Empower Your Corporate Clients with Smart Huddle Spaces: Essential AV Products for Seamless Collaboration

If you’re looking to design and install top-notch huddle spaces, we have everything you need to create the perfect solution for any space and budget, ensuring your corporate clients stay satisfied and return for more. In this blog, we’ll cover the basic principles to foster effective communication and recommend essential AV products for seamless collaboration.

Creating the Perfect Huddle Spaceperfect huddle space elevation

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, having a dedicated spot for quick meetings and brainstorming sessions is essential. But to make these spaces truly effective, they need the right tech solutions to enhance user productivity.

Building the perfect huddle space involves more than just selecting the right products. It’s about creating an environment that fosters collaboration and inclusion for a hybrid workforce.

Here are some tips to help you design an effective huddle space for your clients:

  1. Strategic Placement: Position your display and video conferencing equipment to ensure that everyone in the room has a clear view and can participate fully.
  2. Comfortable Seating: Provide comfortable seating arrangements that encourage engagement and interaction.
  3. Adequate Lighting: Ensure that the space is well-lit to reduce eye strain and create a welcoming atmosphere.
  4. Good Accoustics: Consider soundproofing or use sound-absorbing materials to enhance audio quality and reduce distractions during meetings.
  5. User-Friendly Technology: Choose AV solutions that are easy to use and integrate seamlessly with existing systems.

Essential AV Tech for Collaboration

Huddle spaces come in various configurations and sizes. For an example, check out this flyer featuring a signal flow diagram and elevation drawings prepared by the LinkLab services team for a recent E4 Experience event, where we set up a demo huddle space for attendees to experience firsthand. Now, let’s dive into some of the AV products we offer to elevate any corporate huddle space.

Philips displaysDisplay Solutions

A high-resolution display is the centerpiece of any huddle space. The Philips 55″ Q-Line 4K Ultra HD Display offers stunning visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for presentations, video calls, and collaborative work. With its sleek design and advanced features, this display enhances the overall experience and ensures that every detail is visible to all participants. As integrators, you’ll appreciate the ease of installation and the impressive performance this display offers.

Middle Atlantic free standing display mountFree-Standing Mounts

A sturdy and versatile stand or mount is essential for any huddle space setup. The Middle Atlantic Forum Free-Standing Display Stands are designed to support displays ranging from 42″ to 55″. These mounts provide a secure and adjustable platform for your screens, ensuring optimal viewing angles for all participants. Whether you need a floor-to-wall mount or a freestanding option, these products offer flexibility and reliability, making installation a breeze for integrators.

Video Conferencing Solutions

Barco ClickShare Bar ProEffective video conferencing is essential for remote collaboration. The Barco ClickShare Bar Pro is a powerful tool that combines a camera, microphone, and speaker into one compact device. This all-in-one solution simplifies the setup process and delivers high-quality audio and video for clear communication. With features like AI-powered noise cancellation and automatic framing, the ClickShare Video Bar Pro ensures that every meeting runs smoothly, making it a valuable addition to any huddle space.

Power Management

power distribution - rack mountedReliable power management is critical to maintaining uninterrupted operations in your huddle space. The NEXSYS Rackmount PDU from Legrand AV is a horizontal rackmount power solution that offers multi-stage surge protection. This ensures that all your AV equipment is safeguarded against power surges, providing peace of mind and consistent performance. With easy installation and robust protection, it’s a must-have for any huddle space setup.

High-Quality Cables

high speed hdmi cablesQuality cables are the backbone of any AV setup, ensuring clear and stable signal transmission. The CG41364 HDMI cable from Legrand AV’s C2G Plus Series is designed to deliver high-definition video and audio with minimal interference. This cable supports 4K resolution, making it perfect for presentations and video conferencing. Its durable construction and reliable performance make it an excellent choice for connecting your devices, ensuring your clients get the best possible experience.

Conclusion

By following these guidelines, you’ll create huddle spaces that not only meet your clients’ needs but also foster effective collaboration and productivity. A well-equipped huddle space can significantly enhance your corporate clients’ experience, transforming any corner into a hub of innovation and success that meets the demands of modern corporate environments. Satisfied clients lead to a thriving business for you!

Have more questions or want to consult with us about a specific use case? Connect with Exertis Almo’s Collaboration Solutions Category Manager or contact your Sales Representative, and we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your clients’ needs.

Want to know more? Check out one of our other collaboration solution blogs.

