index (AVI-E). In each case, an

projects. It has also resulted in a more competitive

index above 50 indicates an increase in sales or

bidding space which is driving down potential project

employment activity. For more information about

margins,” shared an AV integrator in North America.

joining the AVIXA Insights Community, visit www.

“Economic conditions affecting our industry are experienced by all of us. Rising fuel costs impact

avixa.org/AVIP. Erin Budnik is the manager of market insight for AVIXA.

avnetwork.com // May 2026 // SCN

9

BUSINESS AWARDS

SCN Announces 2026 Stellar Service Awards

Y

es, there are plenty of awards in the Pro AV

Best Online Training

Best Supporting Content

industry, but there’s something unique about

Platinum: Synergetic Audio Concepts SynAudCon

Platinum: Almo Pro AV E4 Experience

the SCN Stellar Service Awards. The program

Online Audio Training

Manifested 17 years ago by Almo Pro AV to bring

provides an opportunity to recognize and truly appre-

SynAudCon is celebrating 53 years of providing

the industry together in a more localized fashion,

ciate the manufacturers, distributors, and integrators

training to the audio industry. SynAudCon training is

the E4 Experience has become a true AV industry

that deliver excellent service. This year we received

unique because it teaches the principles. Methods will

icon. Designed as a complement to larger, often

more than 1,500 votes from our readers across eight

change, but principles never do. SynAudCon has

cost-prohibitive trade shows, the E4 Experience

award categories, which tells us these awards mean a

trained thousands of audio practitioners worldwide.

delivers a wildly successful and repeatable model:

lot to you as well. Thank you for being a part of our

The principles taught have been implemented and

a free, full-day event that visits four major U.S.

awards program—now, let’s celebrate exceptional

tested on tens of thousands of sound systems.

cities annually, connecting manufacturers and

service.

SynAudCon offers 12 online courses that serve all

integrators through hands-on product access,

levels of expertise and cover a wide range of topics.

education, and meaningful networking. The E4

Training is developed by Pat Brown, a businessman/

Experience continues to grow year-over-year,

Platinum: Shure x Savannah Bananas

engineer who makes the training visual by using

with the 2026 season projected to be another

In the fast-paced world of Banana Ball, there are no

animations, analogies, interactive calculators,

record-breaker in terms of exhibitor and

second chances. For the Savannah Bananas, the goal

demonstrations and real-life scenarios.

integrator attendance.

isn’t just to capture the game, it’s to bring viewers

Gold: Extron Institute

Gold: Shure Tech Pubs

closer to the experience than ever before. Working

Silver: AVIXA On-Demand Training

Silver: Extron Insider

deployed the DCA901 Digital Array Microphone to

Best Project Management Tools

Best Tech Support

meet a uniquely demanding commissioning challenge:

Platinum: D-Tools Cloud

Platinum: ViewSonic Field Solutions

capture player reactions, dugout chatter, crowd

Launched in 2018, web-based D-Tools Cloud is the

The ViewSonic Field Solutions Team demonstrates

energy, and on-field moments across the entire

go-to project management solution for commercial

what support means in today’s Pro AV environment:

stadium without disrupting gameplay or adding

AV integrators worldwide. It includes a full project

knowledgeable and accessible. The team is filled with

complexity. Installed at first base, third base, and

management suite that seamlessly oversees

experts who deliver answers when and where

center field, each array delivers multiple steerable

projects from beginning to end, ensuring jobs are

customers need them. Comprised of CTS-certified

pickup zones through a single Dante connection,

delivered on time and on budget. Project workflows

professionals, the Field Solutions Team brings

streamlining setup while expanding what can be

covered include change orders, tasks, and

technical know-how of the products, from dvLED

captured. The result is a more lively, dynamic, and

scheduling both in office and in the field via a native

and interactive flat panels to Microsoft Teams

immersive broadcast. Engineers can adapt coverage in

mobile app. Its latest innovation is embedded AI for

Rooms and commercial displays. The team provides

real time as the action shifts, while mixers gain precise

product search and writing SOWs. D-Tools Cloud

hands-on, proactive support across the project

control over a fuller, more detailed soundscape.

provides multiple layers of support, including an

lifecycle. From presales engineering and onsite

Gold: Biamp Workplace

embedded, intelligent in-app chat and dedicated

assessments to detailed consultation calls, they help

Silver: Sharp Pro AV Managed Services

Help Center, Knowledge Base, and Video Library on

reduce risk, avoid design issues, and move forward

the website.

with confidence.

Gold: Legrand | AV RackLink Cloud

Gold: WyreStorm Technologies Technical Team

Silver: ProjX360

Silver: Crestron Electronics True Blue

solutions are planned, specified, and delivered. This

Best Sales Operation

Best Value-Added Services

intuitive online tool empowers customers to quickly

Platinum: Extron Sales Operation

Platinum: Zones Specialized Business Practices

discover proven, ready-to-deploy designs for the

Extron’s Sales Operation is built on a simple but

Zones is a global technology solutions and services

most common room types and technologies, ensuring

powerful commitment: knowledgeable, responsive,

company that helps organizations solve complex IT

successful outcomes across projects of any scale. With

and human support, every time. When customers

challenges. Zones provides four specialized business

just a few clicks, users can download comprehensive

contact Extron, they are greeted by an experienced

practices. Its Cloud and Data Center delivers public,

documentation, including AutoCAD drawings and

professional who understands AV technology and is

private, and hybrid cloud infrastructure and

simplified Adobe PDF bubble diagrams, to support

ready to help, not an automated system. Extron’s

managed services. For the Digital Workplace, Zones

faster, more accurate planning. Design Ideas goes

international Sales Support Team ensures that

designs and manages workplace technology

beyond inspiration: Users can seamlessly request

expert assistance is always close at hand, no matter

ecosystems that support hybrid workforces through

Crestron proposals directly from their selected room

where customers are located. From selecting the

unified communication, device management, and

designs, streamlining the path from concept to

right AV solution to navigating technical

AI-driven automation. Its Networking business

execution while reducing friction in the design-to-

requirements or placing an order, the team provides

builds secure, cost-effective network environments

quote process. Backed by Crestron Sales Support

timely, accurate, and personalized guidance

supported by experts who monitor performance,

Services, customers gain direct access to a team of

throughout the process. By combining deep product

manage compliance, and optimize operational

design engineers and specialists who provide expert

knowledge with a service first mindset, Extron’s

efficiency. And its Security specialization provides

guidance on system design, pricing, competitive

Sales Operation delivers an exceptional customer

advanced cybersecurity solutions to help enterprises

analysis, and technical inquiries.

experience that supports long term success.

stay resilient and protected.

Gold: Legrand | AV Chief TiLED Design Tool

Gold: Shure Sales

Gold: Almo Pro AV LinkLab

Silver: Sennheiser Wireless Planner

Silver: SoundPro

Silver: Sharp Pro AV Managed Services

Best Commissioning/Deployment

alongside the Bananas broadcast team, Shure

Best Design Services/Tools Platinum: Crestron Electronics Design Ideas Crestron’s Design Ideas tool redefines the way room

10

SCN // May 2025 // avnetwork.com

THE NINE BUSINESS

Every year, the editorial team at SCN celebrates some of our industry’s younger contributors.

This year’s collection of overachievers is no different.

We’ve got folks who get their hands dirty in the field, create new tools for Pro AV workflows, develop new processes and procedures, provide marketing and educational support, and sell, sell, sell. No matter their niche, all of them are staying on course to improve Pro AV.

Ben Dandola-Grubb

engineering services and assistant VP of engineering, where he fostered collaboration between sales and

Title: VP of Technical Integration Company: Verrex Location: Mountainside, NJ

operations. Now, as VP of technical integration,

Overtime: Dandola-Grubb plays trumpet in the 70-piece Raritan Valley Symphonic

Dandola-Grubb focuses on shaping Verrex’s future

Band, and his Wednesday night practices give him a chance to escape and just focus on

rather than managing individual projects.

music. Apart from music, he enjoys playing with LEGO with his kids or on his own, recreating castles that have

focusing on the evolution of internal processes to

always fascinated him.

Why You Need to Know Him:

“While I still interface with clients regularly, I’m improve efficiency, both pre and post-sales, and on

In 2005, his interest motivated him to proactively

creating workflows for potential new business lines, as

He has spent the past two decades at Verrex,

reach out to Verrex, even though they were advertising

technologies are advancing faster than ever,” he said.

completing more than $80 million in projects as a

a receptionist position, and he secured the role of

project engineer. He has utilized this experience to

assistant project engineer, beginning his two-decade

blend extensive technical expertise with strong

influence internal strategy and operations.

