Why It’s Time to Connect AV and Smart Building Systems for Sustainability

Today’s post is by guest author Kelly Bousman.

AVI-SPL SVP ESG and Sustainability

Sustainability has quickly moved from a strategic initiative to a business imperative. Whether you’re managing commercial real estate, designing collaboration environments, or leading technology strategy, the pressure to reduce energy use, improve user experience, and meet ESG goals is real and it’s growing.

The good news? We already have the tools to unlock this value. The technologies that power today’s intelligent AV and UC systems and smart building platforms can work together to unlock measurable sustainability outcomes. What’s missing, in many cases, is the connection.

We’re hosting a webinar on November 11 to explore this opportunity in depth, and we hope you’ll join us.

As AV and building systems have evolved, they’ve often done so in parallel. AV networks and UC platforms operate with their own protocols and analytics. Building Management Systems (BMS) are typically focused on mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems. But as both AV and building tech shift to the cloud and deploy more IoT-enabled devices, a convergence is not only possible, it’s necessary.

When AV and BMS platforms connect, they can share real-time data about occupancy, environmental conditions, and system performance. AV devices become the eyes and ears of a space, sensing presence, usage patterns, system performance, and even energy demand. Smart building systems, meanwhile, can automate temperature, lighting, access control, and air quality based on that data. The result is a more responsive, efficient, and personalized environment.

This convergence isn’t just about convenience. It directly supports sustainability. Think about lighting systems that dim based on daylight and occupancy, or HVAC systems that scale back in underused spaces, all triggered by AV-enabled sensing. Or consider displays that shift content based on energy pricing signals, helping reduce costs associated with peak demand. (Hint: Besides black, blue content consumes the least power on Direct View LED displays.)

It’s time to explore how combining usage patterns across both AV and building systems can help organizations right-size their real estate, identify energy-intensive technologies, support user comfort and productivity, and report progress against ESG goals with greater transparency.

Of course, there are challenges, interoperability, legacy systems, and organizational silos among them. But we’re seeing growing momentum thanks to cloud infrastructure, emerging standards, and the work of architects and systems integrators who understand how to bring these pieces together.

At the end of the day, connecting AV and smart building systems isn’t just about converging technology, it’s about creating spaces that learn, adapt, and support both business and environmental goals.

Join us on November 11 at 11:00 AM ET for a panel discussion hosted by the AVIXA Sustainability Advisory Group. You’ll hear from experts at Acuity, Q-SYS, and AVI-SPL who are leading this convergence across cloud platforms, AV design, and smart building engineering. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep into your sustainability journey, you’ll leave with practical insights you can apply today.