AVT Question: Please share insights on the ongoing transition to networked AV and the role the cloud and AI play.
Thought Leader: Sanjay Kulkarni, Vice President of Product at QSC
The convergence of AV and IT is now an operational reality for most organisations. Networked AV architectures offer clear benefits in scalability, manageability and data-driven decision-making, but adoption is rarely as simple as replacing existing systems.
The biggest barriers are often organisational, financial and operational considerations, rather than technical capabilities. Existing AV investments often remain functional and valuable, making upgrades difficult to justify. Security, governance and interoperability have become priorities. As AV systems connect to enterprise networks, they must meet the same standards as any other IT asset.
Beyond automating routine administrative tasks, AI technologies can help organizations harness real-time data to improve visibility, generate actionable insights, and support more informed decision-making across connected environments.
Sanjay Kulkarni, Vice President of Product at QSC
The most successful transitions are incremental rather than disruptive. Organizations want to modernise at their own pace, extending the life of existing infrastructure while moving toward interoperable, software-centric environments. This shift is driving interest in full-stack AV platforms that bring together devices, software and cloud-based management within a single ecosystem.”
Cloud technologies are accelerating this shift by providing centralised visibility, management and analytics across geographically dispersed spaces. Instead of managing rooms and devices as isolated systems, enterprises can gain a holistic view of performance, utilisation and user experience across their technology estate.
Beyond automating routine administrative tasks, AI technologies can help organizations harness real-time data to improve visibility, generate actionable insights, and support more informed decision-making across connected environments.
At Q-SYS, we’re seeing organisations prioritise flexible, software-centric architectures that help them extend existing investments while creating a path to cloud-enabled management, data-driven insight and evolving intelligent technologies. The same thinking sits behind the high-performance workplace discussion, as AV environments increasingly need to be adaptable, connected and easier to manage over time. Ultimately, the future of AV/IT will be shaped by secure, intelligent ecosystems that can evolve with changing workplace needs.
