The Presentation Room and Technology Trends
	What is a fundamental way to secure your organization's success? According to a report conducted by MIT, success can be ensured by utilizing audio visual presentation technologies. The study revealed that top management must participate in the information technology revolution if a company wishes to compete successfully. Failure to do so will not just affect the organization's success, but could affect its ability to survive. In 1973, when we founded Pran, Inc., organizations having dedicated audio visual facilities were still a rarity. Only a select few had the resources, technology, or insight to plan spaces specifically tailored for information exchange. Today, most organizations utilize some form of audio visuals and many have work environments with custom multi-media facilities equipped with the latest in electronic technologies. This increase in audiovisual usage is primarily due to technological advances of computers and the powerful software programs available to organize, store, format, and display information. Computers have left an indelible mark on almost every aspect of our lives, and business presentations are no exception. Software advances have given business communicators and educators the ability to produce sophisticated multi-media presentations incorporating text, computer graphics, sound, video and slides. Consequently, the very way we communicate is changing. This evolution in communication technologies is affecting numerous other industries as well. For example, to accommodate for the changes, we have had to rethink the design of our work environments. Architects, Corporate Real Estate Planners and Developers have had to realize the potential impact of communications facilities on their projects. As stated earlier, audio visual systems are no longer a luxury . . . they are a tool of survival. Today, more and more rooms are being constructed to accommodate enhanced communications as their primary function. We are seeing specialized facilities such as in-house video studios, videoconferencing rooms, command centers, computer training labs, and distance learning facilities. And for these systems to be properly implemented, the infrastructure requirements must be addressed at the beginning of a project. If the issue of audio visuals, and the design of meeting and presentation rooms is put off until project occupancy, then the project will probably be inadequate and possibly unsalable. Numerous issues must be addressed in order to properly plan for a project's communication technology needs. We can only speculate what resources our meetings of tomorrow will require. Obviously, presentation equipment will continue to grow in capability and utilization. And new tools will require the development of new skills. Business communicators will have to learn how to communicate utilizing new media technologies. But, most importantly, it will be how we utilize these technologies in our meeting and training environments that will accommodate our transition into the future. Contact Media Cottage for expert help on planning and creating your presentation room.