TAA-Compliant Products Available from Exertis Almo

If you work with customers in the Federal Government space, you’re probably familiar with the term “TAA-Compliant”. For those curious, “TAA” refers to the Trade Agreements Act, and its statute requires that products purchased through government contracts are:

  • Articles [products] that are wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of the U.S. or a designated country, or
  • Articles [products] that are “substantially transformed” in the U.S. or a designated country into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed.

TAA Compliant logoThe Trade Agreements Act (TAA) was enacted to encourage fair and open international trade, but in practice it has implemented the requirement that the US government may only acquire US- or “designated end country”-made end products.

While this statute can seem quite limiting on first glance, in practice there are plenty of products available to meet your customers’ needs while remaining TAA-compliant. The list of “designated countries” outside of the US is substantial, and includes countries you may not have considered compliant, including Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, and Singapore.

To assist with identifying TAA-compliant products, Exertis Almo has recently added a new field to Almo Access which readily shows whether a product is compliant:

TAA products specifications

So what are some examples of TAA-compliant products available through Exertis Almo? The list might surprise you, and give you ideas of opportunities you may not have considered before: CSA series

AMPLIFIERS

Lumens OIP-N seriesAV OVER IP ENCODERS/DECODERS

C2G 501 seriesCABLES

Sony CAMERAS

Nureva huddlecamCONFERENCING

AMX VariaCONTROL

DISPLAYS

LOUDSPEAKERS

MICROPHONES

Chief display mountsMOUNTS

NETWORK SWITCHES

PROJECTORS

BrightSign TAA media player for digital signageDIGITAL SIGNAGE

VIDEO EXTENSION AND PROCESSING

This is just a sampling of the many products Exertis Almo has available for your projects which require TAA compliance. If you have questions regarding whether or not a certain product is TAA-compliant or have any technical questions, reach out to your Business Development Manager or to any of our Account Managers for assistance!

Want more audio tips? Check out “Enhance Your AV Projects with Pro Audio Solutions“.
John Rossman - headshot-frame

About the Author

John Rossman | CTS

BDM II – Technical Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Harman ProfessionalAKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Lexicon, Martin, & Soundcraft

Want a New Year’s Resolution? Put the “Professional” in Pro AV

Are you eating healthy, exercising and doing all that you can to take care of yourself and your family? Are you doing all you can to further your advancement and make yourself more valuable to the company that you work for? Did you get a professional headshot for your web page and LinkedIn profile?

You do all these things because you’re supposed to be a responsible adult but so many of you still look and sound terrible in every video call. I can’t tell how many times I’ve witnessed an executive level person of an AV related company or organization sound and look terrible during an industry interview or podcast. It’s so bad that it’s unusual when they do it well.

I would argue that you are tarnishing your value as a supplier, client and coworker if you don’t get the basics of sound and video correct on a personal level.

unprofessional audiovisual presentationHere is a list of things that I don’t want to see or hear including my nicknames for each:

  • Only one half of your face because the rest is out of frame. (Abstract Art)
  • Only one side of your face because you’re not looking at the camera. (The Profile)
  • A dark face because you’re poorly lit. (Witness Protection Mode)
  • Way too much space above the top of your head. (Kilroy Was Here)
  • Your chin. (The Uppercut)
  • An empty conference table with you at the far end. (The Bowling Alley)
  • Your laptop microphone. (Speakerphone Mode)
  • Your videobar 25 feet away from you. (1/24 Scale)

Face it. Literally. Your laptop camera and microphone look and sound terrible. Your lighting is non-existent. Why are you using the built-in $2.00 microphone and $10.00 webcam to try and sell someone on the need to invest $100K in their conference room?

Promote the value in a quality audiovisual investment starting at your desk – convey your professionalism one-on-one.

I know this can be a vanity issue for some of us. We don’t think we look good on camera, so we turn the camera on only because it’s expected. Speaking as a lifetime member of the Introvert Club, I get it. But as a fellow coworker and introvert said to me, “Preparedness is the best medicine for nerves, so it all began with a simple thought, ‘If I upgrade my webcam, maybe I’ll feel more confident on camera.’” For him it started with a camera that’s popular with content creators. That lead to research on lighting and then what elements were in view of the camera frame. After that came the audio. He now has the best looking and sounding rig in the entire company. Plus, he and his wife started doing podcasts! He’s not even in the Pro AV division, he’s in IT. I might have the edge on him on the audio side, but he absolutely smokes me on the video side.

