7 Benefits of Migrating to AV-over-IP Solutions in Hospitality Environments

AV-over-IP (or networked AV) is the transmission of audio, video, and other signals over a network. In essence, it involves transmitting data from one AV endpoint, like a microphone or camera, over the network to another AV endpoint, such as a loudspeaker or display.

AV applications play a significant role in the guest experience, whether good or bad. A high-quality AV experience can enhance the overall environment in a hospitality setting. Whether for in-room entertainment, presentations, or events, AV-over-IP technology can contribute to a positive and memorable stay for guests. However, it's important to note that successful AV-over-IP implementations require careful planning and network infrastructure considerations, so it's essential to work with experienced professionals who understand the unique requirements of the hospitality industry to fully realize these benefits.

Scalability

AV-over-IP solutions are highly scalable. Whether it’s reconfiguring a ballroom or expanding the seating area in a restaurant, you can easily add or remove AV devices and expand your infrastructure to accommodate the changing needs of a hotel or hospitality venue. This makes AV-over-IP systems an ideal choice for organizations that need to adapt to changing requirements quickly.

Remote management

With AV-over-IP, it's possible for your staff or a managed service provider to remotely monitor and manage your AV equipment, making it easier for administrators to diagnose and resolve issues from a centralized location instead of having to travel onsite. This saves time and improves efficiencies for managing systems in geographically dispersed locations, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and effectively.

Future-proofing

One of the most significant benefits of AV-over-IP solutions is the ability to future-proof the installation designed to support emerging technologies and evolving standards. Many AV-over-IP endpoints can install new features and updates automatically during non-working hours from a centralized location, ensuring that your AV infrastructure remains current and adaptable for future needs.

Enhanced flexibility

AV-over-IP allows for dynamic reconfiguration of audio and video distribution. You can quickly switch between different sources and destinations, which is particularly valuable for conference rooms, event spaces, and multipurpose areas. AV-over-IP makes it easier to distribute high-quality audio and video content to multiple displays and loudspeakers. This is essential for delivering a consistent and immersive guest experience in areas like hotel lobbies, bars, and conference rooms.

Low latency

Latency is the delay from when a client sends a request to a server (ex: play this video or TV show) until when it receives a response (video starts playing). In live events, it’s the time between when an action occurs, or words are spoken, until they’re broadcast on displays and loudspeakers. Low latency is imperative because customers expect to interact with technology in real time with no delays. The low latency provided by AV-over-IP solutions improves user experience and satisfaction across the board.

Integration with other systems

Given the prevalence of smartphones and other personal technology, guests expect a comparable level of technology in hospitality settings. Many common areas in hospitality venues are now controlled by a touch panel or similar solution that allows the room to be reconfigured with a single button press. Whether setting the lighting to 50%, closing or opening the window blinds, or turning on the room display, any combination of these actions can be chained together behind the scenes to elevate the guest experience. AV-over-IP systems can be integrated with third-party lighting and control systems to make the technology work together seamlessly.

Total cost of ownership

Choosing between AV-over-IP solutions and separate, lower-tech solutions in hospitality settings often comes down to price. But the material costs on the quote don’t tell the whole story. AV-over-IP systems use the existing data network infrastructure in the venue, so there’s no need to install and maintain dedicated AV cabling. This also simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting since IT staff can manage both data and AV systems. Many solutions can also send alerts to the system administrators if an error occurs, and many of those error conditions can be troubleshot remotely — and more quickly — instead of requiring staff to travel onsite. This makes them an ideal choice for organizations looking to save on costs while still delivering a high-quality audiovisual experience.

Final thoughts

AV applications in hospitality environments are intended to enhance guest experiences in some fashion, whether in setting the mood, wayfinding, or sharing information about upcoming events. AV-over-IP supports those use cases and more while simultaneously reducing system management costs. Careful consideration is necessary for any significant infrastructure change or expansion. However, the benefits of transitioning to AV-over-IP solutions, including better scalability, enhanced flexibility, and support for remote management, far exceed those offered by lower-tech, disconnected systems. The result will be happier guests for years to come.