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As AVI-SPL and Whitlock Merge, the Customer Remains the Focus

AV Everywhere

In recent weeks, the offices of AVI-SPL have been buzzing with activity — much like the buzz that was generated when it was first announced that AVI-SPL and Whitlock would merge into one digital workplace services provider. The number one and number three companies on the SCN Top 50 of systems integrators were joining forces. And as you might expect, the news reports focused on the economics: the value and size of the new corporate giant, 

Much of the activity, particularly at AVI-SPL’s Tampa headquarters, has been focused on ways to bring the companies’ operations together while providing the same high levels of service that clients of AVI-SPL and Whitlock have come to expect. In a letter to customers, AVI-SPL’s EVP of Global Sales and Marketing Dale Bottcher did more than reassure them about the dedication and support they expect will be there. He let them know that the services and solutions they’ve come to rely on were going to get even better. He emphasized the need to pair collaboration spaces with the support services that lead to the best possible experience for end users and IT operations.

Actions are backing up his words. The constant flow of meetings and training sessions among AVI-SPL and Whitlock reveals the commitment to maintain and build upon the excellence that have made both companies so valuable to their clients around the world.

Bottcher’s letter expresses the practical value the merger will have not just for current customers, but those who are seeking a partner for their digital workplace transformation: the ability to quickly reach their collaboration and business goals. Research has shown that the number of video-enabled meeting spaces in the business world continues to grow — and for good reason.  Organizations that value video collaboration are able to optimize their investment in office space while offering the flexibility to work from anywhere and tap into the knowledge of teams working together. And because of these benefits, companies are positioned to attract and keep the talent that drives their growth.

If you’re seeking a partner for improving or building from scratch a workplace collaboration experience that benefits the entire company, I encourage you to let AVI-SPL know your challenges. I also encourage you to review AVI-SPL’s thought leadership on workplace collaboration. A great starting point is our 2019 Concept Catalog, which offers advice on how to build a digital workplace committee to ensure your workplace solutions align with business goals and the necessary user experience.

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AVI-SPL Leads the SCN Top 50 for 2019

AV Everywhere

For the 14th consecutive year, AVI-SPL ranks #1 on the Systems Contractor News list of the top 50 systems integrators in North America.

As in past years, this win reflects the dedication of the entire AVI-SPL team to improving the way organizations of all types collaborate and communicate with one another. It also reflects the enormous trust placed in us by consultants, contractors, vendor partners, and clients we work with to deliver services and solutions that improve business outcomes.

AVI-SPL CEO John Zettel offered this comment on the recognition:

“In a year where we’ve seen others in our industry make bold moves and announcements, this year’s top ranking is especially gratifying as it highlights the power of our team,” said Zettel. “Make no mistake about it, this is a team award.”

This year-end recognition is yet another proud achievement for AVI-SPL in 2019. This past year, our awards have included:

That last award is a long one, but it reflects a benefit that organizations of all types need — the ability to show ROI from their technology investments.

See the full list of companies that made the SCN Top 50 list for 2019 >

Contact AVI-SPL and let us know about your challenges and goals for improving the collaboration experience across your enterprise.

 

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AVI-SPL Wins Twice at AV Awards

AV Awards

On Friday, October 11, AVI-SPL was recognized at the AV Awards in London with two prestigious industry awards: AV Management and Control Technology of the Year and International Integrator of the Year. 

In the category AV Management and Control Technology of the Year, AVI-SPL won for its Symphony user experience management application. With Symphony, organizations have a single-pane view into their AV and UC technology estate, one that enables them to proactively respond to issues before they affect end users. They can also determine the ROI of their solutions through analytics like room usage and network performance. And they can automate the scheduling, launching, and monitoring of their conference calls.

In an email to employees, AVI-SPL CEO John Zettel wrote, “I want to extend very special congratulations to Frank Mehr and his R&D team for the significant development of Symphony over the past several years, making it a must-have for our customers.”

The recognition as International Integrator of the Year comes just six years after AVI-SPL began expanding its global reach. This win reflects AVI-SPL’s ability to deliver the services and solutions that improve the workplace experience for our clients around the world, which is the true measure of our success. 

“We could not have achieved this honor without the best collection of talent worldwide in our industry,” said Zettel in the same congratulatory email.

AVI-SPL also owes these wins to the many manufacturers, consultants, architects, and contractors who work with us with one goal in mind: delivering the best outcomes to our clients. 

