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Visionary Solutions on Sustainability in 2023

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In honor of Earth Day 2023, rAVe [PUBS] has partnered with Commercial Integrator to explore sustainability in ProAV. We sat down with Scott Freshman, COO of Visionary Solutions, to discuss the company’s sustainability efforts in 2023.

rAVe [PUBS]: Tell us why your company is passionate about sustainability.

SCOTT FRESHMAN: Visionary Solutions has been passionate about sustainability in the AV industry for almost three decades. We recognize the significant impact that technology and innovation have on our environment, resources, and society at large. We are committed to developing and promoting eco-friendly solutions to meet the growing demands of the AV industry while reducing its overall carbon footprint. The AV industry has the potential to consume vast amounts of energy and materials. We see this as an opportunity to not only create energy-efficient products but also to advocate for sustainable practices within the AV industry.

rAVe [PUBS]: Can you give us an example of concrete efforts your company is making to be more sustainable?

SF: The modular nature of our AV-over-IP technology is a great example of sustainability. Modular AV system design and architecture enabled by AVoIP technology offers several sustainability benefits compared to traditional fixed matrix switching. These benefits include greater scalability, energy efficiency, longer product life, reduced material consumption, simplified maintenance and repair, remote management, and more efficient use of resources. These benefits contribute to a lower environmental impact compared to traditional fixed matrix switching.

A concrete example of the benefits gained from the design and use of sustainable AVoIP products can be illustrated in a recent large project we did at Resorts World Las Vegas. This is one of the largest AVoIP deployments in the world with over 2,500 Visionary endpoints. During the design process the systems integrators, along with the end user, and Visionary’s engineers did calculations on the power requirements versus some of the competitive products that were being considered. It was determined that RWLV would be reducing its carbon footprint by 532 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent while saving over $60,000 per year in energy costs by using Visionary’s eco-friendly, low power endpoints versus the competitive solutions that used significantly more power. This savings is the equivalent to Carbon Dioxide emissions from 59,808 gallons of gasoline consumed. This is the equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions avoided by 23,007 trash bags of waste recycled instead of landfilled. This is equivalent to carbon sequestered by 8,789 tree seedings grown for 10 years. *As calculated by the U.S. Government EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

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rAVe [PUBS]: What sustainability efforts are you planning to implement in the next year?

SF: It’s exciting to see and be a part of a growing sustainability initiative in the AV industry. We look forward to partnering with Si’s, consultants, end-users, and industry peers through organizations like SAVe to promote sustainable practices and share innovative solutions.

rAVe [PUBS]: Can you give a long-term overview of your sustainability plan?

SF: At Visionary, we understand that sustainable practices contribute to long-term profitability and customer satisfaction. By focusing on environmentally conscious designs and solutions, we continue to position ourselves as a leader in the market and attract clients who share our values. Our emphasis on sustainability helps us stay competitive and grow in an ever-evolving industry.

rAVe [PUBS]:Anything else you’d like to add?

SF: The most important, and often overlooked, issue when it comes to sustainability and for the future of AVoIP is the over-engineering of endpoints and the resulting excessive power consumption. Manufacturers sometimes pack their devices with a multitude of features to make them stand out in the market. However, many of these features may not be required by the end users, leading to excessive power consumption, and added costs. As AVoIP technology advances, it is essential for manufacturers to strike a balance between innovation and real-world usability. Over-engineered devices not only consume more energy but also increase the total cost of ownership for users, as they pay for features they don’t necessarily need. This can negatively impact the adoption of AVoIP solutions, as end users may find it difficult to justify the investment in overly expensive systems.

To address this issue, the AV industry should focus on developing energy-efficient and streamlined solutions tailored to specific use cases and market segments. Manufacturers need to engage with their customers, understanding their requirements and expectations, to create products that deliver the right set of features without adding unnecessary complexities. Furthermore, adopting modular and scalable designs can help manufacturers create flexible solutions that can be easily upgraded or customized according to the end users’ needs. This way, users can invest in the features they require and avoid paying for additional functionalities that don’t contribute to their specific use case, ultimately reducing energy consumption and overall costs.

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This sponsored content was created as part of a paid partnership with Visionary Solutions. The contents of this article are entirely independent and solely reflect the opinion of Visionary Solutions. In lieu of payment to rAVe or Commercial Integrator, Visionary Solutions made a $5,000 donation to SAVe.

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