Danndola-Grubb has a unique ability to

career with the company. Dandola-Grubb has grown

interpersonal skills, describing himself as the

Ben Dandola-Grubb never thought he’d make a

alongside Verrex, earning his CTS certification within

nerdy backroom engineer and the most polished

career in the AV industry, but like many others, his

his first year with the company, and quickly taking on

salesperson. He also maintains a calm, solutions-

curiosity and eagerness to learn led him to discover

more complex projects.

oriented mindset and values listening and

something unexpected. “My college degree is in

“I was assigned my first $1 million-plus design-

electrical engineering, and while I figured I’d do

build project as a solo project engineer in 2007,” he

something engineering related as a career, I didn’t

recalled. “The main architect on that construction

know it would be AV,” he said.

project gave me a run for my money the entire time,

to develop—technically sharp, collaborative, and

since I was the 25-year-old kid handling a complex

deeply passionate in delivering results for clients and

project.”

internal teams alike,” said Bill Chamberlin, president

During college, he borrowed a projector weekly for big-screen movie nights—that was pretty much the extent of his AV experience. But after graduation, as he

As the company expanded globally, Dandola-

collaboration. No matter the pressure, he finds solutions to every proble “Ben is the kind of leader every organization hopes

of Verrex. “As he continues to take on larger

explored different job options, he developed an

Grubb supported their growth by helping them

initiatives, what stands out most is his ability to bring

interest in the systems and technologies that shape

complete $25 million in international projects, and he

people together to solve complex challenges.”

modern communication environments.

continued his leadership role as director of global

By Jennifer Guhl

avnetwork.com // May 2025 // SCN

11

BUSINESS THE NINE

Jonathan Goris

technical depth, composure under pressure, and strong client stewardship. He’s now NovaStar and

Title: Service and Field Support Technician Company: Metinteractive

LED certified, and has worked on some of

Location: Connecticut Overtime: Goris is a self-proclaimed TV junkie who also likes to

Metinteractive’s biggest projects including the

solve puzzles to decompress from the Pro AV grind.

Brooklyn Public Library, the University of Connecticut, and People’s Bank Arena—partly

Why You Need to Know Him

up,” Goris said. “It was just something that I

because of his skills, and partly because he values the

In his early 30s, he started all over from scratch, and

naturally took hold of.”

relationship with the customers so highly.

in a short time has become successful in the field and beloved by his colleagues.

He didn’t really have a direction as to where his

So, when did it click? “I can’t pinpoint any one

life was going to take him. Goris had steady work,

project; I mean, this company, we’re always doing

“I didn’t want to live in fear.”

driving for his family’s heating oil business in New

something insane,” Goris said laughing. “I went from

Meet Jonathan Goris, whose story is quite unlike

York City (which his father still owns and operates),

a person that didn’t know a single thing about AV

many in the Pro AV universe. While it is not shocking

until that renowned New York traffic finally caught

technology, and I’ve progressed over the years. When

he wound up in the industry, how he got here is a

up with him. “One day I decided I couldn’t stomach

I decided to make this move, I decided to tell myself

story of chance taking, resilience, and elasticity …

this anymore,” he recalled. “I told my dad I was

that I had nowhere to go back to. So, I made sure that I

and never living in fear of going for it.

going back to school. I needed to finish.”

pushed myself every day to do better, be better.”

Goris was a curious kid, a curiosity he maintains

Even that was an adventure with several twists

Goris’ climb up the Pro AV ladder was not your

to this day. “One of the things my mother hates

and turns for the curious Goris. He started by

typical path. He turned no knowledge of the industry

about me is I do not quit researching something,”

working on an accounting degree and switched to

into something very successful in which he is now

Goris said laughing. “She’ll ask me a question, and

cybersecurity. He moved to Connecticut and was

very passionate.

then say, ‘All right, that’s it.’ No, I [keep going] and

working for a telecommunications company when

When he thinks of the future of Pro AV, he has

need to know the right answer.”

Metinteractive came calling. It was an opportunity

advice for those that maybe don’t know where they

to get out from behind the desk and get back out

are headed just yet. “Never quit,” he said. “There is a

pulling things apart to figure out how they worked.

He was a tinkerer from a young age, always

there. Two weeks later, he started with

world beyond the four walls that you live in. Out of

As he got older, technology was something he truly

Metinteractive, and three-and-a-half years later,

everything in my story, fear is only a construct of

enjoyed, although he admits he never thought of it as

he’s a trusted technician.

your own insecurities. You have to overcome it; just

a career path. “If we got a new soundbar or something for the house, I’d be the one setting it

Goris embodies the spirit of what Metinteractive stands for: a real “figure-outer” who combines

Andrew Harris

don’t let it control what you do.”.

By Wayne Cavadi

insights and process improvement recommendations to streamline service offerings for clients and improve

Title: Senior Manager of Business Operations Company: TRITECH Communications

efficiency across the business. His current role as

Location: Woburn, MA Overtime: He loves anything outdoorsy or related to art and

senior manager of business operations within

music, including attending concerts, playing disc golf, and going on various outdoor

TRITECH’s Business Operations and Systems

adventures with his girlfriend and their dog. But he also spent an entire year taking professional wrestling classes

Technology (BOST) group allows him to oversee and

to help prepare for local wrestling shows.

enhance the ERP system, as well as develop custom workflows and reporting tools. It positions him at the

Why You Need to Know Him

administration. “I attribute my success today to

crossroads of operations and IT, enabling him to

He focuses on streamlining operations to achieve

exposure to different areas of the field as an intern,”

promote data-driven decision-making across the

greater business efficiencies. He credits his experience

Harris said.

organization.

in project management and the support of mentors for shaping the professional he is today.

He quickly excelled and moved into a project

“After several successful years as a project manager,

management role the same year. Within three years,

Andrew’s process-oriented thinking has enabled him to

he was promoted to senior project manager,

successfully lead a team of developers and business

all the pieces come together to help an organization

overseeing a large portfolio of construction projects.

analysts,” said William Ehlinger, SVP at TRITECH

function properly. Starting as an intern and now leading

In 2019, he took on a new position with Diversified,

Communications. “Together, they have developed a

a team focused on enterprise systems and process

offering him the chance to lead large-scale projects

business operations system designed to help TRITECH

innovation, Harris discovered a drive to improve how

across the country.

achieve optimal scalability for the future.”

Andrew Harris has always been fascinated by how

organizations operate—and then got the opportunity to do just that.

“I believe that my passion for learning, gravitation

In 2021, he joined TRITECH Communications and

Looking to the future, Harris aims to stay ahead of

shifted his career from project management to

technological change, especially AI, and to better

operations improvement. As the AV operations

support business operations by leveraging it to

toward problem solving, and ability to see the big

manager for its Boston location, Harris supervised

increase employee productivity and help TRITECH

picture make me a strong leader in the AV industry,”

engineers, project managers, warehouse staff, and

remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. “I

he added.

interns, and focused on process improvements and

take great pride in seeing the beneficial impact of new

client management.

process implementation,” he said. “My favorite part

He began his career after graduating from UMass Lowell in 2015 by securing an operations internship at

Later, Harris implemented a new ERP system to

about the AV industry is that it is ever-changing and

HB Communications, where he gained hands-on

manage TRITECH’s core business processes, which

each day presents new challenges and opportunities.”

experience in field support, warehousing, and

ultimately shaped his current role and provided

By Jennifer Guhl

12

SCN // May 2025 // avnetwork.com

THE NINE BUSINESS

Kiel Hillier

He’s helping develop the EMEA channel, supporting the growth across the region, while also contributing

Title: Director of Global Marketing Company: Zones Location: U.K. Overtime: When

globally through social media platforms, video

Hillier isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, as well as

content, and customer engagement messaging. “I

supporting Manchester United.

want to be part of something, rather than just keeping the engine running,” he added.

Why You Need to Know Him:

SYNNEX) and then TD Maverick, where his focus

What has kept Hillier from contemplating a

Hillier has more than 20 years of experience with

shifted from IT sales to AV. From there, he joined a

career switch? In short, relationships, trade shows,

sales, distribution, integrators, and manufacturers …

local technology integrator before moving to Hitachi

and a “whole mess of cool stuff. A lot of the time, it’s

and hasn’t even turned 39 yet.

to try the manufacturer side of the business. Then, he

been the people. There’s also the opportunity to be

joined Stampede, where he entered management.

part of something genuinely exciting,” he reflected.

Been there, done that.

If there is a slogan for the career of Kiel Hillier,

There were several other roles in between, even a

A self-confessed AV geek, Hillier believes the Pro

it’s just that. In his more than two-decade journey,

return to sales with ViewSonic, but he realized that

AV industry thrives on experience and

he has worked in distribution, with integrators, in

was no longer his passion. Luckily, Zones came

demonstration. “Audiovisual needs to be seen and

vendor roles, and now as a director. “I’ve literally

calling, and he’s been aligning his experience to

heard,” he said. “We need to show people what’s

done every area of AV,” he said laughing.

build the EMEA team since September.

possible.”

In his youth, he tried to keep up with all the

Hillier has had his hands in every area of Pro AV

latest technology that any child of the 90s would

and spent meaningful time in each. “I’ve spent six or

generation of Pro AV. In fact, he feels the industry

love, including a Nintendo 64 and a DJ deck.

seven years with an integrator, three or four years

can do more to nurture young talent, starting with

However, growing up in the U.K., at 16 he had a

with manufacturers, around 10 years in

mentorship.

choice to make: more school or start his career.

distribution,” he recalled. “That’s enough time to

“Find a good mentor,” he advised. “When I first

“At 17, I walked through the door of a technology

actually learn and understand how each part of the

started, there were people who genuinely wanted me

distributor and decided I wanted to sell technology

ecosystem works.”

to succeed. I wouldn’t be where I am today without

instead,” he said.

