As Hybrid Workforces become increasingly common their potential to increase productivity, improve employee morale and maximise profits makes them a central element of any modern business looking towards the future. Highly reliant on the latest AV technology, hybrid workforces combine the strengths of onsite employees working in an office environment and remote workers accessing the work environment from home. Hybrid workforces allow businesses to be adaptive; employing diverse workforces, linking offices abroad and in the UK and integrating seamlessly between remote and onsite workers. These new opportunities need new technology so if you’re wondering how to create a hybrid workforce within your business it’s important to consider the technological requirements you’ll have to fulfill to make hybrid working a reality.
Understanding Your Hybrid Working Needs
The demands of a modern digital business can vary hugely depending on what industry it is operating in. Having a good idea of the exact industry requirements in regards to hybrid working will allow you to make the right decisions about what audio visual installation you need to unlock its potential for your business, without breaking the budget.
You’ll want an accurate idea of how many staff you have working remotely and on-site and the ways they may need to be able to communicate between them. What types of meetings will be occurring remotely; board meetings, pitches and presentations, training or brainstorming ideas. How often will you want to connect with clients using AV equipment and will you need to allow clients to access meetings between onsite and remote working employees?
Depending on the exact needs of your business you may find you need whole suites of AV equipment; rooms in which you can host detailed meetings between remote clients, employees and staff working on-site. Alternatively you may find having a solid commercial WiFi connection and individual machines (phones, tablets or laptops) for every employee is a more cost effective way of conducting your business.
Room Design and Environment
Fitting your new AV installation to the workspace is a great way to ensure an effective hybrid working environment that benefits your business and your employees. Choosing the right installation for the layout and purpose of your meeting spaces will allow you to make the most of its potential for Hybrid Working. Some aspects of spatial design that you may want to think about when considering AV integration are:
- Room Size and Acoustics
Smaller huddle rooms for ideas sharing and coworking will have different requirements to large boardrooms used for meetings or pitches.
- Lighting
If you’re lucky enough to have a workspace with lots of natural light then you may need to consider light proof screens to allow easier communication. In reverse, spaces with low natural light may need effective artificial lighting solutions to allow for effective and clear communication.
- Seating Configuration
In group spaces you will want to consider the best microphone and camera placement to make sure everyone can be seen and heard in meetings between on site employees and remote workers. It is essential for Hybrid Working that all users can communicate clearly and comprehensively, especially if you are communicating remotely with clients.
- Noise Control
Potentially a significant issue in office spaces near manufacturing or logistics environments, it is essential to limit ambient noise to ensure crystal clear communications when using your new AV installation.
Smart and effective AV planning means tailoring your installation to the environment, ensuring all users can connect easily and communicate clearly.
Video Conferencing Application Compatibility
Ensure your new AV system is fully compatible with the video conferencing platforms your team uses, such as:
- Microsoft Teams
- Zoom
- Google Meet
Many of the most up to date AV installations are compatible with multiple applications and can work across different services, which adds flexibility as needs evolve. Ensuring that your new AV installation is compatible with your current Hybrid Working methods allows for an easy transition and keeps your business operating smoothly as you upgrade. The easiest way to ensure there are no hiccups is to trust the experts, Black Glass Comms will guarantee your AV setup is up and running with all the latest software you need to move your business into a Hybrid Working future.
Audio Quality Is Just as Critical
Don’t underestimate the importance of audio equipment in your AV installation. Many hybrid meetings fail not because of video but due to poor sound quality; when discussing detailed briefs it is essential that all information is communicated clearly to all participants.
Look for:
- Beamforming microphones or ceiling mics for even sound capture
- Noise-canceling DSPs (Digital Signal Processors)
- Well-positioned speakers to ensure even sound distribution
Our professional Black Glass Comms engineers will test and balance your system to eliminate dead zones and echo. It’s easy to be tempted to skimp on audio equipment and instead focus solely on high definition monitors and cameras which can be very expensive. A truly effective Hybrid Working setup requires crystal clear audio, maybe even more so than visuals.
Ease of Use and Accessibility
An AV system is only effective if people can use it without needing IT support for every meeting. Considering the different capacities and requirements of your team before the installation will result in an easy to use set up that allows all members of your staff to make use of it effectively and fluidly.
Things to consider:
–User-friendly interfaces – Touch screens and mobile apps can help users of all capacities use AV equipment, easily understood technologies can allow a smooth transition to Hybrid Work for every employee in your business.
– Automated room setups – lights, shades, and devices activate when someone enters, having easy to use AV templates will allow multiple users to take advantage of an AV installation without needing technical expertise.
– Staff Training – making sure every employee is trained in using your new AV installation will prevent issues integrating Hybrid Working into their daily routines.
Security and Network Considerations
AV systems are often connected to corporate networks, making cybersecurity a priority. If you are storing client documents it is your legal responsibility to prevent malicious actors from accessing your networks. Hybrid Working necessarily depends on connecting internal networks with wider external ones, meaning
It is vital to ensure:
- Endpoints are secure and up to date
- Communication is encrypted
- Devices can be monitored and managed by IT
- Guest access is controlled
Consult with the experts, Black Glass Comms will work closely with your internal and corporate IT teams to ensure that any installation we provide is exceptionally secure, providing training and advice long term to ensure that your business stays safe now and into the future.
To discuss in detail the exact AV needs of your business in order to unlock the potential of Hybrid Workforces in your industry you’ll want to contact the professionals; Black Glass Comms have years of experience evaluating the digital needs of businesses operating in all sorts of industries and can provide expert advice on the kind of installation that will keep your business growing in 2025 and the future.
