Whether it’s public spaces or shared and informal areas, things like digital signage and experience-driven collaboration zones can make in-office working more engaging. Having the right connectivity and systems in meeting rooms can support a much more collaborative culture in meetings, whether people are there in person or joining remotely.
But how do you get there? What can AV actually do to make your people want to come into an office or facility, and make it a more seamless experience when they do? We asked some of our expert technology vendors what they thought.
What does in-office AV unlock for business?
There are so many benefits to designing purpose-built AV infrastructures as a way to create more productive and connected workplaces. When we asked our vendor partners what they thought the most significant of those benefits are, we got several great answers - one of which came up a lot.
AV and IT technology being reliable for people was the thing that multiple vendors said they needed to offer their users to create the best workplaces. DTEN’s Luis Berlanga, GM & Head of Sales for the Americas, put it well when commenting: “people expect to walk into a space and have everything work. They don’t want complex systems that break down if a cable is mistakenly unplugged.”
If systems aren’t reliable, you’ll quickly see people getting frustrated and not wanting to come in and use the space. Jason Rance, Senior Territory Account Manager for Enterprise AV UK at NETGEAR in said that “strong culture starts with reliable, frictionless connectivity. NETGEAR’s AV-over-IP and high-performance networking ensure collaboration just works, supporting inclusive hybrid experiences, better communication, and more natural interaction across teams.”
According to our vendors, this reliability in systems often goes hand in hand with better communication. And that makes sense; not worrying about whether a meeting room is going to perform means you can just get on with your work, hosting meetings without friction. “This kind of technology removes barriers to communication and helps employees collaborate more naturally, whether they’re in the room or joining remotely” said one of our partners at LG whose CreateBoard products allow teams to brainstorm, annotate, and share content in real time with multi-touch functionality and wireless screen sharing.
Adam Dover, Senior Marketing Manager at Sony Europe summed it up really well when he said “high-quality visuals and audio make meetings more engaging and professional, helping teams communicate naturally whether they’re together or remote.” This natural connection that Adam mentioned is what happens with the right AV infrastructure and leads to meetings feeling like a level playing field because everyone can contribute equally. He added to this by saying “when remote participants are clearly seen and heard, collaboration feels fair, human and engaging, strengthening trust, connection and a sense of belonging across the organisation.”
What about outside of meetings?
And it isn’t just meeting tech that’s helping organisations create a culture that its employees and stakeholders want to be a part of. Digital displays in communal areas for example can contribute to sharing messages and the kinds of storytelling that only visual media can deliver. DTEN’s Luis Berlanga said this growth is being “driven by the need to simplify workplace complexity and make the physical office as intuitive as the digital tools employees use every day.”
Chris White, Turtle AV’s European Manager thinks that “modern office spaces are now expected. The desire to draw people back into the office requires companies, architects and interior designers to think about how to make the communal spaces attractive and inviting, while still being usable and flexible.”
So it’s clear that in the workplace, AV can do a lot more than just create connections between people, but also between people and the organisations they work with. Using AV as a way to present your business in communal areas or public spaces in a building or facility is the equivalent of a shop front. Especially if you’re not selling physical products that you can put on display; telling your brand’s story through visual media can be really important.
We asked our vendors what considerations need to be made when planning AV systems in public or communal areas. One thing which Jason Rance from NETGEAR said was that “with AV running over IP networks, organisations can easily extend collaboration, digital signage and content sharing into breakout areas, social spaces, and across entire buildings. This flexibility is key, AV over IP allows businesses to adapt spaces dynamically, rather than being locked into fixed room-based setups.”
Adam from Sony added to this, saying that in these spaces “viewing angle and display placement are especially important. High‑quality screens with wide viewing angles ensure content remains clear and visible for all participants, even in smaller or more flexible layouts. When combined with simple connectivity and unobtrusive technology, AV in non‑meeting spaces enhances usability, encourages collaboration, and supports more dynamic ways of working across the organisation.”
Modern workspaces require modern infrastructure design
So what’s the next step? If you’re an AV or IT technology manager responsible for workplace systems and want to look at modernising your systems, I’m sure you’d love to know where to start. Luckily we’ve got some experts here at AVITdirect, and at our vendors who can help.
We asked them what advice they would share for companies looking to outfit their workplaces in 2026. Chris from Turtle AV’s approach is enthusiastic. He said to “think BIG from the start. Think about what the ideal would look like, regardless of cost. Then work with AV professionals to manage that ideal into manageable expectations and budget. It is usually the case that we can provide a solution that gets close to that ideal without breaking the bank.”
And the starting point is what DTEN’s Luis Berlanga said was important too, saying that you should “start with the experience, not the technology.” He commented that “Too often organisations lead with a list of devices: cameras, speakers, displays. Instead, the better question is: What should it feel like to work here?”
Our friends at LG said that you shouldn’t be afraid to think outside the box. They said their technologies “allow organisations to use digital displays in creative ways across reception areas, corridors and social spaces. By integrating technology into more unexpected parts of the workplace, companies can create visually engaging environments that communicate culture, share information, and make the office a more inspiring place for employees to connect and collaborate.”
NETGEAR’s Jason Rance gave some great insights in which he broke it down into four succinct things. First, “build on a purpose-built AV network” something which is “critical for reliability and scalability”. He then said “Design for flexibility, not fixed spaces” which allows you to change layouts without needing to re-engineer your solutions. Third was to prioritise simplicity and usability, by looking at “solutions that offer intuitive configuration and pre-configured profiles, which reduce dependency on specialist IT skills and accelerate deployment.” And finally, his last tip was to “think infrastructure first” and make it “experience led.” He believes that “the best workplace experiences are powered by invisible technology, robust networks, reliable WiFi, and seamless AV integration working together in the background.”
Creating office culture in a hybrid world
It’s clear that AV and IT technology can have a huge impact on how your employees, internal stakeholders and even external visitors see your organisation. This is the case whether you need to find a way to make meetings run more smoothly so your teams can do their best work, or you want to present the aesthetic of your business from the moment someone steps in the door.
If you’re looking for new systems to help you achieve any of this, you’ve come to the right place. AVITdirect has all the right tools you need. And if you’re not sure what options are best for your business, the consultancy that we offer will certainly help you make the right decisions.