AVaaS

AVaaS: A low risk, high ROI approach to AV solutions

AV as a service, or AVaaS, gives companies and organizations access to modern AV solutions, without requiring a significant upfront investment. Like with other as-a-service arrangements, AVaaS allows businesses to easily fit AV into their budget and avoid the kind of capital-draining decisions that can cripple flexibility. Data Projections (DPI) takes AVaaS further, with a service agreement that remains in place for the system's life.

The Advantages of AVaaS

AVaaS is a new way of delivering AV solutions to companies and organizations of all sizes. It is an alternative to the traditional lump sum, or CapEx, form of investment, instead requiring a monthly payment to maintain the system. There are several advantages to this approach, including:

Smarter use of cash flow - With AVaaS, companies don't have to disrupt their cash flow with large, difficult-to-predict investments into AV. Instead, businesses can keep their cash in reserve, so they can better react to unforeseen expenditures. Further, businesses can optimally leverage their resources instead of committing them to major AV expenses. This may mean expansion, additional marketing or extra personnel, all effective means of investing saved capital.
Preserves credit - Because AVaaS conserves capital, businesses are not required to exhaust credit in order to invest in AV. This keeps the company in good standing with credit agencies and opens up a new source of credit to improve that standing further.
Reduces risk - Technology is a depreciating asset, so committing to the full cost upfront means taking on considerable risk. AVaaS, by contrast, always gives companies access to the newest equipment and solutions, so they can move on to a more effective option when needed, and without a major purchase.
Streamlines budgeting - The CapEx approach to AV technology can slow budgeting down, as it may be difficult to fit major lump sum payments into the forecast. AVaaS removes this budgetary uncertainty with a predictable monthly expense that can be tracked. This expedites the budgetary approval process, which helps every department.
Improves access to technology - AVaaS ensures businesses get the most from their investment. With a CapEx arrangement, companies can only upgrade their technology when they have the capital on hand to do so. This can potentially lock an organization into outdated solutions for years, until it can raise the funds for better AV solutions. AVaaS, however, gives companies access to the latest AV technology with only a modest increase in monthly payment. It's easier to keep AV within the budget with this option, which means companies may be able to afford additional equipment.
Controls losses due to inflation - AVaaS allows companies to acquire today's technology with tomorrow's cash, which is always advantageous for the buyer. CapEx, on the other hand, demands organizations expend present resources, which are usually more valuable due to inflation.

There is a clear advantage with transitioning to AVaaS, but many integrators add more value to the arrangement with technology refreshes and flexible leasing terms. DPI, for instance, bakes the cost of technology refreshes and upgrades into AVaaS, so clients can consider expenses well in advance. Further, DPI also provides several end of term options, so companies can return the equipment, extend their agreement with DPI or request a technology refresh and renew the agreement. It's up to the client and their needs.

When is AVaaS a good fit?

While AVaaS is usually a good fit, there are some organizations that would be a particularly good fit with an agreement. They include:

Companies unconcerned with equipment ownership, and more concerned with how the technology will be used. AVaaS provides enough flexibility for businesses to change their AV strategy if needed.
Companies that prefer the cost and budgeting certainty that comes with regular monthly payments.
Companies that want a long-term picture of their AV initiatives and investments.
Companies that want to preserve cash and capital for investment.
Companies that want to lock in a long-term service agreement that comes with a guaranteed response time.

That last point is an important feature of AVaaS agreements, and depending on the integrator, a service arrangement can add significant value.

DPI's Service Agreements

All technology eventually experiences a failure. It's how organizations respond to those failures that determines whether they develop into a problem. This is the idea behind DPI's service agreements, which are designed to minimize the impact of any issues with the system. DPI offers three service agreement levels - Silver, Gold and Platinum and all DPI solutions come with a Silver service agreement for the life of the system. Here's what each plan offers:

Silver - The Silver plan provides on-site technical response within eight business hours if the issue cannot be resolved remotely. The plan also comes with unlimited, free remote technical assistance and, if the client's network is causing the issue, troubleshooting. The Silver plan also provides for additional training, to ensure employees are getting the most out of the system. Further, DPI will process all manufacturer warranties and handle shipping should any system components require repair at a facility.
Gold - The Gold plan includes all of the above, and provides faster shipping should any hardware need repair at a manufacturer's facility. More importantly, the Gold plan provides four preventative maintenance visits during the plan's term. Preventative maintenance resolves issues before they cause downtime, and will ensure that the system's performance and configuration is always optimized.
Platinum - The Platinum plan includes even faster shipping to repair facilities, and increases the number of preventative maintenance visits from four to 12. That's one visit a month, which ensures the system is always functioning at peak capacity.

With AVaaS, businesses can make AV a priority, without the resulting expense. It protects a company's cash flow, capital and credit, provides the latest in technology and comes packaged with value-adding service agreements. In short, AVaaS is the right choice for any company that wants AV advantages without making a major investment.