With his hands on so much so quickly, his

And the AV industry has been his home for 21 years and counting.

He began in tech sales, working for companies like Computer 2000 (which later became TD

Hillier has plenty of advice for the next

that support. Personal ambition can take you so far,

favorite experience is developing something. “I like

but if there are barriers at every step, it’s easy to lose

taking something and having the ability to put my

momentum. Find someone who will go to battle for

own stamp on it,” he said.

you, who wants to see you do well.”

That’s exactly what he is doing now at Zones.

Noah Johnson

By Wayne Cavadi

not yet, but with Iris and Audinate as one, the AV world is getting a taste of what the two are capable of

Title: VP of Video Applications Company: Audinate Location: New York, NY Overtime:

doing together. Now, Johnson has transitioned from

While he loves the museums and live music New York City has to offer, Johnson and his

CEO to VP of video applications. His day-to-day has

wife are adventurers who have a love of travel. He also is a car-driving enthusiast.

changed a bit, but it keeps him very busy.

“On one side, I think about products holistically

Why You Need to Know Him:

instead of bringing a full crew in each time, a remote

across various different verticals that we’re working

Johnson founded Iris, a cloud-native platform for

operator and Johnson’s LiveControl team would

on at Audinate,” Johnson explained. “But my main

professional camera control. Since Audinate

handle full camera control, as well as live switching

day-to-day is GM of the Iris business unit. So, I’m

acquired the company, he now leads the Iris

and production.

thinking about a lot of the same things that I was

business unit and helps shape video product strategy across the Dante platform.

Noah Johnson has had quite a ride up the Pro AV

Which led to Iris. Johnson was just 29 when he

before: How do we drive OEM growth? How do we

started Iris, which he said was enabling a consumer-

drive revenue? How do we improve the product and

facing version of camera control that was rebuilt

our strategy? But it’s different in that I have access

ladder in a short time. From his earliest business

from the ground up. “It’s essentially an operating

to resources and knowledge and deep insights into

venture with LiveControl to Iris and to its eventual

system for cameras,” said Johnson. “Think about

the industry that I simply did not have before.”

acquisition by Audinate, Johnson has been helping

getting into a car with CarPlay, it takes over the

It didn’t take long for Johnson to experience

to build cloud-native software that is

screen and lets you use apps like Spotify or Apple

what many aspire to call an entire career. That is not

revolutionizing camera control in remote and live

Maps in a really intuitive way. Iris works the same

lost on him, and he imparts this wisdom to the

production.

way for cameras.”

future of Pro AV.

From a young age, Johnson was always an

Johnson first met with Audinate at IBC, shortly

“Start by solving the first problem,” Johnson

entrepreneur. He started companies as soon as he

after his honeymoon began (which he joked did not

advised. “It’s just about starting. I think that’s really

was able, with a little company in high school and

go over well with his new bride at the time). “At first

important. I also wouldn’t be afraid to be different.

then creating a SaaS business in college that

we were talking about how we might integrate,”

If you have an idea—that usually stems from some

aggregated events for campuses.

Johnson said. “It turned out there were a few areas

type of problem or insight that you have, and that

He transitioned into the Pro AV world with

where our products fit together quite naturally. It

means more people have it. Pull on that thread, voice

LiveControl, which still operates today. LiveControl

wasn’t something I expected, but the partnership

your opinion, and follow that, because being

installed PTZ cameras into different venues like live

evolved organically from there.”

different is actually good.”

music, education, and worship environments;

The rest, as they say, is history. Well, perhaps

By Wayne Cavadi

avnetwork.com // May 2025 // SCN

13

BUSINESS THE NINE

Sara Landkammer

Title: Senior Account Manager Company: FORTÉ Location: Austin, TX

“I’m very old-fashioned when it comes to my own

Overtime: As a mother of three very young children, her free time is limited. But when

selling technique,” she said. “I still believe a

she does get a break from a full-time career and parenthood, she takes to Lake Austin

handshake goes a long way. I think that the tools being developed through the usage of AI are going to be

for kayaking and paddleboarding.

instrumental in our industry for those that learn how

Why You Need to Know Her

A wise family friend suggested that her outgoing

to embrace it and utilize it, but I also still think that

As a senior account manager for Forté, Landkammer

personality would be a natural fit for sales.

looking someone in the eye and doing business across

recently helped win a multimillion dollar contract for

Landkammer took that advice to heart, applying it the

the table from another person goes a long way.”

her company. But she doesn’t take all the credit: “I

hard way by beginning her sales career cold-selling T1

think the win boiled down to relationships, trust, and

internet lines.

really a team effort of selling,” she said.

“I was out pounding the street, hitting doors of

Today, Landkammer applies her sales expertise to generating new business for FORTÉ. But her focus has largely shifted to supporting clients after the initial

Today, the Pro AV industry is evolving, and Sara

small businesses, collecting business cards, turning

sale while mentoring the next generation of AV

Landkammer is keeping pace with this change. This

around and calling on those folks the next day to try

professionals.

is why she is helping with Forté’s push into IT

and sell them a T1 for their dentist office on the

convergence, Microsoft solutions, and managed

corner,” she recalled. “I did that for a few years and

don’t bring others with you, right?” she said.

services.

learned how to sell the hard way with a rotating ZIP

“Bringing others with you along your journey is just

code of an unlimited number of doors to hit every day

prepping the way for the next future of AV sellers to

from eight to five.”

become even better at what they do.”

According to Landkammer, being fired from her first post-college job led to her highly successful

“There’s not any point in climbing to the top if you

sales career in Pro AV. “I can thank the partner at a

Surviving and thriving through such a grueling

firm in Dallas I worked for as an admin assistant for

grassroots experience prepared Landkammer for selling

“I’m hopeful that I will continue to climb the ladder

about a year for firing me from that position, because

a portfolio of IT services including phone systems,

here,” she said. “Those that have guided me along my

I would not be where I am today,” she joked. “I

contact centers, and, finally, Pro AV products. It also

path today, hopefully, will be the ones that promote

quickly learned that sitting behind a desk was not the

gave her a deep appreciation for the fundamentals of

me in the future.”

life I wanted to live.”

sales, which remains a human-based profession.

By James Careless

Matt McClain

Looking ahead, Landkammer remains ambitious.

long days, late hours,” McClain said. “I feel really passionate about my company, about this industry,

Title: VP of Marketing Company: Key Code Media Location: Los Angeles

and trying to hopefully do good work that doesn’t

Overtime: When not living and breathing his digital marketing campaigns, he is an

come off as salesy or marketing—but really is a

extremely active outdoorsman who scales walls in Yosemite Valley and hikes long

leadership position where we’re helping the community just better understand technology.”

alpine routes like Mount Whitney.

Lured back to Key Code Media in 2018 as director

Why You Need to Know Him:

events and trade shows for the company,” he

of marketing, McClain got into digital outreach. “I

As the VP of marketing for Key Code Media, McClain

recalled.

very quickly launched the Broadcast2Post podcast in

is redefining how the Pro AV industry connects with its clients.

That early exposure to marketing fueled

2018, when everyone else got into podcasts in 2020,”

McClain’s passion for AV technology and the high-

he said. Today, the channel boasts 6,000 YouTube

profile manufacturers behind it. “I got to be honest, I

subscribers and draws thousands of live attendees

becoming more expensive while drawing fewer

am a sucker for brands,” he said. “I kind of geeked

each year.

qualified attendees, Matt McClain has successfully

out at the chance to work with these brands that I’d

shifted his company’s promotional focus toward

grown up with and known—and actually throw

Pro AV’s ongoing evolution. He loves the fact that it’s

digital-first, educational marketing. “We’re at this

successful business-to-business events with.”

“constantly changing and that I’m always having to

Having deduced that traditional trade shows are

point where we need to educate and we need to come to you in a convenient manner,” he said.

This enthusiasm motivated McClain to co-found

Looking ahead, McClain remains fascinated by

constantly learn.”

the industry’s first PostNAB Roadshow. Now in its

As for the rest of his career? McClain recently

The results speak for themselves: By launching

12th year, the successful roadshow takes about 40

completed the buildout of a dedicated podcast studio

early-to-market initiatives like the Broadcast2Post

manufacturers on a multi-city tour immediately

at Key Code’s headquarters, and he is exploring ways

podcast and the original PostNAB Roadshow, he has

following the massive NAB Show in Las Vegas.

helped Key Code Media grow from a $30 million

He left Key Code Media for a time to work as a

post-production integrator into a $100 million AV and

marketing manager for the former production rental

broadcast powerhouse with around 200 employees.

giant VER. While there, he executed a rebrand that

McClain’s Pro AV career began shortly after

drove a 30% increase in business.

to expand the Broadcast2Post podcast to weekly programming, bringing even more industry leaders into the conversation.

