Meeting rooms as we knew them are gone – but are investments in the hybrid model where they need to be?
The pandemic is far behind us, but working from home remains fixed. Futuresource’s research from 2022 shows that the future of work is very much hybrid, prompting changes in how businesses approach meetings. Quality AV technology is becoming a key consideration for almost every enterprise, as they grapple with new working patterns and how to best support the dispersed workforce. That’s why Futuresource has quizzed one thousand decision-makers across the USA, Western Europe and Asia, to gain an accurate insight into the future picture for enterprise AV.
Futuresource’s Collaboration team will soon be heading to Florida for InfoComm 2023, to talk with industry leaders, businesses and clients about the shifts in store for enterprise technology.
Enterprises prioritise meeting room investments
It’s clear that enterprises are committed to meeting the shifting demands of the workforce. 80% of US companies are placing a medium-high priority on meeting room technology, with 70% of Western European enterprises doing the same – encouraging figures for a multitude of reasons.
Hybrid working is set to continue, and if anything, employees will only become more vocal about meeting participant equity. Access to efficient technology will become an increasing priority for the workforce and could indeed become a non-negotiable for prospective employees.
And the benefits don’t end with the hybrid worker. Collaborative work, which is best suited to employees in the office, is another important driver of meeting space upgrades. Our recent infographic breaks down some key figures on more enterprise AV trends – grab your free copy here.
Does the picture shift across different size spaces?
AV budgets have experienced an uptick from a year ago, and budget expectations for meeting rooms of all sizes are positive for the next three years. Yet there remains more uncertainty surrounding the future of medium-sized meeting rooms, which makes sense given the increasingly split workforce.
While large meeting rooms cater easily for big events, small meeting rooms often service the day-to-day needs of a business, especially given that many employees now join remotely. These factors are perhaps contributing to the question mark overhanging medium-sized spaces, with AV and IT managers without clear investment plans here. AV budgets are only incrementally higher for medium-sized rooms than smaller rooms.
Why is the current installed base lagging behind?
Enterprises are ambitious about their future investments, but the current installed base of equipment tells a different story. Core equipment and periphery items are still significantly below their maximum potential, without allowing for the possibility of replacement or upgrades.
The disruption to the working environments has a lot to answer for here. Uncertainty surrounding the needs of the workforce and meeting space developments has likely been a barrier to purchases and installations. Waiting until the picture becomes clearer avoids any unwise investment decisions.
For video conferencing solutions, the situation is similar. Despite increased demand during the pandemic, the installed base for these devices remains comparatively low and doesn’t reflect the demands of the contemporary workforce.
There’s some hesitancy among decision-makers, but this offers a significant opportunity. Manufacturers and tech providers should experience higher demand as hybrid working continues and employees become more demanding of participant equity.
Is it all smooth sailing from here?
There are undoubtedly some serious headwinds at work. Economic turbulence and geopolitical unrest could cast doubt in the minds of decision-makers – but so far, Futuresource research suggests otherwise. Of those quizzed, current circumstances won’t sway decision-makers from their investment plans. If anything, the opposite is happening. Increased investments in AV tech can make organisations more buoyant in the face of global instability. For prospective talent, well-equipped businesses may boast a competitive advantage above others.
It can be a challenge for enterprises to meet the technology needs of remote workers. While AV budgets are reviewed and working patterns stabilise, it’s critical to gain a deep understanding of the mindset of enterprise decision-makers. Learn more about Futuresource’s AV decision-maker end user survey by getting in touch with Ben at ben.thrussell@futuresource-hq.com.
Stay on top of our findings from InfoComm 2023 with our post-show report. Sign up now to receive your copy.
About the author
Olivia Lowden is responsible for the long-form content, press, and partnerships at Futuresource. Prior to her career at Futuresource, she completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, demonstrative of her lifelong love of words.
About the author
Alistair leads the Collaboration team at Futuresource Consulting, researching and consulting on the ways we work together, both in the office and remotely.
With a background in both operations and marketing, Alistair is particularly interested in how individuals and companies adapt under conditions of technological and social change.
Alistair has an economics degree from the University in Cambridge, and has previously worked as a business analyst, particularly within the financial sector.
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