Your Winter Break Checklist
Winter break is more than a chance for employees and students to step away from their work and snuggle up with their latest binge-watch. For schools and businesses, this is also the perfect opportunity to prepare building technology, address maintenance needs, and make improvements before everyone returns.
With fewer people using conference rooms, classrooms, and shared spaces, winter break provides a valuable window to make sure your audio, video, and security systems are ready for the new year.
Here’s a checklist to help you get started.
1. Test Your Audio and Video Systems
Before your building goes quiet for the holidays, take time to test the technology your team relies on every day. Check microphones, speakers, displays, projectors, cameras, and other equipment for issues that may have gone unnoticed during normal use. Small problems can become major disruptions when an important meeting, presentation, or class begins, and the last thing you need is malfunctioning technology at the beginning of the second semester.
2. Inspect Cables and Connections
Loose, damaged, or improperly connected cables can cause frustrating problems with audio and video quality. Take advantage of the downtime to inspect visible connections and address anything that looks worn or out of place. Electrical safety should remain a priority. OSHA recommends inspecting electrical equipment and cords for damage and removing damaged equipment from use until it can be properly repaired.
3. Review Your Integrated Systems
Winter break can also be a good time to evaluate whether your technology systems are working together as effectively as they should. Test cameras, displays, microphones, speakers, control panels, and network connections. You should also make sure employees know how to use the systems before they return from break. If your team is constantly working around technology instead of technology working for your team, it may be time to consider an upgrade.
4. Address Security and Access Control
Don’t forget about security technology while completing your winter checklist. Review cameras, access control systems, alarms, and other security equipment to make sure they are operating as expected. Winter break may also be an ideal time to evaluate whether your current security system still meets the needs of your facility, especially if your building, staff, or operations have changed.
5. Schedule Repairs and Upgrades
Finally, don’t let identified problems get pushed into the new year. Make a list of repairs, maintenance needs, and potential upgrades and prioritize them before your team returns. A little preparation during winter break can prevent technology headaches when business and school schedules return to full speed.
Start the New Year With Technology You Can Trust
Your AV systems play an important role in how your organization communicates, collaborates, teaches, and operates. Winter break gives you a chance to ensure those systems are ready for what comes next.
If your organization needs AV maintenance, upgrades, or a new technology solution, Blades AVS can help you evaluate your current systems and determine the best path forward. Get started with our AVS experts today.