He is also focused on staying at the forefront of AI in media and marketing, developing educational

college when he became executive assistant to Key

Matt McClain’s work ethic and integrity are

resources for the industry—while building internal

Code Media’s founder, Mike Cavanagh. Even in that

legendary. Consider this: On his final day at Key Code,

workflows that leverage AI tools to drive efficiency,

entry-level position, he was immersed in the

he was still recording videos and running a pre-NAB

scale content production, and enhance team

company’s marketing efforts. “From Day One, I was

panel discussion past 10:00 p.m.

performance.

involved in the grunt work of operating marketing

14

SCN // May 2025 // avnetwork.com

“I am one of those crazy people that just works

By James Careless

THE NINE BUSINESS

Gisela Ramirez

Teaching—and continuing to remain teachable, no matter how experienced one may be—is what

Title: Southeast Territory Sales Manager Company: Almo Pro AV Location: Coral

Ramirez believes will keep pushing this industry

Springs, FL Overtime: She’s happiest when she’s outdoors with her family. When not

forward. “We need to focus on developing people as

working, she’s most likely cooking, listening to worship music (or jazz or bossa nova),

much as we focus on technology,” she advised.

“Innovation is critical, but if we don’t invest in

looking for birds (a new passion), or trying to start a new hobby.

mentorship, education, and building clear paths for

Why You Need to Know Her:

At Almo Pro AV, Ramirez was charged with

the next generation, we limit our own future.”

Why wouldn’t you want to know somebody who says

developing the company’s Latin American division from

helping others is one of their biggest sources of

the ground up. (She is fluent in English, Portuguese, and

should be conscious of how they communicate about

Clients can also benefit from education, and AV pros

inspiration? “I’ve grown into a season where

Spanish.) She says the experience shaped her.

technology. “We need to simplify the conversation,”

mentoring others matters deeply to me,” she said.

“There’s something incredibly powerful about

“This industry gave me room to grow, and I feel a

creating structure where there wasn’t one before,

companies that will win long term are the ones that can

responsibility to create that same space for others

building relationships across countries, and seeing it

translate complexity into clarity.”

coming up behind me.”

grow into something sustainable,” Ramirez said. “Pro

Like many members of this industry, Gisela

Ramirez said. “Clients are overwhelmed. The

Word has it that Ramirez, known for her outgoing

AV sits at the intersection of technology and people. I

personality, hugs and kisses every customer. Without

Ramirez didn’t dream about becoming an AV

love that. It’s strategic, it’s relational, and it

a doubt, people are her favorite part of this job. “This

professional when she grew up. Instead, she’d

constantly evolves.”

industry is filled with smart, driven, and genuinely

envisioned a career in criminal justice.

“I was always a crime junkie, and so growing up I wanted to be Olivia Benson,” Ramirez explained, referring to the character played by Mariska Hargitay

As does Ramirez. Currently, she’s overseeing the development of Almo Pro AV’s new territory in the Southeastern United States.

One of the biggest lessons Ramirez has learned,

good humans,” she said. “I love walking into events and feeling like I’m seeing extended family.”

Ramirez also enjoys immense satisfaction from all the behind-the-scenes work involved in realizing

on the long-running television series, Law & Order:

thanks to these experiences, is that you can be

a successful project, such as resolving complicated

Special Victims Unit. However, as life would have it,

confident while practicing humility. “You can know

supply chain issues or helping an integrator through

Ramirez was introduced to Pro AV early in her career

your value and still stay open to growth,” she

a challenge. “[I like] being an extension of my

and, 14 years later, she’s still at it.

explained. Ramirez cautions people against drawing

customers’ success,” she added. “Anytime they have

motivation from job titles and encourages them to

a win, it’s a win for me.”

examine how they can make a difference instead.

By Carolyn Heinze

What drove her into the industry, she said, was the “opportunity to build something real.”

Haley Lind Tuohy

At HARMAN International, Tuohy moved into sales management, also in Pro AV. She spent almost four

Title: AV Sales Strategist/Account Manager Company: Solutionz

years managing teams, a role she loved, but at some

Location: New York, NY Overtime: She practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu anywhere between

point began to miss frontline sales. She was also

four and eight hours a week. She also assists with a kids’ class on weekends.

curious about what it would be like to work in Pro AV

Why You Need to Know Her: Because she’s got guts! She took a two-month career break to do a solo backpacking trip across Asia.

integration. When a position became available at region to region.

“The differences between Taiwan and Vietnam,

Solutionz, Tuohy grabbed it.

“Integration is so exciting and fast-paced,” Tuohy

from what I witnessed, is drastic,” Tuohy said. “You

said. “I get to serve so many different people from

Haley Lind Tuohy had the courage to include her

can see how different work cultures impact people,

different backgrounds, and that’s exciting for me.”

backpacking trip under the “experience” section of

and as different as these cultures are, you can learn

her LinkedIn profile—a bold move in a country whose

something from each of them.”

At the industry level, Tuohy is co-lead (with Maura Fitzgerald, regional account manager at display

culture, while obsessed with personal development,

As Tuohy puts it, she somewhat fell into Pro AV and

can be wary of those who take extended breaks from

somewhat didn’t. She started playing drums when she

technology manufacturer Planar) of the North Jersey/ NYC chapter of the AVIXA Women’s Council. The

work to travel the world. “In my job, I was used to

was 10 years old and stuck with it throughout her teens

group holds networking events and focuses on

being a leader—I was very proactive,” she explained.

and 20s. She went to SUNY Oneonta to study business

connecting women of all races, ethnicities, and

“In this case, I was intentional about how I behaved

and discovered the school also offered a minor in audio

backgrounds with employment opportunities.

and how I acted, but I got to be like a passenger and a

production. “The audio production side of things

witness to the beautiful people and things around me.”

opened my mind to a whole new world,” she recalled.

AV, Tuohy said that if you’re interested, there’s a

While she may have been a passenger, Tuohy

After college, Tuohy went to work at Sennheiser,

job for you in this industry. “If you like working

For those who are considering a career in Pro

wasn’t passive. She gained new perspective on audio

where she started out serving clients that oversaw

with your hands, there are a lot of jobs for you. If

on her trip. “Audio is different around the world,” she

audio production on Broadway. After a couple of years,

you like traveling and talking to people, you could

offered. “What people prefer and what they want to

the manufacturer offered her a national role in Pro AV

be in sales,” she offered. “If you have an MBA and

hear is different.”

sales. While she thought she’d spend her entire career

you want to be a VP of an organization, there’s a role

She noticed that the restaurants sounded

in live sound, she couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

for that, whether it be in manufacturing,

different to the ones back home. She learned about

“I was in my early 20s at that time, and I had seen

integration, or consulting. If you’re interested,

loudspeaker brands she’d never come across before.

very little of the United States or the world,” Tuohy

there’s something for you, I promise.”

And she observed how work culture changes from

said. “I was so excited that I could have a national job.”

By Carolyn Heinze

avnetwork.com // May 2025 // SCN

15

THE INTEGRATION GUIDE TO

COMMAND AND CONTROL SPONSORED BY A BSEN • ADDER • DATAPATH • HAIVISION • MATROX VIDEO PANASONIC • PLANAR • RGB SPECTRUM • VUWALL | G&D

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office transformed its call center into a modern RTCC.

A Centralized Approach Real-time crime centers streamline police surveillance for faster response times.

By Michael Grotticelli

I

National Real Time Crime Center Association, more

identify suspects more quickly, and relay critical

than 300 RTCCs are currently in operation nationwide,

information directly to responding officers. This

with a reported 148% increase in adoption of

real-time visibility has proven invaluable during

n an ongoing effort to improve situational aware-

centralized monitoring technologies between

high-risk incidents, major crimes, and large-scale

ness during active incidents, accelerate emer-

2020-2024.

public events, where seconds can make a measurable

gency response, and strengthen investigative

At its core, an RTCC is a centralized, technology-

capabilities, a growing number of law enforcement

driven hub within a police department that aggregates

agencies across the United States are investing in

and analyzes live data feeds to provide immediate,

Big City Benchmark

real-time crime centers (RTCCs). These centralized

actionable intelligence to officers in the field. These

One of the earliest and most advanced examples of an

operations hubs, now serving communities ranging

feeds typically include surveillance cameras, 911 call

RTCC is operated by the New York City Police

from large metropolitan areas to small municipali-

data, license plate readers (LPRs), body-worn

Department. Launched in 2005, the city’s multi-

ties, are redefining how police departments manage

cameras, drone footage, and other sensor-based

million dollar RTCC was among the first of its kind in

information, coordinate resources, and respond to

systems. In many cases, this information can be

the nation and remains a benchmark for large-scale

unfolding events.

shared across jurisdictions or accessed remotely,

deployments.

Regardless of size or budget, the core mission of every RTCC remains the same: Improve public safety by reducing response times, increasing operational

extending the reach of the center well beyond a single physical location.

By consolidating disparate sources of data into a

difference.

