We currently have an audio visual department who reports into operations and an IT department that reports into finance (CFO). This was fine a few years ago when the AV hardware requirements were small and they were mainly setting up projectors, speakers, etc for special events. We have have now found the simple setups of yesteryear are now gone and there are ever increasing needs that require more IT interface. There is constant conflict between the two groups on whose "responsibility" it is to resolve different kinds of issues that are part of the AV world now. We believe that AV and IT should actually be the same group now. Who they report to is another discussion but our biggest question to everyone is what have you seen on what functional group does AV reside in larger organizations? Are they a stand alone department or part of the IT department? Thank you for your thoughts.
Audio Visual Departments
Answers
Some thoughts:
Overall, IT supports the business. Business users use the technology and they make sure they know its functionality. IT usually makes sure it is available to use when needed, that is it secure, functional, upgraded, integrated into other business technology as needed. In businesses where technology is a huge component of business activities, IT is often called on to partner closely with the business in strategy and in execution.
What does your AV team actually do with the AV technology?
Do they follow IT governance standards?-do they know what that means?
Do they know how to buy/license technology from vendors?
Do they use data from CRM/ERP or other databases?
What risks exist around AV and who manages them?
Do they manage privacy and security issues (can the AV technology allow hackers to get into your systems and wreak havoc)?