The Tech Simple Podcast: Recent Episodes
David Allara & Jonathan Cuthbertson
Independent insights into the latest AV technologies, as well as tips and best practices to optimise AV solutions for modern workplace and learning environments.This podcast is your guide to:
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Clarifying AV Strategies to deliver your goals in the workplace or learning environment.
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Learning how to select the Right AV products and solutions to support your goals
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Optimisation. Getting the most value from your AV investments over the long term.
The podcast hosts Jonathan and David have multiple decades of combined experience strategically advising their corporate, government, and education clients and overseeing the successful implementation of AV systems in thousands of spaces across hundreds of projects. They lead a team at konnectus who are passionate about AV, and even more passionate about implementing the right tech to make meaningful improvements in your organisation.
Learn more about konnectus and the "Tech Simple" podcast hosts at: www.konnectus.com.au
In this episode of The Tech Simple Podcast, we sit down with Pujan Doshi-Dowsett, the Product Owner for meeting spaces and video conferencing (VC) technology at IAG, one of the largest insurance groups. Pujan shares invaluable insights from a client-side perspective on gathering the correct end-user needs and requirements for AV solutions in a business setting. He dives deep into the critical questions stakeholders should consider: What role does VC play in the organization? How important is hybrid work? How capable is the support team for AV systems? These questions form the bedrock of understanding and developing a clear profile of the client to avoid costly guesswork.
Pujan emphasizes the importance of extracting true needs from three main user groups: everyday AV users, executive leadership, and IT and operations support teams. Together we discuss the often-competing needs of these groups and how to prioritize them to come up with an AV tech stack that satisfies everyone. From the support team’s desire for uniformity and minimal issues to end users’ need for customization and flexibility, and executive leadership's alignment with major technology partners and hybrid work strategies, the key is finding the right balance tailored to each organization.
We also delve into the significance of needs assessment as the foundation of the entire process. Pujan highlights the importance of ongoing communication channels with various user groups, especially in large organizations with diverse needs. Finally, we explore the integration of AV technology with physical spaces, emphasizing the need for standards in lighting, acoustics, and furniture to create an optimal meeting environment. Tune in to learn how to navigate the complex landscape of AV and VC technology in large organizations.
Contact konnectus TODAY at www.konnectus.com.au for:
- A complimentary Discovery Call to discuss your AV Needs
- Our FREE Network Assessment to optimise your AV solutions (Great for IT Managers)
- Our FREE AV Scoping Service (Perfect for Project Managers)
In this episode of the Tech Simple podcast, David and Jonathan are joined by Andrew Squillacioti of Concept AV. They discuss the importance of setting up IT networks correctly before implementing audiovisual systems in workplaces, meeting rooms, and collaboration spaces. They highlight the significance of network compatibility, bandwidth requirements, quality of service, and firewall and security settings in ensuring smooth AV system deployment. The episode emphasizes the need for proper IP addressing and DHCP configuration, port forwarding, network segmentation, and VPN configuration to optimize AV system functionality and support remote access by AV support teams.
Listen to gain insights into the process of firmware updates for AV devices, network monitoring for troubleshooting, and advice on conducting a network readiness check for AV solutions. The hosts share real-life examples and success stories from their experiences, demonstrating the benefits of proactive network setup and maintenance for seamless AV system performance. Engaging in a ten-point checklist discussion, they provide practical tips for addressing network issues and ensuring a robust IT infrastructure to support AV requirements.
Tune in and learn about the challenges of AV system deployment, the benefits of network optimization, and the importance of collaboration between AV integrators and IT departments. The episode offers valuable information on network configuration, security measures, and remote support tools essential for delivering efficient and effective audiovisual solutions in various workplace environments. You will also gain a deeper understanding of best practices for IT network setup and how it impacts the successful implementation of AV systems for enhanced user experiences and operational efficiency.
Contact konnectus TODAY at www.konnectus.com.au for:
- A complimentary Discovery Call to discuss your AV Needs
- Our FREE Network Assessment to optimise your AV solutions (Great for IT Managers)
- Our FREE AV Scoping Service (Perfect for Project Managers)
Join us for Part 2 of the engaging podcast discussion with Greg Jeffreys as we delve into the fascinating world of modern meeting room technology and design. Greg sheds light on the evolution of video display sizes in meeting rooms, driven by Microsoft Front Row, and provides insights on the pitfalls of dual-screen setups. Discover why Microsoft's focus on smaller rooms is a game-changer and how innovations like Microsoft Copilot are shaping the future of meeting room experiences.
