Pulse Technology, a technology company serving the IT, Managed Print Services and other needs of businesses throughout the Midwest and beyond, has expanded its Audio-Visual offerings by creating a separate AV division and with the introduction of two new business model offerings, CRaaS (Conference Room as a Service) and AVaaS (Audio-Visual as a Service).
Under this umbrella, the work includes digital signage, video walls (indoor and outdoor), LED walls, scoreboards, and more. The company has provided AV services for some time, but initially the work fell under the IT department.
Vince Miceli, vice president of technology at Pulse Technology, explains. “Our concept changes AV from a commodity (if it breaks, fix it or replace it) to an ongoing monthly business model, introducing CRaaS (Conference Room as a Service) and AVaaS (Audio Visual as a Service). The programs are based on the SaaS (Software as a Service) idea.”
Pulse Technology’s AV team works with clients with ongoing needs for a conference room and manages the client’s AV needs, providing hardware, software, service, labor and ongoing maintenance similar to what would happen under an MSP plan.
The division is led by Pulse Technology team member Paul Miceli, who serves as director of audio-visual. His plans are to increase the number of CRaaS and AVaaS clients; the models are applicable for both indoor and outdoor venues. Locally, their AV work includes Schaumburg (IL) Boomers scoreboard, a water park center for the Village of Elk Grove, and Olympic Park.
AV work can include digital signage, video walls (indoor and outdoor), LED walls, scoreboards and more.
Video walls by Pulse Technology
Taking the steps of creating an independent AV department and two new models is something the company spent some time preparing for, Paul Miceli explains. “In particular, the CRaaS model helps make ‘smart rooms’ and is becoming popular,” he says, adding “With video walls and other smart features, AV brings conference rooms to life with large, crystal clear images for business and recreation.”
Under the CRaaS model, clients who use conference rooms for a variety of ongoing reasons engage Pulse to manage their AV; and, similarly to how an MSP contract works, Pulse supplies the hardware, software, service, labor and ongoing maintenance, taking that task off the shoulders of the client company. “We have many design options and can offer multiple features.” Miceli adds, “Our maintenance program works out well for clients. If something happens to the conference room, they are not dealing with ongoing ‘break-fix’ fees; it all fits into one budget.”
Initial reaction to the move has been positive. “We find what the customer wants; use the technology to meet that need; we design it and put it together.” Government, corporations, and educational institutions number among the AV clients Pulse is working with as the company builds its CRaaS and AVaaS portfolios. In addition to the technology team at Pulse, the company has strong relationships with a number of partners including Watchfire and Sharp. “We build the systems here, whether it’s an LED digital sign or a video wall. The support is here too.”
Chip Miceli, CEO at Pulse Technology, adds, “We have built our business over these seven decades by listening to what our customers need, and where it makes sense, adding services to meet those needs. The separate AV department is another example of our growth model. We look forward to providing these needed services to customers across a wide range of industries.”
