Why AV System Integration Is the Hardest Aspect of Home Automation?

Our team believes that of all the home automation services, AV system integration is the hardest one to get right, and here’s why:

1. Pre-construction AV products become outdated by project completion

AV systems are in a state of constant change and upgrade. Often by the time AV products and services are selected pre-construction, the products most likely will already be outdated. 

To address this issue, our team at Om Wave prioritizes building necessary AV integrations first – those that are core and unlikely to change, the ones that we call foundational systems. 

Secondly, we design the AV infrastructure and services in a flexible manner, allowing for seamless updates or replacements with newer products in the future.

2. Overkill for clients, upsell for AV vendors

The variety of available AV products can be overwhelming, especially for a client who has limited knowledge about AV, making it difficult to discern which ones are essential and which are an upsell for a vendor. 

Our team addresses this issue by learning what the client prioritizes when thinking about their AV systems preferences and creating 2 packages:

• One package outlines all the AV system integrations the client desires.
• The second package is a proposal based on our understanding of the client’s preferences.

Our experience indicates that clients are often unsure about their exact AV service preferences. Therefore, our team has a proper conversation with homeowners before entering the proposal stage to ensure that we provide products and services desired by the client.

3. Clients’ struggle to learn how to use AV services

AV system functionality stands out as one of the most challenging aspects for our clients to fully understand. Many homeowners are often unaware of the full capabilities of their AV equipment and typically utilize only basic services. To bridge this gap, our team employs 2 strategies:

• We create a custom instructional manual based on the AV services installed in the house.
• We offer an in-person training session once the systems are integrated to ensure that we address all the client’s questions and demonstrate the functionality of all the equipment.

This hands-on approach ensures that clients feel confident in navigating their AV systems effectively once the project is completed.