Explore the trend of end users taking meeting room setups into their own hands and the challenges this poses. Greg highlights the importance of a collaborative partnership between IT and AV professionals to ensure optimal device functionality and sensory experiences. Uncover the industry's missing concept of "try before you buy" and the value of experiencing different meeting room setups firsthand to make informed decisions and appreciate the expertise of AV professionals.
Gain exclusive insights from Greg on the importance of standards in capturing end user needs in meeting spaces and a sneak peek into his upcoming book on hybrid meeting and teaching spaces, with a focus on Microsoft Teams Rooms and enhancing the end user experience. Don't miss this episode packed with valuable perspectives for end users, architects, AV designers, and anyone passionate about elevating meeting room design and technology. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will reshape your perception of meeting room setups and the role of technology in creating impactful experiences.
Greg Jeffreys is an expert on room design standards, displays, lighting, meeting and teaching spaces, and Microsoft Teams Rooms. He joins David and Jonathan on this episode of The Tech Simple podcast, which is so rich in nuggets of gold that we had to split the recording across two parts!
In Part 1 we learn about Greg's approach to design, which very much starts with the end users and the experience that needs to be created for them. He talks through his process and shares why technology is not always the answer – it is only a part of the overall solution and experience.
Greg also notes the hangover that still lingers from the global pandemic. At that time there was a rush to get technology solutions up and running as quickly as possible. Complying with standards and good practice design went out the window. Four years on we still see this approach to AV technology and meeting space design in many cases and we discuss why that is as well as the detrimental implications.
We pick Greg's brain on the AV technology and trends he is most impressed with at the moment, and you may find his responses quite surprising. Enjoy the show and remember to look out for Part 2 to listen to the entire conversation.
As we kick off a new year it is the perfect time to review what happened in AV technology in the workplace in 2023 and discuss the trends that are most likely to occur in 2024. In this first episode of Season 2 of The Tech Simple podcast, hosts David and Jonathan are joined by expert guests from industry association AVIXA who are in the perfect position to share the data from the market. Sean Wargo and Peter Hansen work together to gather market intelligence in the AV industry through data capture, analytics expertise, insight delivery, and world-class market research.
The information that Sean and Peter provide is hugely beneficial to end customers, manufacturers, distributors, integrators and consultants alike in the pro AV industry – leading to better decision making and winning outcomes for all of us.
Hybrid workplaces and workforces are critical to success for organisations in 2024 and beyond. In the conversations we discuss AV solution standardisation and how businesses are solving for meeting equity. New designs and furniture layouts are helping improve the meeting and collaboration experience. Leveraging AI in smart cameras and microphones and more in 2024 will continue to develop. Scalability and the ability to replicate experiences across offices and space types is also becoming ever more important.
Tune in to learn about these topics and more!
“We recently worked on a workspace project where we were able to save the client over $15 million. You are not just buying my time; you are buying my 25+ years of experience as a professional project manager". These are the words of Kevin Tompkins of CTPG who shares the microphone with David and Jonathan on this final episode of the Tech Simple podcast in Season 1.
In this chat Kevin likens the role of a professional project manager to that of a “conductor of an orchestra”. This is a key to success. A great PM is able the get the most out of everyone on a project team by giving each person the space and scope to excel at what they do best. He also talks about the importance of assembling the right team of people and companies to work together on a workspace project. The client and type of workspace will heavily influence these choices.
Kevin is also acutely aware of the importance AV now has in the modern workplace. We talk about some of the changes that have occurred in recent years and cover the factors that influence a successful AV outcome on any workspace project. We collectively agree in this discussion that having the right AV team to consult with and advise the client early, and then having the ability to proactively manage change before things become an issue, is invaluable on any project.
AVIXA is the Audiovisual & Integrated Experience Association and is effectively the trade association representing the professional audiovisual and information communications industries worldwide. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, and is the leading resource for AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence, and thought leadership.
In today's episode David and Jonathan are joined by the CEO of AVIXA David Labuskes who has been leading the organisation for more than 10 years. David gives us his insights into what AVIXA is doing to continually make the industry better and helps us understand the direct and indirect benefits AVIXA provides to end customers of professional AV technologies.
