The arrival of the new year naturally brings thoughts about upgrading our lives, whether it’s getting to the gym more often or ensuring our businesses continue to flourish.

If business growth and expansion are some of your resolutions for the new year, it might be time to reexamine the performance of your A/V systems. From bars adding multiple screens for patrons to watch sports to conference rooms set up for better remote teleconferencing, there are multiple steps your business can take to expand its A/V capabilities in 2025.

Simplify Your Scaling

A few A/V sources and accompanying displays probably aren’t taxing your system to the point where you’d like to make significant changes. But if you’re interested in upgrading to more than eight displays and sources, it’s time to consider switching to an A/V over IP system.

“For reference, A/V over IP is exactly what it sounds like — delivering audiovisual and control information via internet protocol, such as WiFi, LAN (local-area network), or WAN (wide-area network) connections,” said R.T. Chalfant, Senior Account Manager with Haverford Systems. “Often, traditional A/V setups are limited in how many devices can be connected. A/V over IP expands your scalability significantly.”

Specifically, switching to A/V over IP greatly expands the amount of information your system can handle and, as a result, expands the number of screens and data sources your system can include.

“Upgrading to A/V over IP also gives you more range in your data transmission,” Chalfant said. “Where older systems required display devices to be close to the sources to accommodate a direct connection, using an A/V over IP system connected via WAN eliminates the need for such connections.”

Save Money and Energy

Businesses are always looking for places to maximize their savings, and it’s a bonus if those savings can come along with being more energy efficient.

“If 2025 is the year you commit to greater energy savings as a part of corporate sustainability initiatives, your A/V system can contribute significantly while allowing you to upgrade your telecommunications, wayfinding, or worksite information systems,” Chalfant said.

Technologies like common-cathode displays not only consume less power, he notes, but many energy-efficient products also produce less heat, extending the life of your equipment.

“Think of more energy-efficient A/V products the same as you would LED lightbulbs — you get longer life and cooler operation, which helps on several levels,” Chalfant said.

Plan Ahead

If your business is considering adding to or upgrading your existing A/V system, the time to start planning is now, ideally with the help of dedicated A/V integration specialists like the team at Haverford Systems, Chalfant said.

“Working with your A/V team early in the planning process ensures that you’ll not only get the best setup for your circumstances today but also that you’ll be well positioned for changes in technology down the road,” he said.

Partner with an Expert

Haverford Systems is perfectly positioned to help your business with all its A/V needs, whether it’s installing the latest technology at a brand-new building or helping you upgrade or expand your existing system, Chalfant said.

“A local A/V partner offers faster troubleshooting and tailored solutions as your needs evolve,” he said. “By partnering with a local A/V company, you gain a trusted advisor who’s invested in your success and understands the unique needs of businesses in the Philadelphia area.”

For more information on how your business can better expand in 2025 by improving A/V systems, contact Haverford Systems today.