Lesson: If your IT person looks and sounds better than you, you seriously need to up your game.

Remind yourself that we are in Professional AV and more importantly, that we are in a relationship business. You wouldn’t visit your client in person knowing that you had bad breath so why are you practicing virtual bad breath with every video call?

Camera, lights, microphone and look up the “Rule of Thirds” for subject framing. It’s a “system” not unlike all the various components we put together for a client’s “system”. While it may be on a smaller scale it should be no less professional than the experience we’re promoting.

While we would love to work with you on your next $100K project, we’re no less interested in helping you look more professional on a personal level. This is the AV industry – we’re all in this together.

If you enjoyed this blog, check out Tom’s “Choose Quality AV” blog for more insights.

Tom Kehr
About the Author

Tom Kehr

CTS-D, CTS-I, Network+, LEED Green Associate, ISF-C, ATD Master Trainer

In-House System Designer and Trainer

Supported Applications: System Design

Maximizing Success in Pro AV: The Power of Delivering Complete Solutions

In today’s fast-paced world, where seamless collaboration and impactful presentations are vital, customers in corporate, government, education, healthcare, and other industries are increasingly seeking turnkey solutions for their audio-visual (AV) needs. As a reseller, installer, or integrator, this presents a tremendous opportunity to maximize your business by offering full and complete AV solutions that address every aspect of the end-user’s requirements. So, I challenge you with every opportunity to consider “What else can we offer?”.

From displays, microphones and cameras to switchers, mounts, and cables—every component plays a critical role in delivering a reliable, high-quality AV experience. At the heart of it all, solutions like Barco ClickShare ensure that meeting spaces, collaboration rooms, and presentation environments operate flawlessly, making it easier for users to connect, collaborate, and present without frustration.

Let’s dive into why offering full AV solutions is crucial, how it benefits your clients, and how integrating ClickShare can elevate any meeting space.

  1. End-to-End Reliability

A fully integrated AV solution ensures all components work seamlessly together. Piecemeal solutions often result in compatibility issues, signal degradation, or inefficient setups. By offering a complete AV package, you give your customers peace of mind that their investment will deliver reliable, high-performing results.

  1. Enhanced User Experience

End-users in collaboration or presentation spaces want technology to “just work.” Well thought out solutions eliminate complexities, enabling simple and intuitive operation.

  1. Increased Business Opportunities

By recommending complete AV systems, you not only increase the value of each project but also position yourself as a trusted advisor capable of delivering the best overall solution. This opens doors for cross-selling additional products that your customers may not have considered initially but are essential for achieving their goals.

  1. Cost and Time Savings

When you provide a turnkey solution, you save the customer valuable time and effort in piecing the system together themselves. Instead of sourcing products from multiple vendors, they get a cohesive package designed for their space and needs.

 What Does a Complete AV Solution Look Like?

  1. Professional Displays, Projectors and Cameras

High-quality professional-grade displays, video walls, or projectors form the visual backbone of the space. Customers require clear, bright visuals, especially in larger rooms or high-traffic areas. Cameras are a must have for virtual meetings and vary in quality and features. *Some considerations – Brightness/ambient light, Room size & audience/participant layout, image/screen size and mounting placements/heights, run time, etc.

Barco Clickshare solutions

  1. Audio

Audio quality is just as critical as visuals! Room microphones and professional-grade speakers ensure every voice is heard clearly, whether in a hybrid meeting or live presentation. *Some considerations – architectural acoustics, room size & audience/participant layout, mounting placements, etc.

  1. Essentials

Proper mounting systems, paired with high-quality cables, contribute to clean installations and uninterrupted performance. Faulty connections can disrupt meetings and presentations. *Some considerations – mounting surface, positioning and height, product weight, aesthetics, distance from content source, cable management, etc.

  1. Switchers and Control Systems

AV switchers, signal extenders, and control systems help manage multiple inputs, displays, and sources seamlessly, ensuring flexibility and functionality. *Some considerations – power requirements, acoustics, video resolution, number of inputs/outputs, control interface, etc.

  1. Services

Here’s another thing to consider! Outsourcing work can be a game changer, or a life saver in many situations. Whether shorthanded or in need of additional expertise, we at Exertis Almo can assist. See our full extend of Services offerings.