The guys chat about the prominent trends in AV across different sectors and David shares what he is seeing on a global perspective - it's interesting to see what things are common across the globe as well as examples of unique trends in different markets. Finally, we ask David what about AV is he excited about the most today and in the future. Stick around to the end to hear his answer!
In an earlier Tech Simple podcast (Episode 6) David and Jonathan discussed the top 3 reasons organisations should consider standardising the AV across their environment. This latest episode takes the discussion one step further with special guest James Cork of JLL. James oversees the AV and other technologies that are implemented into the various offices across the APAC region and has a particular focus on the human experience and interaction with the technologies.
The conversation is very much a client-side perspective of the topic. David and Jonathan have worked with James on developing AV standards for JLL and this episode gets started with James explaining the key benefits he is experiencing by having comprehensive AV standards documentation in place.
We discuss the extent to which things can be standardised by answering the questions: what can be standardised at a global level? What can be standardised at a local level? What cannot really be standardised at all?
Lastly, James tells us about how AV standards should be applied to specific workplace uplift projects and reminds us of the delicate balancing act between adhering to the standards over time whilst still leaving scope to take advantage of advancements in technology.
“The office is no longer a grid of tables with light levels meeting a required compliance or standard. Agile work is here to stay. Spaces need to be attractive for people to want to return to. They also need to be able to make people feel more connected. Creative lighting design can help to deliver this". Founder of Lighting Studio MG Michel Goupy and his associate Linsey Walker are expert lighting consultants and designers and join David and Jonathan on this episode of the Tech Simple podcast.
Michel and Linsey draw on their years of experience working in the hospitality sector to bring warmth and comfort to workspaces. Different types of spaces or areas in the office are designed to encourage or enable different things – whether it be casual chats or team collaboration work or quiet focused work. Good lighting design will help create the right environments to support these different activities. In this episode we learn about how Michel and Linsey approach a project and work in collaboration with all the other members of the wider design team.
Lighting for video conferencing is very important in the modern office and we learn some key best practices to lighting design. Michel and Linsey also give insights into what is new in commercial lighting technology and how they can be used to continually make better spaces for people at work.
There are many elements to consider when designing or refreshing a workplace. Workflows, employee experience, customer experience, interior design, tech tools and connectivity, building services, lighting, air quality. The list is long. In this episode of the Tech Simple podcast, we are talking about acoustics, which is so important to consider when planning and creating your workplace. As always David and Jonathan are joined by an expert in the field Daniel Natoli, the Director and founder of AKA Acoustics.
Daniel reminds us how he and professionals in his field can optimise comfort levels for people in all types of environments – whether it be a conference room, open working area, building lobby area, or an entertainment venue. We can all think of times or locations where we were straining to hear or overcome by unwanted noise, which subconsciously sapped our energy. When the opposite is true, and a listening experience is joyful we can sometimes take for granted how this came to be. Enter the work of an acoustics professional.
Tune in to learn about the dos and don'ts of acoustics in the workplace as well as some tips and tricks that Daniel shares. He also talks through acoustics in meeting spaces and details some example case studies, which are highly insightful and a must listen.
It's amazing how quickly AV technology in the workplace is evolving and improving right now. In this episode of the Tech Simple podcast David and Jonathan are joined by Paul Falzon, the Regional Director of Neat in Australia and New Zealand. Paul brings a wealth of experience in video, collaboration, unified communication, cloud, desktop and more. This experience spanning decades really helped to compare today's workplace technology with that of years gone by, which made this conversation so interesting.
In this show the guys look at three AV technology trends and discuss how they are being utilised in certain types of spaces to improve end user experience, increase collaboration and productivity, and lower the costs of the tech investments.
Take a listen to learn all about the details on the three trends:
- Video conferencing at the desktop and in small 1-2 person focus rooms
- Collaboration spaces. Powerful interactive tech tools that are finally easy to use
- Meeting space designs and using multiple cameras paired with AI
There are many reasons an organisation should consider conducting a trial or proof of concept of a technology solution before rolling it out into a wider environment. In this episode of the Tech Simple podcast David and Jonathan are joined by Mark Samuel who is the Head of Workplace IT at TPG Telecom in Australia. Mark has a wealth of experience when it comes to technology for the workplace in large organisations and is kind enough to share his insights around the when, why, and how to conduct successful proof of concepts.
