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.

SDM Chip: The Key to Streamlined Digital Signage and Connectivity

I’m always in the pursuit of better understanding our current technologies, so I’ve decided to delve into Smart Display Module specifications. You’ve probably heard a lot about them, and you’re probably already using them.

How much do you really know about them and their capabilities? Improving upon the previous version called OPS (which is still currently available), SDM was developed to meet the needs of higher resolutions and higher data transfer speeds while minimizing space allowing displays to remain thin.

What are some of the other enhancements? In essence, the SDM is designed to future-proof your setup, whether you need capability for sharing content to a display or projector, or flexibility in connectivity options for today and the future.

As the demand for digital signage grows across a variety of applications, so does the need for more efficient and streamlined solutions. SDM, which stands for Smart Display Module, is a groundbreaking innovation that brings impressive power and efficiency to your digital signage setup.

In a recent conversation with Rudolf Vitti, Panasonic Product Manager Displays, we discussed the benefits of SDM and how its transforming digital signage and other AV over IP Solutions. Let’s explore how this innovative technology enables smarter, more streamlined installations.

The Basics: What Is SDM?

Developed by Intel®, SDM is a small, but powerful module specification designed for connecting displays and other peripherals to computing systems. SDM is designed to streamline the integration of displays into various types of systems, such as digital signage, interactive kiosks, and other embedded applications.

By helping with the need for a separate computing device, the modules can run signage software and support different connectivity capabilities.

Streamlined Integration Across Many Applications

Panasonic displays with SDM chipThe versatility of SDM makes it an ideal solution for a wide range of applications across various industries with flexible connectivity options without overhauling your entire system.

Retail & Advertising: For retail environments, SDM enables digital signage that’s simple to manage and maintain. Displaying ads, promotions, and product information on digital screens can enhance customer engagement by delivering targeted content based on location, time of day, or customer preferences.

Transportation: Airports, train stations, and bus terminals can use SDM-powered displays to show real-time flight or schedule information. With its compact and integrated design, it allows for easy installation and management of multiple screens across large spaces.

Higher Education: In colleges and universities, digital signage can be used for announcements, event schedules, and campus news. With SDM, educational institutions can set up digital displays in classrooms, halls, or lobbies without worrying about complicated setups or additional hardware.

Why Is SDM a Game-Changer?

One less point of failure: By creating a more streamlined, efficient setup, SDM reduces the potential for breakdowns or technical issues. Fewer components mean fewer opportunities for malfunction, making the system more reliable.

Futureproofing and adapting to new trends without replacing the entire display: The SDM’s modular design ensures that digital signage installations can evolve without having to replace entire displays. It’s easier to upgrade the module itself rather than overhaul the entire system, allowing businesses to stay up to date with new technologies and trends.

Easier to update and manage content: With SDM, content management becomes more efficient. Updates can be made remotely or directly through the system, reducing the time and effort needed for manual updates. This streamlined process ensures content is always fresh and relevant.

Designed for the Future SDM is flexible, adaptable, and built for the future. It provides versatile, standardized solutions that reduce the need for custom designs and ensure compatibility. The modular nature of the chip allows for easy upgrades in signage. Additionally, it offers backward compatibility, making it possible to connect new displays with older infrastructure. SDM also enables the integration of multiple displays within a network for complex setups and large-scale deployments, all while reducing cables. Panasonic projector with SDM chip

Panasonic Connect supports SDM across the EQ, SQE2, and SQ2H series displays and PT-RQ25, REQ15, and RQ7 series projectors.

The SDM is a game-changer for digital signage, offering a more reliable, adaptable, and scalable solution for various industries. By reducing complexity and hardware requirements, SDM enables businesses to implement cost-effective and future-ready connectivity options for various applications inclusive of digital signage systems.

Interested in learning more about Panasonic SDM modules or other Panasonic products? Please feel free to reach out to me, Angie Greene, Exertis Almo BDM Brand Specialist, Panasonic.

Angie Greene
About the Author

Angie Greene | DSCE

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Panasonic Connect

QDEL: Just Another Acronym or the Next Quantum-Dot Leap?

Display technology advancements seem to pop up every other day, but every now and then, a true game-changer emerges. Enter QDEL—Quantum Dot Electroluminescent displays. More than just another acronym in the tech world, QDEL has the potential to redefine the way we experience screens by overcoming the limitations of OLED, LCD, and even the latest QD-OLED technology.

Sony Bravia 9 NanoLEDWhat is a QDEL Display?

QDEL (Quantum Dot Electroluminescent) is a cutting-edge display technology that eliminates the need for a backlight. Unlike traditional LCDs, OLEDs, and QD-OLEDs, which require external light sources or organic materials to emit light, QDEL uses quantum dots as the primary light emitters. This results in a self-emissive display that delivers exceptional brightness, richer colors, and greater energy efficiency.

