It’s mid-2015 and I believe in terms of what I’m hearing lately we have arrived at convergence, although I’m not sure that all in the industry agree quite yet. However, in supposing that we have arrived closer to that point of being there, it’s still only part of the overall equation. As an industry — the manufacturers, integrators and consultants can potentially arrive at a certain conclusion together — however can the industry agree that convergence could be more than just the AV/IT (or IT/AV for those who see it that way) that many have come to accept, and even larger than that, are we really going beyond “the box” already…

InfoComm 2015 did show us some answers to these questions in terms of certain manufacturers who are helping to drive the industry toward forward thinking (including beyond the box) technology mindsets, and along the lines of common outcomes among the attendees one thing was for certain — that being how Microsoft did fill a booth with more than just couches and charging stations, where people actually sat down to watch product presentations instead of soccer. The Surface Hub was one of the most talked about products at the show as well as prior to it, and If we were to talk about the subject of convergence, this could be one where industry watchers think to themselves that this may just be that connection between AV and IT to help round out conversation. However the recent reported delay in production past the original September 1 launch date, will no doubt be leaving this thought on hold for now. Certain concerns are being voiced by the delay, however I think we can also focus on other things to come from Microsoft, like Windows 10 for one (available July 29th in a free upgrade).

What has come out of this though is an interesting angle on the convergence conversation here — and that’s Crestron’s Surface Hub partnership with Microsoft, as well as their participation in the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), Microsoft’s major annual event for their partners. At an exclusive pre-show event to demo Surface Hub solutions for the enterprise, Crestron showed how they integrate control, automation, and enterprise AV technology with the large format Windows touch appliance. Incorporating the new Crestron .AV Framework OS, it requires no programming and allows for ready use right out of the box.

At the conference, Crestron’s Director, Software Products & Enterprise Solutions Kor Baydurcan was a featured presenter on a panel of Microsoft partners asked to break down best practices for designing solutions that leverage Microsoft IoT and cloud technology. Throughout the panel, he discussed Crestron Pyng and how IoT changes the way people interact with their residential or commercial settings through dynamic system learning. In terms of Crestron’s participation at the WPC, Rodney Clark, Microsoft general manager, IoT Device Experience stated, “We recognize Crestron as a cutting-edge industry pioneer on IoT”  and went on to say, “We’re thrilled to have Crestron share their knowledge and experience with our partners at our Worldwide Partner Conference.” And if you do read Baydurcan’s LinkedIn profile — it seems that he does indeed embody IoT.

Microsoft’s true standing in the commercial AV space still remains to be seen (as a result of this production delay), however with the manufacturer and reseller partnerships that have been forged, and with more reportedly to come, it’s likely that when we do see the Surface Hub actually hit the market, the impact could be huge. Here AVI-SPL’s SVP of sales Dale Bottcher, one of Microsoft’s major Surface Hub reseller partners (and of course a major Crestron partner as are other selected Surface Hub integrators) talks Surface Hub adoption at Microsoft WPC 2015:

And while we’ve touched on the subject of IoT…

After the Keynote at InfoComm 2015 which highlighted the present and future of IoT and even discussed it’s potential intersection with AV in the commercial sector (there of course already exists tie-in to the residential/consumer markets), we all are still taking into account whether we walked away from a serious discussion on the eventual merging of commercial AV and “things connected,” or if it was the hot button topic of the day being discussed and debated by industry executives from four major industry manufacturers, each primarily known for UC and collaboration (oh, and IoE), control systems, audio solutions and displays. While I considered those manufacturer representatives present key to the discussion in various manners, I may have even looked towards others to participate — including some that exist fully outside of the realm of AV.

Crestron, who was represented by their Chief Technology Officer on the panel, is certainly a force to be recognized in IoT as they are a leader in the AV home automation market with their control solution Crestron Pyng. In fact, just prior to InfoComm, it was Microsoft who was talking boldly about Crestron’s standing in the realm of IoT. Microsoft extended its Azure cloud computing platform to the Internet of Things with Azure IoT, a suite of services for enabling smart devices to connect with each other and the cloud. Microsoft lauded the Crestron cloud-based home automation platform as an ideal implementation of Azure IoT, and I for one consider this to be a true full-circle representation of convergence in AV and IT.

Convergence that exists in AV, IT — and IoT. Might this even become a potential on-ramp to IoT for the commercial space in the industry (as well as others to be considered in the future)? Key partnerships, those already established and others to come, can continue to bring the industry closer to those desired technology milestones, and Microsoft’s for one could mean even more than we may think – even beyond the wall computer, and Skype for Business.

To be continued…

By the way, a new version of Windows for small footprint IoT devices will be available for free when Windows 10 launches. Through key partnerships with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Intel, Qualcomm and others, Microsoft will provide great options for commercial devices builders, hobbyists and students.