  1. Wireless Presentation and Collaboration Tools

Integrating Barco ClickShare ties everything together, offering a seamless wireless collaboration experience. ClickShare enables users to present content or run full Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) scenarios without requiring cables or adapters. Whether connecting a laptop, tablet, or phone, users can instantly share their screens with the click of a button.

Barco ClickShare is the centerpiece that empowers collaboration and brings together all the AV components in a space. Here’s how ClickShare enhances any full solution:

      1. Wireless Simplicity
      2. BYOM Capabilities
      3. Scalability for Every Space
      4. Enhanced User Experience

In today’s interconnected world, every meeting room, collaboration space, or presentation environment demands a complete and integrated AV solution. These can be very simple or quite complex. By asking all the right questions and offering all of the best solutions accordingly—you provide customers with a reliable, user-friendly experience that meets their goals and budgets. For resellers and integrators, this approach not only drives sales but also solidifies your role as a trusted partner in delivering cutting-edge AV solutions.

So, as you approach your next opportunity, think beyond individual products and focus on delivering complete solutions that empower collaboration, communication, and success.

Partner with Exertis Almo and Barco ClickShare to create exceptional AV experiences.

Want to know more? Check out “Did You Say BYOM?

Nathan Dwelly BDM
About the Author

Nathan Dwelly

BDM – Brand Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Barco ClickShare

Top Teams Room Devices for Maximizing Corporate Collaboration

With the rise of hybrid work environments and frequent guest collaborations, most businesses require straightforward and efficient conferencing solutions. Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR) offer a seamless solution for enhancing meeting experiences, ensuring that teams can collaborate efficiently, regardless of their location. Knowing the technologies available, is essential to providing clients with the best equipment to set up these rooms. Let’s explore the top Teams Room devices available from Exertis Almo while covering the basics of setting up and optimizing Microsoft Teams Rooms.

MaxHub Ultra Wide 105 in. for hybrid work meetingsWhat equipment is needed for a Teams meeting?

To ensure a successful Teams meeting or to set up a Teams Room, having the right equipment is crucial. This includes reliable computing hardware, high-quality audio and video devices, and control systems that make managing meetings effortless. Here are the key components you’ll need:

  1. Reliable Computing Hardware: A desktop, laptop, or dedicated Teams device.
  2. High-Quality Audio and Video Equipment: Microphones, speakers, and video cameras.
  3. Stable Internet Connection: Ensures smooth communication without interruptions.
  4. Display Screens: For sharing presentations and viewing participants.
  5. Control Devices: Touch panels or consoles to manage meetings.

Jabra PanaCast 50 grayExertis Almo offers a range of devices that meet these needs, such as the Jabra PanaCast 50 Intelligent Video Bar which transforms video conferencing. With features such as dynamic composition, intelligent speaker, and virtual director, it ensures optimal collaboration by adjusting views and focusing on active speakers. Its advanced AI, including intelligent zoom and dual-stream whiteboard, makes Teams meetings immersive and easy to use.

What are the major components of Microsoft Teams Rooms?

Creating a fully functional Microsoft Teams Room involves integrating several major components that work together to provide a seamless meeting experience. These components ensure that meetings are easy to manage, and that audio and video quality are top-notch. Here are the essential elements:

  1. Control Console: A touch panel for easy meeting management.
  2. Camera: A high-definition camera for clear video.
  3. Microphone and Speakers: For clear audio input and output.
  4. Computer Module: A mini-PC or similar device to run the Teams Room application.
  5. Digital Display: One or more screens for video conferencing and content sharing.

Huddly IQ ePTZ cameraFor example, the Huddly IQ ePTZ Cameras are excellent for boosting meeting engagement with their AI-directed multi-camera system.

The MAXHUB Commercial Display Ultra-Wide Series is perfect for MTR, featuring a 105″ collaboration display with a 21:9 aspect ratio and 5K resolution.

MaxHub XT Series Kit for MTRThe MAXHUB XT Series Kit for Microsoft Teams Rooms includes a computer, touch console, and integrated video bar, providing ultimate scalability for any meeting room setup.

What are the benefits of Microsoft Teams Rooms?

Microsoft Teams Rooms offer several benefits:

  1. Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates better communication and teamwork.
  2. Ease of Use: One-touch join, and intuitive interfaces make it easy to start and manage meetings.
  3. High-Quality Audio and Video: Ensures clear communication.
  4. Scalability: Suitable for rooms of all sizes, from small huddle spaces to large conference rooms.
  5. Integration with Microsoft 365: Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft tools and services.