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Q&A With Ericka Shumpert, Winner of AVIXA Women’s Council Award

AVI-SPL

Ericka Shumpert leads AVI-SPL’s participation in events like trade shows and conferences, and organizes many of our own educational/networking public events. She’s also an active member in the AVIXA’s Women’s Council, which recognized Shumpert with its Ultimate Team Player award at InfoComm 2019. In the Q&A below, Shumpert talks about the win and the valuable mission of the Women’s Council.

Q: When did you join the AVIXA Women’s Council?

Shumpert: I’ve been a member for over two years, since it was known as the Women of InfoComm. I attended my first session at ISE [Integrated Systems Europe), and then Coleen Sterns Leith and I started the Tampa chapter, which we continue to co-chair.

Q: When did you find out you were being recognized for your contributions to the council?

Shumpert: I knew I had been nominated, but I didn’t know I won until the Women’s Council breakfast on Thursday, when they showed my photo on the presentation display.

Q: What were your first thoughts?

Shumpert: I was shocked and honored. It helps that people at AVI-SPL voted. We have a large group representing the Tampa chapter.

Q: Talk about the mission of the Women’s Council and how the Tampa group supports that.

Shumpert: The purpose is to empower women in the AV industry. At the Tampa chapter, we do this by hosting tech tours, networking events, and activities where we give back to the community through events like Dress for Success and a Metropolitan Ministries program called Inside the Box.  For our chapter’s events, Coleen and I handle all of the logistics like venue coordination and agenda creation.

Q: Do you think your win will affect your work on the council?

Shumpert: My attitude of being part of a team doesn’t change, because we accomplish more as a team than as individuals. 

Q: What about the council made you want to join?

Shumpert: I believe so strongly in the women’s council and things we’re trying to accomplish. We’re on a mission to increase awareness and education and help women in the industry. And that’s easy to do because of the team working together.

Q: What’s it like working with the Tampa chapter?

Shumpert: We learn from others’ experiences. Coleen is a great co-chair and has a very active role in AVIXA. Other women in the group, like Heather Callaway from APG Electric, are great mentors. Sherri Beck, AVI-SPL’s director of learning and development, is on the committee, so we’re growing the group and involving our manufacturing partners.

Q: On the topic of growth — how has the group changed or improved since you joined?

Shumpert: Our group has grown from 15 members to over 100. We recently surveyed our members and asked, “What do you need from us?” We want to reach their goals, like hosting tech tours and offering specific training. That shows the group is dedicated to what it’s intended to be – helping women in the industry. 

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AVI-SPL Symphony a Finalist for SCN Award

AV Everywhere

AVI-SPL Symphony is a finalist for the SCN Installation Awards’ Most Innovative IoT Product. It is now up to you to vote for the winner.

Symphony is the managed services platform that automates the scheduling, launching, management, and experience of your meetings. It gives you global control of your AV and UC estate from a web-based portal. Symphony also provides custom reports that share valuable information like room usage, quality of experience and device status, all of which your team can use to determine ROI and meet business objectives.

Vote for Symphony

Please take a moment to vote now for Symphony. The category is the sixth question in the online form. You do not have to vote in every category.

Thank you for your time and your vote for Symphony!

VOTE NOW

Winners will be announced at InfoComm 2019.

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Manage Your Company’s AV and UC With Symphony as a Service

AV as a service

On the worldwide stage of ISE 2019, AVI-SPL announced the availability and value of its Symphony as a Service (SYaaS), which makes it easy for organizations to monitor, manage and improve their collaboration estate, and provide a better user experience of their AV and UC systems.

The Symphony managed services platform is the engine that drives AVI-SPL’s award-winning managed services for its clients around the world. With SYaaS, that platform is available on a subscription basis. AV and IT departments can be proactive about their collaboration spaces and devices as they launch and manage video calls, and keep track of the quality of experience during meetings. Through the service’s mobile-friendly, web-based dashboard, staff will have real-time insight into an organization’s AV devices, video systems, and conference infrastructure.

Symphony as a Service also provides analytics about room and device usage so that companies have the business intelligence to make informed decisions about future investment in meeting spaces and collaboration technology.

The announcement has been covered by industry magazines like rAVe, Tech Decisions, AV Magazine, AV Network, and Commercial Integrator, which shared this video it recorded at ISE 2019.  Here, AVI-SPL’s SVP of Services Tim Riek explains the value of SYaaS.

 

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