Let’s talk about digital signage, but not in the tired way. I’m not here to pitch “content on a screen” and call it a day. This is about real strategy, real control, and solutions that actually scale. The industry’s evolving, and as CTS-certified AV pros, we need to lead with options that aren’t just flashy. They need to be functional, intuitive, and built to handle the chaos behind the curtain.

Now, if you haven’t looked into Autora, it’s time. It’s our own platform and yes, I’m biased, but also right. It’s been flying under the radar, and that’s exactly why it’s such a smart play. Autora DSM is clean, cloud-native, and built for teams who want control without needing an IT translator every time they schedule a slide. The platform recently powered a full digital signage rollout across Texas A&M University. We’re talking hundreds of displays across campuses with centralized scheduling, emergency override capability, and branded content templates that even non-designers can update without breaking something. It’s signage that respects both the tech and the people using it. The feedback has been strong. IT teams love it. End users adopt it. Everyone wins.

Now for the usual suspects.

BrightSign is still the MVP when you want a rock-solid player that just gets it done. A retail chain in Puerto Rico used BrightSign players triggered by motion sensors for in-store promos. Ads played when customers reached for a product. No extra clicks, no wasted airtime, just smart, reactive content that helped move inventory.

Carousel deserves a nod too, especially when design flexibility matters. One municipality used it to manage content across multiple public buildings and gave each department the ability to manage its own screens. It kept things decentralized without going rogue, and the admin team didn’t need to babysit anyone through the process.

When you need to impress, tvONE steps in. We used CORIOmaster for a luxury hotel video wall that needed multiple inputs, layout changes, and scheduled zones without losing quality or giving the tech team a heart attack. No fuss, no delays, just a stunning lobby experience that made a serious first impression.

And of course, behind every great signage setup is clean distribution.

That’s where Atlona and WyreStorm come in. A client in Brazil needed signage throughout their HQ along with meeting room scheduling and VC integration. We tied everything together with WyreStorm handling signage feeds and Atlona managing signal control across the rooms. It worked, looked good, and stayed future-proof.

Here’s the takeaway.

Digital signage isn’t a “nice to have” anymore. It’s a key part of AV ecosystems. If you’re not leading with flexible, scalable options, someone else will. Autora DSM gives us a major advantage in that conversation and it’s the one I’m bringing to the front of the line.

Let me know if you want to dive deeper or see how these platforms play in real-world installs. I’ve got examples, and I’ve got time.

In today’s AV landscape, AV over IP (AVoIP) isn’t just an upgrade—it’s the new standard for global installations. Whether you’re connecting a boardroom in Bogotá, a resort in Punta Cana, or a university campus in São Paulo, AVoIP is transforming how large-scale deployments are designed, managed, and scaled.

Why AVoIP? Because Matrix Switchers Are Outdated

Let’s be real—traditional matrix switchers had their moment. But in today’s fast-paced, multi-location world, they just can’t keep up. AVoIP offers infinite scalability, simplified deployment, and cost-efficiency—all while running over standard Ethernet networks.

• Example: During a recent deployment for a Fortune 500 client in Mexico City, we connected 20 meeting rooms with seamless 4K video distribution using Atlona’s OmniStream AVoIP solution. No bulky switchers. No infrastructure headaches. Just smooth, scalable content delivery over their existing 1Gb network.

Global Deployments: One Setup, Infinite Possibilities

One of the biggest wins with AVoIP is its consistency across regions. Whether you’re installing in Miami, Madrid, or Medellín, you can replicate the same system architecture. 

That means faster rollouts, fewer compatibility issues, and streamlined support.

• Caribbean Example: We recently helped a hospitality group overhaul their digital signage network across multiple resorts. Using ZeeVee ZyPer4K encoders and decoders, they centralized content distribution from a single hub. Now, they push real-time promos, event schedules, and resort updates to multiple locations—without the need for separate headends or complex cabling at each site.

Higher Education: Smarter Campuses with AVoIP

Universities are quickly adopting AVoIP for lecture streaming, content distribution, and hybrid learning. The flexibility and remote management capabilities make it a game-changer for higher ed.

• Higher Ed Example: We recently worked with a university in LATAM that wanted to create a seamless hybrid classroom experience. Using Kramer’s KDS-EN6 and KDS-DEC6 AVoIP system, they linked lecture halls, remote classrooms, and overflow areas into one unified network. Students attending virtually had zero-latency audio and video, and the IT team could manage the entire system remotely—no more frantic campus sprints to fix a frozen screen.

Scalability: Because Expanding Shouldn’t Break the Bank, just be installed in them!

The beauty of AVoIP is its modular scalability. Need to add ten more displays next month? No problem. Just drop in more encoders and decoders. No forklift upgrade required.

• LATAM Example: A corporate campus in São Paulo rolled out MuxLab’s ProDigital Network Controller for 4K content distribution across 50+ displays. When they expanded, they simply added more endpoints—no need for new infrastructure.

Speed and Simplicity: Your IT Team Will Thank You

One of the biggest reasons Fortune 500s are all in on AVoIP? It plays nice with existing IT infrastructure. No proprietary cabling, no octopus like cable heads. No weird compatibility issues. Just standard Ethernet.

• Financial Sector Example: When upgrading the Panama offices of a financial institution, we deployed WyreStorm’s NHD-400-TX/RX system. Their IT team took over AV support without breaking a sweat, thanks to the system’s seamless integration with their existing network.

Security: Because Boardroom Meetings Shouldn’t Be Hackable

AVoIP also offers enhanced security. Solutions from Lumens, AMX, and Kramer use encrypted video streams, protecting sensitive content from prying eyes.

• Corporate Security Example: A multinational bank in LATAM needed to securely stream financial data between branches. By using Lumens’ NDI encoders, they ensured low-latency, encrypted content distribution without compromising data integrity.

AVoIP: Because You Deserve to Leave the Server Room Before Retirement.

Let’s be honest—AVoIP is also about quality of life. With remote management tools, you can troubleshoot systems from anywhere. No more spending your weekend in a freezing server room.

• Hospitality Example: One of our Caribbean resort clients now manages their entire digital signage network remotely using Kramer’s Control Platform. Need to update content across multiple resorts? One click—done. No techs on-site. No downtime, just sunshine and pina coladas!

Why corporations are All In on AVoIP?

For global companies, AVoIP is the only logical choice. Here’s why:

• Consistency: Same setup from in every location… no matter where in the world.
• Scalability: Add endpoints without adding infrastructure headaches.
• Remote Management: Because nobody wants to spend their day troubleshooting in a server room. Yuck!
• Cost Efficiency: Less hardware, fewer cables, happier CFO. Happy CFO, happy sales team!
• Flexibility: Works across corporate, hospitality, and higher ed sectors. Endless possibilities.

The bottom line?

AVoIP isn’t the future—it’s the now. So, the next time someone pitches you a clunky, outdated AV solution, just smile and say, “That’s cute. But we’ve moved on.”  Talk to your Almo Pro AV rep when designing your next project and let’s lock down a better solution that will make your life easier and your customer happy!

Want to know more about AVoIP? Read “ProAV Network Switches: A Harmonious Blend of Technology and Performance“