Future
Space
How audiovisual technologies
are changing where we work and learn
Photo Courtesy of Diversified
W
BY MARGOT DOUAIHY
alk into a company run by today’s digital natives and you may
find a space characterized not only by its floor plan, but also by
its adaptability. Think mobile devices everywhere, but no as-
signed desks; collaboration technology throughout. When people meet,
it’s via video — and not just in dedicated executive suites, but every-
where. Some workers are collaborating in person; others are patching in
from distant offices and interacting with the same content and tools.
Although this “agile office” is not
yet mainstream, it’s on the horizon, due
in part to the ubiquity and increasing
usability of audiovisual (AV) solutions,
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such as videoconferencing and shared
computing interfaces. A similar evolution
is happening in classrooms, where learn-
ing spaces are being reimagined to foster
better interaction and group work.
Technology is changing the way we
think about work and life, which, in
turn, impacts the places where we work
and live. We’re on the cusp of dramatic
change, and AV is playing a pivotal role.
Workspace Design:
Ready for Anything
Companies are the biggest pur-
chasers of AV solutions. One important
reason: Technology-equipped organiza-
tions are better positioned to recruit and
retain top talent. According to AVIXA’s
Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis
(IOTA) report, “a growing faction of