The good news? Quantum dots are already being successfully used in LCD-LED and OLED screens, proving their viability in consumer technology. Now, with QDEL, stakeholders predict even greater efficiencies—including lower power consumption and higher brightness compared to OLED.

Why QDEL Could Be the Ultimate Display Tech

QDEL offers significant advantages over existing display technologies:

Wider Color Gamut – Expect richer, more vibrant colors than today’s QD-OLED displays.
Higher Brightness – More intense illumination without excessive power consumption.
Burn-in Resistance – Unlike OLED, QDEL won’t degrade over time, making it more durable.
More Affordable Production – Potentially lowering costs compared to OLED and microLED.

By addressing the weaknesses of OLED, QD-LED, and direct-view LED (DVLED) displays, QDEL represents the future of screens—offering a superior visual experience with greater longevity and accessibility.

Sony Bravia 9 NanoLED QLED technology The Future of Display Technology with QDEL

With QDEL technology on the rise, the future of displays looks brighter—literally and figuratively. This innovation could reshape the industry by delivering next-level performance, efficiency, and affordability.

Imagine a world where displays are:

Ultra-bright yet energy-efficient – Perfect for outdoor viewing and HDR content.
⏿ Vivid and true-to-life – The widest color gamut ever seen in consumer displays.
⛨  Free from burn-in worries – Long-lasting screens for TVs, smartphones, and beyond.
$ More affordable – Bringing premium visual experiences to a wider audience.

As QDEL technology continues to evolve, we can expect thinner, more flexible, and more durable screens, paving the way for groundbreaking applications in gaming, home entertainment, digital signage, and even augmented reality.

The rapid progress in quantum dot applications proves that QDEL isn’t just a concept—it’s the next leap forward. We’re on the brink of an exciting transformation, where screens will be brighter, richer, and more reliable than ever before.

The future isn’t just high-definition—it’s QDEL-defined.

Oshiana Lindsley

About the Author

Oshiana Lindsley​​​​​​ | DSCE

BDM – Brand Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Sony

Want to know more about innovative LED technologies?
Check out this blog, “How Transparent LED Film is Revolutionizing Display Technology“.

Top Outdoor AV Solutions for 2025: A Resellers Guide

As the demand for outdoor audiovisual (AV) solutions continues to grow, resellers and systems integrators need to stay ahead of the curve by offering the latest and most reliable products. Whether it’s for outdoor entertainment, advertising, or public announcements, having the right AV equipment is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top outdoor AV solutions for 2025, focusing on displays, audio systems, DVLEDs, kiosks, and mounts.

Outdoor Displays

Peerless-AV 55″ Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display, Gen 4.1

Peerless-AV’s 55″ Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display is designed to withstand the harshest outdoor conditions while delivering stunning visuals. With a brightness level of 2500 nits, this display ensures clear visibility even in direct sunlight. Its weatherproof design protects against rain, snow, and dust, making it ideal for outdoor advertising, digital signage, and entertainment.

Key Features:

  • 2500 nits brightness
  • Weatherproof design (IP68 rated)
  • Anti-reflective and impact-resistant cover glass
  • Operating temperature range: -31°F to 140°F

Peerless-AV Xtreme High Bright outdoor displays

More outdoor displays ⟫Bose Professional S1 Pro+ Wireless PA System

Outdoor Audio

Bose Pro S1 Pro+ Wireless PA System

The Bose Pro S1 Pro+ Wireless PA System is a versatile and portable audio solution perfect for outdoor events. With Bluetooth connectivity, built-in sensors for optimal sound, and a rechargeable battery, this system offers high-quality audio performance in any outdoor setting.

Key Features:

  • Bluetooth streamingElectro-Voice Evolve 50M
  • Rechargeable battery with up to 11 hours of playtime
  • Auto EQ adjusts sound based on placement
  • Lightweight and portable design

JBL Control 85mJBL Control 85M Landscape Speaker: Ideal for blending into outdoor environments while providing excellent sound coverage.

Electro-Voice Evolve 50M Portable Powered Column System: Offers superior sound quality and portability for outdoor events.

Yamaha VS6 Surface Mount Speaker: Durable and weather-resistant, perfect for outdoor installations.Yamaha speakers

Leyard MGS seriesOutdoor DVLED

Planar MGS Series Outdoor LED

Planar’s MGS Series Outdoor LED displays are designed for high-impact outdoor installations. With their robust construction and high brightness levels, these displays are perfect for large-scale outdoor advertising and digital signage.

Key Features:

  • Leyard MGS service and installHigh brightness for visibility in daylight
  • Weather-resistant design
  • Flexible installation options
  • Long lifespan and low maintenance

Outdoor Kiosks and Mounts

Chief Impact Outdoor Kiosk

Legrand kioskThe Chief Impact Outdoor Kiosk by Legrand is a durable and versatile solution for outdoor digital signage and interactive displays. Its sleek design and robust construction make it suitable for various outdoor environments, from parks to shopping centers.

