IN THIS ARTICLE
The Hidden Costs of Traditional Approaches
Most organizations underestimate the true cost of forcing AV traffic through traditional enterprise networks. Beyond the initial hardware investment, there are ongoing expenses that quickly add up. Specialized network engineers command premium rates for complex multicast configurations. Troubleshooting AV issues requires expensive on-site visits when problems can’t be resolved remotely. System deployments stretch from weeks to months as teams work through compatibility issues and performance problems.
These hidden costs often double or triple the initial project budget, creating unwelcome surprises for IT leaders who thought they were choosing the cost-effective path by leveraging existing network infrastructure.
Quantifiable Benefits of Purpose-Built Infrastructure
NETGEAR’s approach delivers immediate and measurable financial benefits. Organizations typically see 30-40% reduction in infrastructure costs through shared network resources and standardized equipment. The elimination of complex manual configurations reduces deployment time from weeks to days, directly translating to labor cost savings.
Operational efficiency improvements are equally significant. Centralized management capabilities eliminate the need for specialized on-site technicians, reducing or eliminating costly truck rolls. When issues do arise, remote troubleshooting capabilities mean faster resolution times and lower support costs. The result is a dramatic reduction in total cost of ownership over the system lifecycle.
Productivity Revolution Through Automation
The difference between traditional enterprise switch deployment and NETGEAR’s purpose-built approach is striking. Traditional deployments require highly skilled network engineers who must manually configure multicast settings, VLAN policies, and QoS parameters. This process is not only time-consuming but prone to errors that can take days or weeks to identify and resolve.
NETGEAR’s AV switches transform this experience through intelligent automation. Preset profiles for over 400 AV manufacturers eliminate guesswork and manual configuration. Automatic VLAN segmentation and IGMP configuration happen without human intervention. Features like AutoLAG and AutoTRUNK create optimized network connections automatically, while the AV-friendly user interface reduces dependency on specialized IT expertise.
This automation doesn’t just save time during initial deployment. It continues delivering value throughout the system lifecycle, as changes and expansions can be implemented quickly without extensive reconfiguration or specialized expertise.
Strategic Advantages Beyond Cost Savings
The financial benefits extend beyond direct cost reductions. Purpose-built AV infrastructure enables organizational agility that translates to competitive advantage, allowing spaces to be reconfigured quickly as business needs change without requiring physical system redesigns or extensive downtime. This flexibility supports rapidly evolving workplace requirements, from hybrid work models to new collaboration needs, while enhanced security compliance through standard IT protocols eliminates regulatory risks and potential fines associated with unsecured AV systems.
Future-Proofing Your Investment
NETGEAR’s approach positions organizations for emerging technology trends without requiring forklift upgrades. Built-in 10GB+ networking capabilities support uncompressed video and higher resolution content as display technology evolves, while AI-enhanced management features provide predictive maintenance capabilities that prevent costly system failures. Cloud integration capabilities enable hybrid deployment models that balance on-premises control with cloud-based scalability, ensuring that current investments remain valuable as technology strategies evolve and protecting the organization’s AV infrastructure investment over time.
The Bottom Line
The ROI case for purpose-built AV networks is compelling across multiple dimensions. Immediate cost savings of 30-40% provide clear financial justification, while operational efficiencies and reduced maintenance requirements deliver ongoing value. Strategic advantages in agility, security, and future-proofing create competitive benefits that extend far beyond the AV deployment itself.
Organizations that continue to rely on traditional enterprise networking approaches for AV deployments are not just missing cost savings opportunities. They’re accepting higher operational costs, increased complexity, and reduced strategic flexibility at a time when business agility has never been more important.
Download our free whitepaper to learn how NETGEAR’s purpose-built approach can save your organization time, money, and complexity.