We start by talking about best practices and the steps to follow when conducting a proof of concept, which includes interpreting the results. Mark then walks us through a recent case study example of a proof of concept he and the team at TPG Telecom completed. It covers the seamless integration of Cisco meeting room technology with Microsoft Teams. He goes into detail about why it needed to be done, how he and the team worked closely with manufacturers to assess all the options, and how they went about gathering the all-important feedback from different end users within the company.
Lastly the conversation covers our collective thoughts on what we can expect to see from technology in the workplace in the coming years. In a nutshell – further simplicity, more seamless experiences, and using software and artificial intelligence was our consensus.
AV technology is our friend when it comes to creating positive and equitable experiences for people with a disability. Often this is overlooked or misunderstood due to a lack of information and/or effective messaging about the options and possibilities. In this episode of the Tech Simple podcast David and Jonathan aim to close that information gap. They are joined by industry expert Christopher Ling from Jands who has a passion and wealth of experience on the topic.
We get started by discussing hearing assistance, and Chris provides the details on the local compliance to be aware of in Australia. We also discuss the different solution options on the markets and provide examples of the most suitable applications for each. Next, the AV technology options available for the vision impaired is discussed. This includes advancements in camera technology, user interface design best practices, and text to voice.
Chris provides his valuable insights on a range of other topics that include lighting design, sound masking solutions, heights of control panels and interfaces, and more.
A very important topic that adds significant value to any environment and a discussion not to be missed.
Enjoy!
AVaaS is a relatively new concept for the AV industry and in this episode of the Tech Simple podcast David and Jonathan are joined by Peter Tylor of PwC Australia to discuss AVaaS in detail. Peter leads the workplace technology team at PwC Australia and effectively is the owner of employee technology experience, which is something the firm takes very seriously.
In this episode we firstly learn from Peter why AVaaS is so attractive to a large enterprise organisation when compared with the normal Cap Ex model of procuring and maintaining the technology. Amongst other reasons, he explains how the ever-shortening life cycles of AV technology and the key goal of guaranteeing the systems to “work first time and every time” for end users are the top drivers to AVaaS being such a desirable model.
AVaaS has some strong benefits for organisations to consider but at the same time there are limitations. We discuss those and how the vendors in the industry could improve current offerings to make the model more appealing - like other technologies in the workplace that have mature aaS models in place.
Another remarkably interesting and relevant conversation, and we feel AVaaS will soon be commonplace in the AV industry.
In this edition of the Tech Simple podcast David and Jonathan have the privilege of speaking with Domino Risch, a highly regarded and experienced workplace designer. Domino is a Principal at Hassell, and the firm’s global sector leader for commercial and workplace. In this conversation Domino shares insights into a range of observations around workplace design over the past 18 months. Of particular interest is the wide gap that exists between cultural change and physical workplace design change. She provides a view into what we can expect to see in the future as well.
Domino explains the importance of considering the technology in a workplace design as early as possible. She also shares some details on how they are leveraging AI technology in one of their larger workplace projects to deliver the two positive outcomes of:
- Enabling workers to always be in the best fit/suitable location on each day at the office
- Lowering daily operation costs of the physical workplace
Lastly, Domino shares the key questions that now must be asked when going through the initial briefing and discovery process on a new workplace design project.
John Preece is a highly experienced expert in commercial property and workspace who is helping to build the fast-growing co-working business Hub Australia nationally as Chief Property Officer. He is passionate about Future of work and on this episode of the Tech Simple podcast we are fortunate to cover this topic extensively with John and gain some insight into what he is seeing.
John introduces us to the topic of “Liberating Working” and explains its meaning as
well as how it differs from hybrid working and even flexible work. Further
detail around the topic can also be found in a whitepaper published by John in
late 2021 “Liberated work: Responding to the unshackling of work from
place”.
In the show we also discuss the role of technology and how important it is to the user
experience. The office is and will not die, according to John, it will simply
take on a different form. However, the office as a product must add value and
provide a quality experience for people – hence the need for seamless technology.
This is especially important for an organisation like Hub Australia who
supplies a service to paying members and their guests.
