In the early 2000s, there was a significant wave of meeting room upgrades using conventional room automation systems. These systems featured multiple input ports for audio-video presentations, all neatly integrated into the conference table & connected to a prominent projector through complex matrix switchers. In more sophisticated setups, higher-end rooms even boasted lighting control via tabletop touch panels. It was an exciting time for users & IT managers alike, as the concept of one-touch room control for screen deployment, projector activation, & lighting dimming provided both convenience & a “wow” factor.
However, fast forward a few years, & we began to witness a shift in sentiment. Some users were eager to move away from these systems. Common complaints centered around unresponsive commands, difficulties operating the room & significant IT resources required for ongoing support & maintenance. It’s unclear whether these challenges were due to inadequate UI/UX design, programming issues with SIs, insufficient user training, or the absence of dedicated AV personnel within onsite support teams.
The landscape continued to evolve with the emergence of wireless presentation technologies. These advancements rendered the multiple hardwired connections on the conference table obsolete. Additionally, LED displays started replacing traditional projectors in meeting spaces, eliminating the need for dimming lights, which had been a significant driver for room automation.
In this changing landscape, IT support teams sought relief from the demands of round-the-clock support for tech in meeting spaces. The new expectation shifted toward rooms being intelligent enough to seamlessly switch between input sources, whether wired or wireless, as users connected & disconnected their devices for presentations. Unified collaboration devices played a pivotal role in achieving this goal. The ability to transition effortlessly between web conferencing & local presentations with a single click became a key factor in designing modern meeting rooms.
In a more abstract sense, the inclusion of artificial intelligence within the chosen hardware & the seamless interconnection of devices allowed users to initiate their meetings without grappling with touch panels and complex room technology. As connectivity such as VGA & analog video gave way to HDMI-CEC, even the need for a button to wake up displays became obsolete.
Today, meeting spaces with these expectations are gradually phasing out traditional room automation systems that relied on user interactions with touch panels to control room devices. Most of my recent projects have been driven by the explicit requirement for this more intuitive & user-friendly approach.
The question arises: Will room automation systems now be limited to larger spaces like auditoriums or complex operations such as town hall meetings?