By using top Teams Room devices, you can ensure that your conference room projects are equipped with the latest technology to maximize collaboration and productivity.

In Conclusion

Providing your clients with the right equipment for Microsoft Teams Rooms can significantly enhance their meeting experiences. By offering high-quality, reliable solutions from Exertis Almo, you position yourself as a trusted resource, ensuring your clients’ video conferencing needs are perfectly met.

The team at Exertis Almo is committed to providing our AV reseller and integrator partners with the latest and most innovative collaboration solutions for Teams Rooms and more. Contact us for a consultation, a quote, help with Microsoft licenses, and more.

Lisa Lingo, Category Manager – Collaboration

Still curious about collaboration solutions? Check out Lisa Lingo’s blog, “Stop, Collaborate and Listen“.

Stop, Collaborate, and Listen

Collaboration is often defined in many different ways.  Not near as much fun to say as it used to be in the 80’s… “Stop, Collaborate and Listen.”  BUT nevertheless, important.  Important in the sense that we do literally need to stop, collaborate and listen to/with our colleagues, leadership, customers, vendors and many others.  This requires the proper PRO AV gear to efficiently and effectively work with anyone and everyone on projects.

Exertis Almo Category Managers

This year I had the pleasure of returning to a familiar role.  Tweaked to fit the current time.  Exertis Almo has identified areas in which we need “Category Managers”.  We have a CM for Audio and one for dvLED.  I have taken on the role of Category Manager for Collaboration.

Am I in sales?  Sort of.  Marketing?  A little bit.  Business Development? Yes, that too.  My entire position focuses on helping our internal sales team and most importantly, our customers/dealers in the world of collaboration.  First, and possibly foremost, I am brand independent.  I work with each individual to meet the wants and needs of the end user to identify the best products available for their particular collaboration application.  (That’s kind of fun to say.)

I am not an engineer or designer.  However, I am more than capable of recommending the proper gear for a Microsoft Teams or Zoom room (to name a couple of biggies).   I also have a solid team of colleagues surrounding me, should I need input from an audio expert for instance.

Collaboration Solutions Consultation

music meetingLet’s say Robbie Van Winkle, aka Vanilla Ice, wants to revive his singing career and plans to have Teams meetings with record producers across the globe.  Maybe he needs a PTZ camera that offers tracking via Artificial Intelligence so that the far end will see his expressions as he paces the meeting room.  Perhaps he needs the camera to focus on him and not his entourage in the background.  Maybe he needs a simple, clean audio solution with a fantastic mic array and excellent speakers mounted on the wall.  I would be happy to help Robbie’s AV integrator select the right materials for the job.  AND if Robbie wants to join our meeting, that’s excellent too.

Ok, so I do not have many opportunities with this particular need.  But I could do it!

  • Need the perfect PTZ camera for MTR?
  • Starting from scratch and want to build out a simple huddleroom for BYOD conferencing?
  • Looking for a collaboration solution with a smaller budget than you’re accustomed to?

These are just a very few of the areas where I can assist for the win.  Whether your need is for one huddle room, ten boardrooms, house of worship, education, commercial office space, etc., I come equipped with excellent recommendations to fit the application.

Microsoft Teams and More

MTR SolutionsWhile we offer MTR licensing, we are aware many have a solution in place.  Keep in mind, we can tailor a complete MTR solution, including Teams Room licenses to fit the budget and needs.  Regardless of where you acquire your solution, do you have the right hardware to make for the best meetings?  A camera and audio are a great starting point, but we can help you further.  Do you need to share content with the participants in the room even when not using a conference solution?  Do you need to capture these meetings for later playback?  Has a touch control panel been considered?  Or perhaps an interactive display?

While new build-outs are fun, we can work with existing gear, as well.  OR perhaps you want to upgrade the current system.  I’ll let you know about trade-ins and promos.

I hope to connect with each and every one of you on your next opportunity.  Let me help you create seamless virtual meetings. I want to collaborate with you on collaboration.  (It makes sense, I promise.)

Want to know more about Collaboration Solutions? Check out “AI – The Sincerest Form of Flattery?
Reach out to Lisa on Exertis Almo.com or LinkedIn

Lisa Lingo, BDM

About the Author

Lisa Lingo

Category Manager – Collaboration

Supported Product Category: Collaboration

Pin It on Pinterest