Operating 24/7, the center provides data-driven support to officers across all 77 precincts serving a population of approximately 8.5 million residents.

efficiency, and enabling officers to make better

single operational picture, RTCCs allow analysts and

Thousands of surveillance cameras feed into the

informed decisions in real time. According to the

dispatchers to monitor incidents as they unfold,

system, along with facial recognition tools, LPRs,

16

SCN // May 2026 // avnetwork.com

How to Build a Command Center: Video Wall Technology, Integration & Best Practices

SCAN TO WATCH

VIDEO ON DEMAND

Rowan Trouncer PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGER HAIVISION

What You’ll Learn: •

How to approach command center planning as a complete system, not a collection of parts

•

Which technology and design decisions have the biggest long-term impact

•

How integrators, vendors, and end users collaborate during successful projects

•

Common planning and integration mistakes that lead to costly redesigns

•

How to future-proof your command center without over-engineering it

•

The core technologies behind RTCCs, RTICs, SOCs, NOCs, EOCs, and other modern operation centers

Dustin Bilthouse DIRECTOR OF PARTNER ALLIANCES HAIVISION

GUEST SPEAKER

Lt. Sean Riley ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PUBLIC SAFETY CONSTANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

haivision.com

INTEGRATION GUIDE COMMAND AND CONTROL

The Haivision Command 360 platform’s software and hardware components can connect to cable TV boxes, encoders, decoders, and other sources, allowing disparate feeds to be managed through a single interface. Operators can drag, drop, and manipulate content on the video wall with ease, while built-in KVM functionality enables seamless control of multiple systems. LG LCD displays with ultra-thin bezels were selected to create a clean, continuous video wall appearance.

Integration and Infrastructure As RTCC adoption accelerates, manufacturers of control room technologies are developing solutions specifically designed to meet the needs of public safety environments. For example, RGB Spectrum offers a portfolio of multiview and control technologies The Warner Robins Police Department’s RTCC can view up to 16 4K sources simultaneously on its LCD video wall.

tailored to operations centers. According to Dan Marcus, VP of business development, the RTCC market has expanded far beyond its early adopters.

gunshot detection sensors, and social media analysis

renovations and technology upgrades, including the

platforms. Together, these technologies enable

installation of Haivision Command 360 video wall

deploy crime centers,” Marcus said. “Now we’re

analysts to generate instant intelligence for detectives

solution featuring a large, central LG LCD display. Two

seeing them everywhere. They’re evolving alongside

and officers at crime scenes.

staffed workstations equipped with desktop monitors

technologies like drones, wearable cameras, and

sit in front of the wall, and multiple BYOD inputs are

mobile devices that support first responders.”

A key component of the NYC RTCC is the Domain Awareness System (DAS), a Microsoft-developed platform that integrates CCTV cameras, radiological

available for flexibility.

“With the Haivision system we can view up to 16 4K

“It used to be that large cities were the first to

RGB’s offerings include the Zio video over IP platform, video wall processors, KVM over IP systems,

sensors, and other data sources into a unified interface.

streams of highresolution video at the same time,”

and its IPX Flyaway Kit for portable command and

DAS applies artificial intelligence to tasks such as facial

Gossman explained. “At a desktop, I might only be able

control applications. What differentiates the company’s

recognition, predictive analytics, and gunshot

to monitor two streams. This allows us to see everything

approach, Marcus explained, is tight integration.

detection—using acoustic sensors commonly known

at once. For an agency of our size, it’s perfect.”

as ShotSpotter—to help locate incidents quickly and

“The multiview processor is part of the matrix,” he explained. “There aren’t external boxes converting

accurately. Officers in the field can access DAS and 911

Measurable Improvements

data through handheld devices, ensuring that

Since the RTCC became operational, Warner Robins

that can also accept baseband inputs, with all

intelligence reaches decision makers without delay.

has seen measurable improvements in response times

processing handled within the Zio platform.”

Smaller Success

and officer safety. By providing officers with greater

IP streams back into HDMI. It’s a hybrid IP solution

This hybrid approach allows operators to manage

awareness of what they may encounter before arriving

multiple local inputs with minimal latency, an

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Warner

on scene, the center has helped reduce uncertainty

essential requirement for realtime monitoring of

Robins Police Department in Georgia, which serves a

during critical calls.

video sources at different resolutions. “A lot of times,

community of approximately 90,000 residents. The

“We’ve had two homicides that the center helped

it’s a tradeoff between fidelity and latency,” Marcus

city unveiled its own RTCC at the Law Enforcement

close that might not have been resolved as quickly

added. “Lower latency generally requires more

Center, creating a modern hub for technology-driven

otherwise,” Gossman said. “We’re now looking to

bandwidth, so agencies must decide how important

policing tailored to a midsized municipality.

integrate Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology,

video quality is to their mission.”

Staffed by two to three personnel from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, the 900-square-foot center integrates live traffic cameras, LPRs, public safety databases, and

which will be operated from this center. At that point, we’ll be running 24/7.”

According to Kireta, once the project was

Redundancy and Reliability Another major player in the RTCC space is Extron. In

communication systems to support coordinated

approved, implementation took approximately three

2025, the company worked with systems integrator

responses to incidents as they occur.

months after construction was completed. The scope

North Carolina Sound to upgrade the Brunswick

included running nearly 2,000 feet of Cat 6 cabling to

County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center in

operations,” said Captain Eric Gossman. “And we

“We looked at how we could improve our

connect the RTCC to the department’s central IT

Bolivia, NC. The project transformed an existing call

identified a shortcoming of utilizing technology to

closet, installing the video wall, and deploying two

center into a modern RTCC serving as the primary link

improve our workflow.”

24/7-rated desks provided by Fountainhead Control

between the public and emergency services.

Inspired by a visit to Georgia Tech’s operations center, Gossman recognized the potential of centralized monitoring to transform how the

Rooms, with fully networked personal computers and videoconferencing capabilities.

“The department wanted multiple wall displays

While the original AV system was functional, it lacked redundancy, meaning a single component failure could bring operations to a halt. The upgraded

department handled critical situations. The

where operators could view different content

system was designed to deliver optimal signal

department partnered with Solutionz, under the

simultaneously,” Kireta explained. “We designed a

integrity, true redundancy, and fail-safe operation for

supervision of senior account manager Heather Kireta,

system that brought all those feeds together and

the center’s 911 workstations, centralized dispatch

to bring the concept to life.

significantly improved their ability to respond to

system, and specialized communications equipment.

The project involved approximately $257,000 in

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incidents.”

Operators manage emergency calls through a

INTEGRATION GUIDE COMMAND AND CONTROL computer-aided dispatch system, with sources

and local government at Planar. “These attributes

displayed on a Planar Clarity G2 video wall,

allow agencies to display multiple data sources clearly

individual workstations, and an adjacent conference

across large environments where visibility from any

room. Extron’s XTP modular matrix system

position in the room is critical. LCD video walls remain

provides centralized switching and distribution,

a strong option, particularly in applications requiring

while the NAV Pro AV over IP system links the 911

very high pixel density or where budget considerations

center with a conference room and a backup

are a factor.”

emergency operations center.

“The key to an efficient control room workflow is

Since its inception, the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) Real Time Intelligence Center

The video wall in Chattanooga Police Department’s Real Time Intelligence Center can support thousands of live camera feeds during an incident or be used as a collaborative tool for ongoing intelligence work.

the harmonious integration of every system element,”

(RTIC) has used Planar’s Clarity Matrix LCD video wall

said Joe da Silva, Extron VP of marketing. “Our goal is

system. As the number of integrated camera systems

always to ensure a flawless operational experience for

grew, and additional technologies and data sources

environments demand, while also helping agencies

the end user.”

were added, the department upgraded to a nearly

standardize on a single manufacturer to simplify

36x7-foot Clarity Matrix G3.

deployment, streamline support, and ensure

Monitoring the Situation

The system serves as the central visualization

consistency across their operations.”

Modern RTCCs centers are typically built around a

platform, supporting monitoring of thousands of live

combination of dvLED and LCD video wall systems,

camera feeds. This includes fixed cameras, body

fewer than 100,000 residents, RTCCs have proven

which are supported by large-format displays and

cameras, and other real-time data sources, providing

their value for modern policing. As AI, facial

operator desktop monitors. Touch-enabled displays

officers and analysts with a unified operational

recognition, drones, and predictive analytics continue

that support interactive workflows, annotation, and

picture. When an incident is not in progress, the video

to mature, these centers will become even more

real-time collaboration are also widely used at

wall serves as a collaborative tool that supports CPD’s

capable and effective.

operator positions to enhance control, navigation, and

ongoing intelligence work.

user interaction with critical systems.

“Direct-view LED is rapidly becoming the

“At the end of the day, command centers require a

Whether deployed in a city of millions or a town of

At Warner Robins, the results are already clear.

“We always try to stay one step ahead of criminals,”

complete ecosystem of display technologies that

Gossman said. “This crime center has helped reduce

preferred solution for primary visualization walls due

perform without compromise,” said Fechner. “Planar

our response-to-call times and close cases faster. It’s

to its seamless design, high brightness, and

delivers that ecosystem with the reliability, clarity,

been a big win for our department—and I’m sure for

scalability,” said Greg Fechner, sales director for state

and long-term support these mission-critical

many others across the country as well.”

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INTEGRATION GUIDE COMMAND AND CONTROL

At Issue What are the most important Pro AV elements to consider when equipping a command and control room?

Stavros Theodoridis

Business Development Manager, Control Systems, Adder

multiple systems from a single interface. This

allowing teams to manage complexity today while

simplifies workflows, reduces cognitive load, and

staying flexible enough to scale and evolve over time.

enhances efficiency. By moving computing off the

Jason Karol

desk, RGB Spectrum’s solutions also reduce noise and

ensures the right information is visible where it’s

Key Account Manager– Federal & DOD, Panasonic Projector & Display Americas

needed. The result is a streamlined environment that

When equipping a command and

improve physical security. Flexible system configuration allows operators to instantly adapt to changing situations, while integrated distribution

enables better decisions, faster.

