What to Evaluate in Your School’s AVS Systems Before Summer Break
As we enter the thick of the spring semester, schools naturally shift focus to finals, graduations, and end-of-year logistics. But, before summer break arrives, there’s an important opportunity that often gets overlooked: evaluating your audio, video, and security (AVS) systems.
Summer offers the most flexibility for upgrades, adjustments, and planning without disrupting students or staff. Evaluating your systems now means you can prioritize improvements over the break and avoid rushed decisions later to ensure your systems are ready for the next school year.
Here’s where we start:
1. System Reliability During Peak Use
Think back over the past year. Which systems worked seamlessly, and which ones caused frustration?
Evaluate:
Audio clarity in classrooms, gyms, and auditoriums
Video displays in lecture halls, common spaces, and athletic facilities
Security systems during high-traffic events or busy arrival/dismissal times
If staff had to troubleshoot regularly or rely on workarounds, that’s a sign reliability may need attention.
2. Ease of Use for Staff
Even the most advanced technology falls short if it’s difficult to use.
Ask yourself:
Can teachers and staff operate systems confidently without technical support?
Are controls intuitive and consistent across rooms or buildings?
Do substitutes or new staff struggle to get systems up and running?
Systems should support instruction, not slow them down. Evaluating usability reveals areas where simplification or standardization would help support your operations.
3. Coverage and Visibility Across Campus
For security and communication systems, especially, coverage matters.
Review:
Camera placement and visibility
Audio coverage in large or multi-use spaces
Blind spots in hallways, entrances, or outdoor areas
As campuses grow or spaces are repurposed, systems that once felt sufficient may no longer provide full coverage. Identifying these gaps early means smarter planning and safer learning down the road.
4. Integration Between Systems
Many schools add technology over time, often from different vendors or in different project phases. This à la carte approach can lead to systems that don’t fully communicate with one another.
Consider:
Do your AV and security systems work together or feel disconnected?
Are staff managing multiple platforms for related functions?
Could integration improve response time, visibility, or efficiency?
Summer planning gives you space to explore solutions that bring all of your systems into better alignment.
5. Maintenance and Support Needs
Finally, evaluate how your systems are maintained.
Ask:
Are updates and maintenance proactive or reactive?
Do you know the lifecycle of your current equipment?
Is support readily available when issues arise?
Addressing maintenance needs now can prevent unexpected failures during the school year.
Planning Now Creates Flexibility Later
Evaluating your AVS systems before summer break doesn’t mean committing to immediate changes. It simply creates clarity, so when the time comes to refresh, upgrade, or expand, you’re making informed decisions without pressure.
Early planning means you can use the summer months wisely, align upgrades with budgets and schedules, and start the next academic year with systems that support learning, safety, and day-to-day operations.
If you’re ready to evaluate your systems or simply want to discuss what that could look like, our team of AVS experts are here to help.