January 2011 - AVM and AVI-SPL are expanding their relationship

AVM and AVI-SPL are expanding their relationship to include joint delivery of video managed services. Their partnership, the 26-member team the AV Global Alliance, has been focused on designing and installing world class audio and video integration projects.

The increase in demand for managed services is the driver for expanding the relationship to include video managed services as an AV Global Alliance offering. AVM and AVI-SPL intend to leverage their combined capabilities and infrastructure in the U.S. and Europe to deliver seamless managed video services to joint customers. The combined services will also enable both companies to expand the range of languages supported. In an unrelated announcement, AVI-SPL had the grand opening of its first two Video Briefing Centers (VBCs) – Tampa and Chicago.

Comments: Given the investment in infrastructure, software, and highly trained support people, we believe one key to the future of video managed services is the creation of services providers with scale. Hence we believe alliances like this, as well as likely industry consolidation, are good developments for both the vendor and the end user communities.