Anna Kozel

control room, flexibility, and image quality are key AV priorities. Can operators access the information and visuals they need efficiently? Are those visuals

Vice President of Marketing, VuWall | G&D

clear and easy to update? In control rooms where

When equipping a command and

essential, displays must deliver high-quality

rooms, Pro AV decisions must prioritize operational

control room, the top Pro AV

visuals so everyone present can easily view content

clarity, responsiveness, and long-term resilience.

priorities are interoperability,

regardless of where they are sitting. Consistent

In modern command and control

speed, adaptability, and customization are

High-performance IP KVM sits centrally in a control

reliability, intuitive control, and scalability. These

uptime also ensures that critical information stays

room, enabling seamless, real-time access to critical

environments depend on multiple systems and

visible for extended periods of time. Finally, flexible

systems while maintaining flexible workflows. While

continuous information flow, so the technology must

displays with remote management capabilities

seamless video wall integrations are a vital component

function as one unified platform that supports fast,

support a seamless operational experience in any

to visualize and share complex data across teams,

informed decision-making. Success is not defined by

type of room.

intuitive user interfaces and ergonomic design are

the video wall alone, but by how easily operators can

equally as important to support fast decision-making

access, manage, and share content across any display

under pressure. Security is non-negotiable, with

and workstation. Just as importantly, the

encrypted transmission and controlled access

infrastructure must be secure, resilient, and flexible

prioritized. These key considerations ensure scalable

enough to adapt as operational needs evolve.

control rooms can evolve while maintaining continuous mission-critical performance with limited distractions for the operators.

Mark Bohs

Director of Sales, The Americas, Datapath

Alberto Reyes

Kevin Quinn

Solution Architect– Partners and Alliances, Haivision I always start with the ergonomics in the room but rarely stop with

General Manager of U.S. Government Division, Planar

them. Floorplans, consoles, sightlines, acoustics,

Starting with displays, consider a

guarantee success for the organization using it.

and lighting create a foundation for the command center space, but they don't automatically

solution that offers a wide range of

Technology selection should be secondary to

Security, scalability, and

pixel pitches or one that’s most appropriate for your

understanding or establishing an operational

connectivity are fundamental

use case. Pixel pitch will help guide your viewing

workflow with your end user. The resulting design

elements of command and control

distance and ensure that data is readable from any

should enable operators to hit the ground running

rooms. As sites grow more connected, systems must

point in the room. Keep in mind that anti-glare

with flexibility to tailor a workflow as the command

protect sensitive data while enabling operators to work

features and exceptional LED seam or LCD tiling

center evolves. Touchpoints at 30, 60, and 90 days

efficiently. Enterprise‑grade encryption, robust user

quality will help deliver sharp, vivid imagery, while

allow the end user to focus on their mission instead

rights management, and secure multi-site

24x7 use and reliability will help prevent points of

of using the technology.

connectivity help ensure that only authorized

failure when mission-critical performance matters

personnel can access critical sources, even across

most. Visualization elements ranging from operator

dispersed locations. Misconfigured networks or

and wall alignment to mission-based layouts and

systems can introduce latency, operational delays, or

consistent fonts and colors are also key for enhancing

security gaps. Equipping a command and control room

display and overall command center operations.

with a smart, scalable control room platform allows operators to access, control, and share multiple data

David Anderson

Catherine Koutsaris

Product Marketing Manager, Matrox Video The most important Pro AV elements in a command and control

sources at once, making it easier for teams to work

Channel Manager, Absen

room are reliability, responsiveness, image clarity,

together in real time without compromising security.

Command and control rooms come

security, and scalability. Operators depend on low-

down to three priorities: reliability,

latency video and KVM performance to make real-time

visibility, and integration. These

decisions, while high-resolution visuals ensure

environments run 24/7, so systems

accurate interpretation of complex data. Secure

Scott Norder

COO, RGB Spectrum RGB Spectrum’s approach to

need to support continuous operation with minimal

architectures, often with centralized computers and

command and control rooms

downtime and straightforward serviceability. At the

strict access control, are critical for sensitive

centers on delivering integrated,

same time, operators rely on a display platform that

environments. Interoperability through open

operator-focused Pro AV solutions

can bring multiple sources into a clear, unified view,

standards like IPMX, SMPTE ST 2110, and NMOS

that improve performance and decision making.

making it easier to interpret information and act

enables flexible, multi-vendor ecosystems. Finally,

High-performance Zio video wall processors create a

quickly. Just as important, everything has to work

resilient system design with redundancy and 24/7

clear, real-time common operating picture, while

together. AV systems should align with existing IT

uptime ensures continuous operation and supports

XtendPoint KVM-over-IP enables seamless control of

infrastructure, control platforms, and workflows,

efficient workflows and shared situational awareness.

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INTEGRATION GUIDE COMMAND AND CONTROL Adder ADDERLink INFINITY The ADDERLink INFINITY range is designed to enhance operational effectiveness, improve collaboration, and streamline IT workflows in mission-critical environments. This high-performance IP KVM range enables real-time, pixel-perfect access to systems anywhere on the network and anywhere in the world. The scalable architecture supports seamless expansion, while robust encryption ensures secure operation. With intuitive control and minimal latency, the ADDERLink INFINITY range empowers control rooms to operate efficiently, adapt quickly, and maintain continuous performance.

RGB Spectrum XtendPoint KVM-over-IP XtendPoint KVM-over-IP streamlines command and control operations by enabling operators to manage multiple systems from a single keyboard and mouse, reducing clutter and cognitive load. Supporting multi-source viewing on highresolution displays, it improves situational awareness and response speed, while features like KlickSimple enable intuitive, seamless control across systems. Its scalable IP architecture allows access to local and remote sources, with distributed operation eliminating single points of failure.

Matrox Video Matrox Avio 2 Matrox Avio 2 is an IPMX/ST 2110-based IP KVM extender, delivering secure, real-time remote access with uncompromised image quality.

Supporting up to 5K, Avio 2 enables centralized computing with seamless user experiences across control rooms and distributed environments. Built on open standards, it ensures interoperability and scalability, while AES 128-bit encryption and Active Directory integration protect critical data. With flexible fiber or copper deployment, fanless design, and power redundancy, Avio 2 is engineered for mission-critical reliability.

VuWall | G&D TRx VuWall’s TRx centralized video wall and KVM management platform enables organizations to visualize, control, and distribute content across displays and operator workstations from a single, intuitive interface. Built for mission-critical environments, it interoperates with a wide range of AV and control systems, including native integrations with Genetec, Milestone, and Q-SYS, while also managing G&D KVM systems and other connected devices within one secure, scalable ecosystem that simplifies operations, enhances situational awareness, and accelerates response times.

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INTEGRATION GUIDE COMMAND AND CONTROL

Planar DirectLight Slim Series Featuring an ultra-thin, narrow width form factor, the Planar DirectLight Slim Series accommodates curved and space-constrained applications such as control rooms. Models feature MicroLED technology and are available in 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8mm pixel pitches with a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits and a unique 4:9 aspect ratio to support deployment versatility and vibrant viewing experiences.

Customers also benefit from an installation depth of less than 2 inches, delivering minimal color shift compared to other LED displays.

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INTEGRATION GUIDE COMMAND AND CONTROL

Haivision Command 360 Haivision Command 360 is a complete video wall solution for situational awareness and real-time decision making in mission-critical environments. Command 360 enables government organizations, public safety teams, and enterprises to securely visualize and dynamically respond to urgent situations such as military operations, public emergencies, and cybersecurity breaches faster than ever before.

Absen KLCOB V2 Series The KLCOB V2 Series is a COB MicroLED platform built for command and control environments, offering fine pixel pitches down to 0.7mm, 15,000:1 contrast, HDR support, and a 3,840 Hz refresh rate for stable, high-detail visualization. Its flip-chip, common cathode design improves heat dissipation and efficiency, while a non-glare black coating enhances contrast and reduces eye strain. Front serviceability and redundant power and signal backup support reliable 24/7 operation.

Panasonic Projector & Display Americas MEVIX TL-55LV12A Panasonic Projector & Display Americas developed the MEVIX TL-55LV12A LED display to give control rooms a flexible, reliable option to support high visibility in bright environments. Designed to easily integrate in place of existing LCD video walls, it features a bezel-less design and wide color gamut. Plus, it has the flexibility to combine with other units for an immersive, high-quality visual experience. Its controller-free setup with HDMI-only operation supports ease of use.

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COMMAND AND CONTROL INTEGRATION GUIDE Datapath Aetria Datapath’s Aetria platform is an integrated control room solution designed to manage, control, and share visual data across video walls, workstations, and connected spaces.

The latest Aetria update introduces secure multi-site connectivity via the Secure Streaming Gateway (SSG), enabling real‑time source monitoring and sharing between geographically separate control rooms. AES‑encrypted links and user rights management ensure only authorized operators can access shared content, enhancing situational awareness and collaboration across dispersed operations.