Mark Mitchell is Oceania Premises & Workplace Director at Ernst & Young. An outcome focused leader guiding the firm to optimise staff and client experiences in this new age and drawing on expertise built up from senior positions with other large corporates including JLL, KPMG, and Baker McKenzie.
In this Tech Simple podcast Mark provides insights into some of the changes he is seeing in the workplace off the back of the pandemic and explains the importance of the various AV technologies in supporting people, place, and Ernst & Young as a whole.
Key points covered include:
- AV technology in an office needs to be easy, seamless, and work “first time every time.”
- An equitable experience when people come together to meet and collaborate is extremely important – whether in a room at the office or joining remotely.
- A proactive approach to support of the AV systems is now critical. It is necessary to ensure people have a positive experience with the technology.
As the technology in modern sound systems continues to improve, it can be tempting to believe that it is now possible to pay less attention to the base line acoustic properties of a space, and still achieve great sound system performance.
In this edition of the Tech Simple podcast David and Jonathan dive into this topic in more detail. There are some situations where the sound system technology can improve overall performance without relying on acoustic treatment to a space. The guys run through a series of examples.
In most situations though, the best outcomes are still achieved when both the acoustic properties of a space and the sound systems are considered together as one.
The guys also run through some tests to perform to understand the acoustic properties of a space. Finally, they provide some tips and advice to address and improve the acoustics in a room.
Are the AV systems in your organisation easy to use and consistent across the board? Are they the right tools to help the organisation and people achieve valuable outcomes? Are their operational costs trending upwards or downwards?
This show is all about why you should consider standardising your AV to achieve positive answers to the above questions. AV technology is no longer a nice to have in most organisations. It is a must have that needs to be well planned and considered from a range of different perspectives.
Fortunately, advances in technology are making it easier than ever to standardise an AV ecosystem. David and Jonathan have identified the Top 3 reasons for standardising AV in a business, which they discuss at length in this episode:
- User Experience
- Maintenance and Support
- Security
In Part 1 of this two-part series on networked AV devices, Jonathan and David covered the different applications and shared some best practices when implementing a networked AV system. This Part 2 episode focuses on the benefits of connecting AV devices to a central network in the context of saving operational costs for a business as well as improving user experience and utilization.
We address the benefits in three distinct categories:
- Remote monitoring and management. Now more cost effective than ever and can help reduce AV support and maintenance costs through a proactive approach.
- Collecting and analysing data. Use the information to make tweaks and adjustments to improve user experience and utilization rates.
- Keeping your AV devices up to date. Ensure the firmware and security patches are current and you take advantage of the latest features and functionality upgrades.
Most AV devices these days can be connected to a network of some kind – whether wired or wireless. Does that mean you should connect AV devices to your network? That depends. The clear trend is to have the devices connected, but there are different applications to be considered.
This Tech Simple podcast is the first of a two-part series. In this episode Jonathan and David explain the different applications, which are divided into two broad categories:
- Transmitting Audio, Video, and Control signals over IP.
- Managing and monitoring AV devices over an IP network.
Jonathan also shares his experiences from working with a particular security conscious client. Tune in to learn about some best practices to follow on your next AV project.
Some massive leaps forward in video conferencing technology have taken place in recent years. The global pandemic definitely accelerated the growth.
The #1 complaint or challenge we hear time and time again from customers is "remote participants feel they are excluded from the conversations and activity happening inside a meeting room or classroom. What can be done to make those people feel more included and be able to better follow the conversations?"
Hybrid working and learning means nearly all VC calls have a mix of people in physical rooms as well as those joining remotely - predominantly from a home environment.
In this Tech Simple podcast Jonathan and David review some of the technology that is now available, and how it is improving the VC experience.
Tune in to learn about the advancements in audio and video in particular that are now enabling equitable experiences for in room and remote participants on VC calls.
What is the end user uptake of the AV systems in your business? High? Low? Medium? Unsure?
Great AV technology in your business is not a good investment if it isn't being used in optimal ways.
In this Tech Simple podcast Jonathan and David identify the Top 3 reasons the people in your business may not be using the AV technology as effectively as possible. They also provide some tips to make proactive change and elevate end user uptake of your AV systems to maximum levels.
Tune in to learn the Top 3 Reasons. Assess where your business is at, and gain clarity on what could be implemented to optimise the end user uptake of your AV.