7th May 2025

What Makes a Successful AV Installation?

From conference rooms to event spaces, what makes good great? At Carillion, we believe a successful AV installation is more than a reel of cables, screens and software. It's about creating intuitive, future-ready environments that enable communication, collaboration and creativity.

We know it takes more than just quality equipment to deliver a great outcome. It starts with understanding your vision and continues through expert planning, seamless delivery and long-term support. Our experienced project management team is there from day one, helping you navigate the design and decision-making process with a clear, jargon-free approach.

We're passionate about AV and just as passionate about sharing what we've learned. In this blog, we'll explore the key elements that set high-performing installations apart, drawing on real-world insights from recent projects. Whether you're upgrading a meeting room or building a broadcast studio, these lessons can help guide your next move.

 

Key Elements of a Successful AV Installation

1. Understanding the Client's Needs

Start by listening. Every client and project is unique. An AV installer needs to take the time to understand the challenges you encounter and the goals you want to achieve.

2. Future-Proof Design & Technology

Design systems that scale, minimise disruption, and seamlessly integrate with current and emerging technologies. The aim is to ensure your investment continues to deliver value well into the future.

3. User Experience First

Technology should empower people. AV systems need to be easy to use and enhance the day-to-day experience for everyone who interacts with them.

4. Seamless Integration with the Environment

From acoustics to lighting to smart building features, ensure your AV system complements and enhances its surroundings.

5. Expert Project Management

Each project is only as good as its management; meticulous planning, safety accreditations, and critical path timelines aligned with your deadlines are key.

 

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

  • Not Planning for Growth: AV systems need to adapt as your organisation grows. A short-term mindset leads to early obsolescence and additional costs. Ensure your AV partner designs with scalability in mind.
  • Overcomplicating the System: Complicated systems frustrate users and limit adoption. Choose an AV partner who prioritises intuitive, user-friendly interfaces.
  • Ignoring User Training: Even the best systems fail without confident users. Carillion includes comprehensive training and documentation in every installation, ensuring your staff can operate systems efficiently. When choosing your AV installer, make sure that this support for your teams comes as standard.
  • Overlooking Existing Infrastructure: A successful installation works with your current infrastructure, not against it. Look for an AV partner who completes thorough site surveys and infrastructure compatibility checks.

 

Real-World Lessons from Our Case Studies

BP – Teams Immersive Room Deployment
  • Challenge: Enable life-size, immersive Microsoft Teams experiences with a premium design aesthetic.
  • Solution: We conducted detailed spatial analysis and CGI modelling, integrated twin LG 136" LED displays, developed a custom camera mount solution, and optimised sound using beamforming mic arrays with Dante audio networking.
  • Outcome: A premium front row Teams experience that supports global collaboration with a powerful visual and audio environment.
  • Lesson Learned: A precise and detailed discovery phase pays dividends. By investing time in design analysis and understanding spatial constraints, we created an innovative solution unique to the client's space. It's this commitment to excellence that makes Carillion a future-focused AV partner.

Read the case study

 

Lancashire County Council – Digital Signage Rollout
  • Challenge: Share council updates via IPTV and digital signage in libraries while overcoming infrastructure limitations.
  • Solution: Site surveys, stakeholder collaboration, Signagelive software with Brightsign players, wall-mounted displays and freestanding totems. We ensured a smooth transition and service continuity.
  • Outcome: Real-time, reliable public messaging in multi-purpose community spaces.
  • Lesson Learned: Flexibility and collaboration are critical in complex public environments. Our team's adaptability to legacy infrastructure and live public spaces ensured a smooth transition with zero disruption.

Read the case study

 

Centreforce Radio – Studio Upgrade
  • Challenge: Deliver a commercial-grade studio that enhances DJ performance and audience experience, in an environment used 24/7 that cannot go “off air”.
  • Solution: Design consultancy, CGI renders, video wall installation, custom-built studio desk, interactive displays, soundproofing and a fully synchronised AV system.
  • Outcome: A future-ready broadcast environment praised for transforming the station's look and feel.
  • Lesson Learned: A strong creative partnership fuels successful outcomes. By immersing ourselves in the Centreforce vision, we brought technical mastery and artistic insight together to create a standout studio. Our team excels in listening and translating ambitions into AV reality, delivering spaces that impress.

Read the case study

 

Ready to transform your space with a successful AV installation? Explore our solutions or view more case studies to see how we deliver results that go beyond expectations.