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TECHNOLOGY TECH PERSPECTIVES

The Bundling Conundrum Collaboration hardware manufacturers have gone from rivals to roommates and back again.

dozens or hundreds of rooms, fewer vendors usually mean a shorter blame chain when something breaks.

A concrete example is Cisco’s direction in room systems. Cisco has increasingly connected codecs, cameras, microphones, and other room peripherals over Cat6, so the same cable can carry PoE, data, and control. When a design leans into an end-to-end ecosystem like that, cabling and integration can get dramatically simpler. You avoid piles of interface boxes that convert one thing into another, and every converter is a potential point of failure and a

By David J. Danto

logic, chased interop weirdness, and only after it was

I

stable did you clone it across multiple locations. f you grew up in Pro AV, you grew up on “best in

This is something bundling is meant to replace. A

troubleshooting dead end.

Multi-Vendor Acceleration

breed.” The craft was picking the right display,

modern bundle, done well, removes much of that

The more nuanced flavor of bundling is multi-vendor:

switcher, DSP, mics, and camera, then knitting it

burden. It is essentially staging performed in advance

two (or more) manufacturers packaging a mixed

together with equal parts engineering and stub-

by the manufacturer(s), with interop testing,

solution and getting it validated, certified, and

bornness. Integrators built their reputations on

firmware alignment, and support playbooks sorted

marketed as a cohesive kit. That’s the “rivals to

knowing what played nicely together—and how to

out before the kit ever hits a quote.

roommates” story, because it forces competitors into

make mixed gear act like it came from one factory.

Bundles don’t eliminate commissioning,

something that looks a lot like cooperation. Multi-

But the room didn’t really exist until a control

acoustics, mounting constraints, or network policy.

vendor bundles are the alternative path to single

system made it behave. Companies like Crestron and

But they can remove a big chunk of the “will these

suppliers, as they try to deliver some of the single

AMX weren’t accessories. They were the glue that

pieces behave together at all?” anxiety that used to

supplier benefits without forcing a single vendor stack.

turned a pile of parts into a single experience by

consume days of staging time.

handling power, switching, macros, UI, timing, and

This type of bundling is a response to pressure

First came “good enough” off the shelf. Meeting

from multiple directions. Portfolio gaps are real.

edge cases. That’s where bundling enters the story,

rooms that once justified racks and touchpanels

Certification has become a gate, especially in the

because the old way came with a ritual we all treated

became a videobar, display, and cable. Standards

Teams Rooms world, where a known configuration

as normal: staging.

improved. USB got easier. Customers got less tolerant

can reduce perceived risk and simplify procurement.

From Custom to Repeatable SKUs

Support costs are a hidden driver, too: More

of custom complexity.

Then, the market leaned hard into “single throat

permutations create more tickets, and bundles

In the classic model, you staged the first room

to choke.” One manufacturer, one stack, one support

reduce the matrix. Bundles also help revenue and

somewhere just to prove it actually worked. You

path. At scale, the appeal is obvious: fewer variables,

channel mechanics by cleaning up SKUs, simplifying

confirmed that “Start Meeting” woke everything up in

fewer escalations, fewer finger-pointing calls.

quoting, and reducing competitive leakage.

the right order, switched correctly, unmuted, and

Now, we’re in the next phase: bundling. And

behaved predictably. Then you tweaked timing and

bundling has two distinct flavors that are easy to mix up.

Single Manufacturer Options Bundling is not always a multi-vendor handshake.

Multi-vendor bundling is like best in breed wearing a safety helmet. Traditional best in breed puts validation burden on the integrator. Bundles shift some of that burden upstream. It’s the vendor saying, “We tested these together, we’ll stand behind the combination.”

There’s a clear uptick in multi-vendor collaboration bundles compared to even the recent past.

One example is Barco pairing ClickShare Hub

Sometimes a single

with Sennheiser videobars as a Microsoft Teams

manufacturer “bundles” its

Rooms certified bundle. A critical detail: This is

own products by creating a

Barco’s first certified videobar partner bundle for

named room kit built from

ClickShare Hub, not the end of the road. Barco has

its own catalog or “room

already signaled it’s working with additional

builder” software. It

videobar manufacturers on other partner bundles

becomes a SKU, a recipe,

expected to become certified as well.

and a supportable

Another recent example is Jabra extending the

configuration. That brings

multi-camera capabilities on its Android videobars by

genuine value, because it

bundling with the Huddly Crew system. It’s not just a

reduces decision fatigue

bundle for procurement. It’s a path for videobar-

and creates repeatable

centric rooms to grow up into larger, more dynamic

deployments.

spaces without forcing a full rip-and-replace into

There’s also a legitimate argument for choosing

traditional codec architectures.

Even display manufacturers have been getting

suppliers with a complete

into the bundling game, with LG packaging its

breadth of solutions. If

displays with Jabra videobars as Teams certified

you’re standardizing across

“Express Install” kits.

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TECH PERSPECTIVES TECHNOLOGY

Frenemies Break Bundles

portfolio gaps, and sometimes which companies are

world of frenemies, the roommate arrangement can

Sometimes, however, multi-vendor bundles can

getting unusually comfortable living together.

work beautifully, until one of them decides the

work against the companies putting them together.

Finally, keep an eye on the breakups. The most

apartment would be better without the other.

A familiar pattern goes like this: A vendor has an

revealing moments in this trend may not be the bundle

David J. Danto is the principal analyst with

incomplete room story, so it bundles with a partner

announcements, but the quiet disappearance of a bundle

TalkingPointz and director of emerging technology

to fill a gap. The kit gets marketed and pitched as

that used to be featured, certified, and promoted. In a

for the IMCCA.

stable. Then the vendor releases a product that directly competes with the partner’s contribution.

That’s when the customer asks: “So, what does that say about the bundle you sold me last year?”

There are many current examples of this pattern.

Neat bundled its videobars with Shure ceiling microphones to modularly scale into larger-space designs. That partnership made sense. But now that Shure has introduced its own videobar that competes more directly with Neat in overlapping room categories, it’s fair to wonder how long the Shure– Neat bundle will last.

For any bundle, the question to ask is whether it survives new competition between the partners.

Technically, probably. Whether such bundles survive commercially and politically is the real question.

When yesterday’s partner becomes today’s competitor, relationships can fracture over account control, deal registration, channel incentives, certification priority, roadmap alignment, and who gets top billing. That’s the real risk behind any bundled solution.

Bundles are often born out of necessity. They can be undone by strategy. And when a partnership breaks, the collateral damage isn’t just a discontinued SKU. It’s confusion in the field, uncertainty for integrators, and customers wondering whether they standardized on something that will become “legacy” sooner than planned.

Don’t Bungle Your Bundle For the foreseeable future, you should expect more bundling, not less. Not just videobar plus display kits, but room outcomes packaged as repeatable SKUs: small room, medium room, training room, divisible room, BYOD room. But all bundles are not created equal.

The first thing to watch is whether bundling keeps shifting from one-off marketing announcements into ongoing certification programs. If vendors can turn these into repeatable, validated combinations, the “bundle” stops being a kit and starts looking more like a platform strategy.

Second, take note how quickly bundles change as product roadmaps shift. Today’s perfect pairing can get awkward the moment one partner releases a product that overlaps with the other partner’s “role” in the bundle. Even if the technology still works, the go-to-market math can change overnight.

Next, watch which bundles become defaults in the channel. When distributors, resellers, and integrators start quoting the same combinations over and over, those pairings become market signals—about demand,

avnetwork.com // May 2026 // SCN

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TECHNOLOGY NEW PRODUCTS

Legrand | AV OFRBC-4

delivers safe, organized power, data, and AV

“room-in-a-box” AV deployment models. The system

distribution in a more versatile, logistics-friendly

installs directly over existing floor coverings without

The 4-foot, Wiremold

length. Maintaining the ultra-low, ADA-compliant

coring or trenching, and separates power, data, and AV

overfloor raceway base and

profile and four-channel capacity that define the OFR

pathways within four dedicated channels. It features a

cover (OFRBC-4) is a new

platform, the OFRBC-4 is designed to reduce costs,

durable aluminum base with a black powder-coated

addition to the OFR Series that

eliminate on-site cutting, and support modern

steel cover, as well as a tamper-resistant design suited for high-traffic environments.

Marshall Electronics CV356-10X Featuring a 10x optical (12x digital) zoom and flexible 3G-SDI and HDMI simultaneous outputs, the new CV356-10X Full HD compact camera is ideal for various Pro AV and broadcast applications that require unobtrusive positioning. A threaded ring adapter is included, which allows users to easily attach any 49mm close-up lens or ND filter for greater versatility. Plus, an integrated audio input enables embedding audio directly into the video output for streamlined production workflows. A breakout cable with a compact joystick allows for quick and convenient access to the on-screen display (OSD) menu. With auto settings that track environmental fluctuations, as well as long-distance remote adjust and match settings, the CV356-10X is especially useful when the camera is out of reach.

