We’ve all been there before – you’re getting ready for a big meeting, and the technology isn’t working right. Maybe the camera won’t turn on, the sound doesn’t work, or what you want to share isn’t coming up on the screen. What do you do?
Integrated Building Systems is always a phone call away to seek advice or schedule service. But to save stress, time, and money, here are five things you can do before calling for emergency service.
1: POWER CYCLE
“Did you turn it on and off again?” is a cliché for a reason. Sometimes, power cycling is all the equipment needs to work properly again.
Technology, especially computers, can get overwhelmed and crash or freeze. Power cycling refreshes the internal memory and gets the equipment ready to go again. It’s the same reason you would turn off your modem and turn it back on if you were having problems with your internet at home.
Technicians often try this as a first step for troubleshooting an issue. If that doesn’t work, it’s on to the next test.
2: CHECK IF ANYTHING IS UNPLUGGED
This may also seem like a straightforward piece of advice, but it can be easy to miss. Most commonly, this happens when something is unplugged to make room for a new device.
Was anything unplugged in the conference room, in the IT room, or at the A/V equipment rack? Is there anything new in the room? If you are not sure, consult with your IT team.
3: UNDERSTAND NETWORK OR SOFTWARE CHANGES
Speaking of consulting with your IT team, sometimes the issue is a change made behind the scenes. Check to see if there were any updates made to your network or any new software uploaded. At times, IT teams may implement new solutions that impact the way the A/V system works.
4: CHECK SETTINGS
The settings within software can have an impact on how the equipment works. Double check to see if any settings were changed within Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or any other platforms you use.
For example, sometimes when Zoom or Teams updates, it defaults to a different speaker or microphone. You can verify in audio settings that the correct equipment is still selected.
5: PREVENTATIVE CHECKS
The best way to prevent last-minute technology glitches is regular system inspection and maintenance. How often this occurs can be based on how often you use the space. For example, if you have a conference room that hosts board meetings quarterly, it would be a good idea to have the technology tested quarterly before those meetings.
Having your technology partners check to make sure everything is working ahead of time minimizes last-minute service calls. If something is amiss, this also leaves time to work on a fix or to find an alternative solution.
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
Businesses like yours can’t afford complicated technology and communication systems that slow down productivity and break the budget. At Integrated Building Systems, we plan, install, and service the right technology for your workplace so your entire team is equipped to do their best work.
Contact Integrated Building Systems at info@ibswebsite.com or 614-240-5999 to learn more about our new Preventative Maintenance Agreements. These agreements provide service at a lower cost than as-needed service, and they guarantee priority scheduling. The goal is to keep your team working seamlessly and to help you avoid the stress and cost of the “I need help now!” call.