Key Features:

  • Weather-resistant enclosure
  • Easy installation and maintenance
  • Compatible with various display sizes
  • Secure and tamper-proof design

Chief outdoor ceiling mountChief OLC Mounting Kit: Ideal for ceiling and pedestal mounted displays in outdoor settings with varying installation requirements.

Conclusion

As outdoor AV solutions continue to evolve, resellers and integrators must stay informed about the latest products to meet their customers’ needs. The products highlighted in this guide offer reliable performance, durability, and versatility for various outdoor applications. By incorporating these top outdoor AV solutions into your offerings, you can ensure your customers have access to the best technology available in 2025.

Feel free to reach out to your sales representative or an Exertis Almo BDM for more information, or to discuss how these products can enhance your outdoor AV projects.

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

Competitive Esports: What’s It All About?

Over the past few months, I went on a journey to gain a better understanding of Esports. With over 30 years in this industry, my exposure and knowledge level about this new and growing business was very limited at best. Other than the discussions with my niece and attending a few webinars hosted by rAVe’s Gary Kayye, I intended to expand my personal knowledge – and hopefully share some of that information with you.

Over the past few years, Esports has transformed from a niche activity into a global phenomenon, with large audiences, sponsorships, and college programs dedicated to competitive gaming. While Esports is rising in popularity across many universities, the term can still be a bit of a mystery for those who aren’t immersed in the gaming world. Simply put, Esports focuses on competitive video gaming, where players and teams participate in organized tournaments, often with large audiences watching online or live at arenas.

In a recent article about the rapid expansion of Esports, rAVe’s Clara Mello details the large market potential for competitive gaming. Thanks to its expansion into college programs, the gaming market was valued at $187 billion with 335 million players and viewers when rAVe’s article was published.

esports-arena-displaysBut it’s not just about the games — there’s a long list of audiovisual technology that helps bring these epic events to life. Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of Esports and discuss how AV solutions are driving this industry.

In conversation with Keith Vidger, Engineering Manager for Pro Video and Audio at Panasonic, we discussed the key factors that contribute to a successful Esports setup. First and foremost, it’s important to differentiate Esports streaming from broadcasting.

“There are many rules and procedures used for broadcasting at conventional sporting events,” he explained. “These rules do not apply when you’re not broadcasting over the air, so there’s no need for delay.”

While the government requires that traditional broadcasts insert several seconds of delay, these rules do not need to be followed when streaming. Instead, streams should have one frame or lower latency. And in competitive Esports, latency and lag are major concerns. With each game requiring split-second decisions, even a few milliseconds of delay can cost players the game.

“Certain applications do not care about lag, but [in Esports,] 3-microseconds versus 2-microseconds of lag could be the difference between winning and losing a game,” Vidger said. “[Traditional] broadcasting caused an unnecessary delay that was detrimental to the game players.”

Additionally, the growing popularity of Esports wouldn’t be complete without the rise of platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Many Esports events are streamed live on Twitch, where millions of fans tune in to watch the action unfold in real time. Pre-recorded events are frequently uploaded to YouTube, where they can be revisited by fans after the event is over.

So, how does the right AV gear enhance an Esports event? Here are a few necessary products that are designed to help these competitions run smoothly and efficiently.

PTZ Cameras

Panasonic Connect PTZ cameras Panasonic’s AW-UE150 and AW-UE160 cameras are excellent choices for Esports events, as they provide crystal-clear images and capture fast-moving gameplay. For smaller setups or more budget-friendly options, the AW-UE30 and AW-UE40 are also great choices.PTZ cameras by Panasonic Connect

Explore the Panasonic PTZ Camera lineup.

Displays

While the players often have access to their own personal monitors during an Esports event, large displays are an essential component of an arena. These displays show the competition to large, in-person crowds and give attendees a close-up look at key moments.

Looking towards the future of competitive Esports, Vidger finds that the largest point of change is in the organization of the sport itself, as there are many different leagues that can employ players and drive revenue. He expects that the scope and reach of these leagues continues to expand, with more university campuses requesting these audio-visuals systems to host competitive Esports events.

Overall, Esports is a fast-growing segment for the AV industry. In my opinion, it’s a very interesting topic, especially if you are not really involved in playing any games. If you’re looking to experience an Esports event, I’d recommend going on Twitch to watch an online stream. This is an area that brings opportunities for all of us to provide equipment for these events. Additionally, Esports also presents itself as a rapidly growing business segment, which will only bring even more discovery of products and services.

This was an educational and eye-opening process for me, and I’ll share some useful links and resources so you can peruse them, too!  With any questions, please reach out to me, your Exertis Almo representative, and/or your Panasonic TAM for assistance.

Resources for You

Angie Greene
About the Author

Angie Greene | DSCE

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Panasonic Connect

Pin It on Pinterest