Audinate Dante Director Professional Dante Director Professional is a comprehensive, web-based software solution designed for remote management of any size AV installation, from 50 devices to many thousands distributed globally. It addresses the growing challenge of maintaining distributed AV infrastructure at scale by providing centralized monitoring, management, and security authentication capabilities. A web-based dashboard provides real-time visibility into device status, network performance, and system health across all sites, enabling IT teams to proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact users. Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication and role-based access controls protect against unauthorized routing and ensure only authorized personnel can make network changes. API and webhook capabilities allow Dante Director Professional to integrate with existing IT support ticketing systems and monitoring platforms, streamlining incident response workflows.

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NEW PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY

Moodsonic Powered by Bluesound Professional B140M The B140M generative amplifier—the first product

Extron SW2 HD 8K

Sharp P Series

from the Moodsonic and Bluesound Professional

The SW2 HD 8K is a two-input HDMI switcher with

The Sharp P Series of LCD laser projectors, including

partnership—brings intelligent, adaptive

analog audio de-embedding. The compact switcher

the XP-P621U-W and XP-P701U-W models, deliver

soundscaping to commercial audio systems.

delivers high-performance video and flexible audio

premier entry installation solutions for corporate

Designed as a compact, PoE powered, plenum-rated

integration for a wide range of AV environments. The

and higher education settings. With manual

amplifier, the B140M combines Moodsonic’s

switcher supports video resolutions up to 8K,

horizontal and vertical lens shift, 1.6x zoom lens,

intelligent soundscaping and sensing platform with

including 21:9 and 5K ultra-wide aspect ratio

and HDBaseT input, the projectors simplify complex

Bluesound Professional’s decentralized audio

content, for next-generation AV systems. In addition

installations and reduce time and cost for

management platform, BluOS, to deliver networked

to the HDMI output, an analog audio output provides

integrators. The ability to transmit audio, video,

audio streaming, advanced processing, and

extracted stereo HDMI signals to feed a sound

network, and control signals over a single cable

multichannel amplification in a single device.

system or other audio equipment. To enhance and

further streamlines setup. Additionally, tilt-free

Featuring one BluOS zone with four channels of

simplify integration, the SW2 HD 8K provides a

and roll-free capabilities unlock possibilities for

amplification, the B140M enables scalable, modular

range of integrator friendly features: automatic

creative applications, including floor, ceiling, and

deployment of sensor-adaptive, biophilic

input cable equalization, user selectable HDCP

portrait projection. The P Series delivers WUXGA

soundscapes across commercial environments.

authorization, and multiple control options. The

resolution, 4K UHD signal support, advanced scaling

With support for low impedance and 70V/100V

HDMI output can power external peripheral devices,

with 21:9 compatibility, and up to 7,000 lumens of

speaker systems, the B140M delivers an all-in-one

such as active HDMI cables to support signal

brightness. Other features include a 20,000-hour

solution for deploying generative soundscapes

transmission over longer cable runs. The SW2 HD 8K

laser light source and Sharp’s sealed cooling system

without the need to assemble multiple devices.

is an ideal fit for Microsoft Teams Front Row

for a filter-free design. The new series completes

Built-in local music storage eliminates the need for

applications, immersive presentations, and

the transition of NEC installation projectors to the

an external NAS.

collaboration spaces.

Sharp brand.

CONNECTORS & ADAPTORS

To Advertise in the SCN CLASSIFIEDS, Contact Zahra Majma

FIBER CABLES

FLYPACKS & ROAD CASES

MODULAR FLOOR BOXES & CUTOMIZED PANELS

zahra.majma@futurenet.com

avnetwork.com // May 2026 // SCN

33

VIEWPOINT

The Expertise Trap AI is a force multiplier, not a shortcut.

By Joseph Cornwall

When an entry-level technician asks an AI to “write a scope of work for a 10-person conference

W

room,” the AI provides a beautifully formatted,

treated as a junior assistant whose work must be carefully graded.

This isn’t just theory: Recent data confirms the

alk through the floor of any trade

professional-sounding document. To the novice, it

emergence of an “efficiency dividend.” Top-tier

show today, or flip the pages of a trade

looks perfect. But to the veteran, it may be a liability.

professionals using AI see an average 25% increase in

journal, and you will find that “AI” has

It might omit EDID management, ignore heat load

speed for complex tasks. These figures are based on a

become the AV industry’s most pervasive marketing

calculations for the rack, or fail to specify the PoE+

landmark 2023–2024 study conducted by Harvard

adjective. It is touted as a panacea for our industry’s

requirements for the network switch.

Business School in collaboration with Boston

most chronic ailments.

There is a seductive premise taking root in the

Contrast this with the expert’s prompt: “Draft a SOW for a high-impact boardroom using a Q-SYS

Consulting Group (BCG), as well as a 2025 global productivity survey by SAP.

C-suites of global integration and AV manufacturing

Core 110f, Shure MXA920 arrays, and a Dante-backed

However, 2025 benchmarks from firms like

firms: If AI can draft a scope of work (SOW), generate

network. Ensure the commissioning section includes

Vectara show that for specialized technical tasks,

a Python script in seconds, or write grammatically

speech privacy testing, 802.1X authentication

LLMs still hallucinate at rates between 15% and 35%,

correct marketing copy, we can finally decouple our

protocols, and AES67 stream verification.”

incurring an “accuracy tax.” In an industry where a

growth from the scarcity of senior engineering

The expert isn’t just chatting with a bot—they

single transposed IP address or an under-powered PoE

talent. We can, supposedly, hire novices and use AI to

are applying technical guardrails. AI is used to skip

port can cause a system-wide blackout, a 35% error

“level them up” to expert status instantly.

the “blank page” phase, achieving a 30%

rate is not an acceptable trade-off for speed. While a

productivity gain while maintaining 100% technical

novice might appear 40% more productive on paper by

for efficiency, but its value is directly proportional to

accuracy. The novice, lacking that vocabulary,

generating documents quickly, the likelihood of them

the user’s existing expertise. When an AV firm uses

accepts a “hallucination” as a standard.

introducing a critical error into a system design is

This is a strategic error. AI is a revolutionary tool

AI as a substitute for experience rather than an

nearly 20 percentage points higher than an expert

enhancement of it, they are accumulating

using the same tool.

“competency debt” that eventually comes due in the form of system failures, truck rolls, and tarnished reputations.

Spot the Difference To understand the risk, we must first distinguish between the two types of AI currently reshaping our industry. The first is what we might call deterministic AI algorithms. This is the “black box” technology we’ve used for years: acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) in a DSP, auto-framing logic in a 4K camera, or background noise suppression in Microsoft Teams. These are narrow systems trained

AI is a revolutionary tool for efficiency, but its value is directly proportional to the user’s existing expertise.

Empower Your A-Team For the principal of an AV firm, the takeaway is clear: Do not use AI to make your C-Team look like your A-Team. Instead, use it to empower your A-Team and allow them to realize their world-class skills while simultaneously delivering astonishing productivity.

To ensure future success, firms should be funding AI training for their most experienced and qualified team members, because they are the only ones who can spot the 20% of the output that will break the system.

When a novice relies on AI to bridge their lack of experience, they may be gaining speed, but they are

for specific tasks. They require configuration, not

A Lack of Trust

prompting. They are highly reliable because they

The greatest danger in the novice-plus-AI model is

Ensure your new hires master the essentials of AV; you

don’t “think;” instead, they filter based on set

what researchers call the “trust trap.” LLMs are

can’t vet a machine’s logic if you haven’t yet mastered

parameters.

designed to be helpful and confident, even when they

the fundamentals yourself.

The second, and more volatile, species is the Large Language Model (LLM), driven by neural network computational systems like GPT-4, Claude,

are fundamentally wrong. In a technical field like Pro AV, this leads to plausible nonsense.

An AI might confidently provide a string of API

also accelerating their arrival at a wrong conclusion.

As we move deeper into 2026, the gap between the firms that use AI to enhance expertise and those that use it to hide a lack of expertise will widen. The

or Gemini. Unlike the narrow algorithms in our

commands for a control processor that looks

former will see unprecedented productivity gains

hardware, an LLM is a probabilistic engine. It doesn’t

syntactically correct but contains a command that

and scale, while the latter will find themselves

follow a hard-coded logic tree of “If X, then Y.”

does not exist in the current firmware version. The

explaining to a client why their AI-designed

Instead, it predicts the next most likely “token” in a

expert sees this and thinks, “That command doesn’t

boardroom is dead on arrival.

sequence based on vast amounts of training data.

exist in this API; I need to verify the documentation.”

However, because it relies on probability rather than

The novice sees this and thinks, “The AI gave me the

remains the unique product of the human

physical reality, it lacks an inherent compass for

code, so it must be the solution.”

professional. Firms that forget this may find their

technical truth.

Without the internal filter of years spent in

Efficiency is the byproduct of AI, but judgment

reputations “hallucinated” away.

equipment racks, the novice cannot distinguish

Technology evangelist Joseph D. Cornwall has been

most visible in the “prompting gap.” In the era of

between a brilliant shortcut and a hallucination.

part of the AVIXA faculty since 2010 and was named

GenAI, your domain vocabulary is your

They treat the AI as a senior mentor—an infallible

a member of the SCN Hall of Fame in 2024. Contact

programming language.

source of truth—when the expert knows it should be

him at AV_Educator@outlook.com.

The difference between an expert and a novice is

34

SCN